1856 Flying Eagle Cent
The first of the "Small Cents" produced by the United States Mint. Flying Eagle cents are highly desirable and worth lots of money - especially if they are found in good condition. While only minted for 2 years, there are numerous variations and varieties cataloged over the years. A must read is A Guide Book of Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cents written by Flying Eagle cent expert Richard Snow. Most varieties listed on auction houses and on PCGS/NGC labels will identify the variation using either a Snow-## or FS-## designation so the buyer/collector knows which variety they are buying.
| Year | G6 | F12 | EF40 | AU50 | MS60 | MS64 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1856 | $8,000 | $11,000 | $16,000 | $18,000 | $20,000 | $38,400 |
| Year | PR12 | PR15 | PR45 | PR58 | PR60 | PR62 | PR63 | PR64 | PR65 | PR65+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1856 Snow-3 | - | $13,500 | - | $15,000 | $19,000 | - | - | $22,800 | $30,000 | $250,000 |
| 1856 Snow-9 | $9,900 | $10,000 | $10,800 | - | $13,200 | $14,400 | $15,000 | $20,400 | $24,000 | $45,000 |
| Year | XF45 | AU50 | AU53 | AU55 | AU58 | MS61 | MS62 | MS63 | MS64 | MS65 | MS65+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1857 | $190 | $380 | $475 | $500 | $540 | $575 | $900 | $1,000 | $1,750 | $2,900 | $5,040 |
The Snow-1 / FS-401a variety is likely the first regular-issue Flying Eagle cent minted in 1857. The dies were likely produced without the 1857 date at the same time the 1856 dies were manufactured. It’s believed that there are less than 100 of this variation in existence.
| Year | AU50 | MS62 | MS66 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1857 Snow-1 / FS-401a | $400 | $2,500 | $19,000 |
The obverse (back) of a Snow-2 FS-401b variant was made from a 1856 die - likely sometime in 1856 but was left undated.
| Year | F12 | VF35 | XF45 | MS62 | MS63 | MS64 | MS65 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1857 Snow-2 / FS-401b | $100 | $200 | $300 | $750 | $1,600 | $1,800 | $2,700 |
Die doubling is evident on UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, the eagle's beak, and the tailfeathers.
| Year | F12 | VF35 | MS62 | MS63 | MS64 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1857 Snow-3 / FS-105 | $100 | $250 | $750 | $1,000 | $1,500 |
Die doubling is evident on nearly the entire obverse.
| Year | XF45 | MS62 | MS64 | MS65 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1857 Snow-4 / FS-101 | $200 | $1,000 | $1,900 | $4,000 |
Features heavy clash marks through AMERICA correspond with Liberty's profile on the $20 Double Eagle coin. Very rare coin to find in any grade over Fine condition.
| Year | G4 | G6 | F12 | AU58 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1857 Snow-7 / FS-403 | $325 | $600 | $2,000 | $35,000 |
The field near ONE exhibits clash marks that correspond to the neck and upper left wing of the eagle from a Seated Liberty quarter.
| Year | F12 | XF45+ | AU58 | MS62 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1857 Snow-8 / FS-901 | $200 | $500 | $600 | $1,200 |
It’s believed the Snow-9 / FS-402 variant of the 1857 Flying Eagle was struck between 1857 through 1860. These coins were apparently stockpiled by the United States Mint for sale to collectors. However the start of the Civil war caused sales to decline - and it’s believed the Mint issued these into circulation - meaning finding collector grade versions very rare and very valuable.
| Year | F12 | VF30 | VF35 | AU58 | MS64 | MS65 | PR62 | PR64 | PR65 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1857 Snow-9 / FS-402 | $100 | $160 | $200 | $900 | $1,700 | $3,000 | $14,500 | $20,400 | $23,000 |
The Large Letter Flying Eagle
| Year | VF35 | XF45 | AU55 | AU58 | MS62 | MS63 | MS64 | MS65 | MS66 | MS66+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1858 Large Letter | $105 | $240 | $340 | $450 | $900 | $1,500 | $2,000 | $3,400 | $4,800 | $22,800 |
Proof 1858 Flying Eagle Proof cents are astronomically rare. According to Richard Snow, just 100 were believed to be struck, with possibly around 50 being survived today. Amazingly, a near perfect string in PR64 through PR65+CAM condition sold in calendar year 2022 so the prices below reflect these sales.
| Year | PR64 | PR64 CAM | PR65 | PR65 CAM | PR65+ | PR65+ CAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1858 Large Letter PROOF | $8,700 | $12,000 | $15,000 | $17,400 | $19,800 | $28,800 |
The Small Letter Flying Eagle
| Year | G6 | VF35 | XF45 | AU50 | AU55 | MS62 | MS64 | MS65 | MS65+ | MS66 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1858 Small Letter | $95 | $125 | $175 | $275 | $350 | $1,775 | $2,000 | $3,000 | $7,500 | $12,000 |
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This 1856 Flying Eagle cent has it all. It’s the debut date of these strikes, it’s in a condition not seen in a higher grade and it’s the preferred Snow-3 variety. It’s no wonder why this coin sold for a staggering $240,000 in September 2020.
When this pristine PCGS MS66 1856 Flying Eagle sold previously, only 2 were graded in MS66 condition - with none higher. Nearly 2 decades has passed since the last sale of $172,500 and now there are 3 graded in this condition by PCGS - with still none higher.
No one is 100% certain if Snow-3 1856 Flying Eagle’s are business strikes or proofs. It’s believed 634 were originally distributed to Congressmen for approval. A small number of these original strikes are believed to be proofs - which earn the Snow-3 variety.
The finest example of the 1858/7 Large Letter Snow-1 / FS-301 variety is in MS65+ condition. This variety features a fancy 7 inside the 8 on the date. This coin originally sold for $74,025 in October 2014 and then came up for auction again in 2021 and sold for $72,000.
PCGS states there are just 3 in MS65 condition. This coin has sold numerous times over the years. First in 2002 for $37,375, then for $92,000 in January 2006. Four years later the coin sold twice in one year for $71,875 in January 2010 and then again for $66,125 in August.
It’s believed that only 100 proofs were struck in 1858. When this coin was sold in 2004 for $57,500 it was the only proof with the Ultra Cameo sub grade. Additionally PCGS had not graded a Large Letter example above PR65 - making this by far the finest example in existence.
This 1856 Flying Eagle is the Snow-9 variety and is graded near perfect PR65+ condition. This coin has sold several times over the years. Fist in 2012 for $35,250, then again for $31,000 in 2018 and most recently in September 2020 for $43,200.
In 1858 two types of Flying Eagles were minted - a Large Letter and Small Letter variety. Both are believed to have similar circulations numbers. This small letter variety is graded PCGS MS66+ which is the finest grade in existence.
This pattern FLying Eagle coin is graded PCGS PR66+ BN. These coins have been counterfeited over the years, so caution is needed if you find one in the wild. This one certified by both PCGS and CAC sold for $39,600 in 2022.
32 have achieved the PCGS MS64 grade and coins in this condition have a long history of coming up for sale. In 2008 one sold for $37,375. In 2012 for $24,150. More recently the coin sold again for $38,400 in May 2022.
