1858 Flying Eagle Cent
Flying Eagle Cents
Flying Eagle cents are highly sought by collectors because this historic and extremely short series marks the beginning of U.S. small cents. Challenges associated with the design quickly led to the adoption of the Indian Head cent in 1859.
A small number of Flying Eagle proofs dated 1856 to 1858 were struck, while 41 million coins intended for circulation bear the dates 1857 or 1858. Collectors looking for mint-state examples of any Flying Eagle cent can expect to pay hundreds of dollars—and possibly a lot more.
A Counterfeit Submission
Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) recently received a purported example of an 1858 Flying Eagle cent. The coin’s red flags begin with its color, which doesn’t look like what you would expect from a piece struck in 88-percent copper (with the balance nickel). Also, the surfaces are flat with no luster.
The date shows a dramatic doubling that is absent on the rest of the obverse. Setting aside the doubling, the look of the date’s digits alone definitively identify this as a counterfeit: the numbers are bulbous and misshapen. This is especially noticeable when compared to the genuine example, where the digits are flatter and more defined. In addition, the counterfeit’s lettering isn’t sharp, and the denticles fade out on the reverse. The devices are grainy and lack the metal flow lines typically visible on U.S. Mint coinage. Lastly, strange raised horizontal lines appear below the eagle, and concentric lines circle the rim (which can be seen in the close-up photo of the date).
NGC has certified more than 10,000 Flying Eagle cents. In addition to years of experience, NGC’s graders have access to comprehensive research tools and state-of-the-art equipment. All of this allows NGC to back its determinations of authenticity and grade with the NGC Guarantee.
A version of this article appears in the February 2024 issue of The Numismatist (money.org).