January 25-28, 2004, The Pre-Long Beach Coin & Currency Auction
Sale 23

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Small Cents

Flying Eagle Cents

Ever-Popular 1856 Flying Eagle Cent

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1337    1856. Snow 3. PCGS graded Proof 58. Lightly toned, with different shades of golden toning. Accompanied by an Eagle Eye Rare Coins photo certificate with the somewhat confusing designation "Format: Mint State." (this may have something to do with the soft strike on the head, tail, and wreath).

In a recent article, numismatic researcher Robert Julian pointed out that the first 1856 Flying Eagle Patterns were issued in quantity for presentation to anyone who might have an influence on pending legislation to authorize the new Small Cent. Apparently, the coins were an enormous hit with collectors, as they were later restruck in a variety of formats. Thus, the seemingly high mintage for this Pattern Cent is explained by political motives first and collector demand second. Even today, the demand for this date far outstrips the supply, as evidenced by the impressive prices this coin brings whenever it appears on the market.
Estimated Value $8,000-9,000.
 

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1338    1857. NGC graded MS-65. A very attractive example that features a bold strike and some red and blue toning visible on both sides. Excellent cartwheel luster. This immensely popular design lasted only two years (three, if you count the 1856 Patterns). In essence, the Flying Eagle Cent served as a segue from the clunky Large Cents to the more genteel Indian Cents. NGC has graded only 8 finer, all at the MS-66 level.
Estimated Value $2,700-3,000.
 

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1339    1857. NGC graded MS-64. A well struck example, lustrous and saddle tan in color. In an older NGC holder.
Estimated Value $700-900.
 
1340    1857 and 1858 Small Letters. MS-60. Each is a frosty example and lightly toned. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $400-440.
 
1341    1857. AU-55 and XF-40. Each is nicely toned. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $200-220.
 

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1342    1858. Small letters. Proof 63. A very bold strike as expected for a proof, and with nice clean surfaces too. Always in demand in this upper grade as this type was so short lived.
Estimated Value $2,000-3,000.
 

Indian Head Cents

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1343    1859. PCGS graded MS-64. Well struck with lilac toning and excellent eye appeal.
Estimated Value $575-650.
 
1344    1861. MS-60. One is lightly toned. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $200-250.
 

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1345    1862. PCGS graded MS-64 PQ. Well struck, choice and quite lustrous.
Estimated Value $200-225.
 
1346    1863. MS-64. A sparkling Brilliant Uncirculated example and very choice.
Estimated Value $175-200.
 
1347    1863. MS-60 and AU-50. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $75-100.
 

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1348    1864. Copper-nickel. Proof 63. A well struck golden-tan beauty with some scattered fly-specks, one just above the wreath on the reverse. Only 370 proofs made thus the rarest regular issue proof small cent. Color photo.
Estimated Value $500-600.
 

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1349    1864. Copper-nickel. NGC graded MS-64. Well struck with nice golden mint luster.
Estimated Value $200-250.
 
1350    1864. Copper-nickel. MS-64. Well struck and lightly toned.
Estimated Value $200-250.
 
1351    1864 Copper-nickel and 1909. MS-60 and MS-63. The first is lightly toned, the second is full mint red. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $125-150.
 
1352    1865. MS-64 Red. Well struck and fiery orange in color.
Estimated Value $150-200.
 

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1353    1873. Closed 3. PCGS graded MS-64 Red & Brown PQ. A well struck gem with magnificent brown, green and lilac hues. This beauty is definitely of Premium Quality for the grade. Pop of 43 with 14 higher in MS-65 RB.
Estimated Value $850-950.
 

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1354    1873. Doubled "LIBERTY". NGC graded Fine-15 Brown. Deep, rich brown colors and glossy surfaces. This variety is so popular and so distinct that it has earned its own listing in the "Redbook." From a standpoint of wear, this coin is easily Very Fine, but the tight restrictions on how much LIBERTY should be visible for a given grade force this coin (unfairly, we might add) into the Fine category!
Estimated Value $1,000-1,200.
 

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1355    1874. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red. Well struck with slightly subdue fiery mint red color. Pop of 11 with 6 higher by a point.
Estimated Value $1,900-2,100.
 

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1356    1874. PCGS graded Proof 64 Red. Coppery-orange, with pink and blue highlights on the high points. Housed in an older-generation, green-label PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $750-850.
 
1357    1877. VG-8. Although LIBERTY is virtually complete, we have downgraded this due to some roughness in the planchet.
Estimated Value $500-550.
 

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1358    1881. PCGS graded MS-64 Red. Well struck and quite lustrous with fiery mint red color.
Estimated Value $280-320.
 

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1359    1882. PCGS graded Proof 65 Brown. Forget the "Brown" marked on the holder, this beauty shimmers with iridescence. In an old green holder.
Estimated Value $150-200.
 

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1360    1882. NGC graded Proof 65 Brown. Wonderful blue iridescent toning on both sides.
Estimated Value $300-350.
 

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1361    1882. PCGS graded MS-66 Red. A well struck gem specimen and fiery mint red in color. In a first generation PCGS holder. Pop of 19 with only 2 higher by a point.
Estimated Value $2,700-3,000.
 

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1362    1882. PCGS graded MS-64 Red. Beautiful, orange-red color, with some splashes of purple added for good measure.
Estimated Value $450-500.
 

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1363    1883. PCGS graded Proof 65 Brown. Attractive reddish iridescent toning on both sides.
Estimated Value $250-300.
 

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1364    1884. NGC graded MS-66 Red & Brown. Well struck and absolutely pristine.
Estimated Value $400-475.
 

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1365    No Lot.
 

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1366    1887. NGC graded Proof 63 Brown. Well struck with about 15% iridescent mint red visible.
Estimated Value $100-125.
 

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1367    1888. Proof 63 Red & Brown. Nice rich colors.
Estimated Value $100-115.
 

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1368    1888. PCGS graded MS-64 Red. Slightly faded fiery mint red color.
Estimated Value $250-350.
 

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1369    1891. MS-64 Red. Well struck frosty mint specimen and fully mint red.
Estimated Value $120-140.
 

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1370    1891. PCGS graded AU-58 Mint Error. Struck 12% Off Center. Quite spectacular. Sharply struck and lustrous, quite interesting.
Estimated Value $600-800.
 
1371    1892. Proof 64 Red & Brown. Far more fiery orange mint color than you might expect.
Estimated Value $175-200.
 

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1372    1894. MS-63 Red & Brown.
Estimated Value $60-70.
 

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1373    1897. PCGS graded MS-63 Red. Well struck with nice original mint red color.
Estimated Value $50-75.
 

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1374    1898. PCGS graded Proof 64 Red. PQ. One tiny mark on the Indian's cheek. Housed in an older-generation, green-label PCGS holder.
Estimated Value $350-400.
 

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1375    1898. PCGS graded MS-65 Red. Well struck and full blazing mint red. Pop of 77 with 40 in MS-66 RD and 7 in MS-67 RD.
Estimated Value $400-450.
 

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1376    1899. PCGS graded Proof 65 Red. Dazzling brilliance, with strong cartwheels, and highly reflective surfaces. Toned in crisp, iridescent, reds, greens, and oranges. A most impressive example in a nice, high grade.
Estimated Value $800-850.
 

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1377    1899. PCGS graded MS-65 Red & Brown PQ. Well struck with fiery faded mint red color.
Estimated Value $100-125.
 

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1378    1899 (2 pcs) and 1903. PCGS graded MS-64 Red and PCGS MS-63 Red. The 1903 is PCGS MS-64 RB. Each exhibits lovely colors. All in 1st generation holders. The 1903 is quite spectacular in its arrangement of colors and could cause this lot to bring a strong premium over our estimate. Lot of 3 coins.
Estimated Value $400-440.
 

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1379    1899 and 1902. Both MS-63 Red & Brown. Lot of 2 coins.
Estimated Value $50-60.
 

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1380    1902. Proof 65 Red. Spectacular golden sunset toning on both sides and thus worthy of a premium bid. Color photo.
Estimated Value $700-800.
 
1381    1908-S. MS-60 Plus Red & Brown. Light tan from faded mint color. Popular semi-key date.
Estimated Value $150-200.
 

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1382    1909-S. VF-20. A pleasing coin for the grade. Problem free key date issue.
Estimated Value $300-350.
 

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1383    1909-S. Fine-15. A nice problem free coin.
Estimated Value $300-325.
 
1384    Partial Set of Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cents. 1857-1909. No key dates. Condition ranges from About Good to Very Good. Lot of 43 coins.
Estimated Value $150-200.