The 1857 1 cent coin holds a unique place in American numismatic history. As the inaugural year for the Flying Eagle Cent, it marked a significant transition from the larger, heavier copper cents that preceded it. This shift in coinage design and metallic composition makes the 1857 Flying Eagle Cent a popular target for collectors. Determining the 1857 1 cent coin value primarily depends on its condition, also known as its grade. Other factors, such as errors and eye appeal, can also influence its market price.
Understanding Coin Grading and Its Impact on 1857 1 Cent Coin Value
Coin grading is a standardized system used to assess the condition of a coin, which directly impacts its monetary worth. Grades range from Poor (P-1) for heavily damaged coins to Perfect Uncirculated (MS-70) for flawless specimens. For the 1857 Flying Eagle Cent, even slight differences in wear can translate into substantial differences in 1857 1 cent coin value.
Value Range by Grade
The following categories provide a general overview of the 1857 1 cent coin value based on its condition:
- Heavily Worn (Poor, Fair, About Good):
- Characteristics: These coins exhibit extensive wear. Design elements, such as the eagle’s feathers, the date, and the lettering, are often worn smooth or are barely discernible. Significant scratches, dents, or environmental damage (like corrosion) may be present.
- Value Range: The 1857 1 cent coin value for heavily worn examples can range from $5 to $20. Coins that are severely damaged or illegible might be worth less, primarily for their metal content or as filler pieces in a collection.
- Example: A coin graded P-1 (Poor) might only show a discernible outline of the coin’s shape, with no readable date or design. An AG-3 (About Good) coin might have a readable date but very little remaining detail.
- Circulated (Good, Very Good, Fine):
- Characteristics: These coins display moderate to significant wear from being used in commerce, but they retain some recognizable detail. The major design elements are visible, though they may lack sharpness.
- Value Range: The 1857 1 cent coin value for circulated examples typically falls between $20 and $100. The specific price within this range depends on the exact grade within this category and the coin’s overall visual appeal.
- Specific examples:
- According to JM Bullion, a “Good” (G-4) 1857 Flying Eagle Cent is valued at approximately $30. In this grade, the design is outlined, but details are faint.
- A “Fine” (F-12) condition coin is valued at around $50. At this level, the full rim is present, and some detail is visible in the eagle’s wing feathers and the wreath.
- A “Very Good” (VG-8) coin would fall between these two, showing more detail than a Good coin but less than a Fine one.
- Uncirculated (Mint State – MS-60 to MS-70):
- Characteristics: These coins show no signs of having circulated. They retain their original mint luster, and there is no wear on the high points of the design. Minor imperfections from the minting process or handling may be present, which differentiate specific Mint State grades.
- Value Range: The 1857 1 cent coin value for uncirculated examples can range from $100 up to thousands of dollars. The exact value is highly dependent on the specific Mint State grade. For instance, an MS-60 coin will be worth significantly less than an MS-65 or MS-67 coin.
- Specific examples:
- An MS-60 (Basal Uncirculated) coin will have full luster but may show minor contact marks or nicks.
- An MS-65 (Gem Uncirculated) coin is a high-end uncirculated coin with strong luster and very few marks.
- NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company) states that an 1857 Flying Eagle Cent in pristine, uncirculated condition can be worth up to $11,750. This top-tier value would apply to coins graded MS-67 or higher, which are exceptionally rare and visually perfect.
Other Factors Influencing 1857 1 Cent Coin Value
While condition is the primary determinant, several other elements can significantly impact the 1857 1 cent coin value.
Errors and Varieties
The 1857 Flying Eagle Cent is known for several interesting errors and varieties that can dramatically increase its desirability and 1857 1 cent coin value for collectors. These are usually a result of anomalies during the minting process.
- Doubled Dies: This occurs when the die used to strike the coin has been impressed more than once, resulting in a doubled image of some design elements (e.g., lettering, date, or features of the eagle). A prominent doubled die on an 1857 Flying Eagle Cent can add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to its worth.
- Clashed Dies: This happens when the obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a blank planchet in between. This can leave faint “ghost” images of one side’s design on the other. While often less dramatic than doubled dies, significant clashes can still enhance the 1857 1 cent coin value.
- Repunched Mintmarks/Dates: Although the 1857 Cent does not have a mintmark (as it was only struck in Philadelphia), repunched dates can occur, where the numerals of the date appear to be struck more than once in slightly different positions.
- Off-Center Strikes: When a coin blank is not perfectly centered when struck, resulting in part of the design being off the edge of the coin. While less common for the 1857 Cent, a noticeable off-center strike can be a collectible error.
Collectors actively seek out these anomalies, and their presence can elevate the 1857 1 cent coin value far beyond that of a standard coin of the same grade.
Eye Appeal
Even among coins with the same technical grade, differences in eye appeal can lead to variations in 1857 1 cent coin value. Eye appeal refers to the overall visual attractiveness of a coin.
- Luster: Original mint luster makes a coin sparkle and enhances its visual depth. Coins that have retained strong, vibrant luster are more desirable.
- Coloration/Toning: Copper coins like the 1857 Cent can develop attractive toning over time due to environmental interaction. Rich, even, and original brown or reddish-brown toning is often preferred over splotchy or artificial-looking coloration.
- Minimal Blemishes: Coins with fewer distracting contact marks, scratches, or environmental damage (like corrosion spots or verdigris) will generally command higher prices. A clean, aesthetically pleasing surface is always preferred.
- Strike Quality: A sharp, full strike, where all design elements are clearly defined, contributes to higher eye appeal and, consequently, a higher 1857 1 cent coin value.
Rarity and Mintage Figures
The overall number of surviving 1857 Flying Eagle Cents, particularly in higher grades, also influences their value. While rarity is a factor, the 1857 issue is not considered rare in lower grades due to its high mintage.
- Mintage: The 1857 Flying Eagle Cent was minted in significant numbers. According to Coin ID Scanner, the total mintage for the 1857 Flying Eagle Cent was 17,450,000 pieces. This large original mintage means that common circulated examples are readily available.
- Rarity in High Grades: Despite the high mintage, finding 1857 Flying Eagle Cents in pristine uncirculated condition (MS-65 and above) is considerably rarer. These high-grade examples have survived nearly two centuries without significant wear or damage, making them highly sought after by collectors and driving their 1857 1 cent coin value into the thousands.
Professional Grading and Authentication
To accurately determine the 1857 1 cent coin value, especially for higher-value pieces or those suspected of being errors, professional grading is highly recommended. Services like the Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) and the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) offer impartial assessment of a coin’s condition and authenticity.
- Benefits of Professional Grading:
- Accurate Grade Assignment: Experts assign a precise numerical grade, which provides a widely recognized basis for value.
- Authentication: Graded coins are authenticated, protecting buyers from counterfeits.
- Encapsulation: Graded coins are sealed in tamper-evident holders, protecting them from environmental damage and handling.
- Increased Market Confidence: Professionally graded coins are easier to sell and often command higher prices due to buyer confidence in their stated condition and authenticity.
For collectors or sellers, submitting a potentially valuable 1857 Flying Eagle Cent to a reputable grading service is a sound investment that can maximize its 1857 1 cent coin value.
Conclusion
The 1857 1 cent coin value is a dynamic figure, primarily shaped by the coin’s condition. From a modest $5 for a heavily worn example to over $11,000 for a pristine, uncirculated specimen, the range is vast. Factors such as the presence of errors or varieties, the coin’s eye appeal, and its relative rarity in higher grades further refine its market price. Anyone looking to buy, sell, or simply understand the worth of their 1857 Flying Eagle Cent should prioritize a thorough assessment of its condition, ideally through professional grading, to ascertain its true 1857 1 cent coin value.
What is the USA 1 cent 1857?
The Flying Eagle cent is a one-cent piece struck by the Mint of the United States as a pattern coin in 1856 and for circulation in 1857 and 1858. The coin was designed by Mint Chief Engraver James B. Longacre, with the eagle in flight based on the work of Longacre’s predecessor, Christian Gobrecht.
What is a 1857 penny made of?
Great question! Liberty stayed on the penny for more than 60 years. In 1857, the coin got smaller and the metal composition changed to 88% copper and 12% nickel. With these changes came new designs. In 1857 and 1858 the new coins featured a flying eagle on the obverse and a wreath on the reverse.