1856+S1

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The Snow-1 has the tilted one cent reverse. This die pair is believed to be the first striking of the 1856 Flying Eagle while it was still in the pattern stage. There is really no way to prove this by documentation. We think this is the case because the obverse is in its earliest die state, so it was struck before the 1856 S3. This reverse die is really weird! Notice how the ONE CENT is not aligned straight with the wreath? Also the obverse is rotated with respect to the reverse so that the Eagle flys onward and upward! This is the only Flying Eagle Cent so aligned!

Most examples are darkly toned. These were originally attributed as copper. Some were graded by PCGS as J-181. All are now assumed to be copper nickel. They may have been bronzed at the Mint, although this is only conjecture. Affectionately known as the Dirty Dozen(1 not seen since 1908, 1 can't be located, 1 lost in shipping, 1 w/Planchet flaws, 2 Cleaned, and 1 with Environmental Damage). These coins have had a rocky history as the first small cents minted.

Here is the current list of examples known:

1) Proof. James Wilson (1908); Norweb (as PR63). This went unattributed in that sale. Not seen. 2) R.B. Leeds (1906); John A. Beck; W. Phillip Churchill; ANA Museum (They cannot locate it) 3) PCGS PR-64. A. Judson Brenner (1914); Tom Fore. Originally attributed as J-181 (Copper) Now as CN. 4) Ex: NGC PR-64; Cherrypicked by Rick Snow. Lost on route to PCGS. Pictured below. 5) NGC PR-64. Tom Fore. 6) PCGS PR-63 Planchet flaws. Cherrypicked by Brian Wagner (2004); Clint Ballard (2007). 7) PCGS PR-62. Discovered 2007. EERC (2008 $32,000); NE collection. 8) PCGS AU-58 Dr. Tim Larson; Clint Ballard (2007 $30,000); Glen Marhefka Collection. Pictured below. 9) AU-58 Cleaned; Ex.Stack's 2002 sale. 10) NCS AU-55 Cleaned. Ex Heritage 2004. 11) PCGS Genuine(Environmental Damage) Net PR-45, Rick Snow, (2003, $9,500), Steve Huggins 12) XF-40 ANACS. Discovery example, by Mark Borckardt, 1990; ; Dan Dolan; EERC(2004); Philip J. Carter