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Flying eagle cents were only issued for 3 years and remain popular in most any grade. This variety features larger lettering type than the small letters variety of the same year. On the large letters variety the A in AMERICA touches the eagle's tail.
Obverse Description
An eagle with wings extended in full flight fills the central obverse design with the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the top periphery. The date is centered at the bottom.
Reverse Description
The reverse bears the denomination of ONE CENT in the center surrounded by a wreath bearing a ribbon tied in at the bottom center.
Book Reference
1858, Large Letters, Cent Production: The high output needed to replace 64 years of large copper cent coinage continued unabated in 1858. The Mint was having problems striking up the coins in the hard copper-nickel alloy. The dies tended to deteriorate more quickly than normal. New, shallower-relief dies were made for both the obverse (Small Letters) and the reverse (Low Leaves) to help extend the die life.
Survivability: Although scarcer today than the 1857 cents, these were distributed much more widely and are found more often in lower grades. At the time of the Civil War coinage shortage (from the summer of 1862 to early 1863), these were largely removed from circulation, only to reappear after the war. Any high-grade examples were probably held back from circulation at this time. By the time of the coinage redemption of the 1870’s most were called in and melted. The remaining pieces are either very worn or in very high grade. Problem-free EF and AU coins are very scarce.
Collecting Challenges: These are a bit scarcer than the 1857 issue, mainly because collectors have divided the issue between the two obverse design types. The optimal collecting grade for this date is MS-64. Coins in this grade are plentiful enough that quality pieces should be sought out.
Few collectors are aware of the reverse design changes made this year to help improve the die life. The type carried over from 1857 is a high-relief design, called High Leaves because the inner leaves are closer to the base of the C and T in CENT. The new lower-relief design, used this year only, is called Low Leaves. (See illustrations on next page.) Both can be found paired with the Large Letters obverse. Coin albums, which have changed little since the 1960’s, do not carry holes for these reverse types mentioned in the Red Book. Collector interest in reverse designs may shift the current lack of demand. If awareness increases, then specialists will need two examples of the 1858 Large Letters cent instead of just one.
Collecting Circulated Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for circulated coins is EF-40. Examples in low grades are plentiful and do not offer the best value because of a low resale percentage. These may be diffcult to find problem free, so a bit of patience is advised. Adventurous collectors may try and acquire both reverse types as well.
Collecting Mint State Pieces: The optimal collecting grade for Mint State coins is MS-64. These are generally more readily available than lower grades as the cheaper pieces are bought up quickly. MS-65 gems are very tough to locate. Some examples come with prooflike fields and are worth a premium.
High Leaves Reverse (Type of 1857).Low Leaves Reverse (Type of 1858).
Collecting Proof Issues: The estimated mintage of 80 reported in the Red Book is a low estimate based on year sets sold that year. The actual mintage is probably 100 or more, as a few extra pieces, probably numbering only 20, were struck for some pattern sets made this year.
The Proofs of this year are usually exceptional with deep mirror fields and outstanding strikes. The 1858 Large Letters Proofs are paired only with the High Leaves reverse.
1858, Large Letters: Circulation Strike
GSIDVG-8F-12VF-20EF-40AU-50AU-58MS-60MS-63:
15315$27$40$55$90$180$350$675$1,250
1858, Large Letters: Proof Strike
GSIDPF-60PF-63PF-65:
15317$4,750$6,250$17,000
VARIETIES:
The major variety of this year is the 1858, 8 Over 7, which is so popular it is given a separate listing in this guide. There is another lesser-known 1858, 8 Over 7, overdate (Snow-7), which is also a doubled die. There are six other obverse doubled dies known, most of which are available for a moderate premium, if found.
Some of the Low Leaf reverse dies are found with minor doubling as well. Two repunched dates are known, one of which (Snow-4) is very wide, and is also a doubled die!
Collectors might not be aware that prior to 1909 all dates were added to coinage dies separately from the rest of the design elements. This is why doubled dies affect the design and letters but not the date, while repunched dates affect only the date.
Catalog Information
GSID:
15315
Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Obverse Lettering:
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1858
Reverse Designer:
James B. Longacre
Reverse Lettering:
ONE CENT
Weight (gr):
4.67 gr
Weight (oz):
0.165 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
19
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Variety:
Flying Eagle, Large Letters
Coin Date:
1858
Denomination:
1c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
Philadelphia
Mintage:
24,600,000
Coinage Type:
Flying Eagle Cent
Coinage Years:
1856-1858
Composition:
0.880 Copper; 0.120 Nickel
PCGS #:
2019
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Coin Value History
1858 1c Flying Eagle, Large Letters MS
Value By Grade
1858 1c Flying Eagle, Large Letters MS
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
Sort by
Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS67 |
|
$50,500 | $1,234 |
| MS67 | - | $39,500 | $1,234 |
| MS66 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
Flying Eagle Cent 1c 1856-1858 MS [Type]
![Flying Eagle Cent 1c 1856-1858 MS [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ctc/catalog/20260626/cac_81622437_81622437-3.webp?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $12 – $42,000
1856 1c Flying Eagle MS
Worth: $5,500 – $228,000
1857 1c Flying Eagle MS
Worth: $12 – $9,500
1858 1c Flying Eagle, Small Letters MS
Worth: $12 – $19,200
1858/7 1c Flying Eagle, LL, Strong Overdate MS
Worth: $75 – $150,000
1858/(7) 1c Flying Eagle, LL, Weak Overdate MS
Worth: $155 – $4,180
Flying Eagle Cent Set 1c 4 Coins MS
Worth: $5,536 – $265,700
1858 1C Large Letters MS64+ NGC. High Leaves Reverse. Closed E in ONE. CDN: $1,500 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS64. Mintage 2...
$2,074
1858 1C Large Letters MS65 PCGS. ...
$4,392
1858 1C Large Letters, Low Leaves, FS-901, MS66 PCGS. ...
$9,760
1858 1C Large Letters MS63 PCGS. CAC. CAC: 47 in 63, 195 finer (10/25). CDN: $960 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 24...
$1,740
1858 1C Large Letters, Low Leaves, FS-901, XF40 NGC. Ex: Stack's W 57th St Collection. CDN: $140 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF...
$169
1858 1C Large Letters XF45 ANACS. Mintage 24,600,000. ...
$192
1858 1C Large Letters AU58 PCGS. Mintage 24,600,000. ...
$492
1858 1C Large Letters VF30 NGC. Ex: Stack's W 57th St Collection. NGC Census: (177/1839). PCGS Population: (192/2660). CDN:...
$104
1858 1C Large Letters, Low Leaves, FS-901, VF35 NGC. Ex: Stack's W 57th St Collection. NGC Census: (138/1701). PCGS Populat...
$94
1858 1C Large Letters MS62 PCGS. Mintage 24,600,000. ...
$630
1858 1C Large Letters -- Graffiti, Whizzed -- ANACS Details. AU50. Mintage 24,600,000. ...
$149
1858 1C Flying Eagle -- Struck 25% Off Center -- VG10 PCGS. PCGS Population: (51/3129). Mintage 24,600,000....
$4,080
1858 1C Large Letters VF25 CACG. Mintage 24,600,000. ...
$114
1858 1C Large Letters PCGS Genuine. Ex: Teich Family Collection. Mintage 24,600,000....
$312
1858 1C Large Letters AU55 PCGS. Mintage 24,600,000. ...
$300
1858 1C Large Letters MS61 PCGS. PCGS Population: (43/1569). Mintage 24,600,000. ...
$516
1858 1C Large Letters AU53 NGC. NGC Census: (58/1205). PCGS Population: (60/1924). CDN: $275 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU53. ...
$348
1858 Flying Eagle 1c PCGS Good-06 (Large Letters)
$42
1858 Flying Eagle 1c PCGS Genuine UNC Details (Cleaned Large Letters)
$325
1858 Flying Eagle 1c PCGS F15 (Large Letters)
$60
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