1856 1C Flying Eagle S-3 MS66 Certification #55440006, PCGS #391479

1856 1C MS66 PCGS EEPS, Snow-3 Die Variety, Die Stage A. Provenance: Ex Joseph P. Gorrell Collection and Greensboro Collection. This striking 1856 Flying Eagle cent was the first coin to receive a Eagle Eye Photo Seal (see photo of previous cert #9949371 with Old Green Holder). Eye appeal is exceptional - especially notable are the lilac hues beautifully contrasting against intense golden hues. It ranks among the finest known examples of the Snow-3 die variety, one of only two graded MS66 by PCGS (a third MS66 is actually a Snow-5, and Flying Eagle expert Rick Snow has determined all Snow-5s are actually Proofs), and it may very well be the finest MS Snow-3, as it is the only MS Snow-3 which has always been graded MS66. While the other MS66 Snow-3 achieved a record auction price of $343,125 in 2023, this particular coin was acquired for a remarkable $192,000 (Heritage - Nov 21, 2024 - lot #3624). This favorable acquisition price may have been influenced by collector interest in a higher-graded (PR67+) Proof-attributed Snow-3 example sold later the same day. Notably, this MS66 coin previously sold for $172,500 over two decades prior (Heritage - Jan 7, 2004 - lot #2010). With inflation, that $172,500 in 2004 would be $295,000 in 2025 (based on https://www.usinflationcalculator.com/), demonstrating that the $192,000 was a complete steal. The Snow-3 variety, along with the Snow-1, represents the "Original Striking" of 1856 Flying Eagles (Snow-5s may also have been part of the Original striking). These important Original coins were presented to key U.S. officials to advocate for the Small Cents Act of 1857. The Original Striking sequence began with rare Snow-1 Proofs, followed by the unique "Bluebird" Proof Snow-3 (also Die Stage A), and then the Mint State Snow-3s, including this Die Stage A specimen. Characteristic of all Snow-3 coins (excluding the Proof "Bluebird"), this example exhibits a clear weakness of strike, particularly noticeable on the eagle's breast feathers when compared to the sharper detail of the "Bluebird" (cert #38725098). This weakness of strike confirms its Mint State designation and offers a direct point of comparison with the Proof example of the same die variety. Die Stage A coins, identified by diagonal die lines through UNITED, have Proof-like medium mirrors. However, the mirrors on this coin are much less pronounced than they are on the other MS66 Snow-3 (cert #81467176) and the fields of this coin are approaching the satiny luster characteristic of die stage B. In addition, the weakness of strike is much more obvious here than it is with the other MS66 Snow-3 (cert #81467176). For these reasons, it's pretty obvious this coin is not a Proof.

Jaime Hernandez

By 1854, the Mint was spending more money to produce the Large cent coin than its actual face value.

Alternatively, the Mint began experimenting by producing 1854, 1855 and 1856 pattern cents, (View Coin # 11674, 11709 and 11792). The Mint also produced several varieties for 1856 Flying Eagle cents. One of the most desirable varieties is the Snow-3 variety.

The 1856 Flying Eagle cent with the Snow-3 variety, is believed to be the first coins that were originally struck and handed out to government officials. This variety can be distinguished because of the repunched 5 on the date.

---

Ron Guth

According to Rick Snow, noted Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cent expert, "One of the main points that show that the Snow-3 is a business strike is that many show strike-doubling. You will find that this happens on the steam press, but not on the screw press that the Proofs were struck on. Many of the Proofs are terribly made, granted, but a high Proof mintage (1500 - S9's) will have quality issues."