1856 1C Flying Eagle, S-3 PR66 Certification #38725098, PCGS #47058

1856 1C, PR66 PCGS CAC EEPS, Snow-3 Die Variety, Die Stage A. Provenance: Ex collections of Blay, Fore, and Wright. This coin is a numismatic treasure of exceptional rarity and historical significance, actually surpassing all other Flying Eagles, both Proof and MS! Affectionately nicknamed "The Bluebird," this 1856 Flying Eagle cent stands alone as the only known example of the coveted Snow-3 die variety universally recognized as a true Proof striking. While all other Snow-3 specimens exhibit tell-tale signs of a less-than-perfect strike, demonstrating they are actually Mint State coins, this remarkable piece boasts a razor-sharp strike across all its devices! The intensely mirrored fields, a hallmark often associated with Proof coinage, are particularly striking on this specimen. However, it’s not the mirrored fields that distinguishes this coin as a Proof, since even some MS Snow-3s of Die Stage A exhibit proof-like fields, due to the fact that the Snow-3 die pair was polished. The Snow-3 variety holds a pivotal place in American numismatic history. Along with the Snow-1 die variety, coins struck from these dies represent the "Original Striking" (Snow-5s may also have been part of the Original striking). These Originals were the very coins presented to key figures, including members of the U.S. Congress and President of the United States, to garner support for the Small Cents Act of 1857. The Snow-3 coins were produced across three distinct die stages (A, B, and C). The fact that this coin exhibits Die Stage A (identified by diagonal die lines through UNITED) is crucial evidence confirming its status as an "Original" striking, definitively ruling out the possibility of it being a later restrike. Consider the rarity: This "Bluebird" stands as the sole undisputed Proof Original of the Snow-3 variety. This singular status elevates its importance even beyond the finest MS66 PCGS CAC EEPS Snow-3, since there are hundreds of MS Snow-3s, but only one Proof Snow-3. This coin is not merely a beautiful artifact; it is a tangible link to a pivotal moment in the evolution of American coinage, a testament to the artistry of early die preparation, and an unparalleled rarity within its specific die variety.