High Grade Flying Eagle Cent

Some details coins ARE terrible and not worth $1. I don't think this example falls into that category. It has tremendous detail on the Eagle feathers, which is the key feature of a Flying Eagle cent, and only one of the obverse defects is in that area. The wear pattern is consistent with high AU and there are no signs of an abrasive cleaning. There is no graffiti, jewelry mounts that go all the way through the coin, active verdigris, or whole surface damage. The damage that is present is concentrated in a few obverse pits. Only one of them is in a focal area and I feel the size of the pitting is exaggerated by the extreme magnification of the first photo.

Not saying this coin deserves full AU money. It doesn't. But 50% of market is very reasonable. I would certainly prefer it to a VG or F example where all the details are practically worn flat.