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 Replies: 20 / Views: 5,050 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4415 Posts |
It was requested in another thread that I post a pic of this piece. As I didn't want to hijack that thread, here it is:    I apologize for the haziness of these pics; this, given my lack of photographic skills. The coin details are clear but well worn, smooth and non-porous. It's a milk chocolate brown. Despite the low grade, it's long been a fun coin to show fellow collectors. Also, it's my only pattern coin. PS - Anyone out there got a PO-1 Pattern coin ?  Edited by ExoGuy
06/13/2014 4:36 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
6370 Posts |
How much was it? It is such an unusual piece. Very cool! Thanks for sharing!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8515 Posts |
Thanks for posting Exooooo ! (you have ebay pic taking down pat !) How long ago did you acquire it ? Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
Edited by 52Raymo
06/13/2014 5:08 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4897 Posts |
Very cool! A bit confused though weight seems low...167 is 100 gr. 168 is 96 gr. The restrikes are 115 gr. Which one is this?
Edited by amida17
06/13/2014 5:13 pm
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Valued Member
United States
234 Posts |
Very cool coin! Thanks for posting!
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Moderator
 United States
16677 Posts |
I've always liked this pattern :-)
Pocket piece for sure.
swcoin.ecrater.com
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
4415 Posts |
Thanks for the kindly responses, guys. I bought it back in 2001, paying the sellers' asking price of $75. I never doubted that it was genuine, given the honest wear and coloration. He also sold me a Pine Tree threepence, but I parted with that one some years ago. I'm not an advocate of slabbing coppers, in particular, but this is such a "rare" piece (not rare dollar-wise) that I thought it best to seek certification and secure its ID for the next owner. I feared that, if not slabbed, it might someday get tossed in with a batch of old, foreign coins! Due to the absence of detail, Larry couldn't say whether this is 167/168. I'm inclined to suggest that, given its current weight, it's the lower weight variety. There's no evidence of ED, but there sure is excessive wear. It's as evenly smooth a coin in this low grade that I've ever seen. I can't imagine that it circulated that much. I'm thus left to suspect that an old time coppers' guy carried it in his pocket for years; perhaps, as a lucky piece and/or for show and tell. I've long wondered if someday, I'll stumble across an obscure comment about an early numismatist who once carriesd such a piece in his pocket. If so, that would suggest a likelihood of provenance. Fun to ponder .... PS - I humbly acknowledge my poor photographic skills, being the equivalent of many an ebay seller.  Edited by ExoGuy
06/13/2014 7:19 pm
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Pillar of the Community
Korea, Republic Of
1881 Posts |
A classic pattern for $75? I'd take that deal any day!  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4415 Posts |
The collector from whom I obtained this piece shared my enthusiasm for early, pre-Civil War coins. We often exchanged coins of interest. At that time, I recall seeing a few other 1855 Flying Eagle cents in XF-AU in the $1500-$2000 range. Thus, $75 seemed a "2-fair" value (pun intended) at the time. There are ever so many more 1856 Flying Eagle cents out there. A dealer friend at a show once displayed an 1856 that he'd acquired. At the next show, I handed him the 1855 ... His expression was priceless. I've long been seeking a cheap 1854 Flying Eagle for sale ...  Edited by ExoGuy
06/13/2014 7:48 pm
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Pillar of the Community
United States
3229 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
Canada
1747 Posts |
I am sorry can you please school me, I thought the Flying eagle was only from 1856 to 58, and the 56 there were only something like 1000 minted. was this 55 some sort of a test strike? also I am sorry but the image is blurry, is the date actually readable?
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Pillar of the Community
Korea, Republic Of
1881 Posts |
Flying Eagle cents were minted as a pattern in 1856 and they were authorized in 1857, leading to the strike of the 1857 and 1858 cents. Many pattern cents were struck in 1854 and 1855 as the Mint was experimenting with different compositions and designs, and this one is just one of the many patterns minted.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
8515 Posts |
Oregon coin geek.....*** GO BEAVS ! ! ! ***
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4415 Posts |
ace_ftw .... The date is fully readable. I apologized for my poor pics of this coin, The holder added to the haziness. I expect that the excessive wear accounts for it being around 10% underweight. Also, it's about the size of a Half Cent of that year. IMHO, this eagle isn't as elegant in design as the one on subsequent small cents. Here's a high quality pic of the design ... beauties: http://indiancent.wikispaces.com/1855 |
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Valued Member
United States
258 Posts |
That is one awesome coin! It has a lot of character for being such a low grade and to me that would make it priceless! And for $75, you can't beat that! Thanks for sharing!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4415 Posts |
1000_Rubles ... I've long had a fondness for the unusual coins with character. At shows, I enjoy hunting for coins, tokens and paper currency that are difficult to find; ones that I've not before seen and may never see the likes of, again. The counterstamps, early tokens and uncommon die varieties. die states, etc. never cease to grab my attention and spending money. Such are the pieces that I never cease to tire of revisiting in my collection. They pose countless questions and offer glimpses into times past.
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Replies: 20 / Views: 5,050 |
Posted 06/13/2014 4:34 pm
