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 Replies: 8 / Views: 1,487 |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
First of all, please excuse the quality of this picture, but it's all I have presently. What caught my eye about this coin is the odd style of lettering--different from a typical 1858 LL. For instance, the shape of the U in UNITED is all wrong, the N following is far too wide, and the serifs on Ts and Es are too long. It almost appears to be a 1856 obverse type--or am I simply seeing something that's not there? This type doesn't exist for 1858, right?  Edited by KurtS
12/28/2007 12:01 am
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Valued Member
286 Posts |
The Flying Eagle cents of 1856 and 1857 are of the Large Letters variety. The actual size of the lettering is clearly smaller on the 1858 Small Letters variety and appears to be a minor modification of the design type. The original Proof mintage of the 1858 Large Letters variety has been estimated to be around 80 pieces. If this is to be a Large Letter design type then you have a rare pice. All Large Letter 1858 patterns are much rarer than their Small Letter counterparts. It is estimated that only 12 to 20 sets were made with this obverse style. It is probable that the distinction between Large Letter and Small Letter dies was not deemed important at the time of striking. By studying the die states of the reverse, you can tell that these were struck prior to the Small letter patterns. The present example is struck with early die states of both dies's, I remember one like this sold for $5,140.00 a long time back like years ago. |
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Valued Member
286 Posts |
Addition to The obverse die a "Broken U" in UNITED, where the inner serif of the letter is missing. This is a hub variety, Only a very small number of examples were struck using this obverse die, probably no more than 25. Price Sold for $4,650 smackers. Good going Kurts Nice Coin.
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5318 Posts |
Silver, Hmm...that's indeed interesting. So, we're talking about a hub variety that uses design features from 1856? Was a 1856 hub recycled for 1858 to create a working die with the 1858 date punched in? If that's true, it would be rather rare...I've never heard of such a thing in the admittedly short time I've researched this series. Thanks for all the info!  In case anyone's curious, I've now added a pic of the reverse:  Edited by KurtS
12/27/2007 11:59 pm
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Valued Member
286 Posts |
Edited by Silver Gorilla
12/28/2007 12:12 am
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
Silver, Thanks for that link. If you're talking about "Lot 1076: 1858 Pattern Cent", I note the lettering is quite a bit different on the obverse, in particular the width of the N in UNITED. Overall, there's a difference in stroke weights and other features. (I was a typeface designer for many years) Of course the reverse has a different design. I'm going to post a obverse from 1856 so I can look at both simultaneously:  To my eyes, my coin most closely resembles the 1856 obverse. |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
Ok, I now realize my point deserves a better explanation, and I've created a comparative diagram to help illustrate this. Below is a shot of my coin against a normal 1858 LL cent. I've pointed to a few differences I note, such as a slightly wider and thinner N in UNITED and squared off curves in the U, D, and O that more resemble letters found on the 1856 variety than the typical 1858 LL. It's not the fact that it's simply a LL variety...it's the shape and thickness of the letters. This is what caught my eye initially. Like I said, I notice type details, but perhaps I'm simply staring at this too hard. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge and insight!  Edited by KurtS
12/28/2007 01:03 am
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Valued Member
286 Posts |
KurtS Your 1858 is a Beauty  . I just cant wait to hit 50 posts. Are you thinking of selling it  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
5318 Posts |
Thanks Silver...I'm still trying to figure this one out, since it has some odd features to it, even for a LL variety. I have some more interesting finds which I'll post in the next few days  |
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Replies: 8 / Views: 1,487 |
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Posted 12/27/2007 10:15 pm
