Flying Eagle Cents: Is This Chicken Scratch From Circulation Or Cleaning (E.g. This 1857)?

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Author	Replies: 7 / Views: 650
Brandmeister Pillar of the Community United States 6475 Posts	Posted 09/19/2025 1:00 pm In browsing Flying Eagle cents, I see these tiny surface nicks often. However, they do not appear consistently on coins of equivalent grade. Meaning, some VF cents show wear but relatively smooth fields, and other apparently VF cents show a million little imperfections. Is this phenomenon from circulation, or is it a result of cleaning, corrosion removal, conservation, or some other non-circulation process? Specifically, is this a Details grade phenomenon, or is it accepted on raw and slabbed coins? Report this Post to the Staff

IndianGoldEagle Bedrock of the Community United States 36678 Posts	Posted 09/19/2025 3:58 pm Just circulation. In hand these are probably so small they would be hard to see. The example you show looks natural. Report this Post to the Staff
Jimbo48 Valued Member United States 250 Posts	Posted 09/19/2025 4:43 pm I agree with normal circulation marks. I have several flying eagles with similar marks. Report this Post to the Staff
Marv65 Bedrock of the Community United States 10492 Posts	Posted 09/19/2025 8:30 pm Strange that much "surface distortion" on the coin as the 12% nickel added to the 88% copper makes for a stronger alloy. Report this Post to the Staff
Errers and Varietys Bedrock of the Community United States 73849 Posts	Posted 09/19/2025 10:31 pm It's most likely from normal circulation. It'll straight grade most likely. Errers and Varietys. Report this Post to the Staff
Greasy Fingers Pillar of the Community United States 7008 Posts	Posted 09/19/2025 10:46 pm Do you have this coin in hand? Report this Post to the Staff
Brandmeister Pillar of the Community United States 6475 Posts	Posted 09/19/2025 11:46 pm No, I don't. It's a screen grab from ebay. So that grainy texture to the fields is normal? Report this Post to the Staff
Greasy Fingers Pillar of the Community United States 7008 Posts	Posted 09/20/2025 9:59 pm So I have been checking ebay to fill the hole for the FE cent in my 7070 (looking for a raw coin because I'm tired of spending the extra $$$ for a slabbed coin only to crack it out...know what I mean? ) Pulled the trigger on this one ( ebay item number:256880915359) In hand and under my loupe...fields look similar to what you're showing which leads me to 2 thoughts 1) circulation dings and pings 2) maybe the planchets were in rougher shape than what we are used to seeing with more modern coins... that's all I got, hope it helps... Report this Post to the Staff
	Replies: 7 / Views: 650

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