Numismatic

1857 Flying Eagle Cent AU-58 PCGS

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In 1857, the United States Mint in Philadelphia produced a striking new design for the one-cent coin, departing from the long-running Liberty portrait themes. This piece, known as the Flying Eagle Cent, features a majestic eagle captured mid-flight on the obverse, soaring gracefully to the left. The year 1857 is clearly stamped below the soaring bird, anchoring the design in a pivotal era of American numismatic transition. The reverse of the coin displays a lush wreath composed of agricultural elements, including corn, wheat, cotton, and tobacco, bound with a ribbon. This wreath encircles the denomination, presenting a rich botanical frame that celebrates the nation's diverse agricultural output. With a total mintage of 17,450,000, these coins were struck without a mint mark, as was customary for the Philadelphia Mint during this period. This particular specimen is certified in About Uncirculated 58 (AU-58) condition. At this high grade, the coin retains nearly all of its original detail, allowing observers to appreciate the fine feathers of the eagle and the delicate leaves of the wreath just as they appeared when the coin first left the press.