| Description: |
Deep gold with olive highlights and strong underlying lustre. The present variety is a
prized rarity in all grades, and one of the highlights of the Larry Steve Collection as
well. NGC has certified just three examples of the variety, with the present coin far and
away the finest of those three! Specialists in the series have been "beating the
bushes” for this variety since its discovery, but with very little success; fewer than
50 examples have turned up in all grades, most of them in lower circulated condition. (No
doubt the specialists are also looking for double eagles with Flying Eagle cent clash
marks). Worth noting is the fact that this variety is currently unknown in Mint State. In
fact, according to Rick Snow’s 2001 update, "The finest known is an AU-58 in the
collection of Larry Steve!” The bold reversed outline of Miss Liberty (from Longacre’s
double eagle die) is clearly seen on the obverse of the host coin, her profile jutting
into AMERICA, and with additional portions of her outline seen at the eagle’s head and
feet and at the bottoms of the date numerals; that clash mark resembles a die crack (what
could be the base of an errant 1 can be seen between the existing 1 and 8 as well). One of
three 1857 Flying Eagle cent varieties that show clash marks from dies of other
denominations (the obverse die of a Liberty Seated half dollar and the reverse die of a
Liberty Seated quarter are the other two "culprits”). This photogenic Flying Eagle
has been illustrated in the Snow reference, the Steve-Flynn reference, and in Q. David
Bowers’ Buyer’s and Enthusiast’s Guide. Alas, only one successful bidder can add the
present coin to his or her collection and thus become the next person to assume
"custodial rights” to this rarity; we’re sure you’ll bid accordingly!Obverse 7:
Clash marks from the obverse die of a Liberty $20 visible on the obverse of the Flying
Eagle cent host coin.Reverse L: Thin dentils from 2:00 to 6:00.Each of the lots from 137
through 139 will be sold on a provisional basis. After Lot 139 is sold provisionally, the
total for lots 137 through 139 will be computed, 5% will be added to the total, and this
will constitute the opening bid for Lot 140. If the opening bid is met or exceeded, the
provisional awards for lots 137 through 139 will be canceled. If it is not met or
exceeded, then the lots will be sold at the provisional award prices. |
