The 1858/7 Flying Eagle Cent (Buy on eBay) is the only known overdate within the brief series. Only the earliest die states show clear remnants of the 7, making those the most valuable. Of the estimated original mintage of 100,000 pieces, perhaps only a few thousand examples of the variety still exist, with only a few hundred as early die states.
On lower grade examples or later die states, there are certain die markers which can be used to help identify the variety. A triangular chip will appear in the field between the date and the eagle. Additionally, the upper wingtip of the eagle will include a small break just below the lettering.
The grading services PCGS and NGC have certified around 350 examples of this variety, which would also include a number of resubmissions. Based on the certified population, this variety is scarcer than the much more well known 1856 pattern pieces.
Coin Specifications
- Designer: James B. Longacre
- Composition: 88% Copper, 12% Nickel
- Weight: 4.67 grams
- Diameter: 19 mm
- Edge: Plain
