Owner Comments:
1855 1C Flying Eagle Cent,
Judd-170a, Pollock-196
Rarity: Low R.7, PR64 CAC Endorsed
Ex: Simpson.
Struck in copper-nickel with a plain edge.
Obverse: Thirteen stars surround an eagle that is flying slightly upward, similar to the Christian Gobrecht/Titian Peale flying eagle design for the Gobrecht dollars (and soon the Flying Eagle cents). ‘
Reverse: The reverse design is similar to the issued large cent.
Comment:
The diameter is intermediate between the large cents struck for commerce in 1855 and the small cents that were first produced in 1856 These still represent a still-to-be-discovered metallurgical variants. The major variants include copper/bronze, oroide, various compositions of copper-nickel, German silver, and pure nickel.
The surfaces of this piece display the expected bright yellow-tan appearance of the nickel alloy with occasional streaks of red on each side.
Is is believed to be Copper-nickel 90% copper and 10% nickel
This piece was also the Plate coin image included in the article by Rick King in the April 23, 2023 The Numismatist
magazine on the subject of the mints experimentation with different metal compositions.
Provenance/ Appearances:
Ex Simpson, Heritage May 2022 CSNS / Lot #3633