Before I even post pictures I would like to feel-out one glaring inconsistency. What is the probability that an error coin (approximately 15% offset) could be of slightly higher weight than the registered Red Book weight? As stated this is a 1856 Flying Eagle Cent, I may post some pictures later if I can get around to it. Thanks for any feedback! Charlie
Welcome charliediss :smile With only 2,000 of the 1856's minted, are you sure it is genuine and not a replica ? What grade is it in ?
It is a beautiful coin, grade would be low MS. This coin sat in an old man's dresser drawer until he died and his son sold it to me along with some other oddities. I suppose it could be a reproduction, but it is not marked as such. There is one very well-known 1857 off-set and this coin is very closely aligned with it in both % off-set and orientation of off-set. I will post pictures as soon as I can get a chance. Thanks again, Charlie
Counterfeit coins are not a new phenomenon. Coins that have been in collections for 50 years or more have been discovered to be either counterfeit or altered. If the "reproduction" was made before the Hobby Protection Act of 1973 went into effect it was not required to say "COPY". And counterfeits being produced today by the thousands in China almost always are not marked "COPY". Off-center errors are unique. The planchet just happens to be located incorrectly when the dies come together. An off-center FEC from 1856 and an off-center FEC from 1857 may be off center in the same direction and by the same amount but they are not related. It just means both planchets were in similar (incorrect) locations when the dies came together.
