Interesting “1856” eagle 1-cent

This coin was recently posted on a Dealer’s Face Book page as a contemporary counterfeit. After careful review it was determined to be an altered date 1858- what makes it interesting in my opinion is it reportedly came from a 1994 Stacks Public Auction and was shown in the original sealed flip.





My Example Genuine Example (courtesy PCGS)

Several responded to the post that this example shouldn’t have made it into the auction and surely would have been outed by Stacks (which may ultimately have happened) and that it was probably not the original holder.

So, in the interest of odd things and research I purchased it and waited to receive it; in the meantime I sent a note to my friends at Stacks to see if there was any archive info they could share, and Mary there really helped me out with several scans!






The scanned image is obviously low resolution, but the image does appear to match the images of my example including the obverse rim toning. I have actually found a copy of the catalog for sale on line and am waiting to receive it to see if the actual image is better there.

After receipt of the coin it does appear to be the original sealed holder; I intend to bring it to the Baltimore Whitman show in October and get Stacks’ opinion on it.

From the scanned images provided it seems something happened with this example, as the prices realized list shows this one “withdrawn”.

Hopefully someone who knows this series can comment on the Stacks description of the “High lead at C in CENT”!

Best, Jack

 

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I can always recognize a true 1856 by the lettering style on the obverse. What you have there is a 1858 Large Letters that has been expertly altered at the date. Neat!

 

“High lead at C in CENT”!


I think they meant 'leaf'.

Typo

 

The 6 does look a little too high to me when compared to the proof.

 

Shape of the 6 looks way off as well!

 

I can see it since it’s been pointed out. But frankly, I also see where it could have gone all the way to auction before being caught.

 

I am assuming it was caught and that is why it was withdrawn!

 

That’s what I said.

 

Just a reminder that 1856 marked the end of the Crimean War. Some of you may know that this war effected the relationship between Britain and the USA, in that agents for Britain had been recruiting, illegally, Manpower, within the States, on the side of Britain, in the war against Russia. And the USA, at that time, were somewhat sympathetic to Russia, and trade deals with Russia.

 

Tail and A not matching up

 

Even a hack amateur like I am noticed the bad 6 before I read your post.

 

Yet it was cataloged and in a sealed flip!

 

Cool story!

 

Forget the 6,it has the wrong style 5. They concentrated on altering the 8 but the fact that it has the 5 used in 57 and 58 with the upright of the 5 pointing behind the ball of the 5 instead of at it instantly condemns it.

And high lead should have been "high leaf".

 

Is "high Leaf" correct for the reverse of 1856?

 

I thought it was an 1858 variety

 

But it is cataloged as an 1856, hence my question!

 

There are several different varieties for the 1856 and there is more than one reverese. I don't have Snow's book so I can't say for sure if he described one as being a "high leaf" variety. Did a little checking and possible the S-3 variety is described as the "High leaves" variety. 1858 may have a high leaves variety as well. I don't know I'm, out of my element here. OK 1858 also has high leaf and low leaf varieties.

 

Thanks! I went to PCGS CoinFacts and agree the S-3 looks like the "high leaf".

 

I was able to get a better resolution image scanned from the actual auction catalog and confirmed my example matches the original one.