Teach me about this 1857 Flying Eagle Cent...

Discussion in 'What's it Worth' started by AtlantaMan, Aug 6, 2025 at 4:20 PM.

  1. AtlantaMan

    AtlantaMan Active Member

    Hi All,

    I am still learning the art of coin collecting and need some guidance please.

    Here is my 1857 Flying Eagle Cent, and I am a bit unsure as to how to sell it.

    1) I think it has been cleaned as I see debris in areas such as the 8 and 5 and some of the letters, but the larger, flatter surface areas are clean. Is this evidence of cleaning?

    2) I seem to see these striations in the metal on both sides but especially from behind the eagles right wing to the "AME" in America. It appears, to me, that the metal was somehow stressed during the minting process. I don't know what to make of that - any thoughts?

    3) I might put a grade on this of VF-30 but if its been cleaned, it won't straight grade.
    Even if this was cleaned, would this be a candidate for an auction house like Great Collections anyway or perhaps a better avenue would be eBay?

    4) Finally, any guess as to the value?

    Many thanks for your thoughts and teaching me.

    1857 Flying Eagle Cent - Obverse.jpg 1857 Flying Eagle Cent - Reverse.jpg
     
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  3. Cazador

    Cazador Supporter! Supporter

    I say a Fine 15. very possible it has been cleaned but really hard to tell from photos. $30 on a good day. Not a very attractive coin!!
     
    Tall Paul and masterswimmer like this.
  4. masterswimmer

    masterswimmer A Caretaker, can't take it with me

    My initial thoughts lead me to cleaned after environmental damage. I think $15 is a fair price on a good day.
     
    No_Ragrets, Tall Paul and Cazador like this.
  5. Cazador

    Cazador Supporter! Supporter

    Someone would like it for their Whitman.
     
    masterswimmer likes this.
  6. Randy Abercrombie

    Randy Abercrombie Supporter! Supporter

    AtlantaMan you aren’t half bad. You are being very fair in your assessments. Now one thing to keep in mind is that for years we did clean coins. Those that had been gently cleaned and “healed” over the years are generally deemed market acceptable and will straight grade. Those that were harshly cleaned are forever damaged goods……. At first blush I thought yours may have been harshly cleaned due to the prominence of the diagonal lines above the wing and on the reverse. But the more I look at it, I believe that may be what many would call a “woodie”… A woodie is a planchet where the alloys didn’t mix well leaving what looks like a wood grain surface. Not that unusual or anything but it does add interest to the piece.
     
  7. AtlantaMan

    AtlantaMan Active Member

  8. KBBPLL

    KBBPLL Well-Known Member

    Possibly some of that is tape residue.
     
  9. jerryc39

    jerryc39 Well-Known Member

    I think $20 to $25 for value.
     
  10. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    Probably cleaned a long time ago. Should be in the $12-$15 range.
     
  11. jerryc39

    jerryc39 Well-Known Member

    I buy and sell quite a few large cents and sometimes small ones too. I know for sure you could sell this coin on FB marketplace or e-bay for more than 12 or 15 bucks. With better pics it could be more than double that.
     
    Mr. Numismatist likes this.
  12. Collecting Nut

    Collecting Nut Borderline Hoarder

    I don’t do eBay. I only deal with honest, reliable dealers that I know and trust. You can sell on the bay and the buyer can file a complaint and you’re out the coin and the money.
     
  13. jerryc39

    jerryc39 Well-Known Member

    fees are high on e-bay too. Prefer FB marketplace
     
  14. mrweaseluv

    mrweaseluv Supporter! Supporter

    what is this "selling" of coins you speak of????? :D
     
  15. jerryc39

    jerryc39 Well-Known Member

    Bad habit I suppose! LOL
     
    Randy Abercrombie likes this.
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