WoW. 1857 Flying Eagle. Possible proof? Grade?

I recently purchased this raw 1857 Flying Eagle. Some have you have taken a look at the sellers pics and gave me some opinions about it's grade.
It arrived today and I was so shocked when I saw it in hand. The seller pics did not give this coin justice. by a long shot.
I am not sure that it isn't a proof. The luster is off the charts. The colors are vivid and the eye appeal is the best I have ever seen on any coin in hand.

I weighed it just to be sure and it comes in accurately at 4.6. My scale doesn't go two decimals.
I would like to hear some opinions please. Is it a proof? If not, what's your shot at a grade?

Here are various shots with different lighting.

















Thanks for looking.

-greg

 

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I have no idea,but that is possibly the most beautiful coin I've ever seen!

 

Ditto. It really makes the rest of collection angry.

 

I don't think it is a proof, but WOW that coin is beautiful. I give it a MS-65 PL+.

 

I don't know if it's a proof or not...but that coin is spectacular.

 

Can we see the sellers pics again? Lovely piece.

 

Absolutely love it.....Congrats......:thumb:

 

The fields look pitted.... May just be the picture but that could cause worry. I must say though it is sharp eagle if it isn't a proof and it has decent denticles, but the reverse leaves at the top right are fairly weak. I would definitely say AT though at least on the obverse for a start. Could be a proof, could be a business strike. In my experience though examining Proof flying eagles, I remember the digits in the date being flat, not rounded as these appear. Not trying to put the coin down, just analyzing it. I am leaning towards a doctored business strike, whether to make it appear as a proof or just a pretty coin for an unknowledgable collector I don't know.

Looking further, the pittedness extends into the "one cent" on the reverse, which indicates postmint damage, as if it was some sort of polish/finish on the die, it most likely would only be seen in the fields.

 

all I can say is i'm drooling over that coin. That has to be one of the finest FE's i have ever seen.

 

I must say that might just be the most beautiful coin I have ever seen. AT or not the eye appeal is real and I would love to own that coin.

 

I can only assume that you are not very familiar with Flying eagle cents.

 

I hope this isn't the case. What I can say is I have seen hundreds of polished coins. The luster would not look like it does if it were polished or coated. Unless it's something I have never seen before. *Fingers crossed

I'll let NGC figure out the rest. :thumb:

-greg

 

I really hate to burst your bubble.

The toning does not look natural at all. I really think this coin is AT.

Judging by the pits in the fields, the uneven shine in the fields, and the glossiness of the devices, I also think it has been polished too.

I'm not bashing your coin, just offering my opinion.

I will see what NGC slabs it as.

To be honest, I would not buy a high-grade eagle unless it was slabbed.

 

Again, no chance it's polished. Have you ever actually seen a polished coin full of cartwheel, mint luster?
I assure you I know the difference between the two.
As far as buying raw, I suppose we have a different opinion on what high end is.

 

Can't give a grade or say its a proof because the coin is distracting me. In a very good way, makes me want to look for a copper cent that looks like that.

 

My first gut feeling is that I'm not sure if it's authentic. My 2nd gut feeling is that if it is authentic, then it's definitely been messed with as color like that simply doesn't appear on copper-nickel small cents that I've ever seen. Toning of blues and such occur much more often on small cents of the 1864 and after era when the composition was changed to copper and tin/zinc.

I hope I'm wrong on both counts, but just offering first impressions.

 

The mint had many problems producing the small cent. You have to remember that the 1856 was a pattern issue and was proofed. The 1857 was the first time that small cents were produced in any real numbers so it was a real learning curb. Some of the problems were with the minting process, but there were also planchet and composition flaws. As for Greg's beautiful, naturally toned coin, I believe that the pitted appearance is a result of small flaws in the planchet.

 

Please explain what I am missing so I can learn more. I've handled four MS flying eagles in my personal collection and also a couple of proofs for brief familiarity and I can't recall ever seeing a proof with brilliant finish as this coin appears to have. I am interested in hearing what I am not seeing in this coin.

 

one of the nicest fl i have ever seen thanks for picks.as for proof or not i don't know.i sent a 1826 quarter in for grade awhile back that i thought was great and was mildly disappointed when i got the coin back.i hope you have better luck.

 

I have to respectfully disagree here. The cupro nickel composition did not lend itself to toning of this color.