Price Guide for 1856 Cent Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
1856 Penny Flying Eagle (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $47.00 – $28,800.00Uncirculated: $62.50 – $172,500.00
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eBayCirculated: $67.00 – $10,205.00Uncirculated: $14,500.00 – $22,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $6,000.00 – $17,650.00Uncirculated: $18,000.00 – $225,000.00
1856 Penny Slanted 5, BN (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $13.00 – $2,990.00Uncirculated: $1.60 – $2,760.00
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eBayCirculated: $9.50 – $300.00Uncirculated: $106.72 – $1,680.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $20.00 – $250.00Uncirculated: $265.00 – $3,500.00
1856 Penny Upright 5, BN (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $19.00 – $400.00Uncirculated: $1.65 – $4,560.00
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eBayCirculated: $15.49 – $225.00Uncirculated: $47.00 – $2,800.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $18.00 – $225.00Uncirculated: $235.00 – $2,700.00
1856 Penny Slanted 5, BN (Proof)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $7,212.00 – $7,250.00Uncirculated: $3,278.00 – $7,475.00
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eBayUncirculated: $5,575.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5,750.00 – $16,000.00
1856 Penny Flying Eagle (Proof)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $3,905.00 – $20,700.00Uncirculated: $2,650.00 – $70,500.00
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eBayCirculated: $5,500.00 – $16,999.00Uncirculated: $12,666.00 – $24,495.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $5,500.00 – $16,250.00Uncirculated: $16,500.00 – $250,000.00
1856 Penny Upright 5, RB (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $86.00 – $800.00Uncirculated: $150.00 – $4,140.00
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eBayUncirculated: $180.27 – $789.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $250.00 – $3,150.00
1856 Penny Upright 5, RD (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $150.00Uncirculated: $1,035.00 – $9,600.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $250.00 – $8,750.00
1856 Penny Slanted 5, RB (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $325.00Uncirculated: $127.00 – $5,875.00
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eBayUncirculated: $336.00 – $1,875.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $275.00 – $6,500.00
1856 Penny Slanted 5, RD (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $52.00Uncirculated: $115.00 – $5,060.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,050.00 – $6,500.00
1856 Penny N-6 Upright 5, BN (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $104.00 – $207.00Uncirculated: $253.00 – $1,086.88
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eBayUncirculated: $421.66 – $741.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $22.00 – $260.00Uncirculated: $275.00 – $1,250.00
1856 Penny N-6 Upright 5, RB (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $763.75 – $1,998.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $300.00 – $1,850.00
1856 Penny N-6 Upright 5, RD (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3,120.00
1856 Penny N-7 Upright 5, BN (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $129.25 – $150.00Uncirculated: $288.00 – $575.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $210.00 – $250.00Uncirculated: $285.00 – $600.00
1856 Penny N-7 Upright 5, RB (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $587.50 – $1,234.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $550.00 – $1,850.00
1856 Penny N-8 Upright 5, BN (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $360.00 – $705.00
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eBayUncirculated: $430.00 – $870.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $525.00
1856 Penny N-8 Upright 5, RB (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $646.25 – $4,230.00
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eBayUncirculated: $537.00
1856 Penny N-9 Upright 5, BN (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $99.88 – $173.00Uncirculated: $352.50 – $2,040.00
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eBayCirculated: $96.05
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $285.00 – $475.00
1856 Penny N-10 Upright 5, BN (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $89.00 – $204.00Uncirculated: $264.00 – $1,880.00
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eBayUncirculated: $382.00 – $536.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $30.00 – $260.00Uncirculated: $275.00 – $1,250.00
1856 Penny N-10 Upright 5, RB (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $348.00
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eBayUncirculated: $2,750.00
1856 Penny N-11 Upright 5, BN (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $74.00 – $236.18Uncirculated: $192.00 – $1,057.50
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eBayCirculated: $42.00 – $110.00
1856 Penny N-12 Upright 5, BN (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $111.63 – $324.00Uncirculated: $204.00 – $2,640.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $30.00 – $260.00Uncirculated: $275.00 – $1,250.00
1856 Penny N-12 Upright 5, RB (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $528.00 – $900.00
1856 Penny N-12 Upright 5, RD (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $138.00 – $368.00
1856 Penny N-20 Upright 5, BN (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $144.00 – $423.00Uncirculated: $258.50 – $1,116.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $475.00 – $625.00
1856 Penny N-20 Upright 5, RB (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $400.00
1856 Penny N-1 Slanted 5, BN (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $92.00 – $242.00Uncirculated: $206.00 – $805.00
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eBayCirculated: $27.00 – $67.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $265.00Uncirculated: $325.00 – $675.00
1856 Penny N-1 Slanted 5, RB (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $690.00 – $4,230.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $375.00 – $1,600.00
1856 Penny N-2 Slanted 5, BN (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $110.00 – $207.00Uncirculated: $192.00 – $3,480.00
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eBayCirculated: $120.27
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $275.00Uncirculated: $310.00 – $2,500.00
1856 Penny N-2 Slanted 5, RB (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $881.25 – $4,112.50
1856 Penny N-3 Slanted 5, BN (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $138.00Uncirculated: $222.00 – $2,350.00
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eBayCirculated: $100.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $285.00Uncirculated: $300.00 – $925.00
1856 Penny N-3 Slanted 5, RB (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $780.00 – $823.00
1856 Penny N-4 Slanted 5, BN (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $100.00 – $341.00Uncirculated: $144.00 – $660.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $100.00
1856 Penny N-4 Slanted 5, RB (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $881.25 – $2,300.00
1856 Penny N-13 Slanted 5, BN (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $104.00 – $265.00Uncirculated: $264.00 – $720.00
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eBayCirculated: $0.95 – $199.00
1856 Penny N-13 Slanted 5, RB (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $411.00 – $2,760.00
1856 Penny N-14 Slanted 5, BN (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $86.00 – $322.00Uncirculated: $115.00 – $1,645.00
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eBayCirculated: $104.50
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $275.00Uncirculated: $310.00 – $725.00
1856 Penny N-14 Slanted 5, RB (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $317.25 – $1,997.50
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eBayUncirculated: $614.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $325.00 – $1,600.00
1856 Penny N-14 Slanted 5, RD (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,280.00 – $3,525.00
1856 Penny N-16 Slanted 5, BN (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $104.00 – $247.00Uncirculated: $384.00 – $1,880.00
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eBayCirculated: $154.50
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $125.00 – $220.00
1856 Penny N-16 Slanted 5, RB (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $720.00 – $930.00
1856 Penny N-17 Slanted 5, BN (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $84.00 – $156.00Uncirculated: $329.00 – $881.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $325.00 – $500.00
1856 Penny N-17 Slanted 5, RB (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,980.00
1856 Penny N-18 Slanted 5, BN (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $161.00 – $265.00Uncirculated: $120.00 – $600.00
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eBayCirculated: $142.51
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $300.00Uncirculated: $325.00 – $675.00
1856 Penny N-18 Slanted 5, RB (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $881.25 – $3,910.00
1856 Penny N-19 Slanted 5, BN (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $84.00 – $360.00Uncirculated: $341.00 – $910.63
1856 Penny N-19 Slanted 5, RB (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,410.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,400.00
1856 Penny N-21 Slanted 5, BN (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $403.00Uncirculated: $184.00 – $2,520.00
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eBayCirculated: $50.00 – $66.50Uncirculated: $699.99
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $285.00Uncirculated: $310.00 – $875.00
1856 Penny N-21 Slanted 5, RB (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,528.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1,259.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $325.00 – $1,600.00
1856 Penny N-22 Slanted 5, BN (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $81.00 – $3,000.00Uncirculated: $2,585.00 – $4,113.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $825.00
1856 Penny Slanted 5, RB (Proof)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $7,500.00 – $7,600.00Uncirculated: $4,400.00 – $37,950.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $7,000.00 – $40,000.00
1856 Penny Slanted 5, RD (Proof)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6,038.00 – $47,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $22,500.00 – $77,500.00
1856 Penny N-5 Slanted 5, BN (Proof)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $5,775.00 – $8,100.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5,750.00 – $16,250.00
1856 Penny N-5 Slanted 5, RB (Proof)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $7,500.00 – $11,750.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $11,750.00 – $40,000.00
1856 Penny Flying Eagle S-3 (Regular Strike)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $9,000.00 – $12,600.00Uncirculated: $31,200.00 – $94,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $6,250.00 – $18,000.00Uncirculated: $18,500.00 – $85,000.00
1856 Penny Flying Eagle, CAM (Proof)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $11,788.00 – $18,400.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $21,000.00 – $28,000.00
1856 Penny Flying Eagle S-1 (Proof)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $35,250.00 – $41,125.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $16,750.00 – $17,000.00Uncirculated: $18,000.00 – $55,000.00
1856 Penny Flying Eagle S-2 (Proof)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $12,925.00 – $16,800.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $16,250.00 – $26,000.00
1856 Penny Flying Eagle S-2, CAM (Proof)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $28,200.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $32,500.00
1856 Penny Flying Eagle S-3 (Proof)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $5,287.50 – $13,200.00Uncirculated: $10,800.00 – $240,000.00
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eBayUncirculated: $13,600.00 – $19,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $9,500.00 – $17,250.00Uncirculated: $17,500.00 – $87,500.00
1856 Penny Flying Eagle S-4 (Proof)
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $11,100.00 – $32,900.00
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eBayUncirculated: $13,997.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $11,500.00 – $35,000.00
1856 Penny Flying Eagle S-5 (Proof)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $8,400.00Uncirculated: $15,275.00 – $44,650.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $9,000.00Uncirculated: $10,000.00 – $76,500.00
1856 Penny Flying Eagle S-9 (Proof)
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $4,320.00 – $13,200.00Uncirculated: $8,812.50 – $32,900.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $9,000.00 – $16,350.00Uncirculated: $16,750.00 – $36,000.00
Design and Specifications of the 1856 Cent
The 1856 Flying Eagle Cent marks a significant transition in American coinage. It was produced as a pattern coin to demonstrate the new small cent design, replacing the larger copper cents. This coin was not intended for circulation but gained popularity among collectors and some government officials, leading to a small number being struck for distribution.
The Flying Eagle design was short-lived, produced only from 1856 to 1858, making the 1856 issue particularly historic and sought-after by numismatists.
| Weight | 4.67 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 19 mm |
| Mint Marks | None (Philadelphia) |
| Composition | 88% copper, 12% nickel |
| Obverse Design | Flying Eagle, designed by James B. Longacre |
| Reverse Design | Wreath of corn, wheat, cotton, and tobacco, designed by James B. Longacre |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
Condition is crucial for the 1856 Flying Eagle Cent. As a pattern coin primarily struck in proof format, even slight imperfections can significantly impact value. Coins with full striking details, intact wing feathers, and minimal contact marks command the highest premiums.
The presence of original mint luster and attractive toning can further enhance desirability. Given its rarity, even lower-grade specimens are highly valued, but specimens in PR65 or higher are exceptionally rare and valuable.
Philadelphia, No Mint Mark
Mintage: Estimated 1,500 – 2,000
Rarity Scale: Very Rare
Circulation Status: Not Intended for Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Extremely rare in high grades (PR65 and above)
Varieties Errors: Snow-3 variety with repunched date
Market Demand: High, due to its historical significance and rarity
Provenance plays a significant role in the value of 1856 Flying Eagle Cents. Coins with a documented history of ownership, especially those once part of famous collections, can command substantial premiums.
The Snow-3 variety with a repunched date is particularly sought after by specialists. Additionally, original copper or bronze strikes, which are even rarer than the standard nickel composition, are highly prized by advanced collectors.
Given its status as a pattern coin, authenticity is paramount. Coins with proper certification from reputable grading services typically command higher prices due to the assurance of genuineness.
This article originally appeared on Coins-value.com: 1856 Cent Value: Mint Varieties, Rarity, And Current Prices
