Price Guide for 1857 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.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $13.00 – $1,260.00Uncirculated: $4.20 – $32,200.00
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eBayCirculated: $7.50 – $650.00Uncirculated: $9.00 – $15,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $28.00 – $610.00Uncirculated: $625.00 – $55,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $34.00 – $1,783.00Uncirculated: $150.00 – $2,937.50
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eBayCirculated: $111.00 – $549.00Uncirculated: $234.50 – $1,558.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $20.00 – $535.00Uncirculated: $550.00 – $2,700.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $2,970.00 – $5,581.25Uncirculated: $1,485.00 – $46,000.00
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eBayUncirculated: $9,450.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5,000.00 – $85,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $2.65 – $588.00Uncirculated: $230.00 – $3,335.00
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eBayCirculated: $125.00 – $597.57Uncirculated: $210.00 – $1,364.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $20.00 – $575.00Uncirculated: $600.00 – $3,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $36.00 – $5,200.00Uncirculated: $87.00 – $11,163.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4,500.00 – $11,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $322.00 – $345.00Uncirculated: $3.00 – $18,400.00
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eBayCirculated: $400.00 – $480.00Uncirculated: $964.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $650.00 – $7,250.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $575.00Uncirculated: $1,840.00 – $6,900.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5,800.00 – $25,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $303.00 – $5,287.50
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,050.00 – $8,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,782.00 – $5,640.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3,750.00 – $7,250.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $94.00 – $834.00Uncirculated: $264.00 – $2,761.25
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eBayCirculated: $103.71 – $415.00Uncirculated: $359.00 – $1,450.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $70.00 – $510.00Uncirculated: $525.00 – $2,600.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $188.00Uncirculated: $930.00 – $8,813.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $575.00 – $5,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $4,700.00 – $24,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5,900.00 – $25,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $219.00 – $492.00Uncirculated: $336.00 – $4,320.00
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eBayCirculated: $281.99 – $460.00Uncirculated: $879.00 – $9,200.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $65.00 – $585.00Uncirculated: $625.00 – $3,600.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,500.00 – $4,920.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1,025.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $650.00 – $5,850.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,700.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3,850.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $161.00 – $549.60Uncirculated: $376.00 – $940.00
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eBayCirculated: $199.99 – $425.00Uncirculated: $300.00 – $2,250.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $65.00 – $625.00Uncirculated: $650.00 – $1,700.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,920.00 – $7,050.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,950.00 – $8,750.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $633.00 – $3,600.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $8,500.00Uncirculated: $1,980.00 – $32,900.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5,000.00 – $31,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6,050.00 – $74,750.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $67,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,500.00 – $9,600.00
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eBayUncirculated: $2,086.20
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3,850.00 – $10,575.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3,480.00 – $12,600.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5,500.00 – $12,750.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $7,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $13,750.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $384.00Uncirculated: $840.00 – $18,800.00
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eBayUncirculated: $6,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $45.00 – $875.00Uncirculated: $1,050.00 – $55,000.00
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eBayUncirculated: $12,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $9,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $40.00 – $456.00Uncirculated: $290.00 – $5,640.00
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eBayCirculated: $27.51 – $425.00Uncirculated: $635.36 – $1,200.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $77.00 – $725.00Uncirculated: $750.00 – $3,750.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $216.00 – $456.00Uncirculated: $1,020.00 – $1,645.00
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eBayCirculated: $499.95
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $40.00 – $650.00Uncirculated: $725.00 – $4,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $60.00 – $870.00Uncirculated: $504.00 – $5,875.00
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eBayCirculated: $8.99 – $379.95Uncirculated: $203.59 – $5,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $65.00 – $825.00Uncirculated: $900.00 – $7,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $152.75 – $30,550.00
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eBayCirculated: $325.00 – $2,150.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $215.00 – $36,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $117.50 – $504.00Uncirculated: $1,033.00 – $8,225.00
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eBayCirculated: $78.00 – $1,625.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $65.00 – $1,100.00Uncirculated: $1,300.00 – $10,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $164.50 – $660.00Uncirculated: $259.00 – $3,290.00
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eBayCirculated: $67.50 – $405.00Uncirculated: $720.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $42.00 – $575.00Uncirculated: $625.00 – $4,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $253.00Uncirculated: $552.00 – $2,585.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1,337.50
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $70.00 – $675.00Uncirculated: $725.00 – $14,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $89.00 – $435.00Uncirculated: $504.00 – $2,530.00
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eBayCirculated: $93.00 – $188.75Uncirculated: $749.00 – $1,662.49
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $70.00 – $600.00Uncirculated: $725.00 – $3,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $183.00Uncirculated: $851.88 – $2,820.00
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eBayUncirculated: $3,499.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $110.00 – $800.00Uncirculated: $875.00 – $3,350.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $74.00Uncirculated: $720.00 – $3,525.00
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eBayCirculated: $80.00 – $351.00Uncirculated: $632.88 – $1,900.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $50.00 – $600.00Uncirculated: $625.00 – $4,750.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $5,170.00 – $43,125.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $8,250.00 – $95,000.00
Design and Specifications of the 1857 Cent
The 1857 Flying Eagle Cent represents a significant transition in American coinage. It was the first small-sized cent, replacing the larger copper cents that had been in circulation since 1793. This new design was introduced to address rising copper prices and public demand for a more convenient coin size.
The Flying Eagle design was short-lived, produced only in 1856 (as pattern coins), 1857, and 1858, making it a highly collectible series. Its introduction marked the beginning of the small cent era in U.S. coinage history.
| Weight | 4.67 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 19 mm |
| Mint Marks | No mint mark (Philadelphia) |
| Composition | 88% copper, 12% nickel |
| Obverse Design | Flying Eagle, designed by James B. Longacre |
| Reverse Design | Wreath of cereals, designed by James B. Longacre |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1857 Flying Eagle Cents significantly impacts their value. These coins often suffer from weak strikes, particularly on the eagle’s tail and wingtips, and the wreath on the reverse. Well-struck examples command a premium.
Luster is another crucial factor, with coins retaining original mint luster being highly prized. The composition tends to tone to a light golden color over time, and attractively toned specimens are desirable.
Due to the coin’s design, high-grade examples (MS65 and above) are scarce and highly valuable. Even small improvements in grade can lead to substantial increases in value in the higher mint state ranges.
Mintage: 17,450,000
Rarity Scale: Uncommon
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above due to weak strikes and planchet issues
Varieties Errors: Snow-1 (clashed dies), Snow-3 (repunched date)
Market Demand: High, due to its historical significance and short-lived design
Die varieties play a significant role in the value of 1857 Flying Eagle Cents. The Snow-1 variety (clashed dies) and Snow-3 variety (repunched date) are particularly sought after by specialists.
The historical significance of this coin as the first year of regular issue for the small cent adds to its appeal and value. Proof examples, while not officially recorded, are known to exist and are extremely rare and valuable.
Lastly, the short-lived nature of the Flying Eagle design contributes to its popularity among collectors, maintaining strong demand and supporting values across all grades.
