1858 Flying Eagle Cent. Small Letters, Low Leaves Reverse (Style of 1858), Type II. MS-66 (PCGS).

1858 Flying Eagle Cent. Small Letters, Low Leaves Reverse (Style of 1858), Type II. MS-66 (PCGS).，This is an awe-inspiring example of the brief regular issue Flying Eagle cent series of 1857 to 1858. Awash in satiny tan-apricot patina, both sides are silky smooth in appearance. Virtually pristine, in fact, with a sharp to full strike throughout the design. The second year 1858 Flying Eagle cent was produced in even greater numbers than the 1857, 24,600,000 vs. 17,450,000 circulation strikes. Both issues are of similar availability in numismatic circles, worn survivors plentiful and even Mint State coins readily obtainable in grades through MS-64. Our multiple offerings in this sale notwithstanding, the type as a whole is scarce in MS-65 and rare any finer. This is one of the finest examples of the 1858 Small Letters known to PCGS, and it is a coin that would do equally well in a high quality type set or specialized Flying Eagle and Indian cent collection.<p>Although the two obverse hub varieties of the 1858 Flying Eagle cent are most easily distinguished by the size of the letters in the legend, in reality the design of the Small Letters has been reworked in its entirety. In addition to spacing between the letters AM in AMERICA, this variety is distinguished from its Large Letters predecessor by shallower relief to the eagle with flatter feathers and the tail raised only minimally above the surrounding field area. Most circulation strikes of this variety are paired with the Type II Low Leaves Reverse hub, as here.，，