1858 Small Letters 1C High Leaves Rev. Flying Eagle Cent PCGS PR64+ (PHOTO SEAL & CAC)

Choice Proof (12: 3,4,5). A scarce Small Letter Proof with the reverse of 1857. This is listed as Snow-PR1 as well as Snow-PT-10. The reason it has dual listing is because the Small Letter was initially a pattern design and was issued with the popular12-piece 1858 Pattern cent sets. These were sold to collectors in 1858 when coin collection began to be a growing craze. The Small Letter design was accepted for use in 1858 and it became a regular issue. The reverse is the same as used in 1857, making this die pairing the first of the Small Letter Proofs issued for the 12-piece sets. About 25 examples are believed to exist. Only 5 examples were traced and listed in the Attribution Guide. Since then PCGS has given these their own coin number and only three examples have been discovered and relabeled with the attribution at PCGS. The finest is a PR64. 

This example has good mirrors and is fully struck. The PR64 listed on CoinFacts under the High Leaves reverse is not fully struck. This example has a contact mark on the reverse above the O in ONE. There is a single hairline above the date. The coin has excellent eye appeal.  This example is still in its original holder with the 2043 coin number which is for the more common Low Leaves reverse. It can be changed to the High Leaves reverse coin number, but the CAC would then have to be reissued. This process can be done on request. This coin fills the space in the Proof Flying Eagle set for the Small Letters. It expands the set to include the reverse design changes, an important addition. It also is the key part of the popular 12-piece Pattern cent set. Ex: Bob Travis 1858 12-piece pattern set.