Price Guide for 1855 Cent Variants

This guide presents price ranges for 1855 Cent 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.

1855 Penny Upright 55, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $14.00 - $20,470.00
    Uncirculated: $1.90 - $2,990.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $11.50 - $350.00
    Uncirculated: $96.00 - $1,399.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $20.00 - $265.00
    Uncirculated: $275.00 - $3,150.00
More Detail

1855 Penny Slanted 55, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $38.00 - $505.00
    Uncirculated: $1.90 - $3,738.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $22.50 - $314.99
    Uncirculated: $125.50 - $837.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $14.00 - $275.00
    Uncirculated: $300.00 - $3,250.00
More Detail

1855 Penny Knob on Ear, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $53.00 - $661.00
    Uncirculated: $253.00 - $3,910.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $37.51 - $420.00
    Uncirculated: $525.00 - $1,469.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $24.00 - $610.00
    Uncirculated: $625.00 - $5,000.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-4 Upright 55, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $282.00 - $3,055.00
  • eBay
    Uncirculated: $895.00 - $1,300.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $600.00 - $2,500.00
More Detail

1855 Penny Upright 55, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $410.00 - $1,400.00
    Uncirculated: $150.00 - $6,037.50
  • eBay
    Uncirculated: $280.00 - $1,699.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $300.00 - $4,350.00
More Detail

1855 Penny Upright 55, RD (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $70.00 - $4,000.00
    Uncirculated: $110.00 - $38,188.00
  • eBay
    Uncirculated: $1,091.00 - $3,380.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $1,100.00 - $17,000.00
More Detail

1855 Penny Slanted 55, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $270.00 - $17,825.00
  • eBay
    Uncirculated: $465.00 - $650.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $350.00 - $18,000.00
More Detail

1855 Penny Slanted 55, RD (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $690.00 - $6,900.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $1,400.00 - $18,500.00
More Detail

1855 Penny Knob on Ear, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $115.00
    Uncirculated: $2,070.00 - $8,050.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $3,250.00 - $9,000.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-10 Slanted 55, RD (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $216.00 - $14,534.40
  • eBay
    Uncirculated: $239.94
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $1,500.00 - $18,750.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-1 Upright 55, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $53.00 - $212.00
    Uncirculated: $228.00 - $1,610.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $75.00 - $145.00
    Uncirculated: $427.00 - $1,425.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-1 Upright 55, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $3,290.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-2 Upright 55, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $105.00 - $322.00
    Uncirculated: $305.50 - $822.50
  • eBay
    Uncirculated: $361.83
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $185.00 - $310.00
    Uncirculated: $325.00 - $900.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-3 Upright 55, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $69.00 - $240.00
    Uncirculated: $132.00 - $1,292.50
  • eBay
    Circulated: $115.05
    Uncirculated: $290.00 - $850.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-3 Upright 55, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $564.00 - $1,050.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-4 Upright 55, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $120.00 - $690.00
    Uncirculated: $180.00 - $1,939.93
  • eBay
    Circulated: $102.50
    Uncirculated: $318.00 - $550.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $30.00 - $285.00
    Uncirculated: $300.00 - $2,450.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-4 Upright 55, RD (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $104.00
    Uncirculated: $750.00 - $35,250.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $1,200.00 - $40,000.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-5 Upright 55, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $89.00 - $447.00
    Uncirculated: $360.00 - $2,070.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $85.00 - $290.00
    Uncirculated: $608.68
More Detail

1855 Penny N-5 Upright 55, RB (Regular Strike)

  • eBay
    Uncirculated: $502.25
More Detail

1855 Penny N-6 Upright 55, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $676.00
    Uncirculated: $211.50 - $1,997.50
  • eBay
    Circulated: $79.33
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $260.00 - $475.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-6 Upright 55, RD (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $7,638.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-7 Upright 55, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $165.68 - $444.00
    Uncirculated: $276.00 - $1,440.00
  • eBay
    Uncirculated: $710.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $1,050.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-8 Upright 55, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $53.00 - $483.00
    Uncirculated: $252.00 - $1,440.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $29.00 - $285.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-8 Upright 55, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $265.00 - $2,070.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-10 Slanted 55, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $94.00 - $391.00
    Uncirculated: $192.00 - $1,939.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $97.00 - $113.00
    Uncirculated: $620.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $14.00 - $300.00
    Uncirculated: $325.00 - $3,350.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-10 Slanted 55, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $305.00 - $3,840.00
  • eBay
    Uncirculated: $950.00 - $2,750.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $400.00 - $18,250.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-12 Upright 55, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $111.00 - $2,300.00
    Uncirculated: $198.00 - $1,028.12
  • eBay
    Circulated: $38.00
    Uncirculated: $1,350.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $45.00 - $280.00
    Uncirculated: $290.00 - $1,100.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-12 Upright 55, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $382.00 - $1,265.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-13 Upright 55, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $100.00 - $300.00
    Uncirculated: $293.75 - $1,020.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $62.09 - $112.20
More Detail

1855 Penny N-13 Upright 55, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $690.00 - $1,292.50
More Detail

1855 Penny Slanted 55, BN (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $3,400.00 - $15,000.00
    Uncirculated: $1,725.00 - $14,950.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $4,000.00 - $13,500.00
More Detail

1855 Penny Slanted 55, RB (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $12,000.00
    Uncirculated: $4,140.00 - $44,063.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $6,250.00 - $65,000.00
More Detail

1855 Penny Slanted 55, RD (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $18,800.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $24,500.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-10 Slanted 55, BN (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $3,240.00 - $9,400.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-10 Slanted 55, RB (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $11,788.00 - $47,000.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-11 Slanted 55, BN (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $4,993.75
    Uncirculated: $2,760.00 - $4,620.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $5,500.00 - $13,750.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-11 Slanted 55, RB (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $7,015.00 - $12,925.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-9 Knob on Ear, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $86.00 - $587.50
    Uncirculated: $198.00 - $6,168.75
  • eBay
    Circulated: $75.00 - $406.00
    Uncirculated: $418.85 - $550.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $28.00 - $675.00
    Uncirculated: $700.00 - $5,150.00
More Detail

1855 Penny N-9 Knob on Ear, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $3,966.00 - $6,462.50
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $2,500.00 - $9,150.00
More Detail

Design and Specifications of the 1855 Cent

The 1855 Cent, also known as the Flying Eagle Cent, was a pattern coin that marked a significant transition in American coinage. It was not officially released for circulation but was produced as a sample for government officials and collectors. This coin represents the shift from the large cent to the small cent format, addressing issues with rising copper prices and public dissatisfaction with the bulky large cents.

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 corn, wheat, cotton, and tobacco, designed by James B. Longacre

Rarity Factors and Value Drivers

Condition is crucial for the 1855 Flying Eagle Cent, as it significantly impacts value. Being a pattern coin, most examples were carefully preserved, but finding specimens in pristine condition is still challenging. Proof details, such as sharp strike and mirror-like fields, are highly desirable. Cameo contrast between the fields and devices can add substantial premium.

Coins with full breast feathers on the eagle and complete details in the wreath are most sought after. Any signs of circulation or mishandling can drastically reduce value, given the coin's pattern status and rarity.

Philadelphia, No mint mark

Mintage: Approximately 500

Rarity Scale: Very Rare

Circulation Status: Not Intended for Circulation

Preservation Rarity: Extremely rare in high grades (PR65 and above)

Varieties Errors: None significant

Market Demand: High, due to its historical significance and rarity

Historical significance plays a major role in the value of the 1855 Flying Eagle Cent. As a precursor to the official Flying Eagle series (1856-1858) and the entire small cent format, it holds special appeal for collectors of early American coinage.

Provenance can significantly enhance value, especially if the coin can be traced to notable collections or early acquisitions. The original copper-nickel color is highly prized, and coins with attractive, natural toning can command premiums.

Given its rarity, authenticity is paramount. Coins with verified authenticity from reputable grading services are more valuable and desirable in the collector market.

4/5 - (15 votes)

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Chris Yang is the Co-Founder of Coins-Value, a leading platform for antique and modern U.S. coin valuation. With a deep passion for numismatics and extensive expertise in personal finance, Chris leverages advanced AI technology to provide accurate coin valuations and financial guidance. His commitment to helping collectors and individuals navigate the world of finance has made Coins-Value a trusted resource in the industry.

You can connect with Chris on LinkedIn or reach him via email at [email protected].

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