Price Guide for 1857 Cent Variants

This guide presents price ranges for 1857 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.

1857 Penny Flying Eagle (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $13.00 - $1,260.00
    Uncirculated: $4.20 - $32,200.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $7.50 - $650.00
    Uncirculated: $9.00 - $15,500.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $28.00 - $610.00
    Uncirculated: $625.00 - $55,000.00
More Detail

1857 Penny Large Date, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $34.00 - $1,783.00
    Uncirculated: $150.00 - $2,937.50
  • eBay
    Circulated: $111.00 - $549.00
    Uncirculated: $234.50 - $1,558.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $20.00 - $535.00
    Uncirculated: $550.00 - $2,700.00
More Detail

1857 Penny Flying Eagle (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $2,970.00 - $5,581.25
    Uncirculated: $1,485.00 - $46,000.00
  • eBay
    Uncirculated: $9,450.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $5,000.00 - $85,000.00
More Detail

1857 Penny Small Date, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $2.65 - $588.00
    Uncirculated: $230.00 - $3,335.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $125.00 - $597.57
    Uncirculated: $210.00 - $1,364.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $20.00 - $575.00
    Uncirculated: $600.00 - $3,500.00
More Detail

1857 Penny Obv. Die Clash w/ $20, FS-403 (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $152.75 - $30,550.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $325.00 - $2,150.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $215.00 - $36,000.00
More Detail

1857 Penny N-4 Small Date, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $161.00 - $549.60
    Uncirculated: $376.00 - $940.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $199.99 - $425.00
    Uncirculated: $300.00 - $2,250.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $65.00 - $625.00
    Uncirculated: $650.00 - $1,700.00
More Detail

1857 1C Rev. Die Clash w/ Quarter, S-8 (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $117.50 - $504.00
    Uncirculated: $1,033.00 - $8,225.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $66.01 - $1,625.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $65.00 - $1,100.00
    Uncirculated: $1,300.00 - $10,500.00
More Detail

1857 Penny N-4 Small Date, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $1,920.00 - $7,050.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $1,950.00 - $8,750.00
More Detail

1857 Penny DDO FS-101, S-4 Flying Eagle (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $164.50 - $660.00
    Uncirculated: $259.00 - $3,290.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $67.50 - $405.00
    Uncirculated: $720.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $42.00 - $575.00
    Uncirculated: $625.00 - $4,000.00
More Detail

1857 Penny N-1 Large Date, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $94.00 - $834.00
    Uncirculated: $264.00 - $2,761.25
  • eBay
    Circulated: $103.71 - $415.00
    Uncirculated: $359.00 - $1,450.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $70.00 - $510.00
    Uncirculated: $525.00 - $2,600.00
More Detail

1857 Penny N-4 Small Date, RD (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $633.00 - $3,600.00
More Detail

1857 Penny DDO FS-102, Snow-15 (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $253.00
    Uncirculated: $552.00 - $2,585.00
  • eBay
    Uncirculated: $1,337.50
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $70.00 - $675.00
    Uncirculated: $725.00 - $14,000.00
More Detail

1857 Penny N-1 Large Date, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $188.00
    Uncirculated: $930.00 - $8,813.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $575.00 - $5,500.00
More Detail

1857 Penny DDO & RPD FS-103, S-10 Flying Eagle (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $89.00 - $435.00
    Uncirculated: $504.00 - $2,530.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $93.00 - $188.75
    Uncirculated: $749.00 - $1,662.49
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $70.00 - $600.00
    Uncirculated: $725.00 - $3,000.00
More Detail

1857 Penny N-1 Large Date, RD (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $4,700.00 - $24,000.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $5,900.00 - $25,500.00
More Detail

1857 Penny DDO FS-104 S-5 (002.8) (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $183.00
    Uncirculated: $851.88 - $2,820.00
  • eBay
    Uncirculated: $3,499.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $110.00 - $800.00
    Uncirculated: $875.00 - $3,350.00
More Detail

1857 Penny Obverse of 1856, FS-401a (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $384.00
    Uncirculated: $840.00 - $18,800.00
  • eBay
    Uncirculated: $6,000.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $45.00 - $875.00
    Uncirculated: $1,050.00 - $55,000.00
More Detail

1857 Penny Obverse of 1856, FS-401b (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $40.00 - $456.00
    Uncirculated: $290.00 - $5,640.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $27.51 - $425.00
    Uncirculated: $635.36 - $1,200.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $77.00 - $725.00
    Uncirculated: $750.00 - $3,750.00
More Detail

1857 Penny Obverse of 1856, FS-401a, PL (Regular Strike)

  • eBay
    Uncirculated: $12,500.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $9,500.00
More Detail

1857 Penny DDO FS-105, S-3 (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $74.00
    Uncirculated: $720.00 - $3,525.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $80.00 - $351.00
    Uncirculated: $632.88 - $1,900.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $50.00 - $600.00
    Uncirculated: $625.00 - $4,750.00
More Detail

1857 Penny Flying Eagle, CAM (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $5,170.00 - $43,125.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $8,250.00 - $95,000.00
More Detail

1857 Penny Large Date, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $322.00 - $345.00
    Uncirculated: $3.00 - $18,400.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $400.00 - $480.00
    Uncirculated: $964.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $650.00 - $7,250.00
More Detail

1857 Penny Large Date, RD (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $575.00
    Uncirculated: $1,840.00 - $6,900.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $5,800.00 - $25,000.00
More Detail

1857 Penny Small Date, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $303.00 - $5,287.50
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $1,050.00 - $8,500.00
More Detail

1857 Penny Small Date, RD (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $1,782.00 - $5,640.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $3,750.00 - $7,250.00
More Detail

1857 Penny N-2 Small Date, RD (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $2,700.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $3,850.00
More Detail

1857 Penny Small Date, BN (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $36.00 - $5,200.00
    Uncirculated: $87.00 - $11,163.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $4,500.00 - $11,500.00
More Detail

1857 Penny Small Date, RB (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $8,500.00
    Uncirculated: $1,980.00 - $32,900.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $5,000.00 - $31,500.00
More Detail

1857 Penny Small Date, RD (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $6,050.00 - $74,750.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $67,500.00
More Detail

1857 Penny Small Date, Newcomb-3, BN (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $1,500.00 - $9,600.00
  • eBay
    Uncirculated: $2,086.20
More Detail

1857 Penny Small Date, Newcomb-3, RB (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $3,850.00 - $10,575.00
More Detail

1857 Penny N-5 Small Date, BN (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $3,480.00 - $12,600.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $5,500.00 - $12,750.00
More Detail

1857 Penny N-5 Small Date, RB (Proof)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $7,500.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $13,750.00
More Detail

1857 Penny N-2 Small Date, RB (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Uncirculated: $1,500.00 - $4,920.00
  • eBay
    Uncirculated: $1,025.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Uncirculated: $650.00 - $5,850.00
More Detail

1857 Penny N-2 Small Date, BN (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $219.00 - $492.00
    Uncirculated: $336.00 - $4,320.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $281.99 - $460.00
    Uncirculated: $879.00 - $9,200.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $65.00 - $585.00
    Uncirculated: $625.00 - $3,600.00
More Detail

1857 Penny RPD FS-301 S-11 (001.5) (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $216.00 - $456.00
    Uncirculated: $1,020.00 - $1,645.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $499.95
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $40.00 - $650.00
    Uncirculated: $725.00 - $4,000.00
More Detail

1857 1C Obv. Clash w/ Half Dollar, FS-402, S-9 Flying Eagle (Regular Strike)

  • 3rd Party Price
    Circulated: $60.00 - $870.00
    Uncirculated: $504.00 - $5,875.00
  • eBay
    Circulated: $8.99 - $379.95
    Uncirculated: $203.59 - $5,000.00
  • PCGS Price Guide
    Circulated: $65.00 - $825.00
    Uncirculated: $900.00 - $7,500.00
More Detail

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.

Philadelphia, No Mint Mark

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.

5/5 - (28 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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