Flying Eagle Cent

[No gold in NY]

I just re-found this 1857 Flying Eagle cent that I detected in 2015. Are they all counterfeit fakes because they were struck by the US Mint without proper "authorization"? Mine is pretty well toasted. Wondering if it is a keeper. Thanks for your input.

 

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[Noah_D]

In my opinion it's a keeper just because you found it... It's not worth much in that condition.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

The 1856-1858 Flying Eagle cents were not "counterfeits." The 1856 was struck "at risk" prior to the Small Cent Act of 1857. And in 1858 a bunch of 1856 were struck using the older dies. Apparently the mint(s) were a bit looser than they later became.

Neither the previous series of large cents or the small cent was legal tender at the time they were in circulation. Banks and merchants were not obligated to accept them; but many did. But that doesn't mean they were "counterfeits".

 

[No gold in NY]

In my opinion it's a keeper just because you found it... It's not worth much in that condition.

Noah, I'll keep it as it is the oldest coin I have found.

 

[No gold in NY]

The 1856-1858 Flying Eagle cents were not "counterfeits." The 1856 was struck "at risk" prior to the Small Cent Act of 1857. And in 1858 a bunch of 1856 were struck using the older dies. Apparently the mint(s) were a bit looser than they later became.

Neither the previous series of large cents or the small cent was legal tender at the time they were in circulation. Banks and merchants were not obligated to accept them; but many did. But that doesn't mean they were "counterfeits".

Thanks for the info Charlie P.