Just a curiosity question..

[TORRERO]

I sold some coins and you can see that thread here:
https://www.treasurenet.com/threads/sold-some-coins-at-a-local-auction.707214/#post-7290240

And one of the coins was a 1857 Flying Eagle Cent, and I was wondering how many people on here have actually dug one ?
Or if you saw one for sale, any condition how much or how likely would you be to buy one ?
I've dug 4, The one I just sold was the Worst one I had ever found.. The people at the Auction had never heard of it before...

But even though they made Millions of them they are rare enough to be a BIG BUCKET LISTER item for most people...

 

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[l.cutler]

I dug one but was in extremely poor shape. Just barely identifiable. I really like them and have the three major dates and varieties, except the extremely rare 1856. I have the 1857, 1858 large letters and 1858 small letters.

 

[ToddsPoint]

Flying eagle cents were made from 88% copper and 12% nickel. The nickel content is why they are in such poor shape when found.

 

[ncsuwolf]

I’ve dug 1. You can see its 1858, but that’s about it. Odd you mention nickel content…..when I dug it I thought it was some type of nickel due to thickness. Not until I got it home and cleaned a bit that I saw the eagle.

 

[TORRERO]

I dug one but was in extremely poor shape. Just barely identifiable. I really like them and have the three major dates and varieties, except the extremely rare 1856. I have the 1857, 1858 large letters and 1858 small letters.

This sounds like the one I sold at the auction, just barely see anything, but my other 3 are all in relatively good shape and one is beautiful..

 

[TORRERO]

Flying eagle cents were made from 88% copper and 12% nickel. The nickel content is why they are in such poor shape when found.

I've dug 4 but 3 are in relatively good shape, so I guess I was lucky, one of the 3 came from sandy soil out of Charleston and is beautiful and clear !

 

[Mr. Digger]

I've done a lot of detecting here in New England over the last 15 years and have found coins and relics dating back to the 1600's, but nary a Flying Eagle to be seen. Tons of Indians including fatties, but never a FE. High on my wish list. Elusive coin!

 

[TORRERO]

I've done a lot of detecting here in New England over the last 15 years and have found coins and relics dating back to the 1600's, but nary a Flying Eagle to be seen. Tons of Indians including fatties, but never a FE. High on my wish list. Elusive coin!

Well, I'm not sure why or how things like this work but all of mine were found 30+ years ago outside of Charleston SC. The coins were minted in 1856, 57, 58 and really only circulated in 57-58 but that was before the CW, that being said, my best one was found on a CW site on Folly Island where we were digging a lot of mini balls and several breast plates. Was mine lost before the CW? or was it dropped by a soldier camped there ? And another question has to be asked, when they were minted, where were they sent for distribution ? Strictly east Coast ? or were they disseminated across the US ?
Clearly places that would have distribution centers would have had a lot more in Circulation than places the were far flung from the minting offices..
Another of mine was dug in Battery Park in Charleston back when they allowed metal detecting.. (now it's posted) it's also in nice shape.. a third was dug on Daniel Island outside of Charleston while hunt CW or early period relics, it was the worst shape of all 4, I don't remember where that 4th one came from but was surely in Charleston somewhere...