1858 1C Small Letters / 6-leaf Laurel wreath. J-191b Flying Eagle Cent PCGS PR65 (PHOTO SEAL & CAC)

Gem Proof (14: 4,5,5). This is one of the rarest pieces in the 1858 pattern cent collection. There are only two examples known. After 30 years of seeing everything on the market only two have surfaced. This is tied for finest known. The condition census is 1) PR65 PS/CAC PCGS. The present example. 2) PR65 PS PCGS. Pictured in the Attribution Guide. This coin Is untoned with medium mirrors. There are die striations on the reverse. A small lint strike-though is visible in the field by the E in UNITED. This serves to identify the coin. Importantly, this is the exact transitional design with the obverse from 1858 and the six-leaf reverse from 1859. As such, this is a very important coin which is missing in most collections. Additionally, PCGS just started putting the 6-Leaf Laurel patterns in their database with their own listing as J-191b. CAC also lists this in its own listing now - J191b. This will be changed soon after the show to either PCGS or CACG. This was a late addition to the Don Kelley collection as it was recently purchased from EERC to fully complete the Don Kelley set of 1858 cent patterns. As one of two known, it rarely gets offered. If you were disappointed that Don got to this before you, here is your second chance. Ex: EERC (2023); Don Kelley collection.