1858 1C Small eagle / Oak wreath cent. J-203 Snow-PT18 NGC PR65 (PHOTO SEAL)

Gem Proof (12: 4,3,5). Dies rotated as shown. Pretty purple and russet toning. Medium mirrors. A very popular design combination. The Small Eagle is a design by Assistant Engraver Anthony Paquet. Its small eagle was made in very low releif and forced to fit the central pat of the die. This was his answer to the Mint's problem with striking Flying Eagle cents. The dies wore out due to the higher pressure needed to strike the coins. A lower relief design would lessen the striking pressure while still bringing up the design. In the end, Paquet's other design, the Small Letters alteration of Longacre's Flying Eagle design was adopted and imediately put into use in 1858. That design (Small Letters) was doomed to fail as the letters needed contant reworking as they were too delicate to remain in tact during the hubbing of dies.