1858 1C Small Letters High Leaves Flying Eagle Cent PCGS MS64 (PHOTO SEAL & CAC)

Gem Unc (15: 5,5,5). Much nicer than the grade suggests. It is fully struck with outstanding surfaces and wonderful eye appeal. The Small Letter design was a mid-year change in design which lowered the relief of the eagle and made the letters smaller. The idea was to prolong the die life. The reverse design was modified as well. A few leftover dies with the high relief dies (Called High Leaves or Type of 1857) were used and a small minority of coins were struck with the new obverse and old reverse dies. This is a very rare die combination and hardly ever seen so nice.