1857 DT1C Flying Eagle Cent, Judd-187A, Pollock-224, R.8
High Leaves reverse, Closed E in ONE. Struck in nickel or German silver with a plain edge from regular dies; the tenth edition of Judd favors favors the former, noting for both Judd-187 and Judd-187A that "Two or three examples of each metal are believed to exist." While multiples of the Judd-187, which was struck in copper, are known, the Pollock reference lists only one distinct example of the Judd-187A, which is in fact the present piece, and the only specimen certified by NGC or PCGS. It is conceivable that Judd-187A is unique, since our records turn up no additional auction appearances.
While the pattern Flying Eagle cents of 1856 are the most famous patterns bearing the design, they are far from the only ones, as the Judd-187A demonstrates, though Judd cautions that "All patterns dated from 1857 range from rare to unobtainable," and the Judd-187A occupies the latter end of the scale.
PR64 $48,875.00 (Jul 31, 2009 HA.com)