Price Guide for 1855 Cent Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $14.00 – $20,470.00Uncirculated: $1.90 – $2,990.00
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eBayCirculated: $11.50 – $350.00Uncirculated: $96.00 – $1,399.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $20.00 – $265.00Uncirculated: $275.00 – $3,150.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $38.00 – $505.00Uncirculated: $1.90 – $3,738.00
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eBayCirculated: $22.50 – $314.99Uncirculated: $125.50 – $837.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $14.00 – $275.00Uncirculated: $300.00 – $3,250.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $53.00 – $661.00Uncirculated: $253.00 – $3,910.00
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eBayCirculated: $37.51 – $420.00Uncirculated: $525.00 – $1,469.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $24.00 – $610.00Uncirculated: $625.00 – $5,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $3,400.00 – $15,000.00Uncirculated: $1,725.00 – $14,950.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4,000.00 – $13,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $410.00 – $1,400.00Uncirculated: $150.00 – $6,037.50
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eBayUncirculated: $280.00 – $1,699.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $300.00 – $4,350.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $70.00 – $4,000.00Uncirculated: $110.00 – $38,188.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1,091.00 – $3,380.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,100.00 – $17,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $270.00 – $17,825.00
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eBayUncirculated: $465.00 – $650.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $350.00 – $18,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $690.00 – $6,900.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,400.00 – $18,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $115.00Uncirculated: $2,070.00 – $8,050.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3,250.00 – $9,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $53.00 – $212.00Uncirculated: $228.00 – $1,610.00
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eBayCirculated: $75.00 – $145.00Uncirculated: $427.00 – $1,425.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3,290.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $105.00 – $322.00Uncirculated: $305.50 – $822.50
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eBayUncirculated: $361.83
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $185.00 – $310.00Uncirculated: $325.00 – $900.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $69.00 – $240.00Uncirculated: $132.00 – $1,292.50
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eBayCirculated: $115.05Uncirculated: $290.00 – $850.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $564.00 – $1,050.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $120.00 – $690.00Uncirculated: $180.00 – $1,939.93
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eBayCirculated: $102.50Uncirculated: $318.00 – $550.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $30.00 – $285.00Uncirculated: $300.00 – $2,450.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $282.00 – $3,055.00
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eBayUncirculated: $895.00 – $1,300.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $600.00 – $2,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $104.00Uncirculated: $750.00 – $35,250.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,200.00 – $40,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $89.00 – $447.00Uncirculated: $360.00 – $2,070.00
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eBayCirculated: $85.00 – $290.00Uncirculated: $608.68
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eBayUncirculated: $502.25
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $676.00Uncirculated: $211.50 – $1,997.50
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eBayCirculated: $79.33
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $260.00 – $475.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $7,638.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $165.68 – $444.00Uncirculated: $276.00 – $1,440.00
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eBayUncirculated: $710.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,050.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $53.00 – $483.00Uncirculated: $252.00 – $1,440.00
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eBayCirculated: $29.00 – $285.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $265.00 – $2,070.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $111.00 – $2,300.00Uncirculated: $198.00 – $1,028.12
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eBayCirculated: $38.00Uncirculated: $1,350.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $45.00 – $280.00Uncirculated: $290.00 – $1,100.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $382.00 – $1,265.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $100.00 – $300.00Uncirculated: $293.75 – $1,020.00
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eBayCirculated: $62.09 – $112.20
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $690.00 – $1,292.50
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $94.00 – $391.00Uncirculated: $192.00 – $1,939.00
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eBayCirculated: $97.00 – $113.00Uncirculated: $620.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $14.00 – $300.00Uncirculated: $325.00 – $3,350.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $305.00 – $3,840.00
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eBayUncirculated: $950.00 – $2,750.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $400.00 – $18,250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $216.00 – $14,534.40
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eBayUncirculated: $239.94
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,500.00 – $18,750.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $86.00 – $587.50Uncirculated: $198.00 – $6,168.75
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eBayCirculated: $75.00 – $406.00Uncirculated: $418.85 – $550.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $28.00 – $675.00Uncirculated: $700.00 – $5,150.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3,966.00 – $6,462.50
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2,500.00 – $9,150.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $12,000.00Uncirculated: $4,140.00 – $44,063.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $6,250.00 – $65,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $18,800.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $24,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3,240.00 – $9,400.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $11,788.00 – $47,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $4,993.75Uncirculated: $2,760.00 – $4,620.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5,500.00 – $13,750.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $7,015.00 – $12,925.00
Design and Specifications of the 1855 Cent
The 1855 Cent, also known as the Flying Eagle Cent, was a pattern coin that marked a significant transition in American coinage. It was not officially released for circulation but was produced as a sample for government officials and collectors. This coin represents the shift from the large cent to the small cent format, addressing issues with rising copper prices and public dissatisfaction with the bulky large cents.
| Weight | 4.67 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 19 mm |
| Mint Marks | No mint mark (Philadelphia) |
| Composition | 88% copper, 12% nickel |
| Obverse Design | Flying Eagle, designed by James B. Longacre |
| Reverse Design | Wreath of corn, wheat, cotton, and tobacco, designed by James B. Longacre |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
Condition is crucial for the 1855 Flying Eagle Cent, as it significantly impacts value. Being a pattern coin, most examples were carefully preserved, but finding specimens in pristine condition is still challenging. Proof details, such as sharp strike and mirror-like fields, are highly desirable. Cameo contrast between the fields and devices can add substantial premium.
Coins with full breast feathers on the eagle and complete details in the wreath are most sought after. Any signs of circulation or mishandling can drastically reduce value, given the coin’s pattern status and rarity.
Mintage: Approximately 500
Rarity Scale: Very Rare
Circulation Status: Not Intended for Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Extremely rare in high grades (PR65 and above)
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, due to its historical significance and rarity
Historical significance plays a major role in the value of the 1855 Flying Eagle Cent. As a precursor to the official Flying Eagle series (1856-1858) and the entire small cent format, it holds special appeal for collectors of early American coinage.
Provenance can significantly enhance value, especially if the coin can be traced to notable collections or early acquisitions. The original copper-nickel color is highly prized, and coins with attractive, natural toning can command premiums.
Given its rarity, authenticity is paramount. Coins with verified authenticity from reputable grading services are more valuable and desirable in the collector market.
