Flying Eagle Penny Values

Obverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: An eagle in flight fills the obverse. If no wear is present to the surface it qualifies as a mint state - uncirculated coin. A strong symbol of freedom, the eagle is finely detailed with areas susceptible to first signs of wear.

When judging for wear inspect the surface of the feathers on the lower breast just behind the neck feathers. A fine texture to upper edges needs to remain.

A second areas is further back along the lower side of the eagle where the leg begins. High points, featuring dull and smooth surfaces indicate wear.

A further scan of all upper areas of feather lines helps determine no wear is present. These should remain with a texture similar to lower relief areas.

Reverse: Features Identifying Mint State Grade: A bold wreath encircles One Cent. A symbol of victory, important agricultural crops are portrayed, corn, wheat, and cotton are recognizable. All areas of the wreath are without signs of wear on mint state examples.

Leaves on either side of One Cent are high points to the design. A close look are the broad surfaces confirms no smoothing from wear is evident. A slight color change is possible, often the beginning of toning and does not indicate wear. Smoothness to the surface and lack of texture is a clearer indication of wear.

Also high in profile is the bow holding the wreath at the bottom. A knot in the center remains without any smoothing. Upper curls of the ribbon are free of smoothing and help confirm no wear is evident.

Obverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: A small amount of wear visible indicates the Extremely Fine grade.

Found only is isolated areas, wear is just beginning to flatten the center of the eagle's breast just behind the neck feathers. Very tops of feathers are smooth and beginning to merge into a flat area.

A small area is smooth on the leg but is clearly separated from tail feathers and importantly feathers are distinct from the talons.

Leading edge of the left wing shows minor wear as well as the trailing feathers of the wing. Individual feathers along the trailing edge remain defined and separated.

Reverse: Features Identifying Extremely Fine Grade: Design elements on the reverse are often softly struck creating difficulty judging wear accurately.

With softness of strike in mind, leaves on the sides of One Cent remain slightly contoured with a flat area within the center. A separating line remains from the lower leaves.

Central area of the knot is mostly smooth but edges are separated from the leaves on either side.

Waves within the upper loops of the ribbon remain showing a contour with minor flatness evident.

Obverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: Significant wear covers the entire eagle. Heavy wear is present; however, the eagle remains clearly defined.

A large flat area now represents the eagle's breast. Importantly, a few feather details are visible creating a separation from the leg.

Features of the eagle's head are bold with an eye clearly visible.

On the right wing, rows of feathers are separated vertically. Individual feathers must remain defined to edge of wing.

Reverse: Features Identifying the Fine Grade: Many areas of the wreath are flattened by heavy wear. A few elements if present indicate a cent in Fine grade.

Wheat grains are displayed on either side of the wreath in a line just below Cent. If these elements are separated from the ears of corn above, a Fine grade is possible.

Leaves towards the top have clear edges and are mostly defined from each other.

Central knot to the bow at the bottom remains defined. Only minor blending with leaves on either side is evident.

Overall appearance of the reverse in Fine grade is described as; flattened areas but each flat area is disconnected from others. Once smooth spots connect and cover the majority of the wreath a lower grade is assigned.

Obverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: Heavy wear from circulation has removed most of the design elements.

Eagle is represented as only a profile with few central design elements remaining. Entire outline to eagle is visible although merging with the field is noted on the forward wing tip.

Legend above eagle must remain readable although very worn on many examples.

Importantly a clear date is required to achieve the good grade. The example displays a full rim indicating a strong strike and improves value and marketability.

Reverse: Features Identifying the Good Grade: A key element helping identify the Good grade is when the bow has blended with the wreath. Overall, leveling of contours within the wreath is widespread.

From the bow upward; a connected flat area extends within the wreath. All design elements are smooth and merged. Once reaching this state of wear along with few features present in the upper part of the wreath, condition is now within the Good grade.

A prime focal point first observed on a flying eagle penny is the date, open field above, and head of the eagle.

Both coins pictured are very similar in the amount of wear to the surface. In this close-up view, preservation is very different for each coin. The first coin is a pleasing color, light tans with highlights. A mark free field is below the eagle. Well detailed features remain on the eagle's head, feathers and well struck talons.

The second example suffers from darkness of color, rough surface below the eagle and abrasions to the eagle. These problems all combine to lower eye appeal and desirability.

Penny Values | Rare Pennies Have Outstanding Values

Penny values listed for the various series. From the earliest Half and Large cents, to Indian head pennies to the popular Wheat pennies of 1909 to 1958. Match you coins to the grading images and value charts. Some of these old pennies have amazing values.