 1858 Small Letters, Low Leaves. Snow PR3 and PT9, Die Pair 3. Choice Brilliant Uncirculated, with the initial look of a Proof. This coin is struck from the same dies as Snow's PR3, but with surfaces that are probably just shy of a full Proof. The fields are boldly reflective and prooflike, and the rims are quite sharp. The eagle and wreath are similarly bold, but do show some slight striking weakness at the eagle's breast, a characteristic that leads Snow to attribute these as ''non-Proofs.'' In addition, this coin exhibits a 15 degree rotation from normal coin turn. This die variety is given a pattern number in the Snow reference because this regular issue has been found in the ''12 piece pattern sets'' assembled by the Philadelphia Mint to satisfy collector demand for the numerous Small Cent patterns created at this transitional time in coinage history. Surfaces are straw gold and attractive, featuring a touch of light iridescent rose toning on both sides. Fields exhibit a few carbon flecks in addition to several minor mint-made lint marks and tiny planchet depressions. Here is a wonderful coin for the Small Cent collector desirous of completing not only a date set but a historical variety set of these early issues.
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