1858 Flying Eagle off metal

[Robert Wilharm]

Question: I have just acquired an 1858 Flying Eagle that appears to be an off metal. The problem is that ithas been in the dirt for 100 years and would grade no better than AG3. If I am right and it is an off metal (copper nickel of 1859) is it worth certification? Would I ever recover my certification fee on a coin in this bad of shape?
Robert

[diamond]

Flying Eagle cents have the same composition as Indian cents of the years 1859 - 1863.

[Robert Wilharm]

1858 Flying Eagle off metal

If the Flying Eagle is the same as the Indian why is the 1859 pictured in the red book a different color metal and why is my 1858 Flying Eagle the same color as the 1859 and not copper color like all the rest. This is why I said it is an off metal and the reason for my previous question.~robert

[diamond]

Color -- whether printed in a book or presented by the coin itself -- is not a particularly reliable indicator of composition. A typical Flying Eagle cent and early (1859 - 1863) Indian cent will be gray. Subsequent exposure to the elements can turn it darker.