Flying Eagle Cent 1856—1858

The Flying Eagle Cent is a famous and short-lived coin in the history of United States currency. It was the first small-sized cent coin introduced by the United States Mint, and it holds a special place among collectors due to its unique design and limited production years.

The Flying Eagle Cent was minted between 1856 and 1858. Prior to its introduction, the United States Mint produced large-sized copper cents known as the "Large Cents." These coins were quite heavy and were becoming costly to produce. As a result, the Mint sought to create a smaller and lighter cent coin.

The design for the Flying Eagle Cent was created by James Barton Longacre, the Chief Engraver of the United States Mint. It featured a flying eagle on the obverse (front) and a wreath encircling the denomination on the reverse (back). The design was highly detailed and artistic, showcasing the eagle in flight with outstretched wings.

The production of the Flying Eagle Cent began in 1856, but initially, it was minted as a pattern coin, which means it was a trial piece not intended for general circulation. These pattern coins were struck in small quantities and were primarily used for evaluation and approval. However, some of these pattern coins were released into circulation, leading to their rarity and desirability among collectors.

Due to the positive reception of the pattern coins, the United States Mint decided to produce the Flying Eagle Cent for circulation. In 1857, the Mint officially issued the coin for public use. However, there were some challenges with the production process. The copper-nickel alloy used in the coin was difficult to strike properly, resulting in quality issues and inconsistencies in the appearance of the coins.

In 1858, the Flying Eagle Cent was replaced by the Indian Head Cent, which featured a new design of a Native American wearing a feathered headdress on the obverse and a wreath on the reverse. The Indian Head Cent resolved the production issues faced by its predecessor and remained in circulation until 1909.

Overall, the Flying Eagle Cent has a relatively short history, with only three years of production. However, its distinct design and limited mintage make it a sought-after coin among collectors today. It represents an important transition in the history of United States coinage, marking the shift from the large-sized cents to smaller and more efficient coins.

Key Dates

1856: The 1856 Flying Eagle Cent holds a special place in the series as it was the first year of production. However, it was primarily struck as a pattern coin and was not intended for general circulation. Only a limited number of these pattern coins were released, making them extremely rare and valuable.

1857: The 1857 Flying Eagle Cent is considered a key date due to its low mintage and scarcity. It was the first year of regular production for the coin, and although more were produced compared to the 1856 pattern coins, it is still relatively difficult to find in high grades.

1858 Small Letters: In 1858, two different varieties of the Flying Eagle Cent were produced: one with large letters and another with small letters. The 1858 Flying Eagle Cent with small letters is rarer than its large letters counterpart, making it a key date in the series.