Flying Eagle Cents

Although the series was extremely short lived, the Flying Eagle Cent carries the distinction of being the first small cent minted in the United States. The small cents were preceded by the so-called Large Cents, which were considered bulky in commerce and expensive to produce.

Flying Eagle Cents were produced for circulation for only two years in 1857 and 1858 before the design was abandoned and replaced with the Indian Head Cent design. In these two short years, the coins were minted in large quantities to replace the large cents, which quickly disappeared from circulation. The new design and size of the coin proved popular with the public.

The Flying Eagle Cent was struck as a pattern in 1856. Although it was a pattern, it was struck in relatively large numbers with more than one thousand distributed to Congress and newspaper editors of the day. Additional proof pieces were later struck for coin collectors. Because of the widespread distribution, most consider the 1856 Flying Eagle Cent to be part of the regular series.

The obverse of the coin portrays an eagle in flight. The obverse inscriptions read "United States of America" and the date. The reverse of the coin carries the denomination "One Cent" in the center of an agricultural wreath. The Flying Eagle Cent was designed by James B. Longacre. All coins were produced at the Philadelphia Mint.

Coin Specifications

Dates: 1856 - 1858
Mint: Philadelphia
Composition: 88% copper, 12% nickel
Diameter: 19 mm
Weight: 4.67 grams

More Information: Flying Eagle Cent Mintage