Flying Eagle Cent (1856-58): History, Designer, and Collectors' Guide

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Flying Eagle Cent (1856-58)

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The Flying Eagle Cent represents a pivotal moment in American coinage history. Prior to its introduction, large copper cents were costly to produce and unpopular due to their size and weight. In the mid-19th century, the United States Mint sought to create a smaller and more economical cent coin. The result was the Flying Eagle Cent, minted from 1856 to 1858. It marked the transition from the larger copper cents of the past to the smaller, more convenient coinage that would become the norm.

The design of the Flying Eagle Cent is credited to Chief Engraver James B. Longacre. Longacre's innovative design for the cent featured a bold eagle in flight on the obverse (front) of the coin, surrounded by thirteen stars representing the original thirteen colonies. The reverse (back) featured a wreath encircling the denomination "ONE CENT" and the legend "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."

Obverse Design: The obverse of the Flying Eagle Cent prominently features an eagle in flight, which gives the coin its name. This was a departure from earlier cent designs that featured portraits of Lady Liberty. The eagle is surrounded by stars, and the date is placed below.
Reverse Design: On the reverse, a wreath encircles the denomination "ONE CENT," with the national motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM" inscribed above it. The wreath design is simple yet elegant, emphasizing the transition to a more streamlined and aesthetically pleasing cent coin.

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The Flying Eagle Cent was a short-lived series, but its impact on American coinage was profound. It introduced the concept of a smaller cent coin made of copper-nickel, a metal alloy that would later be used in the production of the enduringly popular Indian Head Cent. The design innovations of the Flying Eagle Cent set the stage for the modern small cent series in the United States. Today, Flying Eagle Cents are highly sought after by collectors due to their historical significance and relatively limited mintage. They represent a bridge between the large cents of the past and the small cent coins that followed. Collectors often value these coins for their design, historical context, and the role they played in shaping American coinage.

The Flying Eagle Cent of 1856-58 serves as a remarkable example of numismatic innovation during a period of change in American currency, thanks to the vision of Chief Engraver James B. Longacre.

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Flying Eagle Cent (1856-58)

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