The History of the Flying Eagle Cent Coin

The obverse features a flying eagle, a unique coin motif.

The United States Flying Eagle cent had a short life, but the coin's history is noteworthy since it is the first U.S. small-sized cent coin. The Flying Eagle cent set the standard for the modern penny's size.

The Flying Eagle Cent

They Flying Eagle cent has an eagle in flight on its obverse side, and the reverse has the words "ONE CENT" in the middle of a wreath. The wreath motif later inspired the reverse designs of the Indian Head and Wheat cent coins. The Flying Eagle coin is a copper-nickel alloy, and it is more silvery in color than later pennies.

History

The history of the Flying Eagle cent is short-lived since it was minted from just 1856 to1858. James B. Longacre (1794-1869), the Chief Engraver of the United States, designed the coin's unique motif. Prior to the Flying Eagle and the later Indian Head cent, the U.S. cent was a large coin.

1856 Flying Eagle Cent

The 1856 Flying Eagle cent is a pattern coin. A pattern coin is minted in small numbers primarily to allow collectors, politicians and others to evaluate the coin's design. The U.S. Mint produced less than 3,000 of the 1856 Flying Eagle cents, which makes them extremely valuable and popular among collectors.

References

• Coin Community: 1856 - 1858 Flying Eagle Cent Facts
• FlyingEagleCent.com: Flying Eagle Cents
• Coin Resource: Flying Eagle Cents 1856-1858