Flying Eagle Cent, 1856–1858: America's First Small Cent

The Flying Eagle cent transformed the one-cent piece. Struck 1856 through 1858, it abandoned the broad, nearly eleven-gram copper format used since 1793 in favor of a 19mm copper-nickel coin much closer in size to the modern cent — the bridge between 64 years of large cents and the Indian Head cent that replaced it in 1859. GetCoinHunt helps you search inventory from multiple coin dealers in one place if you’re building a type set of 19th-century American coinage, compare available examples, and create a wishlist alert when the right coin is not currently listed.

Design and history

Chief Engraver James Barton Longacre designed the coin. The obverse shows an eagle flying left, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the border and the date below; per PCGS CoinFacts, Longacre adapted the flying-eagle motif from an earlier design associated with Christian Gobrecht’s silver dollar work, rather than drawing a literal portrait of a specific bird for this coin. The reverse places ONE CENT within an agricultural wreath. The specifications were a genuine break from everything that came before: an alloy of 88% copper and 12% nickel, a diameter of about 19mm, a weight of approximately 4.70 grams, and a plain edge. The nickel content gave new coins a pale color that led to the popular nickname “white cent.” All Flying Eagle cents were struck at Philadelphia and carry no mintmark.

The date range needs some unpacking, because 1856 is not simply an early year of ordinary production. NGC treats the 1856 as a prototype or pattern-like issue struck while the large cent was still the Mint’s regular one-cent denomination, with an estimated production in the low thousands distributed to legislators and made available through the Mint rather than released into general circulation; PCGS separates these original pieces from later restrikes. Congress formally authorized the smaller cent in 1857, and that year the Mint began large-scale Flying Eagle production while finishing the last Braided Hair large cents — 1857 is the one year both formats were struck side by side. The change reduced the metal cost of the denomination, made the coin easier to handle, and helped the Treasury pull worn foreign silver coins out of circulation; public demand for the new, smaller cent was reportedly strong.

The design proved difficult to strike well. The eagle’s highest points sit directly opposite the dense reverse wreath, so full, sharp strikes were hard to achieve consistently — a production problem, per PCGS, that contributed to Longacre replacing the design with the Indian Head cent in 1859 while keeping the same copper-nickel standard for a few more years.

Notable dates within this design

1858 is the year with recognized collectible variation: Large Letters and Small Letters reverse forms, distinguished by the spacing and size of AMERICA relative to the eagle and border, plus a recognized 1858/7 overdate — these are varieties within the Flying Eagle type, not separate basic designs, per PCGS. The 1856 is the standout date of the whole series: its low, pattern-like production and its role as the coin that launched the small-cent format make it the type’s key date and a frequent target for counterfeiting and alteration — NGC has published specific guidance on 1856 Flying Eagle counterfeits, and buyers considering one should also review GetCoinHunt’s documented counterfeit coins reference guide before purchasing. The 1857 and 1858 circulation issues are common by comparison and represent the type’s typical, affordable entry points.

Collecting this design

Size and color are the fastest way to identify a genuine Flying Eagle cent: it’s dramatically smaller than a large cent and somewhat thicker and paler than the bronze Indian Head and Lincoln cents that followed it. No other regular U.S. cent uses the flying-eagle design, so a coin that doesn’t match this look and specification isn’t one. Wear first shows on the eagle’s breast, wing feathers, and tail, while the reverse wreath and ONE CENT may still read clearly — though weakness in those same areas can also come from the design’s difficult strike geometry rather than circulation wear, so a soft strike shouldn’t automatically be read as a heavily worn coin.

As with the half cent and large cent series, environmental toning, porosity, and surface irregularities are common on 19th-century copper-nickel coins and aren’t automatically signs of a problem; what affects value is evidence of cleaning, polishing, or added color meant to disguise wear or corrosion, which a certified holder from PCGS or NGC will flag with a details grade. Given the 1856’s rarity and documented counterfeiting history, certification is strongly recommended for that date in particular; 1857 and 1858 examples are more forgiving to buy raw at modest grades.

Suggested search terms and filters

• “Flying Eagle cent” or “1856 Flying Eagle cent” (key date)
• “1857 Flying Eagle cent,” “1858 Flying Eagle cent”
• “1858 Large Letters” or “1858 Small Letters”
• “1858/7 overdate Flying Eagle”
• Filter by grading service (PCGS, NGC)
• Filter for certification when searching 1856 listings specifically

Availability and pricing notes

1857 and 1858 Flying Eagle cents are available in a wide range of circulated grades at accessible prices for a type this old. The 1856 is a different proposition entirely: genuine examples are scarce, actively counterfeited, and priced well above the common dates in any condition. Listings for a 1856 should always be reviewed carefully for certification before purchase.

GetCoinHunt does not guarantee that every listing is authentic, accurately graded, or fairly priced. Authentication, grading, pricing, and fulfillment remain the responsibility of the dealer or marketplace offering the coin.

How the GetCoinHunt wishlist alert works

1. Search for the coin. Enter “Flying Eagle Cent” — or a specific date like “1856 Flying Eagle cent” — to search participating dealer inventory.
2. Review the available matches. Compare listings by date, grade, certification, and asking price.
3. Add the search to your wishlist. If nothing currently listed fits your budget or condition target, save the search as a wishlist item.
4. Get notified about new matches. When new dealer inventory matching your wishlist appears, GetCoinHunt sends an alert so you can review it before it sells.
5. Verify before buying. Confirm certification, review the holder’s grade and any details designation, and check the seller’s return policy — especially for the 1856 date.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the Flying Eagle cent important?

It established the small-cent format still used today, proved that a token-value, base-metal cent could circulate successfully, and ended 64 years of large copper cents when it replaced them starting in 1857.

Why is the 1856 Flying Eagle cent so valuable?

NGC treats it as a prototype-like issue produced in low numbers before the coin’s official 1857 launch, distributed mainly to legislators and through the Mint rather than into general circulation. That scarcity, combined with strong collector demand, makes it the key date of the series — and a well-documented counterfeit target, so certification matters.

What’s the difference between 1858 Large Letters and Small Letters?

They’re reverse varieties distinguished by the spacing and size of AMERICA relative to the eagle and border — collectible variations within the same basic 1858 design, not separate coin types.

Was the Flying Eagle cent struck at more than one mint?

No. Every Flying Eagle cent was struck at the Philadelphia Mint and carries no mintmark.

What if no suitable coin is currently available?

Add “Flying Eagle Cent” to your wishlist below. You’ll be notified when newly detected dealer inventory matches your search.

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