1857 Flying Eagle Cent Base

About This Coin

The 1857 Flying Eagle Cent Base is a United States cent from the Flying Eagle Cents 1856-1858 series. The obverse features a flying eagle in mid-flight, adapted from the Gobrecht dollar reverse, while the reverse displays a wreath enclosing ONE CENT. Designed by James Barton Longacre. Struck in 88% copper, 12% nickel, weighing 4.7 grams, 19 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. The Flying Eagle Cent inaugurated the small cent era in American coinage, replacing the large copper cent that had circulated since 1793. The reduced size (19mm vs 28mm) and copper-nickel composition solved the economic problem of the large cent costing nearly its face value in metal. The 1856 Flying Eagle Cent is one of the most famous U.S. rarities — technically a pattern struck before Congress authorized the new format. The 1857 and 1858 are popular type coins.