Flying Eagle Cents 1856-1858
Coin Series
About This Series
America's first small cent, replacing the large copper cents that had become impractical. James B. Longacre designed the flying eagle obverse based on the Gobrecht dollar eagle. The 1856 is a pattern struck in small quantities for Congressional review, while 1857 and 1858 are regular issues. Striking problems with the high-relief design led to its replacement by the Indian Head cent.
