1858 Flying Eagle Cent (Small Letters) Value & Price Guide

The Flying Eagle cent replaced the large copper cent in 1857 because the price of copper rose and the coins became too expensive to produce. James B. Longacre designed the coin after he studied the eagle on the Gobrecht dollar. The design features a soaring eagle on the obverse and a wreath of wheat, corn, cotton, and tobacco on the reverse. The United States Mint produced this series for only two years for general circulation. Collectors often find the 1856 pattern coin, but it was not an official issue for circulation. The Mint struck 2,000 of the 1856 coins as proofs to gain support from Congress for the new small cent. The series ended in 1858 because the eagle design caused striking problems at the Mint. The high relief of the eagle's head and the wreath on the reverse prevented the metal from flowing into the die, so the Mint replaced it with the Indian Head cent in 1859.

Start your collection with the 1858 Large Letters variety, as it is the most affordable date in the series. Focus on finding coins with full details on the eagle's breast and the tips of the wings, as these areas wear down quickly. Be aware that the 1856 issue is heavily counterfeited, so only buy one that comes with a certificate from a major grading service. Look for coins with original surfaces because many surviving examples were cleaned or damaged by improper storage.