Coin specifications and design
Design identification
Obverse: Eagle in flight to the left, adapted from Christian Gobrecht's earlier silver-dollar design.
U.S. Mint coin reference
1856-1858 Flying Eagle Cent
Flying Eagle cents introduced the small cent format and replaced the bulky copper large cent.
Flying Eagle Cent history
The Flying Eagle cent marked the United States’ transition from the bulky large cent to the modern small-cent format. James B. Longacre adapted the flying eagle motif for the obverse and used an agricultural wreath on the reverse. The 1856 issue was produced in limited quantities before regular production began in 1857. Difficulties striking the hard copper-nickel alloy helped shorten the type’s life, and it was replaced by the Indian Head cent in 1859.