1856-1858 Flying Eagle

In 1856, only a partial issue of 600 Flying Eagle Cents was produced and distributed to influential people. The purpose was to secure approval for the design. Word of the minimal striking spread and the 600 initial coins struck were soon selling for $2.00 each. That's 200 times face value. Quite astonishing for a new issue coin of the day.

The obverse employs an eagle in flight, borrowed from Christian Gobrecht's silver dollar patterns of the 1836-1839 years. Above is the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, while the date is below. The reverse displays a wreath of cotton, corn, wheat, and tobacco enclosing the word ONE CENT.

After 1856, the Mint produced Proof restrikes to the extent of 1,000 or more coins, thus accounting for most Proof Flying Eagle cents known today (for relatively few Proofs were made in 1857 and 1858). In 1857, Flying Eagle cents were minted in large quantities for circulation. Coinage in large quantity for circulation continued through 1858. Trouble developed with the striking up of the design, as often the head, upper wing tip, and tail of the eagle would be weakly impressed. As a result, the motif was discontinued.

For a type set, no difficulty will be encountered in the search for an 1857 or 1858 Flying Eagle cent in any grade from Fine through Extremely Fine. AU pieces are not difficult to find, and Uncirculated coins appear with some frequency. Truly superb Uncirculated pieces are rare.

Because of the difficulty experienced in striking this coin with consistency, you have a narrow window of opportunity of really just two years to find one of these coins in this type set.