Flying Eagle cent

Flying Eagle cent

United States
Value	1 cent (.01 U.S. dollars)
Mass	4.67 g
Diameter	19 mm
Edge	Plain
Composition	88.0% copper 12.0% nickel
Years of minting	1854–1856 (patterns only) 1857–1858 (regular issues)
Mint marks	None. Struck at the Philadelphia Mint without mint mark.
Obverse
Design	Eagle in flight
Designer	James B. Longacre
Design date	1856
Reverse
Design	Denomination enclosed by wreath
Designer	James B. Longacre
Design date	1856

The Flying Eagle cent is a one-cent piece struck by the Mint of the United States as a pattern coin in 1856 and for circulation in 1857 and 1858. The coin was designed by Mint Chief Engraver James B. Longacre, with the eagle in flight based on the work of Longacre's predecessor, Christian Gobrecht.

By the early 1850s, the large cent (about the size of a half dollar) being issued by the Mint was becoming both unpopular in commerce and expensive to mint. After experimenting with various sizes and compositions, the Mint decided on an alloy of 88% copper and 12% nickel for a new, smaller cent. After the Mint produced patterns with an 1856 date and gave them to legislators and officials, Congress formally authorized the new piece in February 1857.

The new cent was issued in exchange for the worn Spanish colonial silver coin that had circulated in the U.S. until then, as well as for its larger predecessor. So many cents were issued that they choked commercial channels, especially as they were not legal tender and no one had to take them. The eagle design did not strike well, and was replaced in 1859 by Longacre's Indian Head cent.