Flying Eagle Cent 1857

The Flying Eagle Cent 1857 represents a new period in American History. Leading up to the spring of 1857, the government was looking for ways to create a legal tender and move away from using foreign silver and gold coins. While the US Mint was experimenting with different metal combinations for the new currency, the legislation was debating the constitutionality of creating money in the first place. 

The Beginnings of US Currency 

Eventually, on February 21st, 1857, President Pierce signed a bill into law that would prohibit the use of gold and silver as legal tender and make way for an American currency. This new law also eliminated the half cent and allowed people to redeem Spanish dollars for pennies for the next two years. 

The US Mint had already been hard at work experimenting with different designs and metal combinations in anticipation of the bill passing. The result was a one cent coin the same diameter of modern pennies (19mm) that featured an eagle pattern designed by James B. Longacre. By April of 1857, the coins were being struck at the Philadelphia mint and they were officially released for distribution on May 25th.

Flying Eagle Cent Value

At the time, the US Mint was predicting that these new one cent coins would be extremely popular, so they produced millions. Many people began collecting the coins right away, which makes them relatively easy to find today. This historic coin makes a great addition to any collection and depending on the quality, can be worth a couple thousand dollars.      

 

Type of coin: Penny

Year: 1857 Flying Eagle Cent

Mint Mark: Philadelphia

Total mintage: 17,450,000

Metal content: 88% Copper and 12% Nickel

Face value: One Cent

Weight: 4.70 grams

Edge: Plain

Designer: James Barton Longacre

Diameter: 19 millimeters