The Flying Eagle cent replaced the bulky large cent with a compact copper-nickel coin, creating a brief three-date bridge between early copper and the Indian cent.

This guide covers Philadelphia issues dated 1856–1858, including the 1858 Large Letters, Small Letters, and 8 over 7 catalog records.

Core specifications

Issue period
1856–1858
Catalog mints
1
Reported catalog mintage
42,052,000
Composition
88% Copper - 12% Nickel
Diameter
19 mm
Weight
4.67 g

A smaller coin changes the cent permanently

The 1857 reform reduced the cent's size and changed its composition, making the denomination easier to carry while foreign coins lost legal-tender status.

James B. Longacre's flying eagle lasted only briefly, but the diameter it introduced defined the modern small-cent format.

Obverse, reverse, and the details that identify the type

Confirm the major design, date, and mint mark before studying smaller die differences.

The main portrait and date

An eagle flies left across the field with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the rim and the date below.

Denomination, subject, and mint mark

A wreath of agricultural plants surrounds ONE CENT; letter spacing and date details identify the principal subtypes.

Where the cataloged coins were made

Totals are calculated from reported issue records in this catalog; unknown figures are not counted as zero.

  • P — Philadelphia: 1856, 1857, 1858; 42,052,000. Philadelphia issues commonly carry no P mint mark in classic series; confirm the expected blank area rather than searching for a letter.

Representative issues that explain the series

An 1857 or 1858 type coin is the usual start; 1856 and the 1858 letter or overdate varieties require a more careful budget and authentication plan.

  • 1856 P — 2,000. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1857 P — 17,450,000. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1858 P - Large Letters — N/A. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1858 P - Small Letters — N/A. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.
  • 1858 P - 8 Over 7 — N/A. Open the issue page and read this record together with its type, mint, finish, and grade context.

Issue catalog

1856 P Flying Eagle Cent1857 P Flying Eagle Cent1858 P Flying Eagle Cent - All Varieties1858 P Flying Eagle Cent - Large Letters1858 P Flying Eagle Cent - Small Letters1858 P Flying Eagle Cent - 8 Over 7

From one type coin to a complete catalog

  • One representative coin: Choose one problem-free, readable example and learn the size, edge, and major design.
  • Major-type set: Use one coin per major design to show changes in artwork, composition, or production.
  • Dates and mints: Work through the issue catalog by date and mint, defining special finishes separately.

A note on catalog records

This page uses 6 issue records, 0 modeled varieties, and currently reported mintages; unknown values remain unknown.

Sources

  1. Penny: Designs and History — United States Mint
  2. Flying Eagle Cent category reference — PCGS CoinFacts