The Flying Eagle Cent or Penny was minted from 1856 to 1858. The Flying Eagle Penny was designed by James Longacre and was the first small-sized cent produced in the United States. The coin features an eagle in flight on the obverse. The reverse features the inscription "ONE CENT" surrounded by a wreath, similar to that of the Indian Head Cent.
Less than 2000 of the coins were minted in 1856, they were used mainly to show politicians what the coins would look like. All these "test" coins were supposed to be returned to the mint but as often happens with rare american coins, a few managed to escape destruction. In turn, any surviving 1856 Flying Eagle Pennies are extremely valuable.
The Flying Eagle Cent was short lived for a couple reasons. For one, the wear points were in the same area on each side of the coin, creating a weak coin. Second, Longacre was unable to carve the dies for minting properly as he was a painter by trade and not a sculptor.
 1858 Flying Eagle Cent  US $23.50
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 1857 1909s Flying Eagle Indian Head Cent Collection VF US $4,200.00
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 1856 Flying Eagle Cent Exact Size Replica US $.99
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 1857 Flying Eagle Cent Exact Size Replica US $.99
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 Very Nice 1857 Flying Eagle Cent NICE US $8.50
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 1857 Flying Eagle cent double legend US $10.50
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 1957 FLYING EAGLE CENT NICE DETAILS ESTATE COIN US $3.25
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 1857 Flying Eagle Cent Good US $3.32
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 1858 Flying Eagle Cent Nice VF XF Large Letters US $50.00
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 1856 FLYING EAGLE CENT 1c EXACT SIZE PROOF COPY COIN US $21.95
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 1856 FLYING EAGLE CENT 1c PENNY BROWN TONED COPY COIN US $21.95
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 LOT OF FIVE 1856 FLYING EAGLE CENT 1c GEM PROOF COPY US $39.95
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 1857 Flying Eagle Cent HIGH GRADE No Reserve US $128.50
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 Flying Eagle US One Cent Coin 1857 US $9.99
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 VERY NICE 1858 SL FLYING EAGLE CENT US $5.51
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 1857 FLYING EAGLE CENT INDIAN HEAD PENNY SMALL CENT US $9.99
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 87 Flying Eagle and Indian Cents 22 Different Dates US $51.01
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 1857 Flying Eagle Cent Penny XF AU NICE US $51.05
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 1857 Flying Eagle Cent Feather Details on this Eagle US $16.00
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 1858 Flying Eagle Cent Large Letter US $10.00
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