1856 Flying Eagle Cent (Proof)

In 1856, the United States Mint had a problem. The large copper cents it had been producing since 1793 were expensive to make. The copper in each cent was worth nearly as much as the coin itself. Mint Director James Ross Snowden wanted to replace the big, heavy copper cent with something smaller, lighter, and cheaper. He needed Congress to approve the change. And he needed a prototype to show them.

The Mint produced a small batch of pattern cents in a new size (19 mm, down from 27.5 mm) and a new composition (88% copper, 12% nickel). The obverse featured a flying eagle adapted from the design on the reverse of the Gobrecht dollar. The reverse had a simple wreath encircling "ONE CENT." Snowden distributed these coins to members of Congress, journalists, and other influential figures. The lobbying worked. The Coinage Act of 1857 authorized the new small cent.

Fewer than 2,000 of these 1856 Flying Eagle Cents were struck. They are technically pattern coins, not regular issue, but they have been collected as part of the regular cent series for over 160 years. Values range from about $4,000 for lower-grade examples to $30,000 or more for proof gems.

Quick Value Summary

• Item: 1856 Flying Eagle Cent (Proof/Pattern)

• Year: 1856

• Category: Coins

• Condition Range:

  • VF-20 (Very Fine): $4,000 - $6,000
  • EF-40 (Extremely Fine): $7,000 - $10,000
  • AU-50 (About Uncirculated): $10,000 - $14,000
  • Proof-60: $12,000 - $16,000
  • Proof-64: $18,000 - $25,000
  • Proof-66+: $28,000 - $35,000+

• Record Sales: GreatCollections has sold examples from $4,263 to $29,312 over the past 15 years

• Estimated Mintage: 1,000-2,000 pieces

• Surviving Population: ~800-1,200 (estimates vary)

• Rarity: Rare

The Story

The large cent had been a fixture of American commerce since the 1790s. Nearly an inch and a half across and weighing about 10 grams of pure copper, it was a substantial coin. By the 1850s, that substance had become a liability. Rising copper prices meant the Mint was spending nearly a cent's worth of copper to make each one-cent coin. International competitors had already moved to smaller-format base metal coins. The American large cent was an anachronism.

James Barton Longacre, the Mint's chief engraver, designed the new small cent. For the obverse, he borrowed the flying eagle motif from Christian Gobrecht's dollar reverse of 1836-1839. The eagle soars with outstretched wings, a design that was widely admired when it appeared on the silver dollar. Longacre adapted it to the tiny 19mm canvas of the new cent.

The problem with the design became apparent almost immediately. The eagle on one side and the wreath on the other were both in relatively high relief. When the coin was struck, the high points of one design interfered with the metal flow needed for the other. This caused weak strikes, particularly on the eagle's head and tail feathers. The Mint struggled with striking quality throughout the entire Flying Eagle series (1856-1858) before replacing it with the Indian Head cent in 1859.

But in 1856, none of that mattered yet. Snowden needed coins to show Congress, and Longacre produced them. The exact number struck has been debated for over a century. Estimates range from 800 to 2,000. Some numismatic researchers believe multiple strikings occurred throughout 1856 and into early 1857, making it impossible to pin down a precise figure. What is certain is that the coins were distributed to anyone who might influence the legislation, and that many of those recipients kept them as curiosities.

How to Identify It

• Obverse: Flying eagle in mid-flight, wings spread. "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" around the border. Date "1856" below.

• Reverse: Agricultural wreath (corn, wheat, cotton, tobacco) encircling "ONE CENT."

• Edge: Plain (no reeding).

• Diameter: 19 mm.

• Weight: 4.67 grams.

• Composition: 88% copper, 12% nickel.

• Strike quality: Look for sharpness on the eagle's head and tail feathers. Many examples show weakness in these areas even in high grades.

• Die varieties: Several obverse and reverse die combinations are known. Specialists track these but they do not dramatically affect value for most collectors.

Common confusions: The 1857 and 1858 Flying Eagle Cents use the same design but are regular-issue coins with much higher mintages (17.4 million and 24.6 million respectively). They are worth $20-$500 depending on grade, not thousands. Always check the date carefully. Also, the 1856 has been heavily counterfeited. See authentication section below.

Value by Condition

VF-20 (Very Fine): $4,000 - $6,000 Moderate wear but all major design elements visible. The eagle shows wear on the breast and wing tips. The wreath is well-defined. At this grade, the coin was likely spent briefly or handled extensively. GreatCollections sold a VF example for $4,263 in recent years.

EF-40 (Extremely Fine): $7,000 - $10,000 Light wear on highest points only. Most feather detail remains on the eagle. Some original surfaces visible. A nice EF-40 represents strong value for collectors who want a presentable example without paying proof premiums.

AU-50 (About Uncirculated): $10,000 - $14,000 Trace wear only, visible on the eagle's breast and wingtips. Considerable original luster remains. The distinction between a high AU and a low proof grade can be subtle and sometimes controversial.

Proof-60 to Proof-63: $12,000 - $20,000 Mirror-like proof surfaces with some hairlines or contact marks. The 1856 Flying Eagle was struck as a proof (or at least proof-like), so many surviving examples show proof characteristics. PCGS and NGC have certified hundreds of examples in proof grades.

Proof-64 to Proof-65: $18,000 - $28,000 Minimal surface issues. Full mirror fields. Sharp strike. These are the sweet spot for serious collectors: high enough quality to display proudly, not priced at the top of the market.

Proof-66+: $28,000 - $35,000+ Virtually perfect surfaces. Full strike with sharp eagle feathers. GreatCollections' highest sale was $29,312 for a top-grade example. Auction results can vary significantly at this level depending on eye appeal and toning.

Trending: Prices have been stable, with slight upward movement in the highest grades. The 1856 Flying Eagle is a perennial "must-have" for type collectors and early small cent specialists.

Authentication and Fakes

The 1856 Flying Eagle Cent is one of the most counterfeited U.S. coins. Its relatively high value and familiar design make it a target.

• Altered dates: The most common fake is an 1858 Flying Eagle Cent with the last digit altered to look like a "6." Under magnification, tooling marks around the date will be visible. The shape of the "6" in a genuine 1856 is distinctive.

• Cast counterfeits: Lower-quality fakes are cast from molds. They have grainy surfaces, incorrect weight, and seam lines. A precision scale (the coin should weigh 4.67 grams) catches many of these.

• Transfer dies: More sophisticated counterfeits use transfer dies made from genuine coins. These can be difficult to detect without professional expertise. Look for die characteristics that don't match known genuine dies.

• Certification is critical: At $4,000+, only buy PCGS or NGC certified examples. The certification fee ($30-$65 for standard tiers) is a trivial fraction of the coin's value. Raw (uncertified) 1856 Flying Eagles should be treated with extreme skepticism.

Where to Sell

• Auction houses: Heritage Auctions, Stack's Bowers, and GreatCollections regularly sell 1856 Flying Eagles. GreatCollections alone has sold 55 examples in the past 15 years. Seller's commissions run 5-10%.

• Dealers: Most coin dealers will purchase a certified 1856 Flying Eagle at 80-90% of current wholesale. For proof grades above PR-64, auction typically yields better results than direct dealer sale.

• Online: eBay has an active market, but raw coins face buyer skepticism. Certified coins sell more easily. eBay fees: 12-13%.

• Coin shows: Bring your certified coin to a major show (FUN, Long Beach, ANA) where dozens of dealers compete for inventory.

• Costs to budget: PCGS/NGC certification if not already graded ($30-$65), insured shipping ($15-$30), and auction/platform fees (5-13%).

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