Flying Eagle Cents (1856-1858) Designed by James B. Longacre, the Flying Eagle small cent was created as production of the large cent and half cent had become untenable. The series was short lived and was only produced for two years. The smaller diameter issue was struck in copper-nickel using 19mm planchets made of 88% copper and 12% nickel and weighed 4.67 grams. The obverse eagle hearkened to Christian Gobrecht’s early dollar “onward and upward” reverse. The iconic design is popular among cent and type collectors alike.
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