Description:
Offered here is an iconic early small cent from the dawn of modern U.S. coinage: the 1858 Flying Eagle Cent, Large Letters variety, certified by NGC as F12 (Fine 12). With attractive circulation wear and rich antique color, this mid-grade certified example provides an affordable and historic addition to any 19th-century type set or early copper-nickel collection.
Specifications:
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Denomination: One Cent
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Year of Issue: 1858
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Mint: Philadelphia (no mintmark)
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Variety: Large Letters (wider spacing between “A” and “M” in “AMERICA”)
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Composition: 88% Copper, 12% Nickel
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Diameter: 19.0 mm
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Weight: 4.67 grams
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Grade: F12 (Fine)
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Certification: NGC
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Holder: NGC-certified slab
Highlights:
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Certified F12 by NGC – original circulated condition with strong detail for the grade
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Final year of the Flying Eagle Cent series (1856–1858)
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Large Letters variety easily distinguished by the tight spacing in “AMERICA”
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First small cent issued by the U.S. Mint, replacing the bulky large cent
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Short-lived design gives this type strong collector demand
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A foundational piece in U.S. copper-nickel coinage history
Historical Note:
The Flying Eagle Cent, introduced in 1856 and struck for circulation in 1857 and 1858, marked the U.S. Mint’s transition to a smaller, more practical cent. Designed by James B. Longacre, the coin features a soaring eagle on the obverse and a simple agricultural wreath on the reverse.
The 1858 issue came in two varieties — Large Letters and Small Letters — with the Large Letters being the more common yet still desirable for variety collectors. The series was quickly replaced in 1859 by the Indian Head design, making all Flying Eagle cents a short-run collectible series with enduring popularity.
Building a type set or early copper-nickel collection? This certified Flying Eagle Cent adds age, character, and pedigree to any U.S. coin collection.
