Large Letters Low Leaves? You decide from the detailed photos.
From America's very first small cent series (1856–1858), this 1858 Flying Eagle Cent is a standout: both sides carry true rainbow toning — sweeps of purple, magenta, gold, and blue across the fields, earned over a century and a half and shown exactly as it looks in our photos. No filters, no enhancement — what you see is the coin you receive.
The Flying Eagle Cent replaced the big heavy large cent and was struck for just three years, with James B. Longacre's soaring eagle on the obverse and the agricultural wreath on the reverse. The 1858 Philadelphia issue is the series' final year. This example grades Extremely Fine (XF) by our assessment: nearly all wing and tail feather detail remains strong, the legends and date are bold, and only the breast center shows the light smoothing of honest circulation.
-
Date / Mint: 1858, Philadelphia
-
Composition: 88% copper, 12% nickel — the thick "white cent" planchet
-
Grade: Extremely Fine (XF), our conservative assessment from the photos you see
-
Eye appeal: Rainbow toner — purple, gold, and blue iridescence on both sides
-
Series: First U.S. small cent, struck 1856–1858 only
You receive the exact coin photographed. We photograph every coin in natural daylight-balanced light and disclose everything we see — we want you to buy with confidence and come back often.
Ships securely in protective packaging via USPS Ground Advantage with tracking. Check our store for more Flying Eagle, Indian Head, and early copper — we combine new listings daily.
