– Flying Eagle Cent (1856-1858)

[{"selector":"#anim-d6448b17-6511-48f4-b374-86ba65d18217","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-96a212a3-f13f-4258-b601-eda0b6a2ac01","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 209.49074%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

The Flying Eagle Cent is a historic coin issued by the United States Mint from 1856 to 1858. It represents a transitional period in American numismatic history, marking the shift from the larger-sized cents to the smaller-sized cents.

[{"selector":"#anim-069fa292-b4f0-440f-bde3-a94fad0fd719","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e4dbf548-6803-4620-9b3a-a5b566fbca32","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 191.06642%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Design: The obverse (front) of the coin features a majestic eagle in flight, surrounded by stars. The words "United States of America" and the year of mintage appear around the eagle.

[{"selector":"#anim-3d41eb73-9460-4ff2-b11d-d7ce0c86880f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-da2e1643-14d9-4bdb-82e2-c8cec0aeda6a","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 183.52875%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Designer: The design of the Flying Eagle Cent is attributed to James B. Longacre, the Chief Engraver of the United States Mint at the time. Longacre's depiction of the eagle in flight reflects the artistic style prevalent in the mid-19th century, with its emphasis on naturalistic details and dynamic movement.

[{"selector":"#anim-14dc4a70-f824-4c8b-a627-b10d0b090046","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-58a4642e-b113-442f-bc54-3cfb1b07ec32","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 143.05555%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Metal Composition: The Flying Eagle Cent was struck in an alloy of 88% copper and 12% nickel. This composition was chosen to address the issue of the large cent's excessive wear and susceptibility to counterfeiting.

[{"selector":"#anim-cc921ffa-cdb4-4530-8df3-8fa6eff244b6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-51cd1fee-eea7-44c1-962e-974f7af10e21","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 229.36975%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Mintage: The mintage numbers for the Flying Eagle Cent were relatively low compared to later small cent issues. Production levels were influenced by factors such as demand for small denomination coins, economic conditions, and technological advancements in coin production.

[{"selector":"#anim-d18bb77e-dfe3-4064-b7e5-9ac67063359e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-98b79a97-6553-4a91-9adb-176a0c32c1bc","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 150.86806%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Historical Context: The issuance of the Flying Eagle Cent occurred during a period of significant change and innovation in the United States. The mid-19th century saw the country undergoing rapid industrialization, technological advancement, and social transformation.

[{"selector":"#anim-23ba8a6b-f98b-4cb6-8de7-7dfd58e611f7","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-77c3795f-c423-4ec5-9f53-e738a3e1cf0b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 153.60242%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Collector's Value: Due to their age, historical significance, and limited mintage numbers, Flying Eagle Cents are highly sought after by coin collectors and numismatists. Coins in good condition, particularly those with sharp details and attractive patina, can command high prices on the numismatic market.

[{"selector":"#anim-206bf210-1e78-4cf4-8426-fdb6ece224be","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a839bb4d-74db-4e55-8edd-391059942c39","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 150.86806%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Legacy: The Flying Eagle Cent represents an important transitional period in American numismatic history, marking the shift from the larger-sized cents to the smaller-sized cents that continue to be minted today.

[{"selector":"#anim-fe1516ec-1633-4e83-a788-12edf07f3f00","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8e44531c-f8ed-4eb6-8027-35d59a3dc4ae","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 204.80833%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

The introduction of the nickel alloy and the innovative design of the flying eagle set the stage for future developments in U.S. coinage.

[{"selector":"#anim-920491e3-652e-43e0-b94f-9edf54a0105f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3d64db25-637f-498f-9e79-182c2a38fbdf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 303.70372%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1400,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]