1856 Flying Eagle Value
So, here’s the scoop on the 1856 Flying Eagle cent. It started off as a pattern coin, but collectors have since made it a must-have in the series. If you’re putting together a set of Flying Eagles, skipping the 1856 edition would be like leaving your favorite book unfinished. With only about 700 of these coins initially minted for Congress members and other bigwigs, it’s no wonder this coin is a key date and holds serious value in any condition. The mint had to whip up an extra 3,000 pieces once collectors caught wind of it. Over time, the value of this coin has only gone up.
Back in the day, those large copper cents were a bit of a drag—unpopular and costly to make. Enter the Flying Eagle cent, shaking things up with its fresh design, new composition, and lighter weight. The front features an eagle soaring through the sky, while the back shows off a wreath made of corn, wheat, cotton, and tobacco. Unfortunately, the Flying Eagle had a short run, wrapping up in 1858 due to metal supply issues. But every Flying Eagle cent is a gem in any collection, with the 1856 piece being the crown jewel. This original small cent design offers a brief yet challenging series for 19th-century U.S. coin collectors, keeping numismatists intrigued even after all these years.
Evaluating the Grade of the 1856 Flying Eagle Coin
Checking out the grade of circulated coins isn’t too tough, and there are plenty of guidebooks to help you out. To really get a handle on your coin’s value, it’s important to look at its overall condition. Usually, the first signs of wear show up on the eagle’s breast and wingtips on the front side, and on the bow on the back. For mint state coins that might have weak strikes, especially on the eagle’s head or tail and the wreath on the back, you want to see that mint luster shining across all the design features. If you’re ever unsure about a coin’s authenticity, it’s a smart move to get a pro to check it out.
Uncirculated: An uncirculated 1856 Flying Eagle cent has barely any signs of wear. You might notice some light wear in certain spots, but the luster is still there around the inscriptions. Collectors are really into these, and finding an uncirculated 1856 Flying Eagle is pretty rare.
Extremely Fine: A coin that’s extremely fine will show more wear than an uncirculated one. You might see more marks, especially around the wings. Even though there’s wear on the higher points, most of the detail is still there.
Fine: A Flying Eagle that’s graded as Fine will have noticeable wear, losing some detail on the eagle’s chest and tail. Most of the feathers in the wing are visible, but they look smooth around the edges. The bow on the back also starts to separate from the wreath.
Good: A 1856 Flying Eagle graded as good will have a lot of wear from being circulated, with the eagle mostly showing as a profile and not many design elements standing out. Some parts of the rim might be weak and blend into the lettering, and the bow on the back has merged with the wreath.
Valuing the 1856 Flying Eagle Coin
Regardless of the condition of your 1856 Flying Eagle, you can be confident that it holds considerable value. Even coins in poor condition command a substantial price, while those in Uncirculated condition are valued significantly higher. The chart below provides an insightful overview of the expected market prices for 1856 Flying Eagle coins based on their respective grades.
Good: $6,500
Fine: $9,000
Extremely Fine: $12,500
Uncirculated: $14,500
