1857 Flying Eagle Cent

James B. Longacre's Flying Eagle design, introduced for circulation in 1857, marked a pivotal moment in American numismatics. It was the nation's first small cent, replacing the cumbersome copper large cents with a modern, durable copper-nickel alloy. The bold, active eagle design remains one of the most artistic achievements of the 19th-century Philadelphia Mint.

As the first year of regular issue, the 1857 is a cornerstone of any 19th-century collection. Because the hard copper-nickel alloy was notoriously difficult to strike, most surviving specimens are weakly defined or heavily worn. Finding an example graded MS65+ by NGC is an extraordinary occurrence, offering the crispness of detail and preservation that is virtually non-existent on circulated examples.

For the collector seeking a premier representative of this short-lived, historic series, this registry-quality piece offers an uncompromising look at Longacre's original vision.