"Flying Eagle Cent Values: How Much Is This Rare Coin Worth Today?"

These days, a penny doesn’t buy much—even the majority of gumball machines cost more than a cent—but certain pennies are worth more than most cars. One of the most precious pennies that collectors seek out is the Flying Eagle penny, which was only in use for two years. The coin was actually only issued in 1857 and 1858, despite several early designs.

The Flying Eagle cent features a wreath surrounding the words “one cent” on the back and an eagle in flight on the front. In addition to being aesthetically pleasing, the design has historical significance. It was the first little cent, or what we consider to be a typical penny size. US pennies used to be bigger before this coin. The Flying Eagle penny usually has considerable value because it can be so rare.

Most Valuable Flying Eagle Cents

A Flying Eagle cent is far more valuable than a penny in any circumstance. Even coins with a lot of wear and circulation are usually worth at least $30, and if they’re in excellent condition, they might be worth much more.

Flying Eagle Cent Value
1856 Snow-3 Flying Eagle cent pattern $240,000
1858 Flying Eagle cent proof with small letters $87,400
1858/7 Flying Eagle cent $75,025
1858 Flying Eagle cent proof with large letters $57,500
1857 Flying Eagle cent proof $43,125

Flying Eagle Cent	Value
1856 Snow-3 Flying Eagle cent pattern	$240,000
1858 Flying Eagle cent proof with small letters	$87,400
1858/7 Flying Eagle cent	$75,025
1858 Flying Eagle cent proof with large letters	$57,500
1857 Flying Eagle cent proof	$43,125

Need to Know

Is the Flying Eagle cent rare? Although there were a lot of Flying Eagle cents minted in the two years it was made for circulation, they’re hard to find in good condition. Some, such as the 1856 pattern for this coin, are really rare. Others are still uncommon.

1856 Snow-3 Flying Eagle Cent Pattern

There were prototype coins minted and circulated in 1856, but the Flying Eagle cent would not go into regular circulation until 1857. Although their quality varies, these can be extremely expensive. The Snow-3 edition, which is regarded as the best and most collectible of these early Flying Eagle cents, has the number five repunched on the date. In 2020, a very nice copy brought $240,000 at auction.

1858 Flying Eagle Cent Proof With Small Letters

There were two text types available for the 1858 Flying Eagle cent: large letters and small letters. The letters in “America” do not overlap in the small letters version, and the text is more widely separated. Compared to the enormous letters, it is far less common. The minuscule letter type was struck in only approximately 100 proofs, and those in excellent condition fetch high prices. In 2003, one example sold for $87,400 at auction.

1858/7 Flying Eagle Cent

1858 Flying Eagle Cent Proof With Large Letters

In proof state, the 1858 Flying Eagle cent with large letters is quite uncommon, while being more common than the tiny letter type. Compared to a typical business strike for this coin, the strike is more powerful and provides more contrast and definition. In 2004, one sample brought $57,500.

Experts estimate that there are less than 50 known proofs of the 1857 Flying Eagle cent. These usually sell for a high price because it’s one of the hardest coins to locate in the Flying Eagle series. One sold for $43,125 in 2009.

How to Spot a Valuable Flying Eagle Cent

Even if you don’t own one of these extremely rare pennies, it’s still worthwhile to look for a few clues that any Flying Eagle penny might be worth more than the regular issue. Here are some items to look for.

Use a magnifying glass. Subtle details can include the 1858/7 overdate or the distinction between small and large letters. Pay close attention to the details.

Keep condition in mind. The best-quality Flying Eagle pennies are the most precious. Seek those coins that haven’t been used much.

Check the strike quality.It was challenging to strike the Flying Eagle cent accurately, and on many instances, the eagle’s details can be less clear. It can be worth more if you have an extremely sharp one.

Watch for 1856. Although not every 1856 pattern coin is worth six figures, they’re all worth a lot. There were only 2,000 of these minted.

Look for proofs. Stronger details and greater background-to-design contrast are characteristics of a proof. It can be worth more if you believe you have proof.

Flying Eagle Penny: Part of History

If you’ve got a coin collection or are going through some coins you inherited, the Flying Eagle cent is one of the most captivating to study. Because it was only around for a couple of years, it’s special. It’s also an important part of history and a treasure, whether it’s worth $30 or $30,000.