1858 Large Letters

The 1858 Large Letters Flying Eagle cent uses bolder, taller letter punches for the reverse inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and the denomination ONE CENT. The distinction from the Small Letters variety is in the physical size of the lettering, determined by which set of letter punches the engraver used when preparing the reverse dies. The Large Letters version is the more commonly encountered of the two and is typically the variety collectors acquire first.

The 1858 is the second and final year of Flying Eagle cent production for circulation. The design was being abandoned, not because the public disliked it (the small cent was popular) but because the Mint could not strike it consistently. The opposing high-relief elements on the obverse and reverse created technical problems that weakened strike quality across a large percentage of the production. James Longacre was already developing the Indian Head design that would replace the Flying Eagle in 1859.

The combined 1858 mintage of approximately 24.6 million coins across all varieties makes the date readily available in circulated grades. Good to Fine examples are plentiful. The challenge, as with all Flying Eagle cents, is strike quality. A well-struck 1858 Large Letters with full breast feather detail on the eagle and sharp wreath elements on the reverse is worth more than the grade alone would suggest. Weak strikes are the norm; strong strikes are the exception.