1858 Small Letters

The 1858 Small Letters variety uses more compact letter punches for the reverse inscription. The letters are shorter and narrower than the Large Letters version, creating a slightly different visual balance on the reverse. The distinction is visible without magnification when the two varieties are compared side by side, though identifying the letter size on a single coin without a reference comparison requires familiarity with both types.

The Small Letters variety is somewhat less common than the Large Letters among surviving examples, though neither is rare. The 1858 date's large total mintage ensures that both letter sizes are available in most circulated grades. The Small Letters carries a modest premium in some grade ranges, driven by the relative scarcity and the preference of variety collectors who want both types.

The 1858 Small Letters, like all Flying Eagle cents, benefits from careful strike evaluation. The design's inherent striking difficulties affected both letter varieties equally, and a sharply struck Small Letters coin with full eagle detail and crisp reverse lettering is a better coin than a higher-grade example with mushy devices. The copper-nickel alloy's pale surface makes strike details easier to evaluate than on darker copper coins, where wear and weakness can be hard to distinguish.