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The 1856 Flying Eagle cent was
not an authorized mint issue, as the law governing the new coin was not enacted until
February 1857. Col. J.R. Snowden, the Director, minted the coins in quantity in order to
provide one or more specimens for every Congressman and Senator and high politician in the
Treasury Department. They are properly referred to as "patterns." The
intent was that every one would become familiar with the size and how the nickel cent
would look. Additional proof pieces were struck for sale to collectors. A
quantity of 1856 Flying Eagle cents went into circulation during the Civil War. The Flying Eagle design was an adaptation of Gobrecht's dollar
reverse, made by J.B. Longacre. The wreath on the reverse is the same as the one he
had put on the three-dollar pieces. The reverse is adorned with a wreath of corn,
wheat, cotton and tobacco.
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