Reasons for replacing Flying Eagle cent design 0

[RWB]

Here are director Snowden's reasons for replacing the flying eagle design on small cents, and his description of the obverse portrait.

[Mint of the United States

Philadelphia]

 November 4, 1858

 Hon. Howell Cobb,

Secretary of the Treasury

Washington City

 Sir,

            I have caused sever al experimental dies to be prepared with a view top an improvement in the cent coinage. The alloy of which this coin is composed is harder than gold or silver of standard fineness, and it is a more difficult coin to strike than the others, that is to say, it does not come up as well. Our experience has shown that the present devices of the cent are in too high relief taking into view the size of the eagle, and the largeness of the wreath. I am induced to recommend a change not only because of the difficulty just mentioned, but because the present devices do not seem to be very acceptable to the public. I think this in great part arises from the fact that the pubic are not accustomed to see the Eagle drawn from nature, and do not know him when presented to their view. They are accustomed to see the heraldic eagle, namely the “eagle displayed,” which bears [little resemblance or likeness] of our bald eagle of America or indeed to any eagle.

            The specimens which I herewith send you have been stuck from dies prepared in lower relief than the present ones, and with devices which will probably be more acceptable to the public. The obverse, it will be seen, presents an ideal head of America – the drooping plumes of the North American Indian, giving it the character of North America. It contains the usual legend “United States of America,” with the word “Liberty” [xxxx]. The reverse is a plain laurel wreath surrounding the denominations of the coins – “One Cent.”

            I hope these devices, and the general appearance of the coins will receive your approbation. If so, I propose to adopt the dies on the first day of January next. I name that time, because it will take several weeks to prepare the number of working dies, that we require, and besides, I think it best, as a general policy, to avoid changes during the current [calendar] year.

            I have the honor to be, with great respect,

            Your faithful servant,

            James Ross Snowden, Director of the Mint

Edited July 3, 2023 by RWB

[Just Bob]

I have read that there were striking issues due to the design, but the coin had only been in production for a couple of years when this was written. Was there already a plan to replace the Flying Eagle at this time, or was this a new idea being presented by Snowden?

[RWB]

I suspect there was discussion from the Coiner right from the beginning of 1857 production. The alloy was harder to work and coin than anything the US Mint had used in the past. Reducing relief was a good excuse for yielding to public complains.

[Henri Charriere]

First and foremost, I appreciate as always, your sharing with the membership the results of your latest excavations wherever conducted. Having said that, and after consulting various sources on the internet, I find myself at odds with Director Snowden's comments.  Before the Flying Eagles, there were Large Cents apparently.minted from copper unalloyed with other metals. Oddly, Snowden makes no mention of any of the patterns which, according to one source, were minted as patterns from 1854! to 1856. The Flying Eagle Cents were comprised of 88% Cu and 12% nickel.  High relief aside, what was learned and, more importantly, what was tweaked?  The Director waits until the 11th hour to inform the Secretary of the Treasurer that the production of a new line of cents is imminent. Contrary to his bold assertions to the contrary, the FE Cent was well-received and very popular.  Later still, with the introduction of the IHC, the composition was changed again to 95% Cu, 5% zinc/tin. For collectors unfamiliar with the series, the FE is universally liked as an example of a coin uncluttered with mottos and verbiage such as LIBERTY, IGWT and E. PLURIBUS UNUM.  Its timeless beauty resides in its simplicity: USA (spelled out) the DATE and DENOMINATION..In all fairness, this letter is likely one of many pieces of correspondence exchanged between Philadelphia and Washington. 

 

[RWB]

The small cent decision took 2+ years to resolve. There was no need to mention past efforts. Snowden was concentrating on passage of the coinage bill.

[GoldFinger1969]

"Unite" States of America ? 

Was that a typo on Snowden's part or yours ? 

 

[GoldFinger1969]

The 1857 Flying Eagle Cent, from my limited reading and knowledge, seems to be historic because it replaced a long-standing larger copper variety and also ushered in many new coin collectors, is that correct ?

[RWB]

On 7/3/2023 at 2:30 PM, GoldFinger1969 said:

"Unite" States of America ? 

Was that a typo on Snowden's part or yours ?

That was my very own, original, copyright typo, which has since been "adjusted for clarity."

[RWB]

On 7/3/2023 at 2:33 PM, GoldFinger1969 said:

The 1857 Flying Eagle Cent, from my limited reading and knowledge, seems to be historic because it replaced a long-standing larger copper variety and also ushered in many new coin collectors, is that correct ?

Yep. It also began the US coinage concept that convenience was more important to consumers than intrinsic value when dealing with non-specie coins. This had developed from public acceptance of copper tokens in Britain, etc. and US tokens used as coin substitutes in 1837 and later.