• N030
N030
N030
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N030

US Coin
Identifier:
N030- 1 Cent
Type:
Coin
Date:
1857
Dimensions:
Description:
This coin was introduced in 1856 and was the first small-sized cent in American History. It was only minted for 2 years, making it one of the shortest-lived U.S. coins, yet one of the most important.
James Snowden, the Mint Director at the time reasoned that coins gain their value by being government issued rather than from their metal composition, and thus didn't need to be backed by gold or silver. This philosophy gave the Mint more options and this coin is a result of that mindset. The Flying Eagle Cent is made from 88% copper and 12% nickel, compared to the earlier coins which had mostly been made of silver.
Antebellum
Related Collection
Numismatic Collection: Donor Unknown (NUM.2003.000)