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Flying Eagle Cent 1856 - 1858

In the early 1850s, the United States Mint introduced a new coin known as the Flying Eagle Cent. This design was a response to the rising cost of copper, which made the production of the large cent impractical. Leading the development of this new cent was Mint Director James Ross Snowden. The Flying Eagle Cent marked a departure from previous coinage with its small eagle design, a significant change in aesthetic. It was also the first small cent to be minted in the United States. The introduction of this new coin was a result of the Mint's efforts to adapt to changing economic circumstances and create a more efficient and economical form of currency.

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