1840-1858 Braided Hair & Flying Eagle Cent Set

Journey back through coinage history with this classic set of early U.S. cents both struck at the Philadelphia Mint over 160 years ago! You'll get America's last large-size cent design, the Braided Hair, and its replacement – the Flying Eagle – our first small cent. Until the Flying Eagle cent's release in 1857, people used large cents struck in pure copper and nearly the size of a half dollar. Over time, they became too expensive to produce, and when people exchanged them for the new 1¢ coins, thousands were melted for re-coining. With this switch to the smaller cent, the biggest change in U.S. coinage occurred. You'll enjoy:

• 1840-1857 Braided Hair Large Cent – minted in pure copper during the presidencies of Martin Van Buren to James Buchanan, they recall the Mexican War, the California gold rush, and Oregon Trail. They show Liberty with a braid and wearing a coronet, surrounded by 13 stars.
• 1857-1858 Flying Eagle Cent – struck to replace large cents, America's first small-size cents were produced for circulation for just 2 years. This famous design, showing an eagle in flight, was a short-lived one, minted only through 1858. They circulated as the transatlantic cable was laid and the Lincoln-Douglas debates took place.

In affordable condition, these early U.S. cents are displayed in a handsome case and you SAVE offindividual prices. Supplies are limited, so don't wait!