Flying Eagle and Indian Head Cents

 

Flying Eagle Small Cents were only minted at the Philadelphia mint for 3 years, 1856, 1857 and 1858. James B. Longacre designed this penny which is 19mm in diameter, weighing 4.67 grams composed of .880 copper and .120 nickel.

Indian Head Cents were produced from 1859 through 1909 mostly by the Philadelphia Mint except for the last two years they were also produced by the San Francisco Mint. There were three varieties all designed by James B Longacre.

Variety 1: Copper- Nickel, Laurel Wreath Reverse 1859 (.880 copper, .120 nickel).
Variety 2: Copper-Nickel, Oak Wreath with Shield 1860-1864 (.880 copper, .120 nickel).
Variety 3: Bronze 1864-1909. There were lighter than the first two types weighing only 3.11 grams composed of .950 copper and .50 tin and zinc.