The first American nickels

[villa66]

The Flying Eagle cent was America’s first “small cent.” Many of these coins—which were often called “nickels” or “nicks” because of their copper-nickel alloy—entered circulation through exchanges for the small, badly worn Spanish and Mexican silver coins that were legal tender in the U.S. until being outlawed in 1857 (although their withdrawal from circulation wasn’t completed until 1859).

The new Flying Eagle cents circulated in massive quantities before the Civil War, but by 1862 had mostly disappeared because of wartime hoarding. The “white cents” (1856-58 Flying Eagles and 1859-64 Indian Heads) reappeared in circulation at the end of the war in early 1865, and Flying Eagle cents could be found in pocket change into the early 20th century.

Their “nickel” nickname was much shorter-lived, however, being transferred to the new copper-nickel 3-cent piece introduced in 1865, and then ultimately fastened on the new (and very popular) copper-nickel 5-cent piece introduced in 1866, which had replaced the old silver half-dime by the early 1870s....

[villa66]

The coin that the new Flying Eagle cents had replaced—the American large cent—disappeared with the Civil War, and except for some scattered, occasional use, particularly outside the country, never reentered circulation (despite retaining its status as legal tender up to the present day).

As with the other retired large cents of 1793-1857, this 1855 (upright 5’s variety) large cent quickly became one of Americans’ favorite collectibles. In fact, it might be fair to say that the American coin collecting hobby began with the introduction of the Flying Eagle cent, because it retired the large cent.

v.

[sigistenz]

Hi, it's always a pleasure to read your postings - their sidelights give zest to the hobby.
Keep on! Sigi
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