Small Cent History & Collecting Guide

Overview

The Small Cent was created to address public dissatisfaction with the Large Cent's size and weight. At 19mm diameter, the new cent was dramatically smaller and made of copper-nickel rather than pure copper. This innovation sparked immediate public acceptance and has continued for nearly 170 years, making Small Cents the longest-running series in American numismatics.

Basic Specifications:

• Denomination: 1 cent
• Years Minted: 1856-present
• Diameter: 19mm (consistent across all types)
• Composition: Varied by type (see below)
• Edge: Plain

Design Types

Flying Eagle Cent (1856-1858)

James B. Longacre's Flying Eagle design inaugurated the Small Cent era. The obverse features an eagle in flight, while the reverse displays a wreath surrounding "ONE CENT." The 1856 Flying Eagle cents were pattern pieces not intended for circulation, though about 2,000 were struck, making them one of numismatics' most famous rarities.

Specifications:

• Composition: 88% copper, 12% nickel
• Weight: 4.67 grams (72 grains)
• Years: 1856 (patterns), 1857-1858 (regular issue)

Key characteristics:

• 1856: Pattern coin, not officially released; expensive and highly sought
• 1857: First year of regular issue, large mintage
• 1858: Two varieties - Large Letters and Small Letters reverse
• Design issues: High relief caused striking problems, dies failed quickly

Despite their short run, Flying Eagle Cents successfully introduced Americans to small-size cents and demonstrated the viability of copper-nickel coinage.

Indian Head Cent (1859-1909)

Also designed by James B. Longacre, the Indian Head Cent actually depicts Liberty wearing a Native American headdress, not an actual Indian. This beloved design served for half a century through tremendous changes in American history, including the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the dawn of the 20th century.

Composition changes:

• 1859-1864: Copper-nickel (88% copper, 12% nickel), same as Flying Eagle
• 1864-1909: Bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc), thinner planchet

Design variations:

• 1859: Oak wreath with shield, unique one-year type
• 1860-1909: Oak wreath with laurel, standard reverse
• 1864 L: Designer's initial "L" added to headdress ribbon, important variety

Notable dates and varieties:

• 1864-L: Key variety, significant premium over regular 1864
• 1869/9: Rare overdate variety
• 1870, 1871, 1872: Low mintages make these scarce
• 1877: The key date of the series with only 852,500 minted
• 1908-S and 1909-S: First and final San Francisco issues, both scarce
• 1909-S Indian: Final year, San Francisco mint, highly collectible

The Civil War years (1861-1865) saw hoarding of cents for their metal value, and some wartime issues (1863-1864) remain scarce today. Indian Head Cents are among the most popular U.S. coin series to collect.

Lincoln Cent (1909-present)

Victor D. Brenner's Lincoln Cent, introduced for Lincoln's 100th birthday in 1909, revolutionized American coinage by placing a real person's portrait on a circulating coin. This design has proven so enduring that it remains in production today—over 115 years later—making it the longest-running design in U.S. coinage history.

Wheat Reverse (1909-1958)

The original reverse featured two wheat stalks framing "ONE CENT" and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA." Collectors affectionately call these "Wheat Cents" or "Wheaties."

Composition changes:

• 1909-1942: Bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc)
• 1943: Zinc-coated steel (wartime composition due to copper shortage)
• 1944-1946: Shell casing brass (95% copper, 5% zinc from recycled ammunition)
• 1947-1958: Bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc)

Key dates and varieties:

• 1909-S VDB: Holy grail of Lincoln Cents, designer's initials on reverse, low mintage
• 1909-S: Scarce even without VDB
• 1914-D: Denver rarity, one of the series' most expensive coins
• 1922 No D: Die error appears to lack mint mark
• 1931-S: Low mintage Depression-era issue
• 1943 Bronze: Error coins struck on bronze planchets, extremely valuable
• 1944 Steel: Error coins struck on steel planchets from 1943
• 1955 Doubled Die: Spectacular doubling on obverse, famous error

Lincoln Memorial Reverse (1959-2008)

For Lincoln's 150th birthday, Frank Gasparro designed a new reverse featuring the Lincoln Memorial. The VDB initials were restored to the obverse (below Lincoln's shoulder).

Composition changes:

• 1959-1962: Bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc)
• 1962-1982: Brass (95% copper, 5% zinc, tin removed)
• 1982-2008: Copper-plated zinc (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper plating)

Notable issues:

• 1960 Small Date vs Large Date: Varieties in both Philadelphia and Denver
• 1969-S Doubled Die: Strong doubling, valuable variety
• 1970-S Small Date: Scarce variety
• 1972 Doubled Die: Another spectacular doubling error
• 1982: Seven varieties due to composition change and mint mark changes
• 1983 Doubled Die: Last major doubled die variety
• 1992-D Close AM vs Wide AM: Spacing variety in "AMERICA"

Lincoln Bicentennial (2009)

Four different reverse designs marked Lincoln's 200th birthday, each depicting a different stage of his life:

• Birth and Early Childhood in Kentucky
• Formative Years in Indiana
• Professional Life in Illinois
• Presidency in Washington, D.C.

These one-year commemorative reverses created renewed interest in cent collecting.

Union Shield Reverse (2010-present)

Lyndall Bass's Union Shield design, symbolizing Lincoln's preservation of the Union, became the permanent reverse in 2010. The shield features 13 vertical stripes bound by a horizontal bar.

Modern composition: Copper-plated zinc (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) continues from 1982.

Historical Significance

The Composition Changes

Small Cent composition changes reflect major historical events:

• 1864: Switch to bronze improved striking and reduced nickel costs
• 1943: Steel cents freed copper for ammunition during World War II
• 1982: Rising copper prices made cents worth more than face value; zinc core solution

Cultural Impact

The cent has unique cultural significance:

• "Penny" (though officially a cent) is deeply embedded in American language
• "A penny for your thoughts," "penny pincher," and countless other idioms
• Penny jars, piggy banks, and childhood collecting introduction
• Wheat Cents spark nostalgia for older Americans
• Lincoln's portrait introduces generations to the 16th president

The Debate Over Elimination

In recent decades, some have called for eliminating the cent due to:

• Production costs exceeding face value
• Limited usefulness in modern commerce
• Electronic payment systems reducing need for small change

However, public attachment and concerns about rounding effects on prices have kept the cent in production.

Collecting Small Cents

Type Set Collecting

A Small Cent type set includes:

1. Flying Eagle (1857-1858) - Moderate expense
2. Indian Head, Copper-Nickel (1859-1864) - Affordable
3. Indian Head, Bronze (1864-1909) - Very affordable
4. Lincoln Wheat, Bronze (1909-1942) - Common and inexpensive
5. Lincoln Wheat, Steel (1943) - Inexpensive and popular
6. Lincoln Wheat, Shell Casing (1944-1946) - Common
7. Lincoln Memorial, Bronze/Brass (1959-1982) - Face value
8. Lincoln Memorial, Zinc (1982-2008) - Face value
9. Lincoln Bicentennial (2009) - Set of four reverses
10. Union Shield (2010-present) - Face value

Date and Mint Mark Collecting

Lincoln Cents are the most popular complete set:

• Wheat Cents (1909-1958): Achievable with patience; key dates expensive
• Memorial Cents (1959-2008): Highly collectible and mostly affordable
• Modern cents: Can be assembled from circulation

Variety and Error Collecting

Small Cents offer tremendous variety collecting opportunities:

• Doubled dies: 1955, 1969-S, 1972, 1983, and others
• Repunched mint marks (RPM): Hundreds of varieties
• Wrong planchet errors: 1943 bronze, 1944 steel
• Date varieties: Large vs small dates, spacing differences
• Designer initial varieties: 1909 VDB, VDB placement changes

Condition and Grading

Small Cent grading focuses on:

• Color designations: Red (RD), Red-Brown (RB), Brown (BN) for copper cents
• Strike quality: Full Details designation for well-struck examples
• Key grading points: Lincoln's hair, wheat kernels, memorial steps
• Surface quality: Spotting, carbon spots, and toning affect grade

Investment Considerations

• Key date Lincoln Cents show steady long-term appreciation
• High-grade Red examples of common dates undervalued
• Error coins maintain strong specialized market
• Complete sets have emotional and nostalgic value
• Low entry cost makes cents ideal for beginning collectors