U.S. Small Cents

U.S. Small Cents

History of the U.S. Penny

U.S. small cents, or pennies, first appeared in 1856 with the Flying Eagle design, a shift from the larger Large Cent.

The Indian Head cent followed in 1859, featuring Lady Liberty in a Native American headdress, and remained in circulation until 1909.

The Lincoln Wheat penny was introduced in 1909 to honor Abraham Lincoln's centennial, featuring his portrait which is still used today.

In 1959, the Lincoln Memorial design replaced the wheat ears, and this was updated in 2009 with the Lincoln Bicentennial series showcasing different stages of Lincoln's life.

Since 2010, the Union Shield has been the standard reverse design.

Throughout its history, the penny's composition has changed, most notably during World War II to a zinc coated steel in 1943, and then in 1982 when it switched from primarily copper to zinc with a copper plating.

Collectors value early editions, wartime steel cents, and the various commemorative reverses as part of American numismatic heritage.

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1908-P Indian Head Cent
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$5.00
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1895 Indian Head Cent
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$1.00
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1918-S Lincoln Wheat Cent
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1878 Indian Head Cent
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1878 Indian Head Cent 




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$14.00
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1875 Indian Head Cent
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1875 Indian Head Cent 




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$6.00
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1873 Open 3 Indian Head Cent
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1873 Open 3 Indian Head Cent
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$26.00
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1872 Bold "N" Indian Head Cent
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1872 Bold "N" Indian Head Cent 





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$45.00
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1866 Indian Head Cent
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1866 Indian Head Cent 





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$28.00
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1865 Indian Head Cent
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1865 Indian Head Cent 





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$17.00
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1862 Indian Head Cent
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1862 Indian Head Cent 





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$11.50
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1860 Rounded Bust Indian Head Cent
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1860 Rounded Bust Indian Head Cent 





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$15.00
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1857 Flying Eagle
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1860 Pointed Bust Indian Head Cent
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1909-P V.D.B Lincoln Wheat Cent
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1859 Indian Head Cent
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1859 Indian Head Cent 
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