U.S. Coin Identification Photo Guide - Small Cents

United States Small Cents
(1856 - Date)
The act of February 21, 1957, provided for the coinage of the new copper-nickel small cent. It also called for Spanish and Mexican coins and old copper cents and half cents in circulation to be brought in and exchanged for U.S. silver coins and the new cents.

Flying Eagle (1856 - 1858)
The Flying eagle cent was only produced for 3 years, with the 1956 date being the rarest having a mintage of only 2000 pieces. Made in copper-nickel and all produced at the Philadelphia Mint.

Indian Head (1958 - 1909)
The Indian Head cent is actually a representation of Liberty wearing an Indian headdress, not an actual Indian. The 1859 dated cent has anlaurel wreath reverse with out a shield. Beginning in 1860 the reverse was revised with a oak wreath and a shield at the top center. Indian head cents from 1859 - 1864 were made with Copper-Nickel. 1864 - 1909 the cents were made in Bronze. All made at the Philadelphia Mint except the 1908S and 1909S at San Francisco.

Lincoln Head - Wheat Reverse (1909 - 1958)
Victor D. Brenner designed this cent, which was issued to gememorate the 100th anniversary of Lincoln's Birth. The designer's initials (V.D.B.) appear on the reverse of a limited quanity of cents dated1909. The initials were restored, in 1918, to the obverse side on Lincoln's shoulder. Made in Bronze from 1909 to 1958, except 1943 which were made of Steel.

Lincoln Wheat - Steel Variety (1943 only)
Owing to a shortage of copper during WWII, the Treasury Department resorted to the use of zinc-coated steel for cents. All varieties of the Lincoln Wheat reverse cent were produced in Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco.

Lincoln Head - Memorial Reverse (1959 - Date)
Frank Gasparro designed the Lincoln Memorial reverse, which was introduced in 1959 on the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's Death. Theobverse remained unchanged. Made of mostly Copper from 1959 - 1982. And made in Copper-Plated Zinc from 1982 - present.
Currently there is a bill in congress to change the Cent's design in 2009, the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln cent.