Small cents were issued first in 1856. During this period, the large cents and the half cent which was used at that time started to be a burden to the US government. Not only were they too large but the cost of making them already exceeded the value. Also, the US government wanted the citizens to stop using the Spanish and English denominations and instead use the American coinage standard.
The first small cent was the Flying Eagle which was issued without approval from congress. It didn’t last long though, and its last year of circulation was 1858. The following year, the Indian Head cent was introduced and the design lasted until 1909. Its face showed Lady Liberty wearing an Indian headdress. If you have one in good condition and want to sell it today, it can fetch you a good amount.
In the middle of 1909, it was declared that in honor of Lincoln’s centenary birthday, his face would appear on the small cent. The coin that is being used today is fairly similar although in 1959, it was changed to the Lincoln Memorial to commemorate his 150th birth. It is still being used today and is proven to be a consistent design. The US government has no intention to change its design any time soon.
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Auctions in eBay
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| one wheat penny roll with indian head penny showing from large estate | |
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$4.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 30m |
| 1916 P VG Lincoln Wheat Penny Cent US Coin 10263397 3 | |
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| unsearched wheat penny roll IHS on each end A HOME RUN | |
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$9.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 31m |
| Indian Head Cent Showcase Solid Oak Two 28 Slab Boxes | |
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| Brilliant Lincoln Wheat Red Uncirculated Cent 1953 P GEM | |
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| OLD ROLL WHEAT PENNIES W 1879 INDIAN HEAD 1908 INDIAN HEAD SHOWING | |
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$21.51 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 35m |
| 1960 1969 PERFECT PROOF SMS LINCOLN MEMORIAL SET | |
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| 3 Consecutive 1920s Wheats 1927 VF 1928 VF 1929 F PVC Free Archival Holders4 | |
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$1.73 Time Remaining: 36m |
| 3 Consecutive 1920s Wheats 1927 VF 1928 VG 1929 F PVC Free Archival Holders2 | |
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$1.73 Time Remaining: 36m |
| SHOTGUN ROLL 2 INDIAN HEADS SHOW BUY IT NOW picture of both ends | |
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| 3 Consecutive 1920s Wheats 1927 F 1928 VG 1929 VG PVC Free Archival Holders3 | |
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$1.73 Time Remaining: 36m |
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| 3 Consecutive 1920s Wheats 1927 F 1928 VG 1929 VG PVC Free Archival Holders2 | |
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$1.74 Time Remaining: 36m |
| 3 Consecutive 1920s Wheats 1927 F Rev Blotch 1928 VG 1929 VG 2x2 Holders6 | |
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$1.68 Time Remaining: 36m |
| COLLECTION OF OLD WHEAT PENNIES US SILVER COINS 1LB | |
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| 4 Wheat Cents from the 1930s in Fine or Better Grades | |
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$1.23 Time Remaining: 36m |
| 3 Consecutive 1920s Wheats 1927 VF 1928 VF 1929 F Mut in Archival Holders5 | |
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$1.68 Time Remaining: 36m |
| One roll of 50 Lincoln wheat cents from the 1930s | |
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| 1 ROLL WHEAT PENNIES 1909 1958 NO DUPLICATES B3 | |
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