Small Cents Coins: US Coins & Paper Money

The United States started issuing small cents in the year 1856 or early 1857 for two main reasons. Firstly, the Large Cent had surpassed its content in metal than the coin was actually worth at face value. Also, it was very unpopular to the public, citing that it was too heavy for circulation. Banks and merchants usually only accepted the legal tender, gold and silver, and only accepted large cents when they were heavily discounted below their face value. When it started costing the U.S. Mint $1.06 to produce one dollar of the coin, they were discontinued altogether. Secondly, the United States accepted currency from all countries, especially the English schilling and Spanish real. They wanted to create such legal tender to dissuade citizens from using them.

1914-D Lincoln Cent PCGS MS-64 RD PQ Near Gem



1914-D Lincoln Cent PCGS MS-64 RD PQ Near Gem

Price: $8,995.00
Buy It Now: $9,395.00

Sale

Ends In:
2h 16m

1880 1c PROOF .PCGS PR67..Rarely offered this top grade



1880 1c PROOF .PCGS PR67..Rarely offered this top grade

Buy It Now: $6,775.00

Sale

Ends In:
18d 16h 18m

1909 VDB S Lincoln Cent NGC Mint State 65



1909 VDB S Lincoln Cent  NGC Mint State 65

Buy It Now: $6,600.00

Sale

Ends In:
4d 16h 59m

1877 Proof Indian Head pennny Key Coin



1877 Proof Indian Head pennny  Key Coin

Buy It Now: $6,500.00

Sale

Ends In:
28d 16h 49m

NEW 2009 20'+5'-TANDEM DUAL EQUIPMENT GOOSENECK-10 PLY



NEW 2009 20'+5'-TANDEM DUAL EQUIPMENT GOOSENECK-10 PLY

Buy It Now: $6,395.00

Sale

Ends In:
8d 3h 27m

1862 PROOF INDIAN CENT cop-nic NGC PF-66 ONLY 550 MADE



1862 PROOF INDIAN CENT cop-nic NGC PF-66 ONLY 550 MADE

Buy It Now: $5,800.00

Sale

Ends In:
3d 6h 59m

1858 1c...Small Letters..PCGS MS65...Very tough to find



1858 1c...Small Letters..PCGS MS65...Very tough to find

Buy It Now: $5,575.00

Sale

Ends In:
15d 17h 41m

1909 S VDB Red LINCOLN



1909 S VDB Red LINCOLN

Buy It Now: $5,500.00

Sale

Ends In:
6d 2h 16m

COMPLETE LINCOLN CENT PENNY COLLECTION - 1909-1940



COMPLETE LINCOLN CENT PENNY COLLECTION - 1909-1940

Price: $4,999.00

Sale

Ends In:
4d 22h 12m

1857 FLYING EAGLE 1c NGC PR-60 ~ RARE PROOF CENT



1857 FLYING EAGLE 1c NGC PR-60 ~ RARE PROOF CENT

Price: $4,995.00

Sale

Ends In:
1d 6h 5m

1909 S VDB, PCGS MS 65RB , Best Offer or Buy It Now



1909 S VDB, PCGS MS 65RB ,   Best Offer or Buy It Now

Buy It Now: $4,980.00

Sale

Ends In:
17d 29m

1922 No D Linclon Strong Rev, PCGS AU-50 (estate sale)



1922 No D Linclon Strong Rev,  PCGS AU-50 (estate sale)

Price: $4,950.00
Buy It Now: $5,200.00

Sale

Ends In:
6d 4h 57m

1912 Matte Proof Lincoln Cent NGC PF 66 BN PR



1912 Matte Proof Lincoln Cent NGC PF 66 BN PR

Buy It Now: $4,950.00

Sale

Ends In:
9d 3h 31m

1958-P $50 LINCOLN CENT MINT BAG "UNCIRCULATED RED BAG"



1958-P $50 LINCOLN CENT MINT BAG "UNCIRCULATED RED BAG"

Buy It Now: $4,700.00

Sale

Ends In:
18h 28m

2008-W GOLD BUFFALO 4 Coin SET PCGS PF 70 FIRST STRIKE



2008-W GOLD BUFFALO 4 Coin SET PCGS PF 70 FIRST STRIKE

Buy It Now: $4,450.00

Sale

Ends In:
4d 54m

1909-S VDB - ONE CENT - PCGS MS 65 RB - KEY DATE



1909-S VDB - ONE CENT - PCGS MS 65 RB - KEY DATE

Buy It Now: $4,400.00

Sale

Ends In:
23d 4h 42m

1909 S VDB LINCOLN CENT PCGS Mint State 64 RD CHOICE EX



1909 S VDB LINCOLN CENT PCGS Mint State 64 RD CHOICE EX

Buy It Now: $4,399.00

Sale

Ends In:
1h 48m

1909 S VDB LINCOLN PENNY MS 64 RED NGC CAC



1909 S VDB LINCOLN PENNY MS 64 RED NGC  CAC

Buy It Now: $4,375.00

Sale

Ends In:
1h 41m

1958 1C NGC MS67 RED



1958 1C NGC MS67 RED

Buy It Now: $4,299.00

Sale

Ends In:
5d 8h 2m

1909-S VDB 1c PCGS MS-65 RB ~KEY DATE LINCOLN CENT! OGH



1909-S VDB 1c PCGS MS-65 RB ~KEY DATE LINCOLN CENT! OGH

Price: $4,195.00
Buy It Now: $4,250.00

Sale

Ends In:
6d 7h 53m

1895 1c...PCGS MS66RD..Full red..."gorgeous" pop 32 2



1895 1c...PCGS MS66RD..Full red..."gorgeous"  pop 32 2

Buy It Now: $4,175.00

Sale

Ends In:
15d 17h 50m

1909 S VDB Red LINCOLN



1909 S VDB Red LINCOLN

Buy It Now: $4,000.00

Sale

Ends In:
6d 2h 4m

1922 NO D STRONG REV. LINCOLN Cent ( PCGS ) AU 50



1922 NO D STRONG REV. LINCOLN Cent ( PCGS ) AU 50

Price: $3,975.00

Sale

Ends In:
4d 4h 56m

1914-D Lincoln Cent Key w BU+ UNC Details Nice! 1914D



1914-D Lincoln Cent Key w  BU+ UNC Details Nice! 1914D

Price: $3,550.01

Sale

Ends In:
1d 4h 4m

1922 No D Lincoln Cent PCGS XF40 Strong Reverse



1922 No D Lincoln Cent  PCGS XF40 Strong Reverse

Buy It Now: $3,375.00

Sale

Ends In:
10d 22h 8m

1933-D Lincoln Cent NGC MS67 RD



1933-D Lincoln Cent NGC MS67 RD

Buy It Now: $3,300.00

Sale

Ends In:
19d 22h 8m

1955 Double Die OB. Lincoln Cnt PCGS MS-63 Good Color!



1955 Double Die OB. Lincoln Cnt PCGS MS-63 Good Color!

Buy It Now: $3,250.00

Sale

Ends In:
1d 19h 57m

1877 INDIAN HEAD CENT SHARP CHOICE BROWN UNC



1877 INDIAN HEAD CENT  SHARP CHOICE BROWN UNC

Buy It Now: $3,250.00

Sale

Ends In:
5d 4h 49m

1955 55 DOUBLE DIE LINCOLN CENT CHOICE GEM BU RED



1955 55 DOUBLE DIE LINCOLN CENT CHOICE GEM BU  RED

Buy It Now: $3,250.00

Sale

Ends In:
5d 4h 58m

1909 S VDB LINCOLN CENT MS 64 PCGS PQ



1909 S VDB LINCOLN CENT MS 64 PCGS PQ

Buy It Now: $3,250.00

Sale

Ends In:
6d 5h 25m

Complete Collection of Lincoln Cents w MS 61 BN 1914 D



Complete Collection of Lincoln Cents w  MS 61 BN 1914 D

Buy It Now: $3,250.00

Sale

Ends In:
14d 21h 37m

1915-S Lincoln Cent PCGS MS64 RB 70% RED & Razor Sharp!



1915-S Lincoln Cent PCGS MS64 RB 70% RED & Razor Sharp!

Buy It Now: $3,200.00

Sale

Ends In:
18d 4h 43m

1922 NO D LINCOLN WHEAT CENT ANACS EF 40 DETAILS WOW!



1922 NO D LINCOLN WHEAT CENT ANACS EF 40 DETAILS WOW!

Buy It Now: $3,200.00

Sale

Ends In:
28d 1h 45m

1909 S VDB LINCOLN PENNY MS 64 RED BRWN NGC CAC



1909 S VDB LINCOLN PENNY MS 64 RED BRWN NGC  CAC

Buy It Now: $3,199.00

Sale

Ends In:
1h 25m

1955 DDO Lincoln Cent , Pcgs MS-63 Brown



1955 DDO Lincoln Cent , Pcgs MS-63 Brown

Buy It Now: $3,195.00

Sale

Ends In:
17d 1h 6m

17 Lincoln cents most certified by PCGS or NGC



17 Lincoln cents most certified by PCGS or NGC

Price: $3,100.00

Sale

Ends In:
3d 7h 7m

1859 1c PCGS MS65...1st year of issue..Copper-Nickel



1859 1c PCGS MS65...1st year of issue..Copper-Nickel

Buy It Now: $3,099.00

Sale

Ends In:
16d 17h 37m

1909 S VDB Lincoln Cent!! PCGS MS 65 RB! AMAZING!



1909 S VDB Lincoln Cent!! PCGS MS 65 RB! AMAZING!

Price: $3,000.00

Sale

Ends In:
6d 5h 39m

1926-S 1c SUPER FULLY STRUCK PQ RARE UNCIRCULATED !!!



1926-S 1c SUPER FULLY STRUCK PQ  RARE UNCIRCULATED !!!

Buy It Now: $3,000.00

Sale

Ends In:
24d 9h 21m

1955 Doubled Die Obv NGC MS-61 BN King of Doubled Dies



1955 Doubled Die Obv NGC MS-61 BN King of Doubled Dies

Buy It Now: $2,999.99

Sale

Ends In:
12d 3h 40m

1858 1c Flying Eagle - PF62



1858 1c Flying Eagle - PF62

Price: $2,999.00

Sale

Ends In:
3d 23h 4m

2005-P SMS CALIFORNIA QUARTER NGC MS70 SOLO FINEST



2005-P SMS CALIFORNIA QUARTER NGC MS70 SOLO FINEST

Price: $2,995.00
Buy It Now: $3,195.00

Sale

Ends In:
1d 5h 52m

1877 INDIAN HEAD CENT AU+



1877 INDIAN HEAD CENT AU+

Price: $2,995.00

Sale

Ends In:
4d 22h 49m

1909 S VDB LINCOLN CENT GEM BU RED



1909 S VDB LINCOLN CENT GEM BU RED

Buy It Now: $2,950.00

Sale

Ends In:
5d 4h 56m

1877 Indian Head Cent Rare Key AU+ Near Mint Details!



1877 Indian Head Cent Rare Key AU+ Near Mint Details!

Price: $2,900.00

Sale

Ends In:
4h 44m

100: 1877 1C MS62 Brown PCGS.



100: 1877 1C MS62 Brown PCGS.

Price: $2,800.00

Sale

Ends In:
3d 12h 59m

1859 PCGS MS65 Indian Head Cent MS 65



1859  PCGS MS65 Indian Head Cent  MS 65

Buy It Now: $2,800.00

Sale

Ends In:
12d 2h 17m

The absolute best Lincoln Cent set on Ebay. Top shelf.



The absolute best Lincoln Cent set on Ebay. Top shelf.

Buy It Now: $2,795.99

Sale

Ends In:
17d 1h 1m

1915 Lincoln Cent PCGS MS66RD 66 Rd - TRUEVIEW PIC



1915 Lincoln Cent PCGS MS66RD 66 Rd - TRUEVIEW PIC

Buy It Now: $2,795.00

Sale

Ends In:
25d 4h 33m

1952 LINCOLN CENT MS67 RED NGC FINEST REGISTRY



1952 LINCOLN CENT MS67 RED NGC FINEST REGISTRY

Price: $2,775.00
Buy It Now: $2,850.00

Sale

Ends In:
1d 5h 55m

1950 LINCOLN NGC CERTIFIED PF 67 RD ULTRA CAMEO 1 CENT



1950 LINCOLN NGC CERTIFIED PF 67 RD ULTRA CAMEO 1 CENT

Buy It Now: $2,600.00

Sale

Ends In:
1d 23h 5m

1927-S Lincoln Cent PCGS MS-64 RD Scarce Date in Red



1927-S Lincoln Cent PCGS MS-64 RD Scarce Date in Red

Price: $2,595.00
Buy It Now: $2,795.00

Sale

Ends In:
2h

1922 PLAIN "No D" Lincoln Cent , Die#2 Strong Rev, Rare!



1922 PLAIN "No D" Lincoln Cent , Die#2 Strong Rev,  Rare!

Buy It Now: $2,575.00

Sale

Ends In:
28d 23h 45m

1922 LINCOLN WHEAT CENT NCS XF DETAILS NO D STRONG REV



1922 LINCOLN WHEAT CENT NCS XF DETAILS NO D STRONG REV

Price: $2,500.00

Sale

Ends In:
3h 24m

1909 S VDB Red Penny



1909 S VDB Red Penny

Price: $2,500.00

Sale

Ends In:
5d 1h 22m

1922 PLAIN LINCOLN CENT XF+ DIE VAR. 2 STRONG REVERSE



1922 PLAIN LINCOLN CENT XF+ DIE VAR. 2 STRONG REVERSE

Buy It Now: $2,500.00

Sale

Ends In:
5d 4h 52m

1914 D LINCOLN FANTASTIC DETAIL *VERY RARE SUPER COIN*



1914 D LINCOLN FANTASTIC DETAIL *VERY RARE SUPER COIN*

Buy It Now: $2,500.00

Sale

Ends In:
12d 22h 37m

1909-S PCGS MS65 RB INDIAN 1c PENNY ID#I431



1909-S PCGS MS65 RB INDIAN 1c PENNY  ID#I431

Buy It Now: $2,500.00

Sale

Ends In:
23d 22h 29m

1909 S VDB LINCOIN WHEAT PENNY UNC RED BROWN CENT #466



1909 S VDB LINCOIN WHEAT PENNY UNC RED BROWN CENT #466

Buy It Now: $2,499.00

Sale

Ends In:
4h 35m

1952-P Lincoln MS67RD NGC RARE L-61 FREE SHIPPING!!



1952-P Lincoln MS67RD NGC RARE L-61 FREE SHIPPING!!

Buy It Now: $2,499.00

Sale

Ends In:
20d 3h 20m

39, 000+ Lincoln Wheat Pattern Pennies Bulk Lot



39, 000+   Lincoln  Wheat Pattern  Pennies      Bulk Lot

Buy It Now: $2,498.00

Sale

Ends In:
24d 4h 10m

1965 1C MS67 RED



1965 1C MS67 RED

Buy It Now: $2,454.00

Sale

Ends In:
5d 8h 2m

1955 LINCOLN CENT DOUBLED DIE OBV - GRADED MS BY NGC



1955 LINCOLN CENT DOUBLED DIE OBV - GRADED MS BY NGC

Buy It Now: $2,399.00

Sale

Ends In:
4d 23h 46m

1909 S VDB LINCOLN CENT NGC MS 63 BN



1909 S VDB LINCOLN CENT NGC MS 63 BN

Price: $2,395.00

Sale

Ends In:
6d 21h 37m

1858 FLYING EAGLE CENT ~ PCGS MS 64 LARGE LETTERS S-12



1858 FLYING EAGLE CENT ~ PCGS MS 64 LARGE LETTERS S-12

Buy It Now: $2,295.00

Sale

Ends In:
18d 6h 57m

1914-D BU RB Lincoln Cent Sharp Wheat Ears N0708



1914-D  BU RB Lincoln Cent Sharp Wheat Ears N0708

Price: $2,290.00
Buy It Now: $2,320.00

Sale

Ends In:
5h 50m

1894 Morgan Silver US Dollar Coin~ANACS AU-50~TOP KEY!!



1894 Morgan Silver US Dollar Coin~ANACS AU-50~TOP KEY!!

Buy It Now: $2,259.99

Sale

Ends In:
13d 17h 26m

1922 No D Lincoln Cent Strong Reverse PCGS Graded VF35



1922 No D Lincoln Cent Strong Reverse PCGS Graded VF35

Buy It Now: $2,255.00

Sale

Ends In:
9d 20h 16m

1909 S VDB Lincoln cent, PCGS MS63BN



1909 S VDB Lincoln cent,  PCGS MS63BN

Buy It Now: $2,250.00

Sale

Ends In:
24d 2h 18m

1909-S VDB LINCOLN CENT IN CHOICE UNC. RED CONDITION!



1909-S VDB LINCOLN CENT IN CHOICE UNC. RED CONDITION!

Price: $2,199.99

Sale

Ends In:
1d 22h 17m

1955 Wheat Cent PCGS AU-55 Doubled Die Obverse!



1955 Wheat Cent PCGS AU-55 Doubled Die Obverse!

Buy It Now: $2,199.99

Sale

Ends In:
12d 3h 40m

1871 Indian Head Cent PCGS MS-65 BN Red-Brown Reverse



1871 Indian Head Cent PCGS MS-65 BN Red-Brown Reverse

Buy It Now: $2,199.99

Sale

Ends In:
12d 3h 40m

1909-S Indian Head Cent Rare Key BU+ RED Monster! 1909S



1909-S Indian Head Cent Rare Key BU+ RED Monster! 1909S

Price: $2,125.00

Sale

Ends In:
7d 4h 34m

1955 55 Lincoln Cent Rare Double Die Error PCGS MS63RB!



1955 55 Lincoln Cent Rare Double Die Error PCGS MS63RB!

Price: $2,125.00

Sale

Ends In:
8d 4h 34m

98: 1877 1C AU53 NGC.



98: 1877 1C AU53 NGC.

Price: $2,100.00

Sale

Ends In:
3d 12h 59m

1955 55 BU Glossy Brown RED Lincoln Cent JY0408



1955 55 BU Glossy Brown RED Lincoln Cent JY0408

Buy It Now: $2,100.00

Sale

Ends In:
7d 5h 14m

1909-S VDB PCGS MS-64RB LINCOLN PENNY GREAT COIN #684



1909-S VDB PCGS MS-64RB LINCOLN PENNY GREAT COIN  #684

Price: $2,050.00

Sale

Ends In:
4d 6h 2m

1909-S VDB V.D.B. LINCOLN CENT CHOICE BU DETAILS! WOW!!



1909-S VDB V.D.B. LINCOLN CENT CHOICE BU DETAILS! WOW!!

Buy It Now: $1,999.99

Sale

Ends In:
3d 7h 22m

1955 DOUBLE DIE LINCOLN CENT 100% GUARANTEED AUTHENTIC!



1955 DOUBLE DIE LINCOLN CENT 100% GUARANTEED AUTHENTIC!

Buy It Now: $1,999.00

Sale

Ends In:
10d 5h 19m

Full case of 1958 D pennies. New Never opened original



Full case of 1958 D pennies. New Never opened original

Buy It Now: $1,999.00

Sale

Ends In:
25d 23h 4m

1909-S-VDB MS 63RB Lincoln Cent PCGS BEAUTIFUL ( L@@K)



1909-S-VDB MS 63RB Lincoln Cent PCGS BEAUTIFUL ( L@@K)

Price: $1,997.17

Sale

Ends In:
3d 4h 31m

1922 Lincoln Cent No D Strong Reverse Die #2 PCGS VF35



1922 Lincoln Cent No D Strong Reverse Die #2 PCGS VF35

Price: $1,995.00
Buy It Now: $2,130.00

Sale

Ends In:
1d 55m

1998-S Close AM Proof Lincoln Cent PCGS PR69



1998-S Close AM Proof Lincoln Cent PCGS PR69

Price: $1,995.00

Sale

Ends In:
1d 6h 59m

1909 S VDB XF PLUS 1914D TWO TOP WHEAT COINS



1909 S VDB XF PLUS 1914D TWO TOP WHEAT COINS

Buy It Now: $1,995.00

Sale

Ends In:
15d 22h 42m

1922 No D Strong Rev Type 2 Lincoln Cent NGC VF-30 BN



1922 No D Strong Rev Type 2 Lincoln Cent NGC VF-30 BN

Buy It Now: $1,975.00

Sale

Ends In:
7d 17h 22m

FLYING EAGLE-INDIAN HEAD COLLECTION SET- !! 58 COINS!!



FLYING EAGLE-INDIAN HEAD COLLECTION  SET- !! 58 COINS!!

Buy It Now: $1,895.00

Sale

Ends In:
2d 4h 29m

COMPLETE Indian head penny cent set 1871 1877 1909 s



COMPLETE Indian head penny cent set 1871 1877 1909 s

Buy It Now: $1,895.00

Sale

Ends In:
5d 32m

1909 S VDB LICOLN CENT CHOICE RED & BROWN BU KEY DATE!



1909 S VDB LICOLN CENT CHOICE RED & BROWN BU  KEY DATE!

Buy It Now: $1,850.00

Sale

Ends In:
19d 5h 56m

1909 S VDB LINCOLN WHEAT CENTS ANACS AU 58 !! LOOK !!



1909 S VDB LINCOLN WHEAT CENTS ANACS  AU 58 !! LOOK !!

Buy It Now: $1,850.00

Sale

Ends In:
29d 7h 45m

1922 No D Lincoln Cent *Strong Reverse PCGS Graded VF20



1922 No D Lincoln Cent *Strong Reverse PCGS Graded VF20

Buy It Now: $1,829.00

Sale

Ends In:
4d 21h 54m

Discount & Bargain

With this, the idea of small cents was born. Being exchanged for old copper cents and half cents, the government provided a more convenient coin. This small cent, made of a innovative alloy, was very popular in the United States. The coin was to cure the chaos created by the hectic state of U.S. currency. For a time, this was true, until the novelty and allure wore off. Soon after, the coin suffered the same fate as the others.
 
The Civil War changed the way these small cents were produced. The Mint started mass producing these coins during those years, and the idea helped was great in larger cities. The small cent ultimately proved to be too good to circulate during the years of the war, so to fill the hole left by the disappearance of the cent, tokens were established by private companies. These worked, but after they were failing to be redeemed, these started to prove unpopular as well. And after the war ended, the small cents flooded back into marketplaces