subject: Coin collection - Major types of US small cents [print this page] Coin collection - Major types of US small cents
Small cents appear in four major types, discussed in this article.
Flying Eagle (18561858)
The first small cent appeared in 1856 with a design completely unlike that of any of the large cents that came before. The front of the new small cent showed an American eagle flying to the left. This design was copied from the back of the Gobrecht dollars created between 1836 and 1839. The back of the coin showed a wreath made up of some interesting stuff that looks like corn and cotton. As beautiful as it was, this design lasted only three years.
Indian head (18591909)
The first Indian-head cents appeared in 1859. One problem, though that's not a Native American on the front of the coin. James Longacre, the fellow who designed the coin, stuck a Native American headdress on his daughter's head, and then used her as a model. The design lasted for exactly 50 years and is one of the most popular series in U.S. numismatics.
Lincoln type, wheat ears reverse (19091958)
1909 was the 100th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. What better way to honor this martyred president than to place his image on the most widely used coin in the United States? The Lincoln cent marked the first appearance of a real person on a U.S. coin made for circulation, and this design will soon be 100 years old. (No other U.S. coin design has ever lasted this long.) Note that from 1909 to 1958, the back of the coin had a simple design consisting of two wheat ears on either side.
Lincoln type, Memorial reverse (1959 to present)
In 1959, the back of the Lincoln head cent was changed to show the Lincoln Memorial. If you look closely at the back of the coin, you can see Lincoln's statue inside the Memorial.
