Small Cents

Status: Current Denomination
Years: 1856-present
Somewhere around 1850, the U.S. Mint began experimenting with creating a smaller 1¢ coin to replace the large, cumbersome Large Cent. In 1856, they minted the first Small Cents, and an enthusiastic public accepted the coin. So in 1857, the U.S. Mint ceased mintages of the Large Cent altogether, and Small Cents have been used ever since. Small Cent issues include the Flying Eagle, Indian Head, Lincoln Head (Wheat Ears reverse), Lincoln Head (Memorial reverse), The Lincoln Head (Early Years reverse), Lincoln Head (Formative Years reverse), Lincoln Head (Business Years reverse), Lincoln Head (Presidential Years), and Lincoln Head (shield reverse) designs.