Collecting Small Cents
Small cents were first introduced in 1856. The Large Cents had become both unpopular and too expensive to mint, with the cost of production exceeding the face value of the coins.These new, smaller, coins were composed of only 88 per cent copper (as opposed to pure copper for the large cents), and 12 per cent nickel.
Flying Eagle - 1856 - 1958
The Flying Eagle small cent was actually an unauthorised issue as it was never approved by congress. This design only lasted until 1958, possibly because the design was difficult to strike.Indian Head - 1859 - 1909
The following Indian Head design lasted much longer. In its first year of issue, there was no shield on the reverse of the coin, just a closed wreath. However, in 1860 the shield was added, where it remained until 1909.In 1864, the composition of the cent changed to 95 per cent compper and5 per cent tin an zinc. The weight was also reduced from 4.67 grams to 3.11 grams.
Lincoln Wheat Ear - 1909 - 1958
1909 saw the 100 year anniversary of Lincoln's birth, and as such it was decided to commemorate the event with a new design of cent. The design of the obverse has become one of the longest lasting in the history of the US mint.The wheat design on the reverse lasted until and within those years there are quite a few rarer coins to look out for inclusing the 1943 war cent made from zinc coated steel.