One Cent, Coin Type from United States - detailed information

There have been a number of different obverse designs during the existence of the denomination:

Flowing Hair Liberty (1793). Within a plain rim, the head of Liberty, facing right, with flowing long hair. Around above, LIBERTY. Around below, the date of issue: 1793.

Liberty Cap (1793 - 1796). Head of Liberty, facing right, with flowing long hair tied with a ribbon. Behind her, a pole with a Phrygian Cap - a symbol of liberty dating back to Ancient Rome where such caps were worn by emancipated ex-slaves. Around above, LIBERTY. Around below, the date of issue: [year].

Draped Bust (1796 - 1807). Draped bust of Liberty, facing right, with flowing long hair tied with a ribbon. Around above, LIBERTY. Around below, the date of issue: [year].

Classic Head (1808 - 1814). Within a denticled (toothed) border, the bust of Liberty, facing left, with long curly hair tied with a fillet (ribbon). On the ribbon, the inscription LIBERTY. Thirteen six-pointed stars (seven around left and six around right) represent the first thirteen states that formed the United States. Around below, the date of issue: [year].

Liberty Head (1816 - 1857). Within a denticled (toothed) border, the head of Liberty, facing left, with long hair tied back in a bun. She wears a coronet or diadem, on which the inscription LIBERTY is in relief. All around, thirteen six-pointed stars represent the first thirteen states that formed the United States. Below, the date of issue: [year].
There were three sub-types varying in the style of the portrait: the Matron Head (1816 - 1836), Young Head (1837 - 1839), and Braided Hair (1839 - 1857).

Flying Eagle (1856 - 1858). Within a denticled (toothed) border, an eagle flying to left. Around above, the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Around below, the date of issue: [year].

Indian Head (1859 - 1909). A representation of Liberty, facing left and wearing an American Indian headdress made of feathers, and a pearl necklace. The ribbon holding the headdress carries the inscription LIBERTY in relief. Around left and right, interrupted by Liberty's headdress, the llegend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Around below, the date of issue: [year].

Abraham Lincoln (1910 - present). Within a plain rim, the bust of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, facing right. In tiny incuse letters on the shoulder truncation, the designer's initials VDB (for Victor David Brenner). Around above, the inscription IN GOD WE TRUST. To the left of the bust, LIBERTY. To the right of the bust and slightly lower, the date of issue: [year]. Below the date, the mint mark (if any; coins struck by the Philadelphia Mint have no mint mark).

There have been a number of different reverse designs during the existence of the denomination:

Chain Reverse (1793). The central motif of the reverse is an interlocking chain with fifteen links, representing the fifteen American states in existence at the time the coin was issued. The value and denomination are expressed both in words: ONE CENT and as a fraction of a dollar: 1/100, within the chain. Along the outer rim, the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

First Wreath Reverse (1793 - 1807). On two lines at its centre, the value and denomination: ONE CENT surrounded by a wreath. Below the ribbon tying the wreath, the value of the coin expressed as a fraction of the dollar: 1/100. Around, the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Second Wreath Reverse (1808 - 1857). On two lines at centre, the value and denomination: ONE CENT surrounded by an alive and laurel wreath. Around, the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Third Wreath Reverse (1857 - 1859). On two lines at centre, the value and denomination: ONE CENT surrounded by a wreath composed of leaves of wheat, corn, cotton and tobacco. The wreath is tied with a ribbon below the value.

Fourth Wreath Reverse (1859). On two lines at centre, the value and denomination: ONE CENT surrounded by a laurel wreath. The wreath is tied with a ribbon below the value.

Wreath and Shield (1860 - 1909). On two lines at centre, the value and denomination: ONE CENT surrounded by a wreath of oak leaves. The wreath is tied with a ribbon below the value, holding also three arrows. Above the value, a small shield with seven horizontal stripes above and six vertical stripes below, representing the 13 original states forming the United States.

Wheat Penny (1909 - 1958). The value and denomination ONE CENT are on two lines at the centre, below which on two lines the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. On the left and on the right, two ears of wheat. Above, the motto E · PLURIBUS · UNUM.

Lincoln Memorial (1959 - 2008). The design features the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is around above; below it, on two lines E · PLURIBUS · UNUM ·. The value and denomination ONE CENT are around below.

Lincoln Bicentennial Cents (2009). Four different designs commemorating 200 years since the birth of Abraham Lincoln, representing different stages of his life: Birth and Childhood, Formative Years, Professional Life and Presidency.

Union Shield (2010 - present). The Union Shield of the United States is at the centre. It has 13 vertical stripes representing the 13 original states forming the United States; the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM is incuse in its upper part. The legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA is around above and the value and denomination ONE CENT are in relief on a ribbon running across the shield.

For coins of other countries denominated as One Cent, see:
- One Cent, Sarawak - issued 1863 to 1941, demonetised 1953
- One Cent, British North Borneo - issued 1882 to 1941, demonetised 1953
- One Cent, British Honduras - issued 1885 to 1973, demonetised 1981
- One Cent, South Africa - issued 1961 to 2001, withdrawn 2003
- One Cent, Australia - issued 1966 to 1991, withdrawn 1992 (occasionally issued later as NCLT)
- One Cent, Bahamas - issued 1966 to present
- One Cent, New Zealand - issued 1967 to 1988, demonetised 1990