One Cent, Coin Type from United States - detailed information

One Cent, Coin Type from United States (issued 1793 - )
Coin TypeOne Cent

The United States one-cent coin (often called a penny) is a unit of currency equalling one-hundredth of a United States dollar. The cent's symbol is ¢. It has been the lowest-value physical unit of U.S. currency since the abolition of the half-cent in 1857. The coin's obverse has featured the profile of President Abraham Lincoln since 1909, the centennial of his birth. From 1959 (the sesquicentennial, or 150 years anniversary, of Lincoln's birth) to 2008, the reverse featured the Lincoln Memorial. Four different reverse designs in 2009 honoured Lincoln's 200th birthday and a new, "permanent" reverse - the Union Shield - was introduced in 2010. The coin is 0.75 inches (19.05 mm) in diameter and 0.0598 inches (1.52 mm) in thickness. Its weight has varied, depending upon the composition of metals used in its production. Initially it was large and made of copper, then smaller and copper-nickel for a short period, then even smaller and made of bronze (to 1982) or copper-clad zinc (1982 to present) with the exception of 1943 when the coin was made of steel.

The coins were initially struck exclusively by the Philadelphia Mint from 1793 to 1907, then also the San Francisco Mint (since 1909, mint mark S) and the Denver Mint (since 1911, mint mark D). The West Point Mint issues collector pennies only (2019, W).

The U.S. Mint's official name for the coin is "cent" and the U.S. Treasury's official name is "one cent piece". The colloquial term "penny" derives from the British coin of the same name, the pre-decimal version of which had a similar place in the British system. In American English, pennies is the plural form. The plural form "pence" - standard in British English - is not used in American English.

Obverse
United States / One Cent - obverse photo

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).

Obverse Inscription IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY [year]
Reverse
United States / One Cent - reverse photo

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.

Reverse Inscription ONE CENT UNITED STATES OF AMERICA E PLURIBUS UNUM
EdgePlainEdge InscriptionNone
Notes

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

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Coin Type: One Cent - (241) Coins (Page 2 of 3)
Coin NameMintageSymbol / PortraitLegend
One Cent 1888 Indian Head 37,494,414 Liberty, Indian Head UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1888
One Cent 1889 Indian Head 48,869,361 Liberty, Indian Head UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1889
One Cent 1890 Indian Head 57,182,854 Liberty, Indian Head UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1890
One Cent 1891 Indian Head 47,072,350 Liberty, Indian Head UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1891
One Cent 1892 Indian Head 37,649,832 Liberty, Indian Head UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1892
One Cent 1893 Indian Head 46,642,195 Liberty, Indian Head UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1893
One Cent 1894 Indian Head 16,752,132 Liberty, Indian Head UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1894
One Cent 1895 Indian Head 38,343,636 Liberty, Indian Head UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1895
One Cent 1896 Indian Head 39,057,293 Liberty, Indian Head UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1896
One Cent 1897 Indian Head 50,466,330 Liberty, Indian Head UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1897
One Cent 1898 Indian Head 49,823,079 Liberty, Indian Head UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1898
One Cent 1899 Indian Head 53,600,031 Liberty, Indian Head UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1899
One Cent 1900 Indian Head 66,833,764 Liberty, Indian Head UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1900
One Cent 1901 Indian Head 79,611,143 Liberty, Indian Head UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1901
One Cent 1902 Indian Head 87,376,722 Liberty, Indian Head UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1902
One Cent 1903 Indian Head 85,094,493 Liberty, Indian Head UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1903
One Cent 1904 Indian Head 61,328,015 Liberty, Indian Head UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1904
One Cent 1905 Indian Head 80,719,163 Liberty, Indian Head UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1905
One Cent 1906 Indian Head 96,022,255 Liberty, Indian Head UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1906
One Cent 1907 Indian Head 108,138,618 Liberty, Indian Head UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1907
One Cent 1908 Indian Head 33,442,987 Liberty, Indian Head UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1908
One Cent 1909 Indian Head 14,679,645 Liberty, Indian Head UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1909
One Cent 1909 Wheat Penny 103,010,430 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1909
One Cent 1910 Wheat Penny 152,850,336 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1910
One Cent 1911 Wheat Penny 117,877,512 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1911
One Cent 1912 Wheat Penny 82,997,232 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1912
One Cent 1913 Wheat Penny 98,440,335 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1913
One Cent 1914 Wheat Penny 80,569,797 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1914
One Cent 1915 Wheat Penny 55,976,170 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1915
One Cent 1916 Wheat Penny 190,300,277 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1916
One Cent 1917 Wheat Penny 284,169,785 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1917
One Cent 1918 Wheat Penny 370,614,634 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1918
One Cent 1919 Wheat Penny 588,935,000 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1919
One Cent 1920 Wheat Penny 405,665,000 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1920
One Cent 1921 Wheat Penny 54,431,000 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1921
One Cent 1922 Wheat Penny 7,160,000 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1922
One Cent 1923 Wheat Penny 83,423,000 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1923
One Cent 1924 Wheat Penny 89,394,000 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1924
One Cent 1925 Wheat Penny 188,909,000 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1925
One Cent 1926 Wheat Penny 189,658,000 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1926
One Cent 1927 Wheat Penny 185,886,000 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1927
One Cent 1928 Wheat Penny 182,552,000 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1928
One Cent 1929 Wheat Penny 277,140,000 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1929
One Cent 1930 Wheat Penny 221,801,000 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1930
One Cent 1931 Wheat Penny 24,742,000 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1931
One Cent 1932 Wheat Penny 19,562,000 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1932
One Cent 1933 Wheat Penny 20,560,000 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1933
One Cent 1934 Wheat Penny 247,526,000 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1934
One Cent 1935 Wheat Penny 331,090,000 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1935
One Cent 1936 Wheat Penny 379,387,569 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1936
One Cent 1937 Wheat Penny 394,109,320 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1937
One Cent 1938 Wheat Penny 191,886,734 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1938
One Cent 1939 Wheat Penny 383,709,520 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1939
One Cent 1940 Wheat Penny 781,155,872 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1940
One Cent 1941 Wheat Penny 1,108,099,100 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1941
One Cent 1942 Wheat Penny 950,116,600 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1942
One Cent 1943 Wheat Penny (Steel) 1,093,838,670 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1943
One Cent 1944 Wheat Penny 2,148,738,000 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1944
One Cent 1945 Wheat Penny 1,488,553,000 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1945
One Cent 1946 Wheat Penny 1,505,445,000 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1946
One Cent 1947 Wheat Penny 484,305,000 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1947
One Cent 1948 Wheat Penny 571,942,500 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1948
One Cent 1949 Wheat Penny 435,197,500 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1949
One Cent 1950 Wheat Penny 726,141,386 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1950
One Cent 1951 Wheat Penny 1,045,998,500 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1951
One Cent 1952 Wheat Penny 1,070,786,984 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1952
One Cent 1953 Wheat Penny 1,139,233,800 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1953
One Cent 1954 Wheat Penny 419,615,850 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1954
One Cent 1955 Wheat Penny 939,203,900 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1955
One Cent 1956 Wheat Penny 1,519,615,484 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1956
One Cent 1957 Wheat Penny 1,335,129,952 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1957
One Cent 1958 Wheat Penny 1,054,353,952 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1958
One Cent 1959 Lincoln Memorial 1,890,624,291 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1959
One Cent 1960 Lincoln Memorial 2,168,980,602 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1960
One Cent 1961 Lincoln Memorial 2,509,639,944 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1961
One Cent 1962 Lincoln Memorial 2,402,411,159 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1962
One Cent 1963 Lincoln Memorial 2,531,206,045 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1963
One Cent 1964 Lincoln Memorial 6,451,597,262 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1964
One Cent 1965 Lincoln Memorial 1,499,584,900 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1965
One Cent 1966 Lincoln Memorial 2,190,409,366 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1966
One Cent 1967 Lincoln Memorial 3,050,530,444 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1967
One Cent 1968 Lincoln Memorial 4,855,462,077 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1968
One Cent 1969 Lincoln Memorial 5,687,051,831 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1969
One Cent 1970 Lincoln Memorial 5,482,946,714 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1970
One Cent 1971 Lincoln Memorial 5,358,889,792 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1971
One Cent 1972 Lincoln Memorial 5,978,526,504 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1972
One Cent 1973 Lincoln Memorial 7,597,759,222 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1973
One Cent 1974 Lincoln Memorial 8,879,277,751 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1974
One Cent 1975 Lincoln Memorial 9,959,596,892 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1975
One Cent 1976 Lincoln Memorial 8,900,034,611 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1976
One Cent 1977 Lincoln Memorial 8,667,243,452 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1977
One Cent 1978 Lincoln Memorial 9,841,966,181 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1978
One Cent 1979 Lincoln Memorial 10,161,549,429 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1979
One Cent 1980 Lincoln Memorial 12,558,358,466 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1980
One Cent 1981 Lincoln Memorial 12,869,048,760 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1981
One Cent 1982 Lincoln Memorial 16,729,361,847 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1982
One Cent 1983 Lincoln Memorial 14,222,833,554 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1983
One Cent 1984 Lincoln Memorial 13,723,383,016 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1984
One Cent 1985 Lincoln Memorial 10,939,192,634 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1985
One Cent 1986 Lincoln Memorial 8,937,272,688 Abraham Lincoln IN GOD WE TRUST LIBERTY 1986
Showing 101 to 200 of 241 Coins.
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One Cent: Details
CountryUnited States
CurrencyUS Dollar
Sub-types One Cent, Flowing Hair
One Cent, Liberty Cap
One Cent, Draped Bust
One Cent, Classic Head
One Cent, Liberty Head
One Cent, Flying Eagle
One Cent, Indian Head
One Cent, Lincoln
From1793
Face Value1 (x Cent)
CurrentYes
Material
Designer
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationCoin Alignment (Axis 6)
Size
Mass