As this degradation of color occurs, there are varying degrees in which both red and brown colors will exist simultaneously on the surface of the coin. Over time the brilliant orange/red color of a freshly minted copper coin, such as a Lincoln cent, will diminish and fade to a deep chocolate brown color. Further, because the Mint had a supply of existing bronze coining strip already prepared, the Lincoln Cents of 1942 are made from both alloys.To accurately grade copper coins, you must be able to describe the color of the copper. In 1942, the United States Mint removed all but a trace of tin from the alloy used for the Wheat Cent, which technically speaking changed the metal from bronze to brass.
During the conflicts of World War II, facing enemies on both the Eastern and the Western fronts, the government determined that it needed all the copper and tin in the country to put towards munitions for the war effort. While all Americans generally think of Copper pennies and believe that pennies are made of pure Copper, that is not accurate now and has varied many times throughout history. Rare Wheat Pennies A major event in the life of Wheat Pennies is the alteration of its metal content made in 19.
#COPPER COINS SERIES#
Finally, bronze pennies were minted between 1864 and the end of this series in 1909. During 1864, both copper-nickel and bronze pennies were minted. It was followed by a copper-nickel oak wreath cent that was minted between 18. In 1859, a copper-nickel cent with a laurel wreath reverse was first minted. The obverse features Liberty wearing a feathered headdress, while the reverse depicts a wreath encircling the words “one cent.” Minted between 18, these popular pennies came in various metals. “small cents,” the Indian Head is one of the most popular U.S. Indian Head PenniesThe second of the U.S. The 1858 has both large and small letter designs. The original mintage of this date was estimated to be 1,000 coins but has been updated to approximately 1,500 to 2,500 coins. The 1856 Flying Eagle cent is technically a pattern coin, but due to its popularity and large mintage (for a pattern), it has been widely collected. Called “nicks” because they now contained nickel instead of just Copper, Flying Eagle pennies have proved extremely popular over the decades, especially since it is such a short series. Released in 1857, Flying Eagle pennies were created to replace the unpopular large-sized Copper pennies. Wheat Pennies are great coins for novice numismatists to start growing their collection or for experienced collectors to diversify their portfolio.įlying Eagle PenniesAPMEX offers a superb selection of Flying Eagle pennies. Wheat pennies are also commonly known as Lincoln pennies due to the bust of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse. Rare Wheat Pennies are an iconic 20th-century one-cent piece minted between 19, the longest-running coin series in the U.S. The demise of the Flying Eagle gave rise to the Indian Head, minted from 18. Which include Flying Eagles, minted between 18. Small CentsAPMEX carries a wide selection of rare pennies, including several variations of Small Cents. Mint and comes in three types: the "Chain" Cent, the "Wreath" Cent and the "Liberty Cap" design. It was one of the first coins struck by the U.S. An important issue is the 1793 Large Cent. Large CentsLarge Cents are universally loved by coin collectors in America.