The One Cent Type Set as I see it 😎

renomedphys

Okay, I’ve been working on a set of One Centers for quite some time now, and it’s easy enough to see how far I’ve progressed by clicking the link below. Aside from these little side quests (Classic Heads, Matte Proof Lincolns) this is the list as I see it, and of course it’s a work in progress. I’m not going to include patterns. It turns out there are quite enough different types without them. Heck, just the first three years at the mint there are at least a dozen main types, and that’s doesn’t even count oddities like the Starred Reverse or the reeded edge, or the Strawberry Leaf cents. Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll put the non-negotiable types down, with the maybes in parenthesis, and the never gonna happen ones with !! Here we go:

Chain Ameri.
Chain America
Chain with Periods Obverse
Wreath S-5 (lg. LIBERTY)
(Wreath sm. LIBERTY vine and bars)
!Strawberry Leaf!
Wreath lettered edge
1793 Cap
1794 head of ‘93
1794 head of ‘94
(1794 head of ‘95)
(1794 Starred Reverse)
1795 Lettered edge
(1795 Plain Edge)
!1795 Reeded Edge!
1796 Cap
Drape 1st Hairstyle
Drape 2nd Hairstyle
Classic Cent
Coronet Head (1816-1833)
Coronet Head (1834-1835)
Coronet Head (1836 or head of)
Coronet Head 1837-1838 (beaded cords)
Coronet Booby Head
Coronet Silly Head
Braided Hair Petite Head
Braided Hair full head
Flying Eagle High Leaves reverse
Flying Eagle Low Leaves reverse
1859 (no shield reverse) Indian
1860 pointed bust
1860-1864 copper nickel
1864-1886 ty. 1 with L (bronze)
1864 no-L (bronze)
1886 ty. 2 -1909 Indian
1909-VDB Lincoln
1909-1916 Matte Proof Lincoln
1936 Satin Proof Lincoln
1936-1942, 1950-1958 Brilliant Proof
1909-1958 (excluding 1943) Lincoln
1943 Steel Cent
1959-1982 cent in bronze
1964-1967 SMS
1982-2008 Memorial Cent in Cu plated Zinc
2009 (the set of Lincolns)
2010 to present Shield Cent

So, any thoughts? I feel like there must be some other regular issue types that I’m missing. Other than that, definitely a long way to go from where I am today. Thank goodness!

Cheers!

MFeld

I can’t help you with missing “regular issue types”. However, some of the coins that you refer to as “types” would be considered “varieties” by others.

GaCoinGuy

Not an easy set to complete for sure. You put in the early proofs, but did not list the Memorial proofs; while I am not a huge fan of the zinc proofs, I do love the pre-83 proofs.

renomedphys

@MFeld said:
I can’t help you with missing “regular issue types”. However, some of the coins that you refer to as “types” would be considered “varieties” by others.

So is what I’m working on a “varietal type set” or what? Obviously I think it best not to go too far down the rabbit hole lest I end up trying to complete an entire Sheldon series 🤦🏻

Morgan White

I don't think type collectors would divide it to that degree, but obviously you could.

Dividing further, you could add things like the 1909 Indian (unique hub), 1796-98 reverse varieties, etc.

seatedlib3991

I may be alone in this opinion but I feel the addition of new mints deserves to be recognized.
The first Indian cent coins from the San Fran mint come to mind.
The first coin from the Denver mint too.
Other than that it seems to be a very comprehensive list. James

MFeld

@renomedphys said:

@MFeld said:
I can’t help you with missing “regular issue types”. However, some of the coins that you refer to as “types” would be considered “varieties” by others.

So is what I’m working on a “varietal type set” or what? Obviously I think it best not to go too far down the rabbit hole lest I end up trying to complete an entire Sheldon series 🤦🏻

I suppose that’s a good description for what you’re doing.👍

The_Dinosaur_Man

I would argue for the 2017 Enhanced Unc and 2018 Reverse Proof from San Francisco, along with the 2019 West Point issues. A write-up describing the set should mention those rare one-off varieties, i.e. the Strawberry Leaf cents, to inspire further digging into the numismatic rabbit hole.

ambro51

Wouldn’t the appearance of VDB under the Lincoln bust in 1918 be a new “variety”?

291fifth

You need a Fugio Cent.

Typekat

Everyone should click thru and see this fantastic set!

And, yes, it has a Fugio!

But missing is the most famous, and widest-spread Doubled Die of all time - 1955

oldabeintx

My expanded type set isn’t as ambitious when considering the early dates, but I like your way of thinking!

The 1918 should be included, but I would ignore mint marks and errors. Type should only refer to design. IMO.

renomedphys

@ambro51 said:
Wouldn’t the appearance of VDB under the Lincoln bust in 1918 be a new “variety”?

Agreed in principle, definitely a design change. However this set contains several other post 1918 Lincolns which all show the shoulder “VDB”.

This is like my decision whether or not to include a small LIBERTY, vine and bars edge Wreath AND a Lettered Edge version. Do I really need both? The lettered edge is crucial. So is the small LIBERTY. Out of a desire for thriftiness, I’ll take the 2-for-1 (for now 😉)

I think I’m gonna take the parenthesis off the periods chain cent. Like other minor types (varieties) I can find a nice F-VF representative without breaking the bank.

redraider

Maybe the obverse type of 1856 flying eagle (only on 1856 and some 1857).

BillJones

As a type collector for over 50 years, my comment is impossible. There is no way that a collector, who has a net worth below several million dollars could ever hope to finish it. I am struggling to add a Chain Ameri. Cent to my collection, let alone finding the impossible Strawberry Leaf. cent. The 1794 head of ‘93 is a type coin duplication of the 1793 Liberty Cap. Ditto the 1794 head of 95.

One could say the same all the minor varieties Gobrecht added to the Matron Head large cents of the late 1830s with his design tinkering. He did the same with Classic Head gold coins.

One can say the same thing with other denominations. The early dies were hand made, and many of them have differences in the size of lettering. Those are not different types. There are two types of small eagles on the 1796-7 half dimes. Most collectors can only dream about getting one of those coins.

lkenefic

wow... that's ambitious! All the 1793's... a Strawberry Leaf... AND a Starred Reverse '94? I'd love to see it all in one place!!

BillJones

@redraider said:
Maybe the obverse type of 1856 flying eagle (only on 1856 and some 1857).

The 1856 flyer has large letters like an 1858, but quite at the same angle. So it’s a little different, but it’s not a different type.

oldabeintx

@renomedphys said:

@ambro51 said:
Wouldn’t the appearance of VDB under the Lincoln bust in 1918 be a new “variety”?

Agreed in principle, definitely a design change. However this set contains several other post 1918 Lincolns which all show the shoulder “VDB”.

I included a 1918 in my set just to mark the design change, notwithstanding the redundancy.

How about a “shell casing” cent?

pcgsregistrycollector

@BillJones said:
As a type collector for over 50 years, my comment is impossible. There is no way that a collector, who has a net worth below several million dollars could ever hope to finish it. I am struggling to add a Chain Ameri. Cent to my collection, let alone finding the impossible Strawberry Leaf. cent. The 1794 head of ‘93 is a type coin duplication of the 1793 Liberty Cap. Ditto the 1794 head of 95.

One could say the same all the minor varieties Gobrecht added to the Matron Head large cents of the late 1830s with his design tinkering. He did the same with Classic Head gold coins.

One can say the same thing with other denominations. The early dies were hand made, and many of them have differences in the size of lettering. Those are not different types. There are two types of small eagles on the 1796-7 half dimes. Most collectors can only dream about getting one of those coins.

he's a doctor

giorgio11

Sweet, sweet set. Congratulations and thanks a gazillion for sharing it. Kind regards, George

ambro51

I’ll bet Brenner himself was Most Pleased to see the return of his initials. Imagine the grin on his face when he got his first look at a mint fresh 1918 cent Imagine if he knew it had another century to go

redraider

@BillJones said:

@redraider said:
Maybe the obverse type of 1856 flying eagle (only on 1856 and some 1857).

The 1856 flyer has large letters like an 1858, but quite at the same angle. So it’s a little different, but it’s not a different type.

I agree, but disagree, the hubs were different. The design is slightly different, different hubs for these.

This was a very thorough list and I wanted to add one that was missing.

BillJones

@redraider said:

@BillJones said:

@redraider said:
Maybe the obverse type of 1856 flying eagle (only on 1856 and some 1857).

The 1856 flyer has large letters like an 1858, but quite at the same angle. So it’s a little different, but it’s not a different type.

I agree, but disagree, the hubs were different. The design is slightly different, different hubs for these.

This was a very thorough list and I wanted to add one that was missing.

You may as well become a date collector. If you slice these hairs, you cease to a type collector.

Russell12

Here is what I have included in my type set (I do not have all of them yet)
Fugio Cent (1787)
Flowing Hair Large Cent Chain Reverse AMERI./AMERICA(1793)
Flowing Hair Large Cent Wreath Reverse (1793)
Liberty Cap Large Cent (1793-1796)
Draped Bust Large Cent (1796-1807)
Classic Head Large Cent (1808-1814)
Matron Head Large Cent (1816-1835)
Coronet/Young Matron Head Large Cent (1835-1839)
Braided Hair Large Cent (1839-1857)
Flying Eagle Cent Small Letters (1857-1858)
Indian Head Cent No Shield (1859)
Indian Head Cent Copper-Nickel (1860-1864)
Indian Head Cent Bronze (1864-1909)
Lincoln Wheat Cent VDB (1909)
Lincoln Wheat Cent (1909-1958)
Lincoln Wheat Cent Steel (1943)
Lincoln Memorial Cent Copper (1959-1982)
Lincoln Memorial Cent Zinc (1982-2008)
Lincoln Anniversary Cent Presidency (2009)
Lincoln Shield Cent (2010-date)

coinbuf

Overkill with too much of the same for me, but that is what is great about coin collecting. We all get to choose how and what to collect.

mr1931S

@ambro51 said:
Wouldn’t the appearance of VDB under the Lincoln bust in 1918 be a new “variety”?

The appearance of V.D.B. on the reverse of Lincoln cents dated 1909 is a variety so I would have to agree with you about this.