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Rare pennies and large cents have long held a special place in the world of coin collecting, treasured for both their beauty and their historical impact.
Among the most sought-after pieces are early American issues like the 1793 cent, a numismatic milestone that marked the beginnings of the United States Mint. This foundational coinage featured legendary varieties—including the “Chain,” “Wreath,” and “Liberty Cap” cents, all of which remain highly valued today.
If you are a coin collector, JM Bullion offers a curated selection of rare pennies and large cents for sale that capture the essence of American numismatic history. You can buy premium coins from the earliest U.S. Mint issues to iconic designs, all professionally graded and authenticated by PCGS or NGC for quality assurance.
For the first six decades of the country’s existence, the one-cent piece was more than an inch in diameter—roughly the size of a modern half dollar—and made entirely of copper.
During its production, the large cent went through several distinct design types:
The older pennies tend to be the most valuable. Of particular note are the 1793 Flowing Hair and Liberty Cap cents, as well as the scarce 1799 and 1804 Draped Bust editions. The U.S. Mint did not produce any one-cent pieces in 1815, likely due to disruptions following the War of 1812.
Though they were only produced for a few years, Flying Eagle cents are collector favorites. The 1856 Flying Eagle is especially valuable due to its rarity.
The 1856 issues were originally struck in very limited numbers as presentation pieces to introduce the smaller cent design. Estimates suggest around 1,500–2,500 were made, with many distributed to politicians and influential figures of the time. Today, the 1856 Flying Eagle is one of the key coins in U.S. numismatics.
The Flying Eagle design proved difficult to strike, so the U.S. Mint introduced the Indian Head cent. Despite the name, the obverse depicts Lady Liberty wearing a Native American feathered headdress, not a Native American man.
The series ran for 50 years, and while many dates are collectible, the standout rarity is the 1877 Indian Head cent. With a mintage of just 852,500 coins, it is the second-lowest in the series and far scarcer in surviving numbers than the final 1909 issue, which had a lower mintage but was more widely saved.
In 1909, to honor the centennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, the Mint replaced the Indian Head with the Lincoln wheat penny designed by Victor D. Brenner. This coin became familiar to generations of Americans, with Lincoln on the obverse and two wheat stalks on the reverse.
Most wheat cents are affordable, but several key dates are highly valuable. The most famous is the 1909-S VDB, one of the most iconic rarities in U.S. coinage. Another key issue is the 1914-D, which commands high premiums in better condition.
During World War II, the need for copper in the war effort led the Mint to strike pennies from zinc-coated steel in 1943. These “steel cents” are popular with collectors today, especially in uncirculated grades.
However, a small number of 1943 cents were mistakenly struck on leftover bronze planchets. These error coins were produced at Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver. Fewer than 50 are known across all three mints. The 1943-D bronze cent is unique, with only one confirmed specimen, and it has sold for well over $1 million at auction.
With JM Bullion, any rare penny you buy is qualified by our industry-leading standards and assurances. Here is what you receive when buying rare cents and pennies with JM Bullion:
If you’re ready to buy a rare penny or you want to learn more about our rare coins, please don’t hesitate to reach out to JM Bullion with your questions. You can call us on the phone at 800-276-6508, chat with us live online, or simply send us an email with your inquiries.
