Save the Small Cent Sunday: My Passion for Preserving Pennies

As a lifelong coin collector, ‘Save the Small Cent Sunday’ has become my weekly tradition – that quiet moment to appreciate the humble Lincoln cent. Through years of handling these copper treasures, I’ve gathered stories and insights that make them endlessly fascinating. Let me share what I’ve discovered about hunting, saving, and cherishing these little pieces of history.

Why Saving Pennies Matters to Me

I often hear folks ask why we bother with pennies when they cost over 3 cents to make. But to me, it’s never been about the economics. It’s about preserving history and finding wonder in everyday objects. While some want to pull them from circulation, I’m glad they live on in proof sets for collectors like us. Their true worth? The stories they carry, like that elusive 1909-S VDB I’ve been chasing for twenty years!

My Favorite Rarities to Chase

In my collecting journey, these are the small cents that get my pulse racing:

• 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent: With just 484,000 minted, this is the holy grail. I’ll never forget adding my NGC EF-40 example – it still gives me goosebumps when I pull it from the case.
• 1856 Flying Eagle Cent: The coin that started it all. My later die variety isn’t the rarest, but holding that first small cent design feels like touching history.
• Error Coins: Nothing beats finding a triple curved clip or incomplete planchet in circulation. Always check your change – my best finds came from coffee shop quarters!
• Low-Mintage Years: I’ve spent years hunting dates like 1931-S (866,000) and 1922-D (7.16 million). Scarcity makes the chase exciting.

When grading, I trust my eyes – you’d be amazed how 1960s proofs can vary between small and large dates.

Collecting Wisdom From My Experience

With billions of Lincoln cents minted (over 4 billion in 1964 alone!), we’ll never run out. But that just makes hunting key dates more rewarding. Here’s what I’ve learned:

• Pre-1982 Cents: These bronze beauties are worth searching for. My 1958 find from a convenience store register remains a prized possession.
• Mintage Lists Are Your Friend: I keep a worn cheat sheet in my wallet for scarce dates like 1931-S. It’s saved me at countless estate sales.
• Grading Smart: MS-63 or better proofs hold value best. And please – store them properly! I’ve seen too many beauties ruined in old albums.
• Hunt Daily: My 1950 proof came from a laundromat coin return. Never underestimate what you’ll find in everyday change.

Keeping Perspective in the Hobby

At recent coin shows, I’ve seen 2025 cent rolls selling for $5. But with billions minted, they won’t be rare in our lifetimes. The production cost debate? Interesting, but that money helps fund the Mint’s work. I collect for love, not profit – and I tell new collectors: if you’re in this for investment, you’re missing the real joy.

My Cent Stories That Stick With Me

Some of my fondest memories? Carrying a newly-found cent in my pocket all day before adding it to my collection. That little ritual connects me to every hand it passed through. My 1958 cent sits on my desk as a daily reminder. And my NGC MS-63BN Lincoln from a VaultBox release? I still remember unwrapping it like Christmas morning. Even as my eyesight fades, the thrill of spotting a Flying Eagle in a dealer’s tray keeps me young.

In the end, ‘Save the Small Cent Sunday’ celebrates numismatics’ quiet wonders. Whether you’re sorting pocket change or hunting rarities, these little copper discs connect us to history in the palm of our hand.