Why I’m Saving Small Cents Every Sunday: A Collector’s Perspective

I’ve always had a soft spot for small cents. Setting aside time every Sunday to appreciate them has become one of my favorite rituals. Through years of collecting, I’ve discovered why these little coins capture our hearts—whether it’s stumbling upon a special find or noticing curious market patterns. Let me walk you through some thoughts from my own collecting journey.

The Allure of Small Cents

For me, saving small cents on Sundays isn’t just routine—it’s my weekly date with history. I still remember finding a random cent in my pocket years ago. I carried it for days before adding it to my collection jar. Nothing rare, just a regular memorial cent, but that simple act of preservation felt meaningful. That’s the magic of Lincoln wheats and memorial cents: they’re everywhere, yet each carries stories from over a century of American life. Perfect for newcomers to our hobby.

Practical Collecting Insights

Here’s what’s worked in my own hunts:

• Check your change religiously—I’ve found unexpected keepers like a 1958 cent or a triple curved clip error that made my week
• Start small with common dates. Lincoln wheats (1909-1958) are plentiful but surprisingly diverse—great for building confidence
• Keep a dedicated jar like I do. Watching it fill turns everyday moments into treasure hunts

Don’t sleep on errors either. Spotting small versus large dates on 1960 cents became one of my favorite challenges. And proof sets? They’re miniature artworks—always worth inspecting closely.

Market Observations and Value Considerations

Let’s be real: you won’t retire on small cents. Billions were minted from 1909-2008 alone. I’ve watched folks pay $5 a roll for new cents at shows, but with annual mintages in the billions, most won’t gain value soon. That said, I still dream about key dates like the 1909-S VDB. When I finally added an NGC-graded one to my collection, I nearly dropped my loupe! About production costs—yes, it takes nearly 4 cents to make each penny, but killing the cent would leave many Mint costs unchanged. I say keep them coming for us collectors.

Grading Tips for Better Finds

Grading separates the keepers from the spenders. After handling everything from EF-40 to MS-63BN coins, here’s what I look for:

• Surface details make or break value—check wheat ear strikes on older cents
• Watch for environmental damage. Toning (like on my MS-63BN) can actually add character
• Grab a magnifier for error hunting. It’s saved me from missing incomplete planchets multiple times

Never dismiss lower-grade coins either. My well-loved 1856 Flying Eagle cent remains a prized piece—history in your palm.

Dream Coins and Personal Favorites

That 1909-S VDB? Still my holy grail. Until then, I cherish coins like the childhood dream piece on my desk—a reminder of why I started. If you’re new, begin with achievable goals like completing a Lincoln memorial set. Savor the chase. These tiny copper discs connect us to generations of collectors, turning every Sunday into a small celebration of our shared obsession.