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Classic U.S. Coins: Small Cents Quiz

Issued since the 1850s, the small cent remains a popular coin for collectors. See what you know about them.

A multiple-choice quiz by bernie73. Estimated time: 2 mins.

Author
bernie73

Time
2 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
417,265

Updated
Aug 14 24

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
203

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: piet (9/10), bigsouthern (1/10), wjames (9/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which animal was featured on the obverse of the first small cent, designed by James Longacre and minted in 1857 and 1858? Hint

Buffalo

Stallion

Eagle

Rooster

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which word or phrase is NOT found on the Indian Head cent? Hint

In God We Trust

United States of America

Liberty

One Cent

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Question 3 of 10

3. In 1864, how did the percentage of copper change in the Indian Head cent? Hint

The percentage of copper decreased

The percentage of copper increased

It remained unchanged

It is unknown

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Question 4 of 10

4. The 1859 Indian Head cent changed from a "laurel wreath" on the reverse to what? Hint

Maple wreath

Oak wreath

Pine wreath

Spruce wreath

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Question 5 of 10

5. Most of the Indian Head cents were minted in Philadelphia. Which additional mint, however, produced Indian Head small cents in 1908 and 1909? Hint

Portland, OR

Denver, CO

San Francisco, CA

Carson City, NV

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which designer's initials appeared on the reverse of the Lincoln small cent in 1909? Hint

VDB

JBL

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which reverse began appearing on the Lincoln small cent in 1959? Hint

Lincoln Memorial

US Capitol Building

Lincoln Birthplace Cabin

White House

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Question 8 of 10

8. Beginning in 1982, which metal was most predominant in small cents? Hint

Iron

Zinc

Aluminum

Brass

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Question 9 of 10

9. A set of four small cents were minted in 2009 for the Lincoln Bicentennial. Which state was NOT included in the series? Hint

Kentucky

Virginia

Indiana

Illinois

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which design did Lyndall Bass create for the reverse of the small cent? Hint

Cannon

Union Shield

American Eagle

Liberty Head

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which animal was featured on the obverse of the first small cent, designed by James Longacre and minted in 1857 and 1858?

Answer: Eagle

The eagle is flying across the obverse. The reverse features a wreath around the words "one cent." The coin was minted in 88% nickel and 12% copper, as opposed to the 100% copper of the old large cents. The Flying Eagle cent was generally popular, though it was replaced by an even more popular coin.

Longacre was chief engraver of the mint from 1844 to 1869.

2. Which word or phrase is NOT found on the Indian Head cent?

Answer: In God We Trust

James Longacre designed the Indian Head cent, which was minted from 1859 to 1909. The phrase "United States of America" appeared on the obverse. The word "Liberty" is found on the Native American headdress. The phrase is found on the reverse.

3. In 1864, how did the percentage of copper change in the Indian Head cent?

Answer: The percentage of copper increased

The composition of the coin from 1859 to 1864 increased from 88% copper to 95% copper. The remainder of the coin changed from 12% nickel to 5% tin and zinc. However, the mass of the coin decreased from 4.67 g to 3.11 g. The diameter of the coin remained the same at 19.11 mm.

4. The 1859 Indian Head cent changed from a "laurel wreath" on the reverse to what?

Answer: Oak wreath

The laurel wreath appeared in 1859 only. The oak wreath included a shield. James Longacre designed both reverses. The bronze alloy of the post-1864 small cents continued for the next 100+ years.

5. Most of the Indian Head cents were minted in Philadelphia. Which additional mint, however, produced Indian Head small cents in 1908 and 1909?

Answer: San Francisco, CA

Most of the coins were produced in Philadelphia. In 1908, 1.1 million were minted in San Francisco and 32.7 million in Philadelphia. In 1909, 300,000 were produced in San Francisco and 14.4 million in Philadelphia. Denver did not mint small cents until 1911.

6. Which designer's initials appeared on the reverse of the Lincoln small cent in 1909?

Answer: VDB

Victor David Brenner (1871-1924) was the designer of the Lincoln small cent. Brenner's initials appeared on the reverse in 1909 only. The initials reappeared on the obverse in 1918. The reverse of the coin was a pair of ears of wheat.

7. Which reverse began appearing on the Lincoln small cent in 1959?

Answer: Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial appeared on the reverse from 1959 to 2008. It was designed by Frank Gasparro. Some people have described the design as appearing "like a trolley car". The real-life Lincoln Memorial was dedicated in 1922.

8. Beginning in 1982, which metal was most predominant in small cents?

Answer: Zinc

Although coated in copper, most of the modern small cents are zinc. Proposed aluminum cents were made in the 1970s. The last bronze small cents were made in 1983.

9. A set of four small cents were minted in 2009 for the Lincoln Bicentennial. Which state was NOT included in the series?

Answer: Virginia

Lincoln lived in Kentucky from 1809 to 1816. He lived in Indiana from 1816 to 1830. He lived in Illinois from 1830 to 1861. He lived in Washington, DC, from 1861 to 1865.

10. Which design did Lyndall Bass create for the reverse of the small cent?

Answer: Union Shield

The Union Shield was first shown in 2010. The shield was inspired by the design of the US flag. The design was first released in Puerto Rico before being officially released in Illinois.

Source: Author bernie73

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