Grading U.S. 1 Penny Coins
Of the one-cent coins minted in the United States, we are buying the following:
- Large cents, 1793-1857 ~ We are buying all large cents.
- Flying eagle cent, 1856-1858 ~ We buy all Flying Eagle pennies.
- Indian head penny, 1859-1909 ~ We buy many Indian Head 1 cent coins.
Below you will find information about various details of grading U.S. 1 penny coins 
which may be helpful to you in determining the value of your coins. These grade descriptions use official American Numismatic Association (ANA) terminology, both in general descriptions of grades throughout this website, as well as coin-specific grading terminology on these coin grading pages.*
Examples of coins in various grading conditions are shown, graded by various professional grading service companies, as indicated by their abbreviations. If you wish to get a fast, fair and free appraisal from a professional coin dealer, go here for more information about how to send in your coins.
CENTS
P:poor F:fair AG:about good G:good VG:very good F:fine VF:very fine EF:extra fine AU:about uncirculated MS:mint state (Uncirc.) PR:proof |
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1856 Large Cent
MS-65RB
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1857 Flying Eagle Cent
MS-63
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1908 Indian Head Penny
MS-65RB
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VG-8, Well-worn all over. Coronet head is clear but lacking design details. Obverse: Details of Liberty's hair visible in spots. "LIBERTY" on the coronet worn, but complete. The coronet is outlined, hair cord shows clearly. Wear evident on cheek and neck. Reverse: Legends complete but some letters are faint. Outlines of leaves, stems and bow visible on wreath. |
G-6, Wear is heavy, with design and lettering visible, although faint in spots. Obverse: Eagle is outlined, with virtually no details. Rim wear is evident; may be worn into tops of letters in the legend. Reverse: Wreath shows in outline; may exhibit a little detail. Leaves and bow are flat. |
FR-2, Nearly all design details are worn away. Obverse: Head is outlined, lettering in legends is incomplete. Reverse: Rim is worn into the wreath. Lettering in legends is weak and partially missing. |
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F-12, Moderate to heavy, evenly worn large cent. OBV: Liberty's hair is all worn, but some detail visible. Wear evident on cheek and upper edge of coronet. "LIBERTY" is bold. Beads on hair cord are sharp. Stars and date worn but sharp. REV: Leaves and bow on wreath are heavily worn, but edges & some detail shows. Lettering worn but bold. |
VG-8, Flying eagle cent design elements are well worn but clear, although flat, lack detail. OBV: Some detail visible in the feathers, e.g. on tip of eagle's right wing. The rim is complete and date and lettering in legend are typically strong, except for weakly struck coins. REV: Very little detail shows in the wreath. Leaves and bow are worn, very flat. |
AG-3, Indian head penny design details outlined, but heavily worn. OBV: Most legend lettering and date are worn but readable. REV: Bow and wreath are merged; rim is worn into the field. Central lettering readable but worn. |
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VF-20, Moderate even wear evident on coin, especially on Liberty's cheek and neck. OBV: Hair worn in spots, although most details are sharp. Hair, coronet are distinct; curls on shoulder flat. REV: High points on leaves of wreath are worn, showing about ½ the details. Bow well worn at bottom of wreath. |
F-12, Moderate to heavy wear, though entire design is clear and bold. OBV: Some feather details hinted on eagle head, breast and tail, and present on right wing. Ends of wing and tail are clear. REV: Some separation of leaves and stalks are visible in wreath but the bow is smoothed. Rim is strong on both sides and lettering is clear. |
G-4, Heavily worn. OBV: Head outline viewable, but no fine detail present. Legend and date are weak but readable. Rim may be worn into tops of lettering in legends. REV: Wreath is completely outlined, but worn flat. Bow merges with wreath. Rim may be incomplete in spots. |
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GRADING U.S. 1-CENT COINS |
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LARGE CENT |
FLYING EAGLE CENTS |
INDIAN HEAD PENNY |
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VF-30, Light, even wear noticeable on coin, but major features are all sharp. OBV: Hair details above Liberty's ear are weak. Hair below the neck is worn, as are cheek and neck areas. Some flatness detectable at coronet tip. REV: Although some detail shows, leaves on wreath are worn at high points. High points of bow visible, but worn. |
VF-20, Moderate, even wear evident on both sides. OBV: Flatness on eagle breast. Over half of feather details visible on the eagle's wings; tail feathers are complete. Eagle head is worn but bold, and the leg is worn smooth. REV: Ends of the leaves and bow are worn smooth. |
G-6, Heavy wear, but more detail is present on both obverse and reverse. Denticles (tooth-like projections from rim) show completely on both sides, although some areas may show extensive wear. |
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EF-40, Light wear evident on large cent's highest designs points. OBV: Wear visible at the top of Liberty head and cheek, above the eye, and along the high curls on her shoulder. REV: Slight wear evident on high parts of the bow and most leaves within the wreath. |
VF-30, Lightly, evenly worn flying eagle cent. OBV: Spots of wear visible on eagle breast and leg. Nearly full detail on wing feathers. Some wear on eagle's head, but sharp over all. REV: Some detail emerges on leaves in wreath, although top leaves and bow are worn very flat. |
VG-8, Indian head penny design is clear, though flat and well worn. OBV: Outline of feather ends visible but smooth. Legend letters and date are visible. At least three letters of "LIBERTY" show. REV: Top of wreath is smoothed, although slight detail visible. Bow and ribbon are mostly worn flat. |
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EF-45, Very light wear on design high points. OBV: Liberty's hair is very detailed. Wear shows above the ear and areas of the hair above her eyebrow. REV: Slight erosion visible on most of the leaves and on the bow. |
VF-35, Light wear in spots. OBV: Wear noticeable at center of eagle breast, and center leg. Feather details sharper, with wear visible only on high points. REV: Details emerging on wheat heads and leaves in lower wreath, although wear is heavy on top portion of wreath. |
VG-10, Design is clear but worn. OBV: More detail on head is visible and more detail evident in headdress feathers. REV: Rim is complete. Oak leaf shows recessed detail, although bow and ribbon are mostly worn flat. |
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AU-50, Trace of abrasion detectable on design high points. OBV: Traces of wear on Liberty's cheek and on high points of curls on her neck. REV: Slight erosion on high points of leaves as well as the edges and ribs of the leaves. Trace of wear on the bow. Surface is somewhat lustrous. |
EF-40, Light wear evident on design high points. OBV: Details on eagle wings and tail feathers are clear. Wear visible on high points of breast, wing tips, head and leg. REV: Deterioration evident on high points of leaves and bow in the wreath. Details on stalks and husks emerge. |
F-12, Entire design is clear and bold, although heavy wear is present. OBV: At least ¼ of details show in hair. Ribbon is worn smooth. No letters are missing LIBERTY, although some may not be distinct. Lower edge of headband is worn in places. REV: Some details are visible in wreath and bow. Tops of leaves are worn smooth and many appear to blend. |
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AU-55, Traces of wear on large penny high points. OBV: Slight trace of wear on cheek, and above right of Liberty's ear. REV: Traces of wear present on high points of a few leaves within the wreath. Some mint luster remains. |
EF-45, Very light wear on flying eagle penny design high points. Traces of mint luster may be present. OBV: Wear detectable on eagle's breast, head and tips of his wings. All feathers are clear. REV: High points on the top leaves and the bow display wear. Details on the remainder of the wreath are emerging. |
F-15; Entire Indian head cent design is clear and bold, with evidence of moderate wear. OBV: Details of hair are bolder, although only deepest detail shows. LIBERTY is clear and distinct, although some letters may appear weakly struck. REV: Leaves in wreath are flat and some blend. |
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AU-58, Minute traces of wear on design high points. OBV: Very slight signs of abrasion on hair above ear. REV: Slight sign of abrasion on high points of leaves and bow of ribbon at bottom of wreath. Considerable mint luster evident. |
AU-50, Traces of wear detectable on the design high points. Half of mint luster present. OBV: Traces of wear show on the eagle's head, breast and left wing tip. Fields may be discolored. REV: Traces of wear on lower leaves and bow. Upper leaves lack detail. |
VF-20, All major design features are sharp, although moderate even wear is present. OBV: Headdress shows flatness. About half of details present in hair and ribbon. Head is slightly worn, but bold. REV: Lower edge of ribbon around the arrows is completely blended. |
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GRADING U.S. ONE CENT COINS |
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LARGE PENNY |
FLYING EAGLE PENNY |
INDIAN HEAD CENT |
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MS-60, uncirculated pennies with no trace of wear. May have large contact marks and spots. Some heavy concentration of hairline scratches or scuff-marked areas. May have rim nicks. Eye appeal is generally poor with unattractive or dull Mint luster. Color is dark brown. |
AU-55, Slight trace of wear detectable on the design high points. 75% of the Mint luster present. OBV: Eagle breast, left wing tip and the leading feathers of the right wing show slight trace of wear. REV: A trace of wear is present on the bow of the wreath. |
VF-30, All major design elements are sharp and light, with even wear. OBV: Small flat spots of wear on tips of feathers, ribbon and ends of hair. At least half of hair details present. All letters of "LIBERTY" are sharp, but may be slightly worn. REV: Leaves and bow show almost full detail. |
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MS-63B, Mint State large cent with attractive mint luster. May have contact marks and minor blemishes. Small hairline scratches are visible without magnification. Coin has toned completely brown. |
AU-58, Only the slightest trace of wear is visible on flying eagle cent design high points. Nearly full mint luster is present. OBV: May be signs of abrasion on the feathers in the center of the eagle's breast and on the tips of wings. REV: Check leaves in lower portions of wreath for signs of abrasion. No major detracting contact marks are present and the coin has attractive eye appeal. |
EF-40, Light wear appears on highest points of indian head design. OBV: Feathers are well- defined. LIBERTY is bold. Wear evident on hair above ear, curl to the right of the ribbon and on the end of the ribbon. Most of diamond design on lower ribbon shows. REV: Leaves and bow exhibit wear on high points. |
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MS-63RB, Mint State one-cent piece with attractive mint luster. May have noticeable contact marks and minor blemishes. May have small hairline scratches visible without magnification. Toned is completely brown. |
MS-60, Strictly uncirculated; no traces of wearing on the design high points. May have heavy contact marks on the eagle and in the field on the wreath, on the denomination in the center and in the field of the reverse. Rim nicks may be present. Mint luster may be dull and unattractive. Color may be dull or dark and coin may contain spots. |
EF-45, Very light wear appears only on highest design points. OBV: Wear shows on hair above ear, curl to right of ribbon and on the ribbon's end. All diamonds are visible on the lower ribbon and a trace of mint luster may show. REV: Leaves and bow show light wear on high points. |
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1856 large cent, reverse
MS-65RB
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1857 flying eagle cent, rev.
MS-63
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1908 Indian head cents, rev.
MS-65RB
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MS-64B, Mint State 1 cent piece with average mint luster. May have groups of several small contact marks and/or one or two moderately heavy marks. 1-2 small patches of hairlines may appear under low magnification. Overall, coin is attractive with pleasing eye appeal. Color is completely brown. |
MS-61, Strictly uncirculated with no traces of wear on the design high points. Mint luster may be diminished and surfaces may have large and small contact marks, with small hairline scratches and rim nicks. Eye appeal is somewhat unattractive and spots may appear on the surface. |
AU-50, Trace of wear is visible on highest points. Half of original mint luster is present in protected areas of the fields. OBV: Traces of wear are detectable on the hair above ear and curl to the right of the ribbon. REV: Traces of wear are present on the leaves and knot of bow. |
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MS-64RB, Mint State large cent with average mint luster. May have several small contact marks in groups as well as one or two moderately heavy marks. One or two small patches of hairlines may show under low magnification. Overall, coin is attractive with pleasing eye appeal. Some brown in color but exhibits good deal of red. |
MS-62, Strictly uncirculated flying eagle cent with no traces of abrasion on the design high points. Mint luster may be slightly impaired, but overall eye appeal is generally acceptable. Many small "bag marks" and a few, scattered heavy contact marks may be present in the focal areas. |
AU-55, Small trace of wear detectable on highest points of Indian head penny design. Three-fourths of mint luster remains. OBV: Trace of erosion shows on hair above the ear. REV: Trace of wear evident on knot of bow. |
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MS-65B, Mint State coin that exhibits full mint luster and a sharp strike. A few barely noticeable nicks or marks may be present. Overall quality is above average and overall eye appeal is very pleasing. Color is brown. |
MS-63, shown. Strictly uncirculated with no wearing on design high points. Overall the penny is attractive and has good eye appeal although mint luster may be slightly impaired. May be some contact marks and hairline scratches. |
MS-63RB, Uncirculated with attractive mint luster. May have 5-10 marks on each side and from 1-4 small spots per side. No large spots are permitted. Traces of red and brown may vary. |
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GRADING U.S. 1 PENNY COINS |
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LARGE CENT |
FLYING EAGLE |
INDIAN HEAD |
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MS-65RB, Mint State large cent that exhibits full mint luster and a sharp strike. A few barely noticeable nicks/marks may be present. Overall quality is above average and overall eye appeal is very pleasing. Color includes some brown but contains good deal of red. |
MS-64, Strictly uncirculated with no traces of erosion on high points of design. Average original mint luster must be present. Cartwheel effect noticeable. Some light marks may be scattered on the surfaces with a few in the prime focal areas. Overall eye appeal is pleasing. |
MS-64RB, Uncirculated with average to full Mint luster. No more than four small marks permitted on each side. No small spots permitted, although a few minute spots may be present. Must have good eye appeal. Traces of red and brown are apparent. |
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MS-65, Strictly uncirculated flying eagle cent with no traces of wear on the design high points. Full, original mint luster must be present, with pleasing cartwheel effect. Light, scattered marks are permitted but no major, distracting marks allowed. Very pleasing eye appeal. |
MS-64RD, Uncirculated Indian head penny with average to full mint luster. No more than four small marks permitted on each side. No small spots permitted although a few minute spots may be present. Must have good eye appeal. No trace of brown evident. |
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MS-66, Strictly uncirculated with no traces of wear on the design high points. Above average, original mint luster must be present with vibrant cartwheel effect. Several small contact marks permitted, a few of which may be in prime focal areas. Eye appeal is rated at above average. |
MS-65RB, shown. Uncirculated with only a few small marks permitted. No spots permitted. Eye appeal must be exceptional. Traces of red and brown evident. |
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... please call us toll-free at:
Call 877-770-7040 |
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
MONDAY - FRIDAY
US Central Time
GMT -6 |
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Get a free appraisal and grading of your old or rare pennies from Midwest Mint. As experienced coin dealers, we can offer you top prices. Call Call 877-770-7040 for more information. |
