Non Cents - V3 Collection

This set is dedicated to all who really enjoy collecting coins for the purest of reasons. To keep a good historical record coins need not be red, high grade or even in some cases pretty. It is because they exist that they are important. Too many times we collect purely on grade and the esthetics of the coin. I find the "Everyman" collections some of the most compelling simply because after a lifetime of use these coins have found a home to share their history. Bruised but not broken these coins tell the story of trade, commerce, booms, busts, depressions, wars, peace, bulls and bears. They should shine as they are what drove America's economy and brought a young nation of dreamers to become a super power.

Of all our coinage, the simple penny, has been with the United States of America from the beginning of our nation. While I love collecting pennies I truly love the periods of the wheat and the memorial penny eras. In these eras we find our nation on the cusp of greatness through to a true, some would say, solo super power.

In 1909 with the west wide open and saber rattling over seas and close to home. The wheat penny era is the crucible where our nation forges a more perfect union both at home and abroad. As a nation westward expansion is beginning to slow from the 1800's boom, borders with Mexico are being drawn and territories have become states. The United States is poised to enter the first world war, roar in to the 20's. Deal with the excesses of the 20's with prohibition. Wrangle a great depression head on with massive works projects from the federal government. Take on and defeat multiple global fascist movements in WWII. Call out hard right wing McCarthyism for what it was and draw a line in the sand against communism.

If that does not sound like one hell of a good movie plot just wait for the trailer for the next movie called "Lincoln Cents The Memorial Years". The next forty years with the memorial penny are some of the most tumultuous times in our nations history. The 60's bring the Vietnam war and the struggle of civil rights. The 70's brings protests an end to a Presidency and disco. The 80's brings hostages, a near depression an energy crisis and nearly another depression and Ronald Regan. Then the boom of the 90's and the internet with the digital age.

Through the good and bad the smallest denomination issued by the United States treasury has been along for the ride. What a endeavor, what a labor, what a challenge it has been to collect collect the Lincoln cent in all its colors and hues.