1909 – 1958
Lincoln Wheat Cent
The Lincoln Wheat Cent was designed by Victor David Brenner, and is well known by several different names, but is probably most often referred to as the Wheat Penny.
In average circulated grades most Wheat Cents are valued at around $0.10 or less, but some high grade specimens can fetch in tens of thousands of dollars. For example, in 1914 less than 1.2 million cents were struck at the Denver Mint. As a result a 1914-D Lincoln Wheat Cent can sale for more than $25,000.00.
Another “key” wheat penny to look for is the 1909-S which even in poor grades is worth hundreds of dollars. This is the one which has the initials of the designer, “V.D.B.”, on the lower right side of the reverse. Less than half a million of these were struck before the initials were removed. In the same year the mint in Philadelphia struck almost 28,000,000 coins bearing the initials making the 1909 wheat cent more commonly available.
There are also a couple die errors which are valuable. The 1922 “Plain” at around $5,000 to $6,000 and the 1955 Doubled Die worth $1,000 or more.
Lincoln Wheat Cents are a good introductory to coin collecting. If lower grades are acceptable and you don’t insist on getting every mint mark you can build an impressive collection at a modest cost. But be careful as once you start collecting wheat pennies you will be apt to looking around and picking up some other nice coins. Before you know it you are a true coin collector.
In 1959 the design of the US Cent was changed in honor of the sesquicentennial of Lincoln’s birth. Frank Gasparro was called on to design the reverse to show the Lincoln Memorial.
Lincoln Wheat Cent Specifications
1909 – 1942 Bronze
Composition: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Diameter: 19 mm
Weight: 3.11 g
Edge: Plain
1943 Zinc-plated Steel
Composition: 100% Steel plated with Zinc
Diameter: 19 mm
Weight: 2.70 g
Edge: Plain
1944 - 1946 Shell Casing Bronze
Composition: 95% Copper 5% Zinc
Diameter: 19 mm
Weight: 2.70 g
Edge: Plain
1946 – 1958 Bronze
Composition: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Diameter: 19 mm
Weight: 3.11 g
Edge: Plain
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This is great information as a beginner coin colletor, i have been colleting pennies for sometime now i will search each pennie i have i really love your blog keep up the good work.