Lincoln Wheat Penny

Lincoln Wheat Penny (1909-1958) – A Timeless American Classic

The Lincoln Wheat Penny, minted from 1909 to 1958, is one of the most iconic coins in American numismatics. Designed by Victor David Brenner, it was the first U.S. coin to feature a real historical figure, honoring the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, in commemoration of his 100th birthday.

Key Features:

  • Obverse (Front): Displays a right-facing portrait of Abraham Lincoln with the inscriptions "IN GOD WE TRUST," "LIBERTY," and the year of minting.
  • Reverse (Back): Features two stylized wheat stalks, symbolizing prosperity, with the inscriptions "ONE CENT" and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA," along with "E PLURIBUS UNUM" above.
  • Composition: Originally made of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc, but in 1943, due to wartime copper shortages, they were temporarily minted in zinc-coated steel before returning to copper-based alloys in 1944.

Notable Varieties & Rarities:

  • 1909-S VDB: The rarest and most sought-after variety, featuring designer Victor D. Brenner’s initials prominently on the reverse.
  • 1914-D: Another key date, highly valuable in higher grades.
  • 1922 No D: A scarce variety where the Denver mintmark (D) is missing due to a die error.
  • 1943 Copper Penny: An extreme rarity where a small number of pennies were mistakenly struck in copper instead of steel.
  • 1955 Doubled Die: A famous error where the date and lettering appear doubled, making it highly collectible.

The Lincoln Wheat Penny remains a favorite among collectors due to its historical significance, affordability, and accessibility, with common dates still circulating in collections today. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced numismatist, the Wheat Penny is a must-have piece of American history.