Lincoln Wheat Cent Value Guide

The Lincoln Wheat Cent, also known as the Wheat Penny, is a classic American coin that was first minted in 1909. Celebrating the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth, this coin was designed by the talented sculptor and engraver Victor David Brenner.

His artistic vision resulted in a beautiful portrayal of the 16th U.S. president on the obverse side, while the reverse side features two wheat stalks encircling the words "ONE CENT" and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."

The Wheat Penny was struck from 1909 to 1958, with the composition being 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc until 1943. During World War II, due to a shortage of copper, the 1943 Wheat Penny was made of steel coated with zinc. The coin's design was replaced in 1959 by the Lincoln Memorial cent, featuring the iconic memorial on the reverse side.

Throughout its mintage, the Wheat Penny has become a cherished collector's item, with certain key dates and mint marks being particularly valuable. Some of the most sought-after coins include the 1909-S VDB, the 1914-D, and the 1931-S, which boast low mintage numbers and consequently, higher values.