Lincoln Cent (Wheat Reverse) 1909 - 1958

The Lincoln Cent, commonly known as the "Wheat Reverse" cent, is one of the most iconic and beloved coins in American history. It was introduced in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln's birth. The Lincoln Cent replaced the Indian Head Cent, which had been in circulation since 1859.

The design of the Lincoln Cent was the result of a competition held by the United States Mint to select a design that would honor Lincoln's legacy. Victor David Brenner, a renowned sculptor and engraver, submitted a design featuring a bust of Lincoln on the obverse (front) and two sheaves of wheat flanking the words "One Cent" on the reverse (back). Brenner's design was chosen, and he became the first designer outside the Mint's staff to have his initials appear on a U.S. coin.

The obverse of the coin features a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, facing to the right. Above the portrait are the words "In God We Trust," and below are the words "Liberty" and the date of minting. The reverse side of the coin showcases two stalks of wheat, which symbolize America's agricultural heritage. The words "One Cent" are inscribed in the center, with the words "United States of America" and "E Pluribus Unum" (meaning "Out of many, one") surrounding them.

The Wheat Reverse design continued to be used until 1958 when it was replaced by the Lincoln Memorial design. During its nearly five decades of production, the Lincoln Cent with the Wheat Reverse underwent a few notable changes. In 1918, the mint added small mint marks (D for Denver and S for San Francisco) to the reverse side, indicating where the coin was minted. In 1943, due to the shortage of copper during World War II, the composition of the cent changed to zinc-coated steel, and these coins are often referred to as "Steel Cents."

The Lincoln Cent with the Wheat Reverse has been widely collected by coin enthusiasts and is considered a staple in many coin collections. Its design has become an enduring symbol of Lincoln's legacy and has left a significant mark on American numismatic history.

Key Dates

1909-S VDB: The 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent is perhaps the most famous and valuable key date in the series. The initials "VDB" represent the designer, Victor David Brenner, and were originally prominently displayed on the reverse of the coin, below the wheat stalks. However, public outcry over the prominent placement of the designer's initials led to their removal later in 1909, making the 1909-S VDB variety highly sought after.

1914-D: The 1914-D Lincoln Cent is another key date in the series. It was minted in Denver and has a relatively low mintage, making it scarce. This coin is highly desired by collectors, especially in higher grades.

1922 "No D" and 1922-D Weak D: The 1922 "No D" and 1922-D Weak D varieties are some of the most famous and sought-after varieties in the Lincoln Cent series. Due to minting errors, the Denver Mint failed to add the mintmark "D" to a small number of the 1922 cents, resulting in the "No D" variety. Additionally, some 1922-D cents have a weakly struck mintmark, known as the "Weak D" variety. Both varieties are rare and highly prized by collectors.

1931-S: The 1931-S Lincoln Cent is another key date, primarily due to its low mintage. It was minted in San Francisco and is considered one of the scarcer dates in the series. Finding a 1931-S cent in high grades can be quite challenging.

1955 Double Die Obverse: The 1955 Double Die Obverse variety is one of the most famous and well-known error coins in U.S. numismatics. This variety exhibits noticeable doubling on the obverse of the coin, particularly on the date and the inscriptions "Liberty" and "In God We Trust." The doubling occurred during the minting process, resulting in a distinct and sought-after variety.