Encased 1955-D Lincoln Wheat Cent (Lang's Chevrolet Oldsmobile Advertising Token)
Country of Origin: United States (Denver Mint for the penny; private business for the casing)
Year of Issue: 1955 (Casing likely contemporaneous or slightly later)
Denomination: 1 Cent
Composition: Coin: 95% copper, 5% tin/zinc. Casing: Aluminum.
Brief Description
A 1955-D Wheat Penny encased within a circular aluminum advertising holder with lucky clover and business text.
Historical Significance
Encased coins were popular mid-20th-century promotional items. This specific piece advertises Lang's Chevrolet Oldsmobile in Xenia and Fairborn, Ohio. They were marketed as 'lucky pennies' to keep customers from 'going broke'.
Estimated Value
$5.00 - $15.00 (Common for standard advertising tokens; value increases if the penny is a high-grade variety).
Care Instructions
Store in the current 2x2 cardboard holder to prevent aluminum oxidation. Avoid removing the coin from the casing, as this damages the collectible value of the set.
Mint Mark
D (Denver)
Mintage & Rarity
Coin: 563,257,000 (Very common). Casing: Unknown private mintage (Common as a regional collectible).
Weight & Diameter
Coin: 3.11g / 19mm. Total with casing: approx. 32-35mm diameter.
Edge
Plain / Smooth (for both coin and casing)
Apparent Grade
The penny appears to be in Extremely Fine to About Uncirculated condition with original brown toning; the aluminum casing shows minor surface scratches.
Obverse (Front)
Center: Abraham Lincoln profile facing right, 'IN GOD WE TRUST', 'LIBERTY', '1955 D'. Outer Ring: 'KEEP ME AND NEVER GO BROKE' with a four-leaf clover.
Reverse (Back)
Center: Two wheat ears flanking 'ONE CENT UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'. Outer Ring: 'LANG'S CHEVROLET OLDSMOBILE XENIA-FAIRBORN OHIO'.
What Drives This Coin's Value
The condition of the aluminum (lack of corrosion) and the specific business advertised. Local interest in Ohio/Automotive history drives value more than the coin's base value.
Similar Coins
1955 wheat pennies without casings or other advertising tokens from different states/businesses.
Authenticity & Counterfeit Red Flags
Ensure the 'D' mint mark is clear. Note that 1955 is the year of the famous Doubled Die Obverse, though this specific penny does not appear to be that rare variety.
Notable Varieties & Errors
The 1955 Doubled Die Obverse (extremely rare and valuable) is the most sought-after variety of this year, but this coin is the standard 'D' mint Denver strike. There is also a 1955 'Poor Man's Double' which is a die deterioration error of low value.
Created At: 2026-06-25T04:07:14.073154