Obverse

Reverse

One Cent

Lincoln Wheat Cent

United States · 1952

A bronze Lincoln wheat cent featuring the bust of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and two stalks of wheat on the reverse.

Country: United States
Year: 1952
Denomination: One Cent
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc

This report is AI-generated and can be wrong. Always verify grade, authenticity, and value with a qualified dealer or certified grading service before buying, selling, or insuring.

Identified August 27, 2026More united states coins →

Explore Lincoln Wheat Cent in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own coins.

Get a report just like this from any photo, free.

App Store Google Play

Overview

A bronze Lincoln wheat cent featuring the bust of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and two stalks of wheat on the reverse.

Historical significance

The Lincoln cent was introduced in 1909 to commemorate the centennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth, replacing the Indian Head cent. It was the first circulating U.S. coin to feature a historical figure.

Obverse (front)

Features the right-facing portrait of Abraham Lincoln, with the motto 'IN GOD WE TRUST' above, 'LIBERTY' to the left, and the year '1952' with the 'D' mint mark below to the right.

Reverse (back)

Features two stalks of wheat framing the inscriptions 'ONE CENT' and 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', with the national motto 'E PLURIBUS UNUM' across the top border.

Estimated value

$0.10 to $0.25 in circulated condition, up to a few dollars in uncirculated Mint State.

What drives this coin's value

Condition, presence of original mint red luster, notable die errors or varieties.

Grade assessment

About Uncirculated (AU) to Mint State (MS) with minor circulation wear and standard toning.

Mintage & rarity

746,130,000 minted at Denver in 1952; very common and widely available.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Counterfeiting a 1952 cent is economically unviable; verify weight and composition if suspicious.

Notable varieties & errors

Look for occasional Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) varieties, though most are common business strikes.

Similar coins

Jefferson nickel or Roosevelt dime in size, though easily distinguished by color and design; later memorial cents (1959-present).

Care & preservation

Store in a cool, dry environment. Handle by the edges only to avoid transferring oils from skin. Never clean the coin, as cleaning drastically reduces its collector value.

Other united states coins

See all

United States Semiquincentennial Fantasy/Mule Concept Dime

United States · 2026

One Dime ($0.10)

Reader's Digest Sweepstakes 25th Anniversary Coin (Token)

United States, Reader's Digest Association · 1987

No cash value (Promotional Token)

United States Bicentennial Quarter (Washington Quarter)

United States · 1776-1976 (Minted in 1975 and 1976)

25 Cents (Quarter Dollar)

United States Trade Dollar

United States · 1873-1885

One Dollar ($1)

United States Administration of Philippines One Centavo

Philippines (under United States Sovereignty) · 1944

One Centavo

One Dollar Tribute to the United States (Morgan Dollar Design)

Cook Islands · 2022 (with obverse date 1964 tribute)

One Dollar