Obverse

Reverse

One Cent (1¢)

Lincoln Wheat Cent

United States · 1957

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

Country: United States
Year: 1957
Denomination: One Cent (1¢)
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 September 8, 2026More united states coins →

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Overview

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

Historical significance

Issued during the post-WWII era of the United States, these wheat cents circulated heavily during daily commerce and remain one of the most iconic and widely collected series in American numismatics.

Obverse (front)

Right-facing portrait of President Abraham Lincoln with the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" above, the word "LIBERTY" to the left, and the year "1957" with the mint mark "D" below to the right. Designed by Victor David Brenner.

Reverse (back)

Inscriptions "ONE CENT" and "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" framed by two stylized wheat stalks on the left and right margins, with the national motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM" across the top rim. Designed by Victor David Brenner.

Estimated value

$0.10-$0.25 in circulated condition, $1-$5+ in uncirculated Mint State grades

What drives this coin's value

Condition/grade, presence of mint errors, and preservation of original red copper color (RD) versus brown (BN).

Grade assessment

Extremely Fine (XF) to About Uncirculated (AU) with minor surface wear on high points and some original mint luster remaining.

Mintage & rarity

Common; 283,745,000 minted at Denver in 1957

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Counterfeits are extremely rare for common-date wheat cents due to low face value; verify weight, composition, and authenticity of any added mint marks on high-value key dates.

Notable varieties & errors

Look for Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) or Rebound/Repunched Mint Mark (RPM) varieties, though none are prominent on this specific common date without magnification.

Similar coins

Lincoln Memorial Cent (1959-2008), Indian Head Cent

Care & preservation

Store in a cool, dry environment using PVC-free coin holders or flips. Never clean the coin, as harsh cleaning or polishing drastically reduces its numismatic value.

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