Coin Identifier
Lincoln Wheat Cent — obverse
Obverse
Lincoln Wheat Cent — reverse
Reverse
One Cent ($0.01)

Lincoln Wheat Cent

United States of America · 1909-1958

A brown, small-sized copper coin featuring the profile of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and two ears of wheat on the reverse.

Country
United States of America
Year
1909-1958
Denomination
One Cent ($0.01)
Metal
95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc (except 1943)

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 More united states of america coins →
Explore Lincoln Wheat Cent in the encyclopedia →

Identify your own coins.

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

App StoreGoogle Play

Overview

A brown, small-sized copper coin featuring the profile of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and two ears of wheat on the reverse.

Historical significance

Introduced in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth, it was the first widely circulated U.S. coin to feature a real person's portrait.

Obverse (front)

Profile of Abraham Lincoln facing right, designed by Victor David Brenner. Legends: IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, and the date.

Reverse (back)

Two stylized ears of wheat framing the words ONE CENT and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM at the top.

Estimated value

$0.02-$0.15 for common dates in circulated condition; several dollars to thousands for rare dates like 1909-S VDB or 1914-D.

What drives this coin's value

Date and mint mark are the primary factors, followed by the degree of wear and whether the original red copper luster remains.

Grade assessment

Good to Very Good (images are blurry, but coin shows significant circulation and darkening/patina).

Mintage & rarity

Common in aggregate, but specific dates/mints like 1909-S VDB (484,000) or 1922 (No D) are rare and highly valuable.

Authenticity & counterfeit red flags

Check for added mint marks on key dates. Authentic 1909-S VDB coins have specific alignments for the initials on the bottom reverse.

Notable varieties & errors

1909-S VDB, 1914-D, 1922 Plain, 1931-S, and the 1955 Doubled Die Obverse.

Similar coins

Lincoln Memorial Cent (1959-2008) which has a building on the back instead of wheat ears; 1943 Steel Cents (zinc-coated steel).

Care & preservation

Do not clean or polish, as this destroys numismatic value. Store in a dry environment in PVC-free holders. Handle by the edges only.

More like this

Other united states of america coins

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

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

United States, Reader's Digest Association · 1987

No cash value (Promotional Token)
Washington Quarter (50 State Quarters Program / DC & Territories)

Washington Quarter (50 State Quarters Program / DC & Territories)

United States of America · Post-1999 (The specific reverse design is not visible, but this obverse design was used from 1999–2009 and 2021)

Quarter Dollar ($0.25)
Indian Head Cent

Indian Head Cent

United States of America · 1899

One Cent ($0.01)
San Antonio Missions Quarter (America the Beautiful Quarters Series)

San Antonio Missions Quarter (America the Beautiful Quarters Series)

United States of America · 2019

0.25 USD (Quarter Dollar)
Indian Head Cent

Indian Head Cent

United States of America · 1906

One Cent ($0.01)
United States Administration Philippines One Centavo

United States Administration Philippines One Centavo

Philippines (under United States Administration) · 1913

One Centavo

Learn about Lincoln Wheat Cent in the encyclopedia

View all →
Lincoln Wheat Cent

Lincoln Wheat Cent

1931-S Lincoln Wheat Cent

1931-S Lincoln Wheat Cent

1914-D Lincoln Wheat Cent

1914-D Lincoln Wheat Cent

1914-D Lincoln Cent

1914-D Lincoln Cent

1936 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent

1936 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent

Lincoln Memorial Cent

Lincoln Memorial Cent

Lincoln Shield Cent

Lincoln Shield Cent

1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent

1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent

Lincoln Bicentennial Cent (2009)

Lincoln Bicentennial Cent (2009)

1944 Steel Lincoln Cent

1944 Steel Lincoln Cent

Matte Proof Lincoln Cent

Matte Proof Lincoln Cent

1995 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent

1995 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent