Lincoln Wheat Cent (Lincoln Wheat Penny)
Country of Origin: United States
Year of Issue: 1936
Denomination: One Cent ($0.01)
Composition: Bronze (95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc)
Brief Description
A standard US one-cent coin featuring Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and two wheat stalks on the reverse.
Historical Significance
The Lincoln Cent was first issued in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. It was the first US circulating coin to feature a person/President. The 1936 issue was struck during the Great Depression era.
Estimated Value
$0.15-$0.50 circulated, $5-$25 in MS-63+, $100+ for high-grade Red gems.
Care Instructions
Store in a PVC-free flip or archival-safe folder. Do not clean or polish the coin, as this removes the original patina and significantly lowers collector value.
Mint Mark
None (Philadelphia Mint)
Mintage & Rarity
309,632,000; Common. This was a high-mintage year.
Weight & Diameter
3.11 grams / 19.05 mm
Edge
Plain
Apparent Grade
Fine to Very Fine. The coin shows moderate wear on Lincoln's hair and the wheat lines, but details are clear and legible.
Obverse (Front)
Right-facing portrait of Abraham Lincoln, designed by Victor David Brenner. Legends: IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, and the date 1936.
Reverse (Back)
Two stylized stalks of wheat flanking the words ONE CENT and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Latin motto E PLURIBUS UNUM at the top.
What Drives This Coin's Value
The primary factors are condition (grade) and 'color' designation (Brown, Red-Brown, or Red). Key dates in the series like 1909-S VDB or 1914-D drive higher value, while 1936 is common.
Similar Coins
Often confused with the 1936-S or 1936-D, which have mint marks below the date. Also visually similar to the 1943 Steel Cent, though that is silver in color.
Authenticity & Counterfeit Red Flags
Check for proper weight (3.11g) and diameter. Verify the 1936 date style matches official dies. Bronze cents should be non-magnetic.
Notable Varieties & Errors
The 1936 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) is a significant variety where doubling is most visible in the motto and date.
Created At: 2026-06-16T19:26:16.861705