Learning the history of rare coins and how they are valued is an essential element of being a coin collector. The wheat penny is a one-cent coin that went through significant changes during its period of production, with distinct mint marks and materials used throughout. The guide below explores what makes wheat pennies unique and how they transformed through history.

What Are Wheat Pennies?

The name “wheat penny” originated from the inclusion of two stalks of wheat on the back of the coin. On the obverse (heads) side, a bust of Abraham Lincoln was added in honor of his 100th birthday. This replaced the previously used profile depicting Lady Liberty wearing a Native American war bonnet. The Lincoln design was first issued by the U.S. Mint in 1909 and continued production until 1958. 

What Are the Most Significant Mints?

1. Introduction

Lincoln’s inclusion on the new penny design in 1909 was requested by Theodore Roosevelt. Originally, the initials “V.D.B.” were printed at the bottom of the reverse (tails) side of the coin, referencing the designer of the coin—Victor David Brenner. Many felt that his signature was too prominent or unnecessary, so it was quickly removed. Coins produced before its removal are called 1909-S VDB wheat pennies. The “S” was added underneath the year and refers to their mintage in San Francisco.

2. Material Changes

Over time, the metals used to make wheat pennies changed. They were first composed of bronze, a copper-based alloy, as well as tin and zinc. When the U.S. became involved in World War II, copper was needed for the war effort, so wheat pennies were instead made with zinc-plated steel. Unfortunately, these were often mistaken for dimes. Soon, the U.S. mint switched to brass wheat pennies melted down from used bullet casings. After World War II, the original composition returned and was used until the end of the wheat penny run.

3. Errors

Many unique errors throughout history have made wheat pennies a great find for keen coin collectors. For example, when mint marks were originally punched in by hand, U.S. mint employees would sometimes use the wrong letter or stamp them out of position. If the mistake was corrected but not entirely removed, leaving a remnant of the fixed mark, this is referred to as a “re-punched mintmark.” 

A notable example of a missing mint mark is the “No D” wheat penny, produced at a Denver mint facility. The 1955 doubled die obverse presents a highly noticeable and widely spaced doubling of the date and words “Liberty” and “In God We Trust” on the obverse side.

If you are interested in learning more about wheat pennies, turn to the expert coin dealers at Coins Plus. Serving the Cincinnati, OH, area since 1972, this team is composed of award-winning numismatists and passionate coin collectors frequently lauded as leaders in their industry. They will help you find the right coins for your collection, offer a fair price for yours, or provide accurate and honest coin appraisals. Learn more about their services online, or call (513) 621-1996 to speak with a rare coin dealer.