What Year Did Production of Wheat Pennies Stop?
Discover when Wheat Pennies stopped production and the iconic Lincoln Cent design changed. Explore its history and identify key features.
The Lincoln Cent series stands as a lasting symbol in American coinage history, representing one of the longest-running coin designs. First introduced in 1909, this one-cent piece has undergone various transformations over its long production run. Its initial design honored Abraham Lincoln, marking a significant departure from previous coin imagery.
The Transition from Wheat Penny
Production of the Wheat Penny design ceased in 1958. This change occurred as part of the 50th-anniversary commemoration of the Lincoln Cent’s introduction. The decision to update the coin’s reverse side was made to celebrate this significant milestone. The new design replaced the distinctive wheat stalks that had been a hallmark of the coin for nearly five decades.
Key Features of Wheat Pennies
To identify a Wheat Penny, one should examine both sides of the coin. The obverse features a profile of Abraham Lincoln, a design that has remained largely consistent since its inception. The reverse side is the defining characteristic, displaying two stalks of wheat flanking the words “ONE CENT” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” These coins were minted from 1909 through 1958, making the reverse design a clear indicator of this specific series.
The Lincoln Memorial Cent
Following the discontinuation of the Wheat Penny, the U.S. Mint introduced the Lincoln Memorial Cent in 1959. This new design maintained the familiar Lincoln obverse but replaced the wheat stalks with an image of the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse. The Lincoln Memorial Cent served as the standard one-cent coin for many decades, continuing the legacy of the Lincoln series. This design remained in circulation for 50 years, until further changes were made to commemorate Lincoln’s bicentennial.
The Transition from Wheat Penny
Production of the Wheat Penny design ceased in 1958. This change occurred as part of the 50th-anniversary commemoration of the Lincoln Cent’s introduction. The decision to update the coin’s reverse side was made to celebrate this significant milestone, with the new design replacing the distinctive wheat stalks that had been a hallmark of the coin for nearly five decades.
Key Features of Wheat Pennies
To identify a Wheat Penny, one should examine both sides of the coin. The obverse features a profile of Abraham Lincoln, a design that has remained largely consistent since its inception. The reverse side is the defining characteristic, displaying two stalks of wheat flanking the words “ONE CENT” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” These coins were minted from 1909 through 1958, making the reverse design a clear indicator of this specific series.
The Lincoln Memorial Cent
Following the discontinuation of the Wheat Penny, the U.S. Mint introduced the Lincoln Memorial Cent in 1959. This new design maintained the familiar Lincoln obverse but replaced the wheat stalks with an image of the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse. The Lincoln Memorial Cent served as the standard one-cent coin for many decades, continuing the legacy of the Lincoln series, and remained in use until 2008.