What Year Did They Quit Making Wheat Pennies?

The Lincoln cent holds a unique place in U.S. coinage, having been in continuous production for well over a century. Its long history includes several distinct design variations on the reverse side, while the obverse has consistently featured the profile of Abraham Lincoln. These design changes reflect evolving artistic preferences and national symbols rather than shifts in monetary policy. Understanding these different versions helps to appreciate the rich narrative embedded within everyday currency.

The Final Year of Wheat Penny Production

The U.S. Mint ceased producing the wheat penny design in 1958. This decision marked a planned modification to the coin’s appearance, aligning with an ongoing tradition of updating coin designs over time. The wheat penny had been in continuous circulation for nearly five decades, first introduced in 1909.

This specific design, featuring two stalks of wheat on the reverse, served as the standard one-cent coin throughout much of the 20th century. Its long production run made it a familiar sight in everyday transactions for generations of Americans. The transition away from the wheat design was a significant moment in the coin’s history, paving the way for its next iteration.

Identifying a Wheat Penny

Recognizing a wheat penny involves examining its reverse, or “tails,” side. The most distinctive feature is the presence of two stylized stalks of wheat, positioned vertically along the outer edges of the coin. These wheat stalks flank the central inscriptions of “ONE CENT” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” This unique design element is what gives the coin its popular “wheat penny” nickname.

The obverse, or “heads,” side of the coin consistently displays the profile of Abraham Lincoln. Above his head, the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” is inscribed, while the word “LIBERTY” appears to his left. The year of mintage is always located to Lincoln’s right. While the obverse remained largely consistent, it is the easily identifiable wheat design on the reverse that confirms a coin as a wheat penny.

The Successor Lincoln Cent Design

Following the discontinuation of the wheat penny, the U.S. Mint introduced a new reverse design for the Lincoln cent in 1959. This updated version, known as the Lincoln Memorial cent, marked the 50th anniversary of the Lincoln cent’s initial release. The new design depicted the Lincoln Memorial building in Washington D.C.

The Lincoln Memorial was centrally featured on the reverse, with the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curved above it and “ONE CENT” below. This change provided a fresh visual identity for the one-cent coin, maintaining Lincoln’s presence on the obverse while updating the coin’s symbolic representation. The Lincoln Memorial cent design remained in production for many decades, becoming the most widely circulated version of the Lincoln cent.