What Years Were Wheat Pennies Minted?

The Lincoln Cent is a widely recognized coin, first introduced in 1909 to honor Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday. This particular design marked a notable shift in U.S. coinage, as it was the first time a real person, rather than symbolic imagery, appeared on a circulating coin. Among its various iterations, the “Wheat Penny” holds a special place. This distinctive coin became a common sight in American pockets for decades.

The Minting Period

The Wheat Penny design was produced by the United States Mint for nearly five decades, from 1909 to 1958. Its creation was part of a broader redesign of U.S. coinage under President Theodore Roosevelt, aiming to enhance the artistic quality of circulating money.

Designed by Victor David Brenner, the Lincoln Cent initially featured his initials, “V.D.B.,” on the reverse, though these were quickly removed due to controversy before being reintroduced in a less prominent location later. Throughout its run, the coin’s composition was primarily 95% copper, with a brief exception in 1943 when zinc-coated steel was used to conserve copper for wartime efforts. Billions of these coins were produced across various mint facilities, including Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco.

Identifying Wheat Pennies

Distinguishing a Wheat Penny involves examining specific design elements on both sides of the coin. On the obverse, or front, the coin features a portrait of Abraham Lincoln facing right. This iconic depiction is a defining characteristic of all Lincoln Cents.

The reverse, or back, is where the “wheat” in “Wheat Penny” becomes evident. This side displays two stylized stalks of wheat framing the words “ONE CENT” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” Above these inscriptions is the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” Mint marks, indicating where the coin was produced, can be found below the date on the obverse for Denver (“D”) and San Francisco (“S”) minted coins, while Philadelphia-minted coins typically have no mint mark.

The End of an Era

The production of the Wheat Penny concluded in 1958. Following this, the U.S. Mint introduced a new reverse design for the Lincoln Cent in 1959. This new design, known as the Lincoln Memorial Cent, commemorated the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth.

The Lincoln Memorial Cent, designed by Frank Gasparro, replaced the wheat stalks with a depiction of the Lincoln Memorial. This change provided a fresh look for the one-cent coin. While the design evolved, the cent continued to honor Abraham Lincoln on its obverse.