FACTS:
The mint mark is under the date on the obverse, and no “P” mint marks. The V.D.B. is on the reverse and at the very bottom of the coin for 1909 dates only. Some 1909 Wheats don't have V.D.B and are less valuable than 1909 dates with the initials. The dates 1910-1917 don't have the designer's initials V.D.B. The dates 1918-200? have the V.D.B. on the bottom of Lincoln's shoulder, next to the rim, of the obverse.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Designer: Victor David Brenner
Diameter: 19 millimeters
Metal content:
Copper - 95%
Tin and Zinc - 5%
Weight: 48 grains (3.11 grams)
Edge: Plain
LINCOLN WHEAT CENTS 1909-Present
Lincoln Wheat Cent
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LINCOLN STEEL WHEAT CENTS 1943 ONLY
Images courtesy of Heritage Numismatic Auctions
SPECIFICATIONS:
Designer: Victor David Brenner
Diameter: 19 millimeters
Metal content:
Steel - 100%
coated with a thin layer of Zinc
Weight: 42.0 grains (2.7 grams)
Edge: Plain
The Steel Cent was produced in 1943 only, and minted by the Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver Mint. There are reports of copper 1943 Cents, but an authentic copper or bronze cent will not attract a magnet.
Cherry Picker's List:
Varieties-Errors-Key and Semi-Key Dates:
1909-S VDB
1909-S
1909-S Over horizontal S
1911-S
1911-D Over D (RPM)
1914-D
1914-S
1917-P Doubled Die Obverse PICTURE
1922 No D
1931-S
1936 Double Die Obverse
1944 D/S Variety 1
1944 D/S Variety 2
1946 S/D
1955 Double die PICTURE
1970-S Doubled die
1936 Double die obverse, the date, LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST has some doubling.
1941 Double die reverse: Doubling of the date and LIBERTY.
1943-D The D is stamped over another D (RPM).
1943-P Should be a steel cent but there are reports of some struck using copper.
1944-D D over S the mint mark D is stamped over the S.
1946-S S Mint mark stamped over a D mint mark.
1955-D Stamped over a horizontal D.
1955-P No VDB.
1955-P Lincoln Wheat Cent Double Die cent.
1956-D D Stamped over a D mint mark.
1958-P Double die obverse.
1959-D First year for Memorial reverse, check for wheat reverse.
1960-D D over D RPM PICTURE
1960-P Look for Small Date variety, the 6 has a shorter stem than normal.
1963-D Check to see if the 3 in the date is struck over another 3.
1968-D D mint mark stamped over another D.
1968-D Double die reverse, strong doubling in the word AMERICA.
1969-S Lincoln Memorial double die, all design features strongly doubled.
1970-S Small date Lincoln Cent with a doubled die reverse, strong doubling of TRUST & LIBERTY.
1970-S Small Date high 7.
1970-S Level 7. The 7 is level with rest of date.
1971-P Double die obverse, strong doubling on LIBERTY & IN GOD WE TRUST.
1972-P Lincoln Memorial Cent with a doubled date. PICTURE
1973-P No V.D.B.
1980-D A shadow of an S mint mark struck above the D.
1982-P Doubling of IN GOD WE TRUST.
1983-P Doubled die reverse doubled, IN GOD WE TRUST doubled.
1984-P Doubled ear, look at the ear lobe. PICTURE
1984-D Doubled Date.
1989-P No VDB.
1994-P Doubling of the last three columns on reverse.
1995-P Double die, LIBERTY doubled.
1995-D Double die obverse, strong doubling of the date and LIBERTY.
1997-P Double Die, look at the ear lobe like the 1984.
1998-P Wide AM reverse Lincoln Memorial Cent.
1999-P Wide AM reverse Lincoln Memorial Cent.
1999-P There may be double dies varieties.
2000-P Wide AM in America.
2003-P May be doubling of the steps, experts say “yes”, mint says “no”.
2006-P Double Die Obverse
Lincoln Cent Values Show Sharp Increases
It has already begun, on the eve of the Lincoln Cent's 100th birthday, values have dramatically increased over the last eight months according to Coin World Coin Values. Now is the time to buy before it's too late!
The greatest increases have been realized for the semi-key dates, but not only have semi-key dates increased, but certain key dates have also shown sharp increases. For instance, A 1924-D in G4 had a Book Value (BV) of $18.00 in Sept. 2007, but for May 2008 it has increased to $50.00! During the same time frame, the 1926-S has quadrupled in value, from $3.00 to $12 in G4 grade, 1909 V.D.B has almost doubled in value, the 1911-S was $20.00 and now trades for up to $45.00, the 1931-S was $70.00 but has doubled in value at $140.00, and these trends continue for all semi-key and key dates of the series.
Are all of these increases due to the coming of the 100th birthday in 2009? Such might not be case, if one also considers other circumstances surrounding the coin market like the U.S. Government's ban on melting coins, the increase for melt value of copper, the Bull Market that coin values are experiencing for every series, Congress's legislation to change the metal content of the Lincoln Cent, and the fact that more people are collecting in general, are a few other examples to blame for these sharp increases.
Also, the continued discoveries of mint errors, varieties, and new varieties has made Lincoln Cents more popular than ever. Most people know about the 1969-S that was recently found in Michigan which sold for thousands of dollars, and this one of many examples that have popularized this coin series, and helped in the increase of premiums.
But one aspect of all of this that's for certain, the coming 100th anniversary that will see much hype among coin collectors and the U.S. Mints alike and with the introduction of new Lincoln Cent designs for the first time in its hundred year tenure, 2009 should reveal that the values will continue to increase like never before in the history of Lincoln Cent collecting.
If you're interested in more Lincoln Cent values, consult are price guide below.
1984 Double Ear
®
2000 Lincoln Struck On A Dime Planchet-Die Clash.
The Lincoln Cent has gone through minor design changes in it's 99 year run. Below are some examples showing these differences.
The four new Lincoln Cent designs for 2009. Read about them
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