Lincoln Cent

Lincoln Cents: History, Key Dates and Collectible Varieties

The Lincoln Cent, introduced in 1909, is one of the most recognizable designs in American coinage. Created by sculptor Victor David Brenner to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth, it marked the first appearance of a U.S. president on a regularly circulating American coin.

Over more than a century, the Lincoln Cent has featured several reverse designs, important composition changes, and numerous collectible varieties. From early Lincoln Wheat Cents to Lincoln Memorial and Union Shield issues, the series offers collectors a remarkable record of American history.

Lincoln Wheat Cents (1909–1958)

President Theodore Roosevelt admired Victor David Brenner's artistic work and supported his selection to design a new cent honoring Abraham Lincoln.

Brenner's obverse features a right-facing portrait of Lincoln, with IN GOD WE TRUST above, LIBERTY to the left, and the date to the right. The original reverse depicts two wheat ears framing ONE CENT and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, with E PLURIBUS UNUM above.

These coins became popularly known as Wheat Pennies or Lincoln Wheat Cents.

The design remained in use through 1958, spanning the Great Depression, two World Wars, and significant changes in American manufacturing and commerce.

Why Is the 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent So Popular?

The 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent is one of the most recognized key dates in American coin collecting.

When the Lincoln Cent was introduced, Brenner's initials, V.D.B., appeared near the bottom of the reverse. Following criticism of their prominence, the Mint removed the initials early in production.

The San Francisco Mint produced only 484,000 examples before the initials were removed, making the 1909-S VDB one of the lowest-mintage regular-issue Lincoln Wheat Cents.

Other important Wheat Cent dates and varieties include the 1914-D, 1922 No D, 1931-S, and the famous 1955 Doubled Die Obverse.

The 1943 Steel Cent and World War II

During World War II, copper became essential to military production, prompting the United States Mint to change the cent's composition.

In 1943, Lincoln Cents were struck using zinc-coated steel rather than the traditional bronze alloy. Their silver-gray appearance makes them immediately recognizable among collectors.

A small number of 1943 bronze cents were accidentally produced using leftover planchets, creating one of the most famous rarities in American numismatics.

In 1944, the Mint returned to a copper-based alloy. Rare 1944 steel cents, struck in error, are also important collector issues.

The 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent

The 1955 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent is among the most famous die varieties in American coinage.

A misalignment during die production created dramatic doubling visible in the date and obverse lettering. Unlike ordinary machine doubling, this variety originated in the working die itself.

The distinctive appearance and limited surviving population have made the 1955 Doubled Die a favorite among Lincoln Cent specialists.

Lincoln Memorial Cents (1959–2008)

In 1959, the United States Mint introduced a new reverse design to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth.

Designed by Frank Gasparro, the reverse depicts the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Brenner's original portrait of Lincoln remained on the obverse.

The Memorial design continued through 2008 and includes several important collectible varieties and composition changes.

In 1982, the Mint transitioned from predominantly copper cents to copper-plated zinc cents. Both compositions were produced during that year, creating numerous collectible date and design combinations.

Lincoln Bicentennial Cents (2009)

In 2009, four special reverse designs commemorated the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birth and the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln Cent.

Each design represents a different period of Lincoln's life:

• Birth and Early Childhood in Kentucky

• Formative Years in Indiana

• Professional Life in Illinois

• Presidency in Washington, D.C.

The four designs provide collectors with a distinctive one-year series celebrating Lincoln's life and legacy.

Lincoln Union Shield Cents (2010–Present)

Introduced in 2010, the Lincoln Union Shield Cent features a reverse designed by Lyndall Bass.

The shield represents Lincoln's preservation of the Union, with thirteen vertical stripes symbolizing the original states and a horizontal bar representing the federal government.

Regular production of Lincoln Cents for circulation ended in 2025. The United States Mint nevertheless continued the denomination as a collector issue in 2026, including a special dual-dated 1776 ~ 2026 cent commemorating America's 250th anniversary.

Collecting Certified Lincoln Cents

Lincoln Cents offer numerous collecting opportunities, from Wheat Cent date-and-mintmark sets to rare varieties, Proof issues, and exceptional Mint State examples.

Collectors often focus on key dates, doubled dies, mint errors, and condition rarities. For applicable copper issues, grading services use Brown (BN), Red-Brown (RB), and Red (RD) designations to describe remaining original red color.

Lincoln Cents certified by PCGS, NGC, and CACG, along with CAC-approved examples, offer collectors professionally evaluated examples of this historic American coin series.