Lincoln Wheat Ears Cent Guide
The Lincoln Wheat Ears Cent is perhaps the most collected coin in human history. Struck from 1909 until 1958, it was the first circulating United States coin to feature a portrait of a real person—a radical departure from the various “Liberty” figures that preceded it. Designed by Victor David Brenner under the direction of President Theodore Roosevelt, the Wheat Cent survived for fifty years before the reverse was changed to the Lincoln Memorial. Today, “wheaties” are the entry point for almost every person who enters the hobby, offering a perfect blend of historical significance, variety, and the potential for high-value discoveries.
The Controversial Debut: The V.D.B. Scandal
When the Lincoln Wheat Ears Cent was first released in August 1909, it caused an immediate public sensation. However, the excitement was quickly overshadowed by a controversy regarding the designer’s initials. Victor David Brenner had placed his initials, “V.D.B.”, at the bottom of the reverse between the stalks of wheat. The public and certain officials at the Treasury Department felt the initials were too prominent, bordering on “illegal advertising.”
Production was halted just days after it began. The initials were removed, creating the two most famous varieties in small cent history: the 1909 VDB and the 1909-S VDB. Because the San Francisco Mint had only struck 484,000 pieces before the change, the 1909-S VDB became an instant rarity and remains the most famous “key date” in American numismatics.
Design and Symbolism of the Wheat Ears
The reverse of the Lincoln Wheat Ears Cent is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau simplicity. It features two stylized ears of durum wheat flanking the denomination “ONE CENT” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” At the top, the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM rounds out the design. Brenner’s choice of wheat was a tribute to America’s agricultural abundance and the prosperity of the “breadbasket of the world.”
On the obverse, the portrait of Lincoln was based on a photograph Brenner had taken of a 1864 bronze plaque. This profile of Lincoln is so iconic that it has remained virtually unchanged for over 115 years, making it the longest-running design in the history of the United States Mint.
The 1943 Steel Cent: A Wartime Necessity
One of the most distinct chapters in the Lincoln Wheat Ears Cent saga occurred during World War II. In 1943, copper was a critical war material needed for shell casings and communications wire. To conserve copper, the Mint produced cents out of low-grade steel coated with a thin layer of zinc. These “Steelies” are silver in appearance and are the only U.S. coins that can be picked up with a magnet.
While the 1943 Steel Cent is common, the “transitional errors” are legendary. A few copper planchets were left in the hoppers from 1942 and were struck with 1943 dies. These 1943 Copper Cents are among the most valuable coins in existence, often selling for over $200,000. Conversely, a few steel planchets were struck with 1944 dies, creating the 1944 Steel Cent rarity.
Key Dates and “S-Mint” Rarities
Completing a full set of Lincoln Wheat Ears Cent issues is a rite of passage for collectors. While most “pennies” from the 1940s and 50s are worth only a few cents, the early years and the San Francisco (“S”) mint marks command high premiums.
| Year & Mint | Mintage | Numismatic Importance |
|---|---|---|
| 1909-S VDB | 484,000 | The undisputed “King” of Lincoln Cents. |
| 1914-D | 1,193,000 | A major key date; frequently counterfeited by altering 1944-D coins. |
| 1922 “No D” | N/A | An error caused by a clogged die at the Denver Mint; highly valuable. |
| 1931-S | 866,000 | A low-mintage “Great Depression” era rarity. |
| 1955 DDO | ~20,000 | The most famous Doubled Die in history; doubling is visible to the naked eye. |
The 1955 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
In 1955, a massive hubbing error at the Philadelphia Mint resulted in one of the most famous coins ever produced. A die was struck twice by a hub that had rotated slightly, causing every letter and digit on the obverse to appear twice. Unlike most “doubled dies” that require a microscope, the 1955 Lincoln Wheat Ears Cent doubling is so dramatic it can be seen from several feet away. Approximately 20,000 to 24,000 were released into circulation, mostly in cigarette packs in the Northeast United States. Today, a nice specimen is worth thousands of dollars.
Grading and Luster: Red, Red-Brown, and Brown
Because the Lincoln Wheat Ears Cent is a copper coin, its value is heavily dependent on its color. Collectors use a specific shorthand to describe the state of the copper:
- RD (Red): A coin that retains 95% of its original mint luster. For early dates (1909–1930), “RD” coins are exponentially more expensive than brown ones.
- RB (Red-Brown): A coin with a mix of original red and chocolate brown toning.
- BN (Brown): A coin that has completely oxidized to a brown state. While this is the most common state for circulated coins, a “Choice BN” coin with smooth surfaces is still highly desirable.
When grading, look at the “wheat lines.” On the reverse, the fine lines on the top of the wheat stalks are the first to wear away. A coin is generally considered “Extremely Fine” (XF) only if these lines are crisp and unbroken.
Collecting the Series Today
The Lincoln Wheat Ears Cent remains the most active market in the hobby. While you can no longer find 1909-S VDBs in your pocket change, “roll hunting” at banks still yields Wheat Cents from the 1940s and 50s quite frequently. For the advanced collector, the series offers an endless array of “die varieties,” “repunched mint marks” (RPMs), and “die cracks” to study. Whether you are a beginner with a blue Whitman folder or a specialist chasing MS-67 Reds, the Wheat Cent is the soul of American numismatics.