Lincoln Head Cent Value Guide

The Lincoln Head Cent, introduced in 1909 to honor the centennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth, holds the distinction of being the first circulating U.S. coin to feature a real historical figure. Designed by Victor David Brenner, these 'Wheat Cents' are highly collectible due to their iconic reverse design and their transition from allegorical figures to presidential portraiture.

What Is Lincoln Head Cent Worth?

The typical price range for Lincoln Head Cent is $1 - $5 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence of a mint mark (such as 'S' for San Francisco) can significantly increase rarity.
• Overall strike quality and the amount of original copper luster remaining on the surface.
• Specific key dates, particularly the 1909-S VDB or the 1914-D, which command much higher prices than the standard $1-$5 range.
• The degree of wear on Lincoln's hair and the fine lines of the wheat stalks on the reverse.

How to Identify Lincoln Head Cent?

• Verify the 'Wheat Cent' reverse featuring two stalks of wheat flanking the words 'ONE CENT'.
• Check the obverse for Victor David Brenner's profile of Abraham Lincoln used between 1909 and 1958.
• Look for the designer's initials 'V.D.B.' on the bottom reverse of certain 1909 issues.
• Confirm the material is bronze, which was the standard composition for this era except for the 1943 steel transition.

History of Lincoln Head Cent

The Lincoln Cent was first issued in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. It was the first widely circulated American coin to feature a real person rather than an allegorical figure. The original design, by Victor David Brenner, featured Lincoln's bust on the obverse and two wheat stalks on the reverse, leading to its common nickname 'Wheat Cent.' In 1959, the reverse was changed to depict the Lincoln Memorial, celebrating the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. This specific coin dates from the earlier 'Wheat Cent' period.