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Lincoln Wheat Penny: 7 Fascinating Facts About This $121M Coin

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Introduced in 1909 to commemorate Abraham Lincoln's 100th birthday, the Lincoln Wheat Penny was the first U.S. coin to depict a president, breaking the tradition of using allegorical figures.

First U.S. Coin to Feature a President

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The coin's design was crafted by sculptor Victor D. Brenner, whose initials "VDB" appeared on the reverse side of the initial 1909 release.

Designed by Victor D. Brenner

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In 1943, to conserve copper for the war effort, the U.S. Mint produced pennies using zinc-coated steel.

Composition Changes During WWII

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One of the most famous errors in coinage, the 1955 doubled die penny features noticeable doubling in the date and lettering.

The 1955 Doubled Die Error

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Pennies minted in San Francisco (denoted by an "S" mint mark) during certain years, such as the 1931-S penny, had lower production numbers, increasing their value among collectors.

Scarcity of Certain Mint Marks

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Depending on their condition and rarity, some Lincoln Wheat Pennies have fetched significant sums at auctions.

Potential High Auction Values

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Despite being out of regular production since 1958, Lincoln Wheat Pennies occasionally appear in circulation.

Still Found in Circulation

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