- 1957 D Wheat Penny Silver
- 1957 D Wheat Penny Ebay
- 1957 D Wheat Penny Rare
- 1957 D Wheat Penny Filled B Value
Lincoln Wheat Penny Overview
The only coin that has seen the United States go through the Great Depression and two world wars has been the immensely popular Wheat Penny. First minted in 1909 to replace the Indian Head Penny, the Wheat Penny received quick praise by consumers. The popularity for the new Wheat Penny is what led to its long-running 50-year life.
1957 D Lincoln Wheat Cent with errors. On the left wheat looks like maybe doubling at the bottom and 3/4 up from the bottom and there looks to be light lettering. 1957 D Wheat Penny CoinTrackers.com has estimated the 1957 D Wheat Penny value at an average of 15 cents, one in certified mint state (MS+) could be worth $6. The 1957 wheat penny with no mint mark and the 1957 D wheat penny have similar values. Each coin is worth around $0.10 in very fine condition. In extremely fine condition the value is around $0.12. In uncirculated condition the price is around $0.30 for coins with an MS-63RB grade. Uncirculated coins with a grade of MS-65RB can sell for around $1.
Designed by Victor D. Brenner, the Wheat Penny, officially known as the Lincoln cent, featured a former president for the first time. 16th President Abraham Lincoln was chosen for the new penny as a way to celebrate the 100th year of his birth. Consumers loved the coin but did have some criticisms about Brenner’s initials being too large, resulting in a slight design change.
Brenner’s design for the obverse featured a bust of President Lincoln facing right, with the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” centered above. The date can be found in the lower right part of the obverse field. “LIBERTY” is seen just to the left of Lincoln’s shoulder.
The reverse shows two wheat ears that surround the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE CENT”. “E PLURIBUS UNUM” can be found centered above the main design element. Overall, Brenner was going for a simple but effective reverse design.
If you want to learn more about the Lincoln Cent or other rare and collectible cents, be sure to read our Ultimate Guide to Pennies.
About the 1958 Lincoln Wheat Penny
Around 1950, the United States Mint began shifting which Mint produced the most number of Wheat Pennies. Before 1950, most pennies were minted at Philadelphia with a smaller amount minted at Denver. After 1950, most pennies were minted at Denver, with a lesser amount produced at Philadelphia.
The Mint at Philadelphia reports minting 252,525,000 examples of the 1958 Wheat Penny. This is only about a fourth of what was minted at the Denver facility.
1958 would be the last year that the Mint would produce a Lincoln cent bearing the original wheat stalk reverse. Instead, the Mint would move to using a design of the Lincoln Memorial as the reverse design in 1959.
The Wheat Penny’s legacy continues to live on, with it being one of the most recognized coins no longer in circulation. Most collectors do have some type of Wheat Penny Collection, and it is the coin that brought most people to coin collecting in the first place.
The Rare 1958 Doubled Die Lincoln Wheat Penny
One of the biggest and rarest errors for Wheat Pennies is the 1958 Doubled Die Error. Only three examples are known to exist, with only two being officially graded by PCGS, a third party grader.
Doubling can be seen very clearly on the obverse of the coin. The elements “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY” show heavy doubling and overlapping. Many doubled-die coins do not show near as much doubling as in the 1958 example.
This doubling occurs when the die used to strike the coin has doubled elements from the hub used to create the die. Most of the time, this doubling is very subtle, but in some cases like the 1958 Wheat Penny, it is very dramatic.
Due to its rarity and severity of the error, the 1958 DDO Wheat Penny has been sold for incredible amounts. Several years ago, an MS-64 example was sold for $100,000! The current estimated price of the MS-65 examples is an astonishing $200,000.
- NOTHING TAKEN AWAY, NEW INVENTORY ADDED MONTHLY
- 1909 's will be added to the miix of coins all will be in investment grade condition
- 1-500 count Grab Bag of Lincoln Wheat Pennies 1909-1958 Unsearched Bag
Value of the 1958 Lincoln Wheat Penny
1957 D Wheat Penny Silver
Even though the 1958 Wheat Penny was the last cent produced featuring the wheat stalk reverse, the large amount minted has made it only worth face value in any grade under Extra Fine condition.
Extra Fine 1958 Wheat Pennies are only worth $.12 and are not in high demand by collectors. Even uncirculated examples are worth less than $0.50. MS-60 condition has a value of $0.30 and MS-65 condition’s value jumps to $8. A huge jump in price can be seen between MS-65 and MS-66, with MS-66 examples worth $30.
Although not presently valuable, the 1958 Wheat Penny may see some increase in price in the coming years. With a lower mintage than other coins around the same time period, the prices should rise as more coins are lost/destroyed. Even though 1958 Wheat Pennies have a low value, be sure to check out any that you have. You never know when the next 1958 DDO example will turn up!
Wheat Penny Overview
The Lincoln Cent, more commonly known as the Lincoln Wheat Penny, is one of the most popular coins for today’s collectors. It was America’s first coin to feature the bust of a president. This concept was so widely enjoyed by consumers that all future coin designs would feature different presidential busts.
Sculptor and artist, Victor Brenner was chosen as the designer for America’s new one cent coin in 1909. Brenner’s design was meant to pay tribute to 16th president Abraham Lincoln's 100th birthday as well as the nation’s farming background. The design was accepted as the new one cent design, retiring the Indian Head Penny version.
1957 D Wheat Penny Ebay
On the obverse of the coin, a bust of President Lincoln is centered facing right. The well-known motto, “IN GOD WE TRUST”, can be found centered directly above the bust of Lincoln. “LIBERTY” can be found in the left field and the date of mintage is found to the right.
Brenner’s reverse design was meant to be very simplistic with the words “ONE CENT” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” centered between two large wheat stalks. The wheat stalks were a tribute to America’s humble beginnings as a farm-based country, which later progressed into an industrial power. “E PLURIBUS UNUM” is also present and centered at the top of the coin.
If you want to learn more about the Lincoln Cent or other rare and collectible cents, be sure to read our Ultimate Guide to Pennies.
History of the 1955 Wheat Penny
Of all the coins in the Wheat Penny series, the 1955 Wheat Penny might be one of the most well known. Its prominence as the most well-known doubled die is what makes its history so interesting.
Mintage numbers released by the Philadelphia Mint show that 390,958,000 examples were minted. Like all other wheat pennies except for those produced in 1943, the 1955 Wheat Penny was made with a composition of 95% copper and 5% zinc. Weighing 3.11 grams and having a diameter of 19.05mm, the Wheat Penny had the same physical properties as the previous Indian Head Penny.
The Legendary 1955 Doubled Die Wheat Penny
During minting of the 1955 Wheat Penny, one of the most remarkable errors in numismatics occurred. By far the most well-known double die error coin, the 1955 DDO Wheat Penny is sought after by coin collectors all across the country. With its unmistakable doubled image on the obverse of the coin, it is one of the easiest errors to see.
The error was produced when a hub and working die were struck together at a rotated angle and this caused the image to be rotated and heavily doubled. The die was then used to strike 1955 Wheat Pennies, making the entire obverse design appear doubled.
It was only after 20,000 to 24,000 error coins were produced that the error was found by mint employees, who chose not to find the error pennies and melt them to keep them out of circulation. These doubled 1955 Wheat Pennies were then distributed into public circulation, where it didn’t take long for consumers to start noticing the error.
Since most people found and kept the Doubled Die 1955 Wheat Penny within the first year they were in circulation, many examples are in near uncirculated or uncirculated condition.
Significant doubling can be seen on the date and in the mottos, “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST”. Some doubled dies do not have as significant doubling, making them worth less and referred to as the “poor man’s doubled die”. All examples should be authenticated through a top tier third-party grading company as counterfeits do exist.
Value of the 1955 Wheat Penny
1957 D Wheat Penny Rare
As far as regular 1955 Wheat Pennies that exhibit no signs of doubling, the value is non-existent or really low.
Only uncirculated examples in MS-63 or higher condition have any type of real value. MS-63 has a retail value of $1 and MS-65 examples have a larger jump to $16. A very quick rise to $55 can be seen with a one-point increase to MS-66.
For the much sought after 1955 Doubled Die, the prices are significantly higher compared to regular strike examples. Even in the lowest grade of Good 4, the retail price is just under $1000. A value of $1,450 is given for examples in Very Fine 20.
Uncirculated examples are where the largest jump in price occurs. MS-60 has a value of $2,050 and in MS-63 examples are worth $2,800. Only 12 coins have been graded MS-65 by PCGS, and are valued at $7,600!
1957 D Wheat Penny Filled B Value
Although 20,000 to 24,000 1955 Doubled Die Wheat Pennies were minted, PCGS estimates that only 15,000 still survive today. With this small surviving number, fewer collectors will be able to get their hands on the most sought after doubled die coins ever minted.