1909-1958 Lincoln, Wreath Reverse

Even today, those who pay close attention to the pennies that pass through their fingers, can find the "Wheat Penny" that managed to dodge the watchful eye of every would-be collector. "Find a penny pick it up, it might be a wheat penny worth a buck." After a brief coinage of Lincoln cents with V.D.B. initials on the reverse, the initials were removed, thus creating the "wreath reverse," without initials, a style which remained in use through 1958. From 1909 through 1942, and again from 1948 through 1958, pieces were struck in the standard bronze alloy consisting of 0.95 part copper and 0.5 part tin and zinc. Separate types were created in 1943 with the zinc-coated steel and in 1944-1946 with a special alloy made from melted-down cartridge cases and which consisted of 0.95 part copper and 0.05 zinc. It should be noted that the V.D.B. initials were put back on the Lincoln cent beginning in 1918, but this time they were of minute size and placed on Lincoln's shoulder. Generally, collectors do not consider the types with shoulder initials and without shoulder initials, or before 1918, and later, to be distinct types, although in a way they are.

Coined by the billions, cents of this type are common today, and no difficulty will be encountered in obtaining one in any grade desired from Good through superb Uncirculated, with the latter grade being the obvious choice. In addition, Matte Proofs are available from the 1909-1916 years and brilliant-finish Proofs are available of the 1936-1942 years and again from 1950 through 1958. Today, superb Matte Proofs are rare, while mirrorlike or brilliant Proofs of the later era are readily obtained.

Remember coins dated 1943 are made of steel. However, a very few number of coins with this date were made of the traditional alloy. If you find one of these, you just won the lottery. A simple test is the magnet test. If it is attracted to the magnet, keep looking and try again later.