COINS
1946 wheat penny
Key Facts & Value
Key Fact
Description
This is a 1946 Lincoln cent, a one-cent coin minted in the United States. The obverse features a profile of President Abraham Lincoln, designed by Victor David Brenner. The reverse displays two stalks of wheat, also designed by Brenner. This particular coin shows signs of circulation wear. The Philadelphia mint produced a substantial number of these pennies in 1946, making them a common yet historically significant piece of American coinage.
History
The Lincoln cent, introduced in 1909, marked a departure from previous US coinage by featuring a prominent historical figure. Abraham Lincoln, the 16th US President, was chosen to honor the centennial of his birth. The wheat stalk reverse design, used from 1909 to 1958, symbolized agricultural abundance and prosperity. The 1946 mintage from the Philadelphia Mint reflects the post-war era's economic activity and demand for coinage.
Facts
The Lincoln cent is one of the most widely collected coins in the United States, with millions of examples in existence. The 1946 date is notable for being part of the last full year of the wheat penny design before its transition to the Lincoln Memorial reverse in 1959. Collectors often seek out these coins for their historical significance and affordability, making them a gateway into numismatics.
Value Fact
The 1946 Lincoln cent in circulated condition, like the one pictured, generally holds minimal collector value, often trading for around its melt value or a few cents above. Higher grades or errors can command higher prices, but typical examples are readily available for under a dollar. Demand remains steady due to their accessibility for new collectors and their iconic status.
Item Details
Official Details
Variation Details
pres10 Details
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