The 1959 Wheat Penny: A Treasure Hunt Awaits

The 1959 Wheat Penny: Journey into the World of Coin Collecting

The 1959 wheat penny intrigues coin collectors in America and beyond. This penny stands apart because of its historical significance. It marks a turning point – the year when the Lincoln Memorial reverse design first appeared, replacing the much-loved wheat stalks. For this reason alone, it’s worth examining.

The Distinctive Design

The Lincoln Memorial design, gifted to the public by Frank Gasparro, flourished from 1959 to 2008. Previously, during Abraham Lincoln’s 150th birthday in 1909, Victor D. Brenner gifted the coin’s obverse design. Simple, yet elegant, Brenner’s work showcases a Lincoln portrait – a design element retained for over a hundred years now.

While both sides bear historical significance, the curiosity of coin collectors is often gravitated towards the coin’s reverse side – featuring either the Lincoln Memorial or two wheat stalks (called ‘wheat ears’).

1959 – The Year of Transition

A penny created in 1959 holding the wheat ears design is a true anomaly – a transitional error, so to speak. The U.S. Mint records no such pennies in its archives. Hence, the existence of a 1959 wheat penny is not official and deemed an error or counterfeit.

The Value Question

Being rare, the appraisal of a 1959 wheat penny may lead you into a realm of expectations. But remember, numismatic appreciation is different. For the collector, it’s less about financial gain and more about historical intrigue. It’s about a palpable connection to the rich tapestry of American history manifested through this tiny copper coin.

Purely on a collector’s level, value varies. The condition of the coin plays a significant role in determining this. Better conditions fetch higher prices – expect anywhere from 2 cents to 100 dollars. Now, if you stumble upon a genuine 1959 wheat penny, you’re onto an undefined value given its unestablished rarity.

Detecting the Genuine Article

Potential counterfeiting is a cause for concern though. Mischievous hands might marry the obverse of a 1959 penny with the reverse of a pre-1959 penny to create a ‘wheat back’ penny. If not cautious, you could be duped.

Therefore, ensure you seek professional help from a coin dealer or a grading service when identifying a 1959 wheat penny. As a starting point, compare known pennies, check for die marks, and look for inconsistencies. Look closely, ask questions, and seek validation.

Collecting for Love

The underlying beauty of collecting 1959 wheat pennies, or any coins for that matter, is neither monetary nor transactional. Much like philately, it is a love for a past era, a sense of nostalgia, and the sheer joy of owning a part of history.