1957 Lincoln (Wheat) Penny

The Lincoln penny is a coin that has been produced in the United States for almost as long as the US Mint has been producing coins. Though there were hundreds of different types of pennies produced over the years, the 1957 Lincoln is especially sought after by collectors. Of course, being that the coins are no longer being produced means that now is as good a time as ever to get your hands on the Lincoln.

On the coin’s obverse, the central aspect is dominated by the profile of Abraham Lincoln. Immediately to the left of the Lincoln’s image is a raised inscription which reads “Liberty.” Opposite the Liberty inscription is another raised inscription which marks the 1957 year of minting. Finally, the phrase “In God We Trust” is inscribed across the top.

On the reverse side of the coin, there are two raised inscriptions in the center. One of the raised inscriptions reads “United States of America,” while the other marks the “One Cent” face value. Along the left and right outer edges of the reverse are depicted two stalks of wheat, which is why the coin is sometimes called the “Wheat Penny.” The Latin phrase “E Pluribus Unum” is arching overtop.

Grading the 1957 Lincoln Penny

For collectors, the Lincoln penny is always going to be desirable, but there are certain coins that are more sought after than others. These are the coins that have been graded by a professional organization. Below, we will introduce you to the different coin grades as well as what those grades mean for the appearance of the 1957 Lincoln penny.

Uncirculated: A coin that is determined to be of Uncirculated grade, this means that the coin never exchanged hands over the years. As such, you will notice absolutely no signs of wear and tear typically associated with coins so old. As you might expect, Uncirculated is the grade of Lincoln pennies that is sought after the most.

Extremely Fine: An Extremely Fine Lincoln penny is one that was probably never circulated, however it will have a small blemish or two. Whether it be a few small scratches or other signs of wear, these coins will be slightly worse off than Uncirculated coins. At the end of the day, however, Extremely Fine Lincoln pennies are in impeccable condition.

Fine: Fine is indicative of a Lincoln penny that was definitely circulated, but has managed to avoid any major damage. Through years of exchanging hands you will notice some light scratching and smoothing, but all of the raised aspects of the coin will have been pretty well-preserved.

Good: Good is the worst grade a coin can receive. This grade is given to pieces that have been extremely heavily circulated for an extended period of time. From deep scratching to the complete smoothing of some of the coin’s imagery, there will be plenty of signs of damage on these coins.

Pricing the 1957 Lincoln Penny

If you are trying to determine the value of a 1957 Lincoln, there are a few things you must consider in order to do this. For one, there were multiple types of Lincoln pennies produced most years. Understanding this, it goes without saying that the exact type of Lincoln penny you own will go a long way in determining the coin’s value. Beyond that, you must consider the coin’s grade as condition also goes a long way in determining price.

Lincoln Pennies

DATE	GOOD	FINE	EXTREMELY FINE	UNCIRCULATED
1957 Lincoln Penny	N/A	N/A	$0.12	$0.15
1957 Lincoln Penny (D)	N/A	N/A	$0.12	$0.15
Source: Red Book