Wheat-Back Pennies: What Is The Appeal?

There is a rumor going around that the Mint doesn't make them any more.

I like them b.c its so many out there.

Challenging series to collect from circulation. I don't think the memorial set can be completed in MS6xRB (Mint State 60 or higher Red Brown) condition or better....from circulation. If so, you were VERY lucky and searched a LOT of pennies.

Cheapest set to collect from circulation - only a cent! :)

@senex: unless I'm a below-average collector, I don't think so. I know better than to go the wire brush, etc. route, but I'd never trust myself to dip or do an extensive restoration like the one Ray did on the cent he sent me. Those are things that should only be done after lots and lots of practice on junk coins and as a last resort--and the "average collector" I know doesn't put in that kind of time.

@argentum: I like the idea of the updated typeface because it would bring together all Three Cents (wheathead, shield, with Lincoln himself representing Memorial), but to each his own.

Same here. Their value may be common, but finding them is not.

Certain parallels can be drawn between Lincolns and just any other issue, but nothing before or since has the huge variation in collecting focus that Lincolns can offer.

You want tough? Collect the branch mints in Mint State. Good luck with that, Red or Brown.

You want easy? With only a very few true keys - S-VDB, '14-D, '22 No MM - it's within the reach of the average numismatist to do a complete set if grade is negotiable. They're so common that you can buy most of the set in one place if you wish, and so numerous in composition that you can make it a goal of years' worth of effort.

You want variety? It's among the most-studied of all types, and die varieties are sufficiently-abundant that only the most truly-focused could ever aspire to a set approaching completeness.

You wanna spend bucks? Do a full set in 66+ Red. And adopt me as your dependent.

Cheap? Buy 'em by the pound, and resell what you don't want the same way.

Exclusive? Do a high-grade date set in only Brown, like I'm doing.

Common? Well, I'm thinking they're the single most-commonly collected coin in all of numismatics.

Whatever you choose to do with them, you will never fail to find kindred spirits. That's the appeal.

Easy, crazyforATB.

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