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 Replies: 7 / Views: 453 |
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Valued Member
United States
235 Posts |
Is it just me, or are the wheat cents from the 40's and 50's much more common to find than outside of that? I have had luck however finding several outside of those date ranges, just not as often. I found a 1910 Wheat cent not too long ago at work in the spare change bin. That was a pleasant surprise. |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
17363 Posts |
One factor in play is that of attrition--cents produced early in the lifespan of wheat cents were placed into circulation earlier, hence, a good number have gone 'missing' as the years have played out. Also, the mintage numbers of 40s/50s wheat cents--in aggregate--exceed that of early wheat cents. So yes, it's easier to find wheat cents from later years than early years.
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Moderator
 United States
162571 Posts |
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Moderator
United States
32962 Posts |
Quote:
are the wheat cents from the 40's and 50's much more common to find than outside of that? *Much* more common than wheat cents from the '60s.  Seriously though, I agree that it is a combination of age/wear, preferential saving due to the change in design in 1959, and higher mintages.
"If you climb a good tree, you get a push."
-----Ghanaian proverb
"The danger we all now face is distinguishing between what is authentic and what is performed."
-----King Adz
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Moderator
United States
162571 Posts |
Quote:*Much* more common than wheat cents from the '60s. 
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
18328 Posts |
Here is the total mintage by decade for Lincoln Wheat Cents: 1909 - 1919 2,125,708,369
1920 - 1929 1,664,218,000
1930 - 1939 2,214,331,000
1940 - 1949 10,566,921,670
1950 - 1958 9,245,977,454 More than three times as many were minted in the 1940s + 1950s (19.8 billion) than the previous three decades combined (6.00 billion). Add in attrition over time and it's expected that you would find more from these later decades. Inordinately fascinated by bits of metal with strange markings and figures
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
13568 Posts |
Yep - much more common for all the reasons stated.
Take a look at my other hobby ... https://www.jk-dk.artToo many hobbies .... too much work .... not enough time. |
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Moderator
United States
162571 Posts |
Quote:
Here is the total mintage by decade for Lincoln Wheat Cents: Thank you.  I fixed your table to make it easier to read. 
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Replies: 7 / Views: 453 |
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Posted 04/17/2025 1:23 pm
