What are Wheat Pennies?
Wheat pennies are American one cent coins produced between 1909 and 1958. The “wheat” is a reference to the stylized sheaves of wheat which decorate the back of this series of coinage. You may also hear wheat pennies referred to as wheatbacks, wheaties, or Lincoln wheat pennies. Prior to the introduction of the wheat penny, the United States Mint produced the Indian head penny, marked with the head of an Indian brave on the front and a wreath or laurel or oak, depending on the year, on the back. In 1959, the wheat design on the back was replaced with an engraving of the Lincoln Memorial.
