1956 Proof Lincoln Wheat Cent
Strike Type
Coin Details
Value Estimates
Values as of May 2026 — estimates reflect typical grades (G-4 through MS-63). Coins in lower or exceptional grades may fall outside this range.
Auction Record
$4,995 PR69RD 07-23-2022 eBay
Description
The 1956 Proof Lincoln Wheat Cent is a proof cent struck at the Philadelphia Mint, part of the Lincoln Wheat Cents 1909-1958 series. With a mintage of 669,384, this is an extremely rare issue — the lowest mintage among 3 mint variants, representing only less than 1% of total production. The obverse features Abraham Lincoln facing right, the first real person depicted on a U.S. circulating coin and the reverse displays two wheat stalks framing ONE CENT, symbolizing American agriculture. Minted during the post-war economic boom, the final era of silver circulating coinage in the United States before the Coinage Act of 1965. As a proof issue, this coin was struck multiple times on specially prepared polished planchets using polished dies, producing mirror-like fields and frosted design elements prized by collectors. Struck at the original U.S. Mint facility, in continuous operation since 1792. Estimated market value is approximately $7. Struck in 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc, weighing 3.11 grams, 19 mm in diameter, with a plain edge. Cataloged as PCGS #3377.
External References
Error Varieties(85)
1956 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-002
1956 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-003
1956 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-006
1956 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-007
1956 Doubled Die Obverse DDO-008
1956 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-002
1956 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-003
1956 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-004
1956 Doubled Die Obverse WDDO-006
1956 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-001
1956 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-002
1956 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-003
1956 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-004
1956 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-005
1956 Doubled Die Reverse DDR-006
1956 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-002
1956 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-004
1956 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-005
1956 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-006
1956 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-007
1956 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-008
1956 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-009
1956 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-010
1956 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-011
1956 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-012
1956 Doubled Die Reverse WDDR-013
1956PR-1DEO-001T Trail Die Obverse
LDB4-1956-001A Die Break
LDB4-1956-001B Die Break
LDB4-1956-002B Die Break
LDB4-1956-002C Die Break
LDB4-1956-002D Die Break
LDB4-1956-002E Die Break
LDB4-1956-003A Die Break
LDB4-1956-003E Die Break
LDB4-1956-004B Die Break
LDB4-1956-004C Die Break
LDB4-1956-005A Die Break
LDB4-1956-006 Die Break
LDB4-1956-007B Die Break
LDB4-1956-008 Die Break
LDB4-1956-009B Die Break
LDB4-1956-009C Die Break
LDB4-1956-010B Die Break
LDB4-1956-011 Die Break
LDB4-1956-012 Die Break
LDB4-1956-013B Die Break
LDB4-1956-014B Die Break
LDB4-1956-014C Die Break
