Got an old coin collection? Look for a 1955 Lincoln Wheat penny now because these coins, particularly the Doubled Die Obverse variety, can be worth over $110,000 or even more. If you’re wondering whether your old 1955 penny can fetch big bucks, this guide will help you identify its true value by highlighting rare features like mint marks, conditions, and errors!
An Overview of 1955 Lincoln Wheat Cent History
A significant part of the iconic Lincoln Cent series, the 1955 penny was produced in large numbers at three different locations. Nonetheless, the coin’s popularity makes it sought-after even to date, thanks to its iconic bronze alloy and other rare features.
Apart from its notable Double Die Obverse variety, this small cent is also quite collectible due to being one the last Lincoln cents with wheat reverse. It was also the last year the San Francisco Mint produced this coin until 1964. That’s why, it has sold for astonishing prices reaching hundreds of thousands at coin auctions!
| 1955 Lincoln Wheat Cent | Key Features & Facts |
| Coin Composition | 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc |
| Minting Location | Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco |
| Minting Year | 1955 |
| Face Value | 1-cent (0.01$) |
| Weight | 3.11 grams |
| Diameter | 19.05 mm |
| Thickness | 1.52 mm |
| Designer | Victor David Brenner |
| Mint Marks | D – Denver S – San Francisco No Mint Mark – Philadelphia |
| Total Mintage | 938,825,700 coins |
How to Identify a Real 1955 Lincoln Cent (Design & Features)
Before evaluating the value, you must verify all the design details and physical features of your 1955 Lincoln wheat cent. Here’s a detailed overview of the same:
1955 Lincoln Penny Obverse:
- A right-facing portrait of Abraham Lincoln
- “IN GOD WE TRUST” above Lincoln’s head
- The word “LIBERTY” to Lincoln’s left (back)
- The mint date “1955” to Lincoln’s right
- The mint mark S or D, if present, below the mint year
- Designer’s initials “VDB” on Lincoln’s shoulder (difficult to see)
1955 Lincoln Penny Reverse:
- The denomination “ONE CENT” in large letters in the center
- “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” below the denomination
- Two wheat stalks surrounding the denomination & nation’s name
- “E PLURIBUS UNUM” at the top
Coin Composition, Weight & Size
The 1955 Lincoln penny followed the traditional Lincoln cent composition of 95% copper and 5% zinc. Like all pennies, this composition gives the coin its distinctive weight of 3.11 grams and shiny red-copper color.
Other distinctive features of the 1955 wheat penny are its diameter of 19.05 mm or 0.750 in, a thickness of 1.52 mm, and a shiny and smooth, non-reeded plain edge. Verifying these features is crucial to differentiate between a real or fake 1955 penny.
Finding a 1955 Lincoln Penny Value (5 Key Factors)
The average value of an old circulated 1955 wheat penny is not worth more than a few cents. But this value can reach thousands based on certain factors, like the condition, rare mint marks, satin finish, and rare minting errors.
1. Coin Condition & Grades
The coin grades, designations for assessing a coin’s condition, are the first and most important factor to impact a 1955 Lincoln penny value. The better the condition, the more value the small cent holds.
Depending on the wear and tear and the sharpness of the design, the coins are professionally graded on a scale ranging from P-1 to MS-70, with higher numbers indicating a better condition. 1955 pennies in mint state (MS grades) are worth way more than those in lower grades.
For example, a Philadelphia-struck 1955 penny in MS-67 grade once sold for $1,920 on Heritage Auctions. The same coin will only be worth around $10-15 in MS-65 grade and even less in lower grades.
To find the best possible value of your old 1955 Lincoln cent, get it graded by grading services, like PCGC (Professional Coin Grading Services), NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation), and ANACS (American Numismatic Association Certification Service).
2. Coin Color & Toning
While all new 1955 Lincoln cents were bright red in color, they might turn brown over time due to toning and oxidation, affecting their rarity and value. Generally, the coins are designated in three color categories:
- Red (RD): This designation is for well-preserved 1955 pennies that have 95% or more of their original red luster, making them the most collectible. In mint state, a Red 1955 penny can be worth $10-2,000 or more as per the grades.
- Red-Brown (RB): The coins with a mix of red and brown toning are graded RB. These coins are worth less than red coins, fetching $5-170 in uncirculated condition. like this MS-66+ example sold for over $176 on Legend Rare Coin Auctions!
- Brown (BN): The least valuable of all, these coins have turned entirely brown, losing over 95% of the red luster. The average value of BN 1955 pennies is $5-35 in mint state, but they can be worth more in extremely high grades or with a rare error.
3. 1955 Lincoln Cent Mint Marks & Mintage
| Coin Grades | Condition Details | 1955 No Mint Mark Penny Value | 1955 D Wheat Penny Value | 1955 D Wheat Penny Value |
| Poor (0) to Extremely Fine (XF45) | Significant wear, faded but visible details | Face Value | Face Value | Face Value |
| Almost Uncirculated (AU50) to Mint State (AU58+) | Slight wear on highest points, visible marks or blemishes | 20 cents to 50 cents | 10 cents to 30 cents | 20 cents to 50 cents |
| Mint State (MS60 – MS64) | Uncirculated with minimal wear | $6 – $10 | $2 – $10 | $5 – $12 |
| Mint State (MS65 – MS66+) | Nearly flawless with very minor imperfections | $10 – $160 | $12 – $80 | $15 – $75 |
| Mint State (MS67 – MS67+) | Well-preserved with no major flaws | $350 – $2,000+ | $260 – $1,900+ | $100 – $1,500+ |
| Mint State (MS68 or Above) | Nearly perfect, luster, no major marks or flaws | N/A | N/A | Around $7,500 |
The total mintage (production) of a coin decides its rarity; the lower the mintage, the more valuable the coin. Now, the total mintage of over 938 million coins for the 1955 Lincoln penny makes it common, but limited production from certain locations makes them rarer.
1955 D Wheat Penny Value (Mintage – 563,257,500)
The Denver Mint released the most 1955 Lincoln cents, over 563 million coins, identified by no mint mark on the obverse. Most valuable of all, a 1955 D wheat penny is worth face value in average condition.
In an uncirculated state, the value ranges around $5-15 in MS60 to MS64 grades. MS65 to MS66+ examples are worth $15-80, while MS67 examples can range from $250 to $1,900. But some collectors can pay even more.
In fact, an MS-67 example of a 1955 D wheat penny was bought for an astonishing price of $7,050 on Heritage Auctions.
1955 No Mint Mark Lincoln Penny Value (Mintage – 330,580,000)
The Philadelphia Mint produced fewer 1955 cents than the Denver Mint, all with no mint mark, making them slightly more valuable. While a circulated 1955 no mint mark penny is also worth the face value, it can be really valuable in the high-grade mint state.
An MS62-MS64 1955 no mint mark cent only sells for $5 to $8, MS65-MS66+ grades can reach values around $10-50, while MS67 and higher examples can reach $300 to $2,000 or more!
The most expensive 1955 penny with no mint mark was an MS-67+, sold for an eye-popping record price of $32,400 on Heritage Auctions in 2022!
1955 S Lincoln Penny Value (Mintage – 44,610,000)
With the lowest mintage of only around 44.61 million coins, the San Francisco-struck 1955 pennies with an S mint mark are the rarest and most collectible.
Circulated 1955 S wheat penny coins can range from about $0.25 to $1, while mint state examples can range from $15 to $7,500, depending on grades, like an MS68 example sold for $7,475 on Heritage Auctions!
4. 1955 Lincoln Penny Proof Strike
The Philadelphia didn’t just make circulation pennies, it also released 378,200 proof 1955 Lincoln cents, which can be extremely expensive thanks to their sharp details and high-quality mirror-like finish. These coins also have no mint mark like regular Philadelphia cents.
The average value of Red 1955 Lincoln proof cents falls between $15 and $350 or slightly more, depending on grades ranging from PR62 to PR69.
However, some rare proof pennies might show a unique contrast on the surface, making them rarer and more sought-after. These coins can have two designations:
- Cameo Proofs (CAM): These 1955 proof pennies showcase a subtle contrast between the frosted design and the reflective fields. The prices often range from $30 to $180 in PR65 to PR67 grades and $200 to $1,900 or more for PR68 or higher examples.
- Deep Cameo Proofs (DCAM): Deep Cameo examples have an even stronger contrast on the surface. A DCAM 1955 penny can range from $200 to $6,000 in PR65 to PR68 grades. The rarest of all, a PR-69 DCAM 1955 penny proof coin sold for a mind-boggling price of $50,400 in a coin auction at Stack’s Bowers!
5. Rare 1955 Lincoln Penny Errors
The 1955 Lincoln wheat penny may possess some unique minting or production errors, which can significantly increase its value.
Double Die Obverse Error
The most valuable error on a 1955 Lincoln cent is the Double Die Obverse, which occurs due to a faulty obverse die with a doubled design. To spot this, use a magnifying glass to notice the doubling in letters of “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST,” the numbers of mint date, and on Lincoln’s silhouette.
Depending on the coin’s condition, mint marks, and proof finish, a Double Die Obverse 1955 penny value can fetch thousands.
Even Brown DDO pennies can range from $1,000 to $8,500 or even more. Red-brown examples are valued at $2,000 to $32,000, while Red DDO coins are worth $3,500 to $100,000 or more, depending on grades.
For example, the lowest-grade VF-35 BN 1955 DDO penny sold for about $1,175 in a coin auction. The most expensive DDO example is a Red MS-65+ coin auctioned for a whopping $114,000 at Stack’s Bowers!
Struck on a Silver Dime Planchet
This rare coin error happens when a 1955 Lincoln Cent is mistakenly struck on a silver dime planchet. The coin would appear smaller and thinner than normal pennies, with a silvery appearance and partial design due to the size difference.
Based on recent auction data, the value of a 1955 penny dime ranges from $1,000-1,500 in circulated condition, while uncirculated examples can reach $2,500-4,000 or more. For example, an MS-62 grade 1955 Lincoln Penny struck on a dime planchet sold for a high price of $3,960 at Heritage Auctions, which is an exceptional price for this grade!
Cud Die Break Error
A cud die break on a 1955 wheat penny happens when a portion of the die completely breaks away, resulting in a raised, irregular blob of metal on the surface. This blob can be on either side of the coin and its size affects the error coin’s value significantly.
Small cuds from this year typically sell in the $50-100 range, while major cuds in mint state can bring $200-$800 in mint state. An MS62 1955 1C Lincoln Cent with Reverse Cud Die Break sold for $528 in a coin auction!
In addition to these, look for off-center strikes, repunched mint marks, and clipped planchet errors, as they can also boost your 1955 penny’s value. Don’t forget to assess all the rare features of your coin using this price guide before buying or selling this small cent!
