Gary's 20th Century Type Set
1c LINCOLN WHEAT (1909-58)

Owner Comments:

Before 1909, no regular issue US coin had ever borne the likeness of a historical person, either living or dead. Our founding fathers in planning for our nation’s coinage sought to break with the common practice of other nations to feature portraits of reigning monarchs on their coins. However, in 1909 all that changed with the release of the Lincoln Cent. Because of their love and fondness for Abraham Lincoln, both designer Victor D. Brenner and President Teddy Roosevelt collaborated together to introduce the Lincoln Cent in 1909, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. Abraham Lincoln who believed in destiny was the right man, in the right place, at the right time in our nation’s history. Largely responsible for the Emancipation Proclamation freeing the slaves, Abraham Lincoln is arguably one of our nation’s best and most beloved presidents. Leading our nation through its darkest hour during the “Civil War”, Abraham Lincoln began preparing the nation for the difficult process of re-construction after the war. Unfortunately, Abraham Lincoln would not live to see the fruit of his labors. Assassinated on April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln became our first president to succumb to an assassins’ bullet while in office. Therefore, it is most appropriate that we should pay tribute to Abraham Lincoln as the first historical person to appear on our circulating coinage. This red MS-65, 1958-D Lincoln Cent is also in my 1958 birth year set and is the last year of the “Wheatie” or "Wheat Ears" reverse.