The 1944-S Lincoln Wheat Cent Penny is a remarkable coin that holds a unique place in American numismatic history due to its composition. Here's an overview of this distinctive coin:
During World War II, there was a shortage of copper, a vital metal needed for ammunition and other wartime efforts. To conserve copper for the war, the United States Mint sought alternative materials for producing one-cent coins.
The 1944-S Lincoln Wheat Cent Penny is notable for being struck on zinc-coated steel planchets instead of the traditional bronze composition.
These steel cents were produced at the San Francisco Mint (hence the "S" mintmark) and were intended to alleviate the copper shortage during the war.
The obverse of the coin features the familiar bust of President Abraham Lincoln, facing to the right. This iconic design by Victor David Brenner was first introduced in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.
The reverse of the coin displays two ears of wheat flanking the inscription "ONE CENT." Above the wheat stalks is the national motto "E PLURIBUS UNUM," and below them is the phrase "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA."
While the 1944-S Lincoln Steel Cent is not as scarce as its 1943 counterparts (which were struck in large quantities due to the wartime circumstances), it is still considered a collectible and desirable coin among numismatists.
Many collectors seek out the 1944-S Lincoln Steel Cent as part of their collections of Lincoln cents or wartime coinage.
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