Do you have a 1956 penny in your pocket? If so, what is its value? In this blog post, we will discuss the value of a 1956 penny and determine its worth. The value of a 1956 penny can vary depending on its condition and mintmark. We will guide you through the process of determining the value of your coin so that you can get the most money for it. Keep reading to learn more.
Did you know that 1956 was the last year Lincoln pennies were made of 95% copper and 5% zinc? The following 1956 penny value is based on its metallic content. See more about 1956 Lincoln Wheat Pennies at the bottom of this post.
1956 Lincoln Penny Values: History & Facts
1956 was the first year for “flying” Abraham Lincoln designs on the obverse of Lincoln pennies. A flying eagle design replaced the previous wheat design. 1956 Lincoln pennies were the first to carry the motto ‘IN GOD WE TRUST.’ 1956 pennies are worth more than others if they are in better condition, free of dings and nicks, and ‘bag marks.’ 1956 was the year that copper-nickel clad 1956 pennies were introduced.
The 1956 penny is unique because it has an engraving reading “LIBERTY” to the left of President Lincoln’s image on its obverse side. It also includes both date and minting year, which were important at this time period when many people had never seen metal coins before.
Americana History: The Fascinating History of the Lincoln Penny
The history of the Lincoln penny is fascinating. It was designed by Victor David Brenner, who also created all wheat pennies for this series; they have considered one-of-a-kind coins today because so many were made during 1956 alone. The United States interstate system came into effect. At the same time, other significant events occurred in America, too, including when Grace Kelly became Princess Rainier’s bride through a marriage ceremony performed right here on US soil.
The Value of a 1956 Penny: How Much Is Your Coin Worth?
The value of a 1956 penny can vary depending on its condition and mintmark. The most valuable 1956 pennies are those struck at the San Francisco Mint. These coins have an “S” mintmark and are in very good or better condition. Pennies struck at the Philadelphia Mint (without a mintmark) are worth a significant amount of money, especially in excellent condition.
In general, 1956 pennies in good condition are worth around $0.50, while those in excellent condition can be worth up to $12.00. So, if you have a 1956 penny, it’s worth taking the time to determine its value and get it appraised.
The 1956 penny is a copper-based coin minted by the United States Mint. The coin has a diameter of 19 mm and a weight of about .75 grams. It features an image of wheat on the front and the phrase “E Pluribus Unum” on the back. In good condition, a 1956 penny can be worth anywhere from $0.50 to $12.00.
1956 Penny Mint Mark Location
Philadelphia penny with no mint mark
A 1956 wheat penny with no mint mark was made in Philadelphia. A 1956-P penny with the ‘P’ mint mark indicates it was made at the
Denver & San Francisco Mint
1956 Lincoln pennies were also made at the Denver and San Francisco Mints, but they don’t carry a mintmark.
A 1956 Lincoln Penny Value – What Dealers Pay
The 1956 penny value is based on the number of 1956 pennies minted. The fewer 1956 pennies made, the higher the 1956 penny value they are worth. Different 1956 pennies are pictured above. From left to right are pennies from Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S). A dealer pays for 1956 pennies varies depending on 1956 penny mint marks and 1956 penny scarcity.
The 1956-D and the 1956-S, with their respective mint marks, are worth a premium because of low 1956 penny mintages.
For the 1956 penny, which US mints were responsible?
There are only two versions of the 1956 Lincoln penny; those produced at the Philadelphia and Denver mints and those produced at the Philadelphia mint. Unlike the 1 billion 1956 pennies created at the Denver mint mark D. The only way to determine if the coin has a mint mark on its reverse side is by looking at it.
The 420,745k coins produced at Philadelphia lack these identifying features because they were made without any markings whatsoever. The Philadelphia Mint produced around 669k proof pennies in 1956, the majority of which were wheat pennies.
The 1956 Penny: A Rare, Minting Error Coin
Alignment errors can occur when minting coins if the metal is not properly punched. Metal passes through a set of holes and gets stamped with an image on its surface as it goes along to create each coin from what was originally just one large strip that had been worked upon by many different people over time at various points throughout history until finally becoming something unique because every single created piece begins life this way –uncharacteristically blank.
The 1956 penny is a collectible, with its date and minting location still clearly visible. Collectors will want to look at the overall condition as well- this example has light wear which doesn’t detract from its appeal but can be seen on close inspection. Even though there are some small scratches near Lincoln’s head, they don’t hurt anything aesthetically speaking because we’re used to seeing these kinds of marks in older coins! The brown coloration adds depth without being distracting, so those who prefer their copper-red might find themselves liking what you’ve got going here post appreciation bonus Treasury updates.
The collector’s value of an item is determined by how much interest they show in it. Wheat pennies with traditional markings are sought-after because these kinds of date and mintmark sets have been collected throughout the years; however, there aren’t as many people looking for error coins like those made on this particular nickel planchet– 1956 was just another year where collectors could find some interesting pieces without too much trouble.
Final Thoughts about 1956 Penny
1956 wheat penny value, whether in a collection or as an individual coin to sell, is something many people would like to know. Be sure you are getting the accurate worth by following these simple steps! Images and descriptions guide you through the process of accurately grading your coin. As always, if there are any questions, please reach out to us! We would be happy to help.
If you’re curious about the value of other old pennies, be sure to check out our blog post on the subject. We cover all of the most valuable penny dates before and after 1956. Thanks for reading, and happy collecting!
Thomas Boseman is the author of Pawnbroking.com. A pawn shop owner by day, blog writer by night. When not writing, he enjoys exploring the outdoors with his dog, Roman. Thomas received his bachelor of arts in film from the University of Arizona. A Brooklyn native, Thomas is a lover of filmmaking, motorcycle, and coffee.