1956 Penny Value: How Much Is It Worth Today?
For many years, coin lovers and collectors have been curious about the worth of the 1956 penny. The 1956 penny holds a special place in American history because of its distinctive design and constrained supply, despite the fact that it may appear to be a typical copper coin.
Understanding the value and significance of the 1956 penny is guaranteed to pique your curiosity, whether you’re a collector or newly interested in the world of coins. Let’s examine more closely what makes this specific penny so unique and why it is worth considerably more than its face value.
1956 Penny Value Chart |
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| Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated |
| 1956 No Mint Mark Penny Value | $0.10 – $0.20 | $0.02 – $0.05 | $0.30 – $0.50 | $1.00 – $2.00 |
| 1956 Denver Mint mark Penny Value | $0.10 – $0.20 | $0.02 – $0.05 | $0.30 – $0.50 | $1.00 – $2.00 |
1956 No Mint Mark Penny Value
The 1956 penny is one series of Lincoln penny. The Lincoln penny, sometimes known as the “Wheat Penny,” was first issued in 1909 and featured a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and two wheat stalks on the reverse. Up until 1958, this design was in use. The Lincoln Memorial Cent series, which was launched to mark the 150th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s birth, includes the 1956 penny. The Wheat Penny design, which had been in use since 1909, was replaced by the series.
The 1956 No Mint Mark penny has attracted the interest and awe of numismatic fans all around the world, from the busy streets of Philadelphia to the pockets of coin collectors worldwide. This modest copper coin may appear plain at first, but due to its rich history and lack of a mint mark, it is a priceless addition to any collection.
On the obverse (heads) side of this particular cent is a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln, and on the reverse (tails) side is a picture of the Lincoln Monument. The fact that this piece lacks a mint stamp, proving it was produced at the Philadelphia Mint, makes it even more unique.
All Lincoln pennies from 1909 through 1982, including the 1956 cent without a mint mark, are constructed of an alloy of 95% copper and 5% zinc, giving them a recognizable reddish-brown hue. The coin weighs 3.11 grams and measures 19.05 mm in diameter by 1.55 mm in thickness.
Although there were minor modifications in the composition used in other years due to changes in the availability of copper and other metals, the composition of the 1956 penny without a mint mark remained constant throughout its production cycle.
Depending on its condition, the 1956 No Mint Mark penny can be traded today for anywhere between $0.02 and $5 or more. Uncirculated, extremely fine variants of the coin can sell for more than $100.
If you’re fortunate enough to find a 1956 No Mint Mark penny in your coin collection or while out looking for coins, make sure to carefully examine it to look for any flaws that could lower its value. Check for wear or damage, as well as any distinguishing characteristics that would make it stand out from other 1956 pennies.
The current style, referred to as the Lincoln Shield Cent, was unveiled in 2010. Its front, which depicts the Lincoln Monument, and reverse, which depicts a shield, represent Lincoln’s defense of the Union during the Civil War.
Around 420 million of the 1956 penny coins without a mint mark have been created, with the Philadelphia Mint producing the majority of them. The 1956 penny, which had a large mintage but no mint mark, is still very rare and desirable, especially in high grades or with particular flaws.
1956 Denver Mint mark Penny Value
Take a trip back to 1956, the year of the Denver Mint Mark penny, a coin that continues to occupy a particular place in the hearts of collectors even now. The unique design and intriguing history of this penny make it more than just a piece of money; it serves as a reminder of a period when coins were prized as priceless pieces of American history. So, let’s delve into the world of the 1956 Denver Mint Mark penny and learn about all the intriguing nuances that make it such a coveted item among numismatists.
A total of more than 1 billion coins were struck for the 1956 Denver Mint Mark penny, which was produced in massive quantities. This makes it a rather common coin overall, yet some variants and grades of the coin can still bring in a good amount of money from collectors.
The image of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, is depicted on the obverse (heads) side of the coin along with the inscriptions “In God We Trust” above his head and “Liberty” to his left. The Lincoln Memorial is depicted on the coin’s reverse (tails) side, which also reads “United States of America” and “One Cent” beneath it.
Like all Lincoln pennies struck between 1909 and 1982, the 1956 Denver Mint Mark penny has a distinctive reddish-brown tint and is made of an alloy consisting of 95% copper and 5% zinc.
The fact that it weighs 3.11 grams, which is more than a current penny, is also a result of the copper it contains.
The Denver Mint, one of the four operational U.S. Mint operations, produced the 1956 Denver Mint Mark cent. The “D” mint mark on the obverse of this specific cent denotes its Denver place of manufacture. Collectors should pay attention to this mint mark because it can be used to estimate a coin’s value and scarcity.
The fact that a tiny number of coins were made with a doubled die error, which resulted in a perceptible double effect on the coin’s obverse side, is an intriguing fact regarding the 1956 Denver Mint Mark penny.
Depending on their condition and rarity, these coins are highly prized by collectors and may be worth thousands of dollars.
In 2020, a Heritage Auction sold a 1956 double die penny without a mint mark for more than $40,000. It’s crucial to remember that such high prices are uncommon and depend on a variety of elements, including quality, rarity, and demand. Even in excellent condition, the bulk of 1956 pennies without a mint mark are only worth a few cents to a few dollars, depending on the state of the market.
1956 Penny Grading
A professional coin grading service may grade the 1956 penny, like all coins, on a scale of 1 to 70, with higher numbers signifying better preservation and condition. A coin’s grade can have a significant impact on its value, with coins in better grades typically fetching a higher price than those in lower grades, particularly for rare or collector coins.
The video above shows an example of the grading of one 1956 penny, made by an expert in numismatics.
1956 Penny Error List
1. Die Breaks
One of the most common errors in any coin, the die break happens when a fault in the die used to strike the coin results in a crack or chip on the coin’s surface. These mistakes might appear in a variety of ways, including a raised line or a missing component of the design.
Die breaks can be brought on by a number of things, including metal fatigue, poor maintenance, and die wear and strain. Die breaks can range greatly in size and severity, and some collectors are interested in finding particular kinds or patterns of die breaks.
2. Off-Center Strike
An image that is not centered on the coin’s surface results from an off-center strike error, which happens when the coin is struck. A misaligned die, unequal pressure applied during striking, or an improperly centered blank planchet in the stamping machine are only a few examples of the causes of this problem.
The degree of off-center strikes can range from a faintly off-center picture to a coin that is almost entirely blank on one side. Check out this video with an example of one coin with a severe off-center strike, making it a lot more valuable.
3. Repunched Mintmark
When the mintmark is stamped on a coin more than once in the same place, it is known as a repunched mintmark error. This may occur for a number of reasons, such as a stamping machine breakdown, a worker mistakenly pressing the button twice, or the mint attempting to fix an error on the initial stamp. Repunched mintmarks can be recognized by the presence of many marks in the same location that are frequently slightly out of alignment with one another. If you are curious about how repunched mintmarks look on a penny, you can check out this video with some great examples.
4. Doubled Die Obverse
An evident doubled die error happens when the design on the coin has a shadow or ghost image that is slightly off-center from the primary design. A misalignment occurred when the die used to strike the coin was being made, which is what led to this inaccuracy.
Every element of the coin’s design, such as the characters, numerals, or images, could have a doubled image visible.
5. Clipped Planchet
If part of the coin’s edge is missing, creating a flat or curved region that wasn’t intended to be there, this is known as a clipped planchet error. Before the coin is struck, the blank planchet was poorly cut, either mechanically or by a worker using a blunt or misaligned cutting instrument.
Any portion of the coin’s edge that may be impacted by clipped planchets, which can range in size and shape. Certain types or sizes of clipped planchets may be of interest to collectors, and the coin’s rarity and condition might affect how much the error is worth.
If you would like to know how to identify a clipped planchet error, you can check out this video.
1956 penny FAQ
Is there anything special about a 1956 penny?
A few things about 1956 pennies are noteworthy. The United States Mint stopped producing pennies with the “wheat” design on the reverse side in 1956. This design includes two wheat stalks next to the text “ONE CENT.” Moreover, certain 1956 pennies may include flaws that increase their value to collectors, such as doubled dies or repunched mintmarks.
What is the error on a 1956 wheat penny?
Usually, on 1956 wheat pennies, there can be a number of mistakes. Doubled dies, repunched mintmarks, off-center strikes, and die breaks are a few of the more frequent mistakes. Although not all 1956 wheat pennies have an imperfection, the particular flaw will vary depending on the unique coin.
How much is a 1956 one-cent penny worth?
A 1956 one-cent penny’s worth can change based on its condition, rarity, and any flaws it could have. A 1956 penny that is in uncirculated condition and is error-free is often worth between 5 and 10 cents. A rare mistake on the penny, such as a doubled die, on the other hand, may make it worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The coin should be appraised by a respectable dealer, just like with other collectibles, to ascertain its genuine worth.
