1957 Wheat Penny Error
If you’ve ever noticed that a 1957 wheat penny has a die-break strike error, then you may want to get a closer look. You might notice the die appears cracked, and there’s a ‘D’ missing from the word ‘LIBERTY.’ But, what is this error? Here are some answers to this common question. Continue reading to learn more about this coin’s faults! After all, you’ll be surprised at what you’ll discover.
Die-break strike error
A popular error on the 1957 D wheat penny is the ‘BIE’ (die-break strike error). The coin has the word LIBIERTY on it instead of LIBERTY, which is a result of a die break in the area. These coins are highly valuable and can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The exact cause is unclear, but one theory is that the die break was caused by impurities in the coin’s alloy.
A ‘fine’ grade indicates that the coin has not been fully ruined but has light surface imperfections. On the other hand, a ‘good’ grade is the opposite of the ‘fine’ grade, which indicates that the coin has been in circulation for a long time. The ‘good’ grade has many scratches and flattened details. Many of these pennies are unreadable. A good grade 1957 Wheat penny can fetch several hundred dollars.
Light brown color of copper
The “BIE” error on a 1957 wheat penny is a fairly common one. Many collectors have shared photos and videos of the coins with the error filled in with the letter “B” or “9.” While the error may be caused by a die clash – the two halves of a die come together without a planchet in the coining chamber – it is rare for the reverse to have a visible blemish.
While the coin is generally circulated, collectors are looking for examples with a “red” color. Some pennies from 1957 can have traces of bright copper inside the lettering. On the rarity scale, 1957-D pennies are relatively common. These are part of the second collecting era for wheat cents. Many of these pennies are worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. However, there are a few exceptions.
Lincoln’s hair above his forehead
The uncirculated version of the 1957 wheat penny error shows a very fine example of the same error. The coin displays no signs of wear or flaking on any of its high points, such as the lapel or fields. The hair above Lincoln’s forehead is a long, exposed line and the coin displays no signs of smoothing or removing of texture. This uncirculated example also displays very low signs of wear and flaking.
The most obvious mistake is the lack of the lettering “AM” above Lincoln’s full ear. The design of the ear is quite distinct and the error is easily spotted. The coin is currently worth $230 in mint state condition. If you find one of these in a roll of common pennies, it may be worth a few dollars. If the condition of the coin is very good, it could be worth $50 or more.
Lack of a ‘D’ in the word “LIBERTY”
The lack of a ‘D’ in the letter “LIBERTY” on the 1957 wheat penny was not intentional, but rather, was due to a manufacturing error. This error is visible on either the front or back of the coin. On the back, there is a small split in the metal in front of the word “LIBERTY.” This is not a major problem, but it is significant.
The lack of a ‘D’ in the words “LIBERTY” on the 1957 wheat penny is a common occurrence among American coins. Although this design was not intentional, it did reflect the fact that the coin was not produced by the Philadelphia Mint. The Denver Mint was the only mint to strike pennies in 1957. Its designers were both based in Philadelphia.
Uncirculated condition
A rare, collectible type of wheat penny is the 1957 D lincoln wheat back cent. The Denver Colorado Mint was the single largest coin manufacturer in the world and produced a majority of the coins struck with a letter “D” mintmark. Because of this, coins with this mintmark have been deemed gem uncirculated. This coin has a full reverse and has a remarkably good condition for a wheat penny. The obverse of this coin has a die break which appears to be an “I” or a letter “B.”
There are two grades of 1957 Wheat pennies. The fine grade indicates that the coin has spent several years in circulation and has light surface imperfections. The good grade indicates that the coin has spent a lot of years in circulation. It has many dents and scratches and its lettering is often flattened. Although it is rare to find an original uncirculated 1957 wheat penny, it can be worth several hundred dollars.
Value
The value of a 1957 wheat penny error depends on the grade and condition of the coin. The fine grade indicates that the coin has been in circulation for years but is not totally ruined. Fine grade pennies have minor surface imperfections such as light scratches. The good grade pennies have heavy damages such as creases, blemishes, or illegible letters. Depending on the condition and grade, the 1957 wheat penny may be worth several hundred dollars.
The wheat penny was introduced in 1909 and minted until 1958. The 1957 wheat penny does not have a particular rarity, but its value depends on the mint mark, the condition, and the interest of the collector. Its low value means that it is easy to acquire. While the 1957 wheat penny may be rare, it is not a precious metal or highly valuable item. It is affordable and easily collectible for anyone who appreciates artifacts.
