1955-S Lincoln Cent : A Collector’s Guide

By Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker for CoinWeek Notes …..
 

Due to the pending (and ultimately temporary) shutdown of the United States Mint facility in San Francisco, the 1955-S Lincoln Cent became one of the most hoarded coins in American coin-collecting history. Unfortunately, the quality of these Wheat Cents was not as high as preceding issues. Look for mushy strikes, especially on the wheat stalks and lettering. Examples with full Mint State Red remain plentiful, but with the passage of time, these typically have taken on a muted cognac color.

Historic Pricing and Certified Populations of the 1955-S Lincoln Cent

The PCGS population for MS68RD has remained constant for more than 20 years, with the single finest specimen last appearing at public auction in September 2002.

Dealer Bob Creps offered uncirculated rolls for $31 in the January 1965 issue of Numismatic Scrapbook Magazine. In that same issue, bag and roll dealer Ray Kotansky of Streator, Illinois, offered BU bags of this date for $3,575.

In the July 1974 issue of Numismatic Scrapbook Magazine, SilverTowne offered BU rolls of 1955-S Lincoln Cents for $22 each.

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Market Data and Noteworthy Specimens

The PCGS and NGC top-pop populations have remain unchanged since at least September 2024. CAC has added three MS67RD coins to its census over the course of the same period.

Top Population: PCGS MS68RD (1, 3/2025), NGC MS68RD (2, 3/2025), and CACG MS67RD (75:4 stickered:graded, 3/2025).

• NGC MS68RD #6260474-001: Legend Rare Coin Auctions, April 28, 2022, Lot 75 – Passed.
• PCGS MS68RD #04039260: As PCGS MS-68RD #4039260. Heritage Auctions, September 26, 2002, Lot 5632 – $7,475. Old Green Holder at the time of sale. No public sales reported since, however the coin has been re-certified with the cert number modified to PCGS’ current 8-digit format. A TrueView was also taken.
• PCGS MS67+RD CAC #48300268: “The Whispering Pines Collection,” Heritage Auctions, January 16, 2025, Lot 4673 – $5,520. Diagonal hit above O of ONE.
• PCGS MS67+RD CAC #81339677: “The Bender Family Collection — Post-1932 Lincoln Cents.”, Heritage Auctions, December 15, 2022, Lot 3369 – $870. Bender Collection on insert. Toned.
• PCGS MS67+RD CAC #80611889: Heritage Auctions, May 9, 2022, Lot 46137 – $1,380.
• PCGS MS67+RD QA #25670531: Heritage Auctions, June 18, 2019, Lot 25152 – $288; Heritage Auctions, March 22, 2022, Lot 27199- $576.
• PCGS MS67+RD #81286057: Heritage Auctions, January 22, 2019, Lot 27109 – $336; Heritage Auctions, March 15, 2022, Lot 25103 – $324. Jerald L. Martin Collection on insert.
• PCGS MS67+RD #25651047: Heritage Auctions, September 7, 2021, Lot 23094 – $336.
• PCGS MS67+RD CAC #37140127: Heritage Auctions, June 22, 2021, Lot 27214 – $480.
• PCGS MS67+RD CAC #07855397: Heritage Auctions, March 24, 2020, Lot 27095 – $432.
• PCGS MS67+RD #81744214: Heritage Auctions, April 30, 2017, Lot 7153 – $423; Heritage Auctions, June 11, 2019, Lot 25230 – $228. Toned.
• PCGS MS67+RD CAC #81342043: Heritage Auctions, July 9, 2017, Lot 7152 – $763.75.
• PCGS MS67+RD CAC #25602107: Heritage Auctions, July 9, 2017, Lot 7153 – $940.
• PCGS MS67+RD CAC #82136000: Legend Rare Coin Auctions, January 26, 2017, Lot 114 – $1,086.88.

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Coin Specifications

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