Wheat Penny Terminology

If you are new to studying and collecting wheat pennies, you may be unsure about some of the wheat penny terminology that is used when you read about them.

I have assembled this wheat penny terminology guide to help you better understand wheat pennies. I will be adding to it as I come across more wheat penny terminology that I think you need to know about or as more of you contact me to ask me what something means.

Circulation: Wheat pennies that are (or have been) in use by the general public are said to be (or have been) in circulation.

Date: The date on the wheat penny tells us when it was minted.

Device: The device is the design on a wheat penny. A device usually features an emblem, the bust of a person, or another symbol.

Dies: The metal pieces that imprinted the design on wheat pennies.

Edge: The edge is the actual side of the wheat penny and shouldn't be confused with the rim.

Field: Any flat areas of a wheat penny that have not been raised during the minting process. The areas that have been raised are called the relief.

Inscriptions: The phrases on a wheat penny that tell us important information, like who made the coin or how much it's worth. Also called legends. "ONE CENT" is an example of an inscription on a wheat penny.

Legends: The phrases on a wheat penny that tell us important information, like who made the coin or how much it's worth. Also called inscriptions. "ONE CENT" is an example of a legend on a wheat penny.

Mint: A place where wheat pennies were produced under government authority.

Mintage: The number of any given wheat pennies that were produced is called the mintage.

Mint Mark: A letter located under the date on the wheat penny that tells us where the coin was minted. In wheat pennies, a mint mark of "D" means the coin was minted in Denver. A mint mark of "S" means it was minted in San Francisco. No mint mark means the wheat penny was minted in Philadelphia.

Motto: Phrase on a wheat penny that has special meaning or gives inspiration. "In God We Trust", "Liberty", and "E Pluribus Unim" are all examples of mottoes on a wheat penny.

Numismatics: The study or collecting of money, coins, or medals, including wheat pennies.

Numismatist: The person who studies and collects coins, including wheat pennies.

Obverse: The front side of a wheat penny. Often referred to as the "heads" side of a coin.

Portrait: The portrait on a wheat penny is that of Abraham Lincoln.

Relief: The areas of a wheat penny that have been raised during the minting process. The areas that have not been raised are called the field.

Reverse: The back side of a wheat penny. Often referred to as the "tails" side of a coin.

Rim: The rim of a wheat penny is the outer edge that is often raised and runs around the entire edge on both sides. Don't confuse the rim with the edge.