| The best place to start collecting would be with | | | | silver or gray in color because of the plating. The |
| pennies, we will focus on the Lincoln Cent for the | | | | pennies were made of steel because of a copper |
| years 1909 through 1958, which are the Wheat | | | | shortage brought on by the war, but they |
| Cents. There are still a number of "wheat cents" | | | | resumed using copper in 1944. Between 1909 and |
| showing up in circulation, so it is possible to start a | | | | 1958 the penny featured Lincoln on the obverse |
| coin collection without spending a great deal of | | | | (front of the coin) and the words "ONE CENT" |
| money.While you are searching your pocket | | | | over "United States of America" framed by |
| change for "wheat cents", be sure to check for | | | | bundles of wheat on each side of the words, |
| silver coinage and of course check those quarters. | | | | there by getting the descriptive name of "Wheat |
| Then new 50 State Commemorative Quarters | | | | Cents". This is how the penny is called for the |
| are a very good place to start since you can find | | | | years 1909-1958. Other than a minor change in |
| five new states each year plus the different mint | | | | the composition of the metal which was 95% |
| marks.Getting back to pennies, which is where we | | | | copper, 5% tin and zinc until 1943 when they |
| want to start our new collection. The first Lincoln | | | | were zinc plated steel, and then 1944 until 1958 |
| Cent was minted in 1909 and was made of | | | | when they were 95% copper, 5% zinc and no |
| copper. The mint continued to make pennies from | | | | tin.The Penny remained the same for 50 years. It |
| copper until 1943, when for this year only, they | | | | was designed by Victor David Brenner, whose |
| were made of steel and zinc plated to prevent | | | | initials appeared on the reverse, of some, of the |
| them from rusting. These coins appear to be | | | | coins minted that first year. |