If the 1932 Lincoln penny looks a lot like the penny that is still being minted today, that is because their designs are quite similar. While this is so, the coin from 1932 is much more valuable and desirable in the eyes of collectors. Thanks to the coin’s scarcity and the fact that it is considered to be a piece of history, the 1932 Lincoln penny is one that will never be overlooked by a seriously collector.
The coin’s obverse features in the center the image of Abraham Lincoln, who is depicted in stunning detail. To the right of the President’s image is a raised marking for the 1932 year of minting. Opposite the date is a raised inscription which reads “Liberty.” Finally, the words “In God We Trust” appear arching overtop of the obverse.
The coin’s reverse has two raised inscriptions in the center. These two raised inscriptions spell out “United States of America” and “One Cent” respectively. On both the left and the right hand side of the reverse are single wheat stalks. It is these stalks that gave this coin its “Wheat Penny” nickname. Over the top of the reverse is the Latin phrase “E Pluribus Unum.”
If we are talking about the 1932 Lincoln penny, the condition the coin is in means everything. With coins this old, it is customary for the piece to be graded. Grading is nothing more than a process by which the coin has its condition carefully examined by a professional. The grade the Lincoln penny receives is nothing more than a one or two-word description of its condition. Below will be an outline of the different grades as well as what they mean for a 1932 Lincoln penny.
Uncirculated: A coin that is determined to be Uncirculated is one that, quite literally, never spent any time in circulation. Because of this, these pieces will appear to be in perfect condition, with no flaws whatsoever. Though the coin might have seen its color faded a bit because of its age, the raised aspects are perfect.
Extremely Fine: If a coin is graded as being Extremely Fine, this means that it will have a minor imperfection or two. Though these imperfections might not be able to be made out with the naked eye, the grading process will expose them. Despite these flaws, the coins will appear to be mostly pristine.
Fine: Fine is the grade given to coins that were undoubtedly circulated for a good bit of time, but will also be free from extensive damage. You will notice that the imagery and lettering closer to the outer edge will have been smoothed down a bit due to the exchanging of hands, but all of the coin’s raised aspects will still be able to be deciphered.
Good: A coin that is determined to be of Good grade is one that spent a large majority of its existence in circulation. The heavy circulation of these 1932 Lincolns means that some of the imagery and lettering might have been smoothed down entirely. Despite their somewhat poor condition, they are still desirable for collectors.
When it comes to determining the value of a 1932 Lincoln penny, this is something that depends upon a few different factors. For one, there were usually at least two, and sometimes three, different types of Lincolns minted annually. For this reason, the type of coin will play into its nominal value. In addition to this, the coin’s grade will also help you determine its value. The chart below will help you determine the exact value of a 1932 Lincoln penny.
Lincoln Pennies
| DATE | GOOD | FINE | EXTREMELY FINE | UNCIRCULATED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1932 Lincoln Penny | $1.50 | $2 | $4.50 | $12 |
| 1932 Lincoln Penny (D) | $1.50 | $2.50 | $4.50 | $11 |
| Source: Red Book | ||||