Is there a such thing as a 1960 Wheat Penny?

Answer 1

There should be no 1960 wheat cents, as the Lincoln Memorial reverse was used starting in 1959. In theory an old wheat cent reverse die could've been used with a 1960 obverse die, though I don't know of any that have been verified. If you have one, look for a seam around the edge or rim of the coin. Also examine carefully the date. If you cannot see any seam or any evidence of other alteration, get the coin certified.

Answer 2

Wheat cents hardly ever turn up in circulation because the last ones were struck over half a century ago. Many dates after the mid-1940s were issued in huge numbers so there are loads of them in the hands of collectors and dealers so they're not considered rare. On the other hand cents dated before 1935 and certain errors can be worth quite a bit. For example:

Certain versions of the 1909 first Lincoln penny - 1909 with the initials VDB on the back, 1909-S, and 1909-S with VDB 1914-D 1922 with a missing mint mark

The 1943 copper penny. Make sure it's copper by testing it with a magnet; if it sticks then it's steel, not copper. About 30 or so were accidentally struck in copper and can be worth tens of thousands of dollars depending on mint marks and conditions.

The 1955 double die penny; also worth a lot too.

Answer 3

Only the Denver mint produced cents in 1922. Cents with no "D" mintmark are the result of a filled die and are sought after by collectors. Collectable coins are found in circulation sometimes and a person could find a 1922-D but finding a 1922-D without the mintmark, while not impossible, is not likely.

Answer 4

The US never made a gold penny. For one thing they'd be worth a lot more than 1 cent!

You may have a coin that was plated for use in jewelry, or that was exposed to heat or chemicals that changed its color. There are several different high school chemistry experiments that can produce a goldish tint on a penny.

Answer 5

Not unless someone was counterfeiting them.