1959 D Wheat Reverse Lincoln Penny Error

1959-D Mule Lincoln - Forgery or Fairplay? The 1959-D Mule Lincoln Cent is an odd error and a bit of a legend in the coin community. In 1959 the reverse of the Lincoln Cent was changed from the original wheat reverse to the Lincoln memorial. All pennies minted in 1959 had the memorial on the reverse except one...

In 1986 Leon Baller claimed to have purchased a 1959 D Wheat Cent. A coin that according to the US Mint does not exist. He claimed he purchased it for $1,500 and that the coin was an anomaly. Leon took the coin to the mint for verification. The mint sent the coin back to Leon with a note attached that read "Enclosed is your United States 1C coin, dated 1959-D, with a wheat reverse. This coin was microscopically examined by our Forensic Services Division in Washington, D.C. and it is our opinion the coin is genuine."

Here is where the story becomes more than a little strange...

Leon sends the coin to several grading companies and they refuse to certify it because they claim it's a forgery. The coin is now uncertified, but still somehow manages to sell at Heritage Auction. It is again taken to the treasury by it's new owner and again they say it's authentic.

Years later Mark Hofmann, a man who was lawfully charged with coin forgery, claimed he created the 1959-D Wheat cent using a technique called spark erosion, and sold the coin to a dealer.

Even after Mark Hoffman publicly claimed to create the coin it sells at auction again, and again.

So is the 1959-D Mule Lincoln Forgery or Fairplay? At this point it doesn't really matter if it's a fake or not. It's a legend, and worth tens of thousands of dollars according to sales from auctions.

Find this page useful? If so please share it with your friends and help us grow.

Known errors. Coins in order by date. To learn more about each error simply click on the read more link.

1977 Aluminum Cent	The 1977 Aluminum Lincoln Cent is some sort of anomaly in the coin community. It's on...
1967 Stainless Steel	1967 Stainless Steel Lincoln Cent. This is a penny struck on stainless steel 10c C...
1960 DDO	The 1960 D DDO D over D Small over Large Date is worth a few hundred dollars in mint ...
1959 D Wheat Reverse	1959-D Mule Lincoln - Forgery or Fairplay? The 1959-D Mule Lincoln Cent is an odd ...
Broadstrike	Certified broadstrike errors on the Lincoln Cent are are seen fairly regular. Common ...
Brockage	A Brockage Error occurs when the previously struck coin sticks to the die and is then...
Penny on Dime Planchet	Penny on Dime planchets if certified and in MS can go for a thousand dollars or more....
Clipped Planchet	If you see something like this when digging through pennies set them aside. These are...
Off Center	These errors are universal across all years for both wheat and Lincoln cents. When...

Rare Coins. Key and Semi-Key Dates to remember. Based on various factors.

1961 D	1961 D is a semi key date for the Lincoln non wheat varieties....
1959 D	1959 D is a semi key date for the Lincoln non wheat varieties....

Most valuable coins in this series. Listed price based off high end state (MS+).

$65	1959 D Lincoln Penny
$30	1959 Lincoln Penny
$25	1968 Lincoln Penny
$10	1960 Lincoln Penny
$10	1960 D Lincoln Penny
$10	1961 Lincoln Penny
$10	1961 D Lincoln Penny