Price Guide for 1957 Cent Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $6,600.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.97 – $3,250.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3.00 – $4,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $7.00 – $2,990.00
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eBayCirculated: $8.88 – $135.01Uncirculated: $2.50 – $699.92
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $10.00 – $110.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $7.00 – $20,400.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1.75 – $12,824.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3.00 – $16,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $109.00 – $29,375.00
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eBayUncirculated: $104.00 – $970.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $27.00 – $32,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $7.00 – $322.00Uncirculated: $6.00 – $127.00
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eBayCirculated: $2.25 – $16.00Uncirculated: $1.99 – $169.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $403.00 – $719.00Uncirculated: $357.00 – $2,280.00
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eBayCirculated: $214.50 – $1,000.00Uncirculated: $0.99 – $185.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $518.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1.04 – $177.95
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $5.00 – $834.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $199.95
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $11.00 – $1,265.00
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eBayUncirculated: $12.50 – $1,749.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $11.00 – $750.00
Design and Specifications of the 1957 Cent
The 1957 Lincoln Wheat Cent was part of the long-running series that began in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. This year marked one of the final issues of the Wheat Cent design, as it would be replaced by the Lincoln Memorial reverse in 1959. The coin continued to play a crucial role in everyday commerce, reflecting the stable economy of the post-war era.
| Weight | 3.11 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 19.05 mm |
| Mint Marks | D, No mint mark (Philadelphia) |
| Composition | 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc |
| Obverse Design | Abraham Lincoln bust facing right, designed by Victor D. Brenner |
| Reverse Design | Wheat ears flanking ONE CENT and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, designed by Victor D. Brenner |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1957 Lincoln Cents significantly impacts their value, especially for uncirculated examples. Coins in Mint State (MS) grades command premium prices, with those grading MS65 and above being particularly desirable. Red (RD) specimens, which retain their original mint luster, are more valuable than Brown (BN) or Red-Brown (RB) examples.
Key factors affecting condition include the presence of contact marks, the quality of the strike, and the preservation of original mint luster. Coins with full strike details on Lincoln’s hair and the wheat stalks are more desirable.
Mintage: 282,540,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in grades up to MS66, scarce in MS67 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, primarily for high-grade specimens
Mintage: 1,051,342,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in grades up to MS66, scarce in MS67 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, primarily for high-grade specimens
Toning can add value to 1957 cents if it’s attractive and natural. Rainbow-toned specimens are particularly sought after by collectors. While not rare, prooflike surfaces on business strikes can command a premium.
The 1957 cent is not considered a key date, but high-grade examples are always in demand for type sets and date collections. Full Red (RD) specimens in MS67 and above can command significant premiums due to their scarcity.
Error coins, such as off-center strikes or die cracks, while not common for this year, can add substantial value if discovered. However, such errors are not particularly notable for the 1957 issue.
