Designed by: Victor David Brenner
Issue Dates: 1909-1916, 1936-1942, 1950-1958
Composition: Bronze (1909-1942), New Alloy of 95% copper and 5% zinc (1947-1958)
Diameter: 19 mm
Weight: 3.11 grams (48 grains)
Edge: Plain
Proof Mintage: 15,314 matte finish; 3,836,869 brilliant finish

Proof Lincoln Wheat Cents can be divided into three main groups.
1.The Matte Proofs were struck in the early years (1909-1916) in fairly small quantities - typically in the 1,000-3,000-coin range. Due to their rather dull, matte surfaces they were not popular with collectors at the time. Since then however, collectors have grown to appreciate their unique beauty and they are in great demand today. The first issue, the 1909-VDB is particularly popular, and high-grade examples regularly sell for mid-five figure amounts.

2.Brilliant proofs struck from 1936 to 1942. The Philadelphia Mint again began striking Proof coins in 1936, with two finishes (Satin and Brilliant) seen in the first year. These were struck in higher quantities than the earlier Matte issues, with production regularly increasing from around 5,600 in 1936 to over 32,000 by 1942.

3.Postwar Philadelphia Proofs. After an eight-year suspension during the war, production again resumed in 1950, and continued uninterrupted through 1964. The Wheat reverse switched over to the Lincoln Memorial reverse in 1959. Production quantities again built steadily over this period, starting with just over 51,000 in 1950, surpassing 1 million for the first time in 1957 and ending with an incredible total of nearly 4 million pieces by 1964.