Exploring the 10 Most Valuable Wheat Pennies That Are Still Out There

Most Valuable Wheat Pennies in Circulation

Wheat pennies, which had been minted from 1909 to 1958, are one of the maximum sought-after U.S. Cash. These cash have a totally one of a type format, offering Abraham Lincoln’s face at the obverse and sheaves of wheat on the other. These coins maintain an important area in American numismatic records.

While most wheat pennies are well worth just a few cents extra than their face value, a few rare varieties can fetch heaps or even millions of greenbacks. The suitable news is, these treasured wheat pennies can still be discovered in move these days!

If you’re lucky sufficient to discover the sort of rare wheat pennies, you can be maintaining a small fortune on your pocket. Here are the 10 most valuable wheat pennies that could nevertheless be in flow nowadays.

1. 1909-S VDB Wheat Penny

1909-S VDB Penny is the “sacred tomb” of wheat penis. This will be a primary time when the percentage of Lincoln -wheat is added, and the most effective 484,000 cash were made, after which the first (V.D.B.) to the clothing maker (Victor David Branes) was lifted due to public complaints.

• Why It’s Valuable: It has a completely low production variety and is quite well-liked with the aid of collectors.
• Value: It can be really worth anywhere from $700 to $100,000 , relying on its circumstance.

2. 1943 Copper Wheat Penny

During World War II, the U.S. Mint commenced using zinc-lined steel instead of copper to shop assets for the battle attempt. However, a few 1943 pennies have been mistakenly minted on copper plates, making them extremely rare.

• Why it’s valuable: This is a major minting mistake and very few examples are available.
• Value: It can be worth anywhere from $75,000 to $250,000+, depending on the coin’s condition.

3. 1914-D Wheat Penny

The 1914-D Penny is one of the rarest and most sought-after of the Wheat Pennies. There had been most effective 1.2 million minted, so it’s far very difficult to locate, specifically in properly situation.

• Why it is precious: It has a low production run and is in excessive demand amongst collectors.
• Value: It can be well worth everywhere from $200 to $50,000+ , depending at the coin’s situation.

4. 1922 No D Wheat Penny

The 1922 No D Wheat Penny is a famous mistake coin. Normally pennies minted in Denver ought to have a “D” mintmark, however there had been some cash that had this mintmark weak or missing.

• Why It’s Valuable: This is a rare minting mistake, with the “D” mintmark not seen.
• Value: It may be worth anywhere from $1,000 to $35,000+ , relying on the circumstance of the coin.

5. 1955 Doubled Die Wheat Penny

The 1955 Doubled Die Wheat Penny is one of the most famous and dramatic mistake coins in US history. Clear doubling effects can be seen in the date and writing.

• Why It’s Valuable: This is an apparent and properly-documented doubled die mistake.
• Value: It can be really worth everywhere from $1,500 to $25,000+ , depending on the condition of the coin.

6. 1931-S Wheat Penny

A very low number (866,000) of the 1931-S Wheat Penny were minted, making it a rare general-allotment Wheat Penny.

• Why it’s valuable: It has a low minting number and is in high demand among collectors.
• Value: It can be worth anywhere from $50 to $18,000+, depending on the condition of the coin.

7. 1944 Steel Wheat Penny

The 1944 Steel Wheat Penny is also a very rare coin. In 1944 the US Mint began minting coins on copper plates, but some coins were mistakenly minted on steel plates in 1943.

• Why it’s valuable: This is a major wartime minting mistake and very few examples are available.
• Value: It can be worth anywhere from $75,000 to $100,000+, depending on the condition of the coin.

8. 1909-S Wheat Penny

This is a common version of the 1909-S VDB penny, however is still worth plenty as it also had a low mintage range (simplest 1.8 million cash have been minted).

• Why it’s valuable: This is the first year of the Lincoln penny and has a low mintage variety.
• Value: This can range from $200 to $1,500+ , relying on the coin’s situation.

9. 1942-D Over Horizontal D Wheat Penny

This is a unique variety where the “D” mintmark was originally cast horizontally and later corrected. The mistake can be seen below the mintmark if you look at it with magnification.

• Why it’s valuable: This is a rare mintmark mistake that collectors covet.
• Value: This can range from $500 to $12,000+, depending on the coin’s condition.

How to Identify a Valuable Wheat Penny

If you think you might have a valuable Wheat Penny, look for these signs:

• Date and mintmark: Key dates such as 1909-S, 1914-D, 1922 no D, and 1955 doubled die are very valuable.
• Metal mix: Coins in 1943 and 1944 were made of different metals, which creates rare mistakes.
• Mintning mistakes: Doubled dies, missing mintmarks, and over-punched letters can significantly increase the coin’s value.
• Coin condition: Coins that are unused or in good condition are worth more.
• Weight check: Check the weight with a small scale – a 1943 copper penny weighs 3.11 grams, while a steel one weighs 2.7 grams.

Table – Most Valuable Wheat Pennies in Circulation

Coin	Mint	Value	Unique Feature
1909-S VDB Wheat Penny	S	$700 – $100,000+	First-year Lincoln cent; very low mintage (484,000)
1943 Copper Wheat Penny	P/D/S	$75,000 – $250,000+	Mistakenly struck on copper planchets instead of steel
1914-D Wheat Penny	D	$200 – $50,000+	Low mintage (1.2 million); highly sought-after
1922 No D Wheat Penny	D	$1,000 – $35,000+	Missing “D” mintmark due to weak strike
1955 Doubled Die Wheat Penny	P	$1,500 – $25,000+	Strong doubling on date and lettering
1931-S Wheat Penny	S	$50 – $18,000+	Low mintage (866,000); collector favorite
1944 Steel Wheat Penny	P/D/S	$75,000 – $100,000+	Struck on leftover steel planchets from 1943
1909-S Wheat Penny	S	$200 – $1,500+	First-year Lincoln penny; no “VDB” initials
1942-D Over Horizontal D Wheat Penny	D	$500 – $12,000+	Mintmark punched incorrectly, then corrected

Although Wheat Penny is more than 100 years old, some are still in fashion today, which can be an exciting discovery for coin collectors. Whether it’s 1909-S VDB Penny, Die Die Penny in 1955, or extremely rarely 1943 Copper Penny, these valuable coins always occupy the imagination of collectors.

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