Introduction
Have you ever wondered if that old wheat penny in your pocket could be worth a fortune? The Lincoln Wheat Penny, minted from 1909 to 1958, is one of the most sought-after coins in the world of numismatics. While many of these pennies are worth only their face value, some rare variants can fetch thousands of dollars at auction.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the top 15 most valuable Wheat Pennies that you should be on the lookout for. These coins, ranging from common to extremely rare, could be the hidden treasure you’ve been holding onto all these years.
The Hidden Gems: Wheat Pennies Worth Big Bucks
1. 1909-S VDB Wheat Penny
- Value: $700 – $1,500
- Auction Record: $168,000
- Why It’s Valuable: This penny is famous for its designer’s initials, VDB, prominently placed on the reverse. Its low mintage and the controversy surrounding its design make it a collector’s favorite.
2. 1943 Bronze Wheat Penny
- Value: $100,000 – $200,000
- Auction Record: $372,000
- Why It’s Valuable: During WWII, the U.S. Mint switched from copper to steel for pennies. However, a few bronze planchets were accidentally struck with 1943 dies, creating one of the most coveted error coins in history.
3. 1914-D Wheat Penny
- Value: $200 – $2,500
- Auction Record: $158,625
- Why It’s Valuable: With only 1.2 million coins minted, the 1914-D is a key date in the Wheat Penny series. It’s notoriously difficult to find in uncirculated condition.
4. 1955 Doubled Die Wheat Penny
- Value: $1,000 – $1,800
- Auction Record: $114,000
- Why It’s Valuable: This penny is famous for its dramatic doubling error on the obverse. It’s one of the most recognizable and sought-after error coins in U.S. history.
5. 1922-D No D Wheat Penny
- Value: $500 – $20,000
- Auction Record: $92,000
- Why It’s Valuable: A mistake at the Denver Mint resulted in a batch of pennies being struck without the “D” mint mark. This error makes the 1922-D No D penny a highly prized find.
6. 1931-S Wheat Penny
- Value: $70 – $150
- Auction Record: $18,600
- Why It’s Valuable: With a mintage of just 866,000, this penny is one of the rarest in the Wheat Penny series. Its scarcity in higher grades makes it especially valuable.
7. 1917 Doubled Die Wheat Penny
- Value: $100 – $5,000
- Auction Record: $120,000
- Why It’s Valuable: The 1917 Doubled Die penny shows a significant doubling on the date and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” It’s a rare and highly sought-after error coin.
8. 1944 Steel Cent Wheat Penny
- Value: $75,000 – $125,000
- Auction Record: $180,000
- Why It’s Valuable: Another wartime error, this penny was struck on leftover steel planchets from 1943. It’s an extremely rare and valuable coin, with only a few known to exist.
9. 1909-S Over Horizontal S Wheat Penny
- Value: $120 – $350
- Auction Record: $32,900
- Why It’s Valuable: This error coin features a repunched mint mark, where the “S” was first punched in a horizontal orientation before being corrected. It’s a fascinating and rare find.
10. 1936 Double Die Obverse Wheat Penny
- Value: $100 – $8,000
- Auction Record: $41,125
- Why It’s Valuable: This penny is famous for its double die error, especially visible on the obverse. It’s a key find for any serious collector.
11. 1910-S Wheat Penny
- Value: $46 – $20,000
- Auction Record: $20,000
- Why It’s Valuable: Known for its repunched mint mark, this penny is a must-have for collectors focused on errors and varieties.
12. 1921 Lincoln Wheat Penny
- Value: $150 – $55,200
- Auction Record: $55,200
- Why It’s Valuable: Though minted in large numbers, high-grade versions of this penny are extremely rare and valuable.
13. 1943-D Steel Wheat Penny
- Value: $40,000 – $50,000
- Auction Record: $218,500
- Why It’s Valuable: Struck on a steel planchet instead of bronze, this penny is an extraordinary find, with very few examples known to exist.
14. 1928 Large S Wheat Penny
- Value: $100 – $5,875
- Auction Record: $5,875
- Why It’s Valuable: This penny features a larger-than-usual mint mark, making it a unique and desirable coin.
15. 1957-D Triple Die Wheat Penny
- Value: $1,000 – $3,000
- Auction Record: $3,000
- Why It’s Valuable: A triple die error on this penny makes it one of the most unusual and rare finds among Lincoln Cents.
Quick Reference Table: Most Valuable Wheat Pennies
| Penny Year | Description | Value Range | Auction Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1909-S VDB | Designer initials on reverse, low mintage | $700 – $1,500 | $168,000 |
| 1943 Bronze | Wartime error on bronze planchet | $100,000 – $200,000 | $372,000 |
| 1914-D | Low mintage, key date | $200 – $2,500 | $158,625 |
| 1955 Doubled | Dramatic doubling error | $1,000 – $1,800 | $114,000 |
| 1922-D No D | Mint error, missing mint mark | $500 – $20,000 | $92,000 |
| 1931-S | Scarce in higher grades | $70 – $150 | $18,600 |
| 1917 Doubled | Doubling on date and text | $100 – $5,000 | $120,000 |
| 1944 Steel | Struck on steel, wartime error | $75,000 – $125,000 | $180,000 |
| 1909-S Over S | Repunched mint mark error | $120 – $350 | $32,900 |
| 1936 Double | Double die error on obverse | $100 – $8,000 | $41,125 |
| 1910-S | Re-punched mint mark | $46 – $20,000 | $20,000 |
| 1921 Lincoln | Rare in high grades | $150 – $55,200 | $55,200 |
| 1943-D Steel | Struck on steel instead of bronze | $40,000 – $50,000 | $218,500 |
| 1928 Large S | Larger mint mark | $100 – $5,875 | $5,875 |
| 1957-D Triple | Triple die error | $1,000 – $3,000 | $3,000 |
Conclusion
Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just getting started, these 15 Wheat Pennies are worth more than just a glance. Their unique histories and rare features make them invaluable pieces in any collection. Who knows, that penny in your pocket could be worth more than you ever imagined! Keep your eyes peeled and happy collecting!
