5 Lincoln Wheat Pennies: The world of coin collecting is full of surprises, with certain everyday coins hiding immense value. While most people pass by Lincoln Wheat pennies without a second thought, some of these old coins are actually worth thousands of dollars. The Lincoln Wheat penny, which was minted from 1909 to 1958, is more than just a piece of history it’s also a potential goldmine for collectors. But how can you tell if you’re holding one of these rare treasures?
In this post, we’ll explore five specific Lincoln Wheat pennies that could be worth thousands, if not more, depending on their rarity, condition, and unique characteristics. If you’ve been holding onto your loose change, it may be time to take a closer look. You might just have one of these valuable pennies in your collection.
1. 1909-S VDB Wheat Penny
The 1909-S VDB is by far one of the most famous and sought-after Wheat pennies. The “VDB” stands for Victor David Brenner, the designer of the coin, whose initials were prominently placed on the reverse. However, after public outcry over the placement of the initials, the Mint removed them from future coins. Because of this, the 1909-S VDB is considered a key date and is often the centerpiece of many Lincoln Wheat penny collections.
Only around 484,000 of these coins were minted, making them extremely scarce, especially in good condition. The 1909-S VDB is highly prized by collectors and can command prices of $1,000 to $100,000, depending on its grade. Coins that are in higher grades, such as MS-65 or above, can sell for well into the six-figure range.
If you have a 1909 penny with a “S” mintmark and the “VDB” initials, you might be sitting on a rare and valuable coin. Be sure to have it professionally graded to assess its value.
2. 1914-D Wheat Penny
The 1914-D is another sought-after key date in the Lincoln Wheat penny series. Only around 1.1 million of these coins were minted at the Denver Mint, making it one of the rarer issues from the early 20th century. While the 1914-D is not as rare as the 1909-S VDB, it’s still quite difficult to find in high grades.
In circulated condition, the 1914-D typically sells for a few hundred dollars, but high-grade examples can fetch prices between $3,000 and $7,000 or more. If you happen to have a 1914-D penny in near mint condition, it could easily be worth thousands of dollars, especially if it is graded at MS-64 or higher.
3. 1922 No D Wheat Penny
The 1922 No D is a famous error coin, created when a batch of 1922 pennies was struck with no mintmark at all. Normally, the “D” mintmark indicated that a coin was minted in Denver, but during the production of the 1922 pennies, a small number of coins were minted without the mintmark. The 1922 No D is one of the most coveted error coins among Lincoln Wheat penny enthusiasts.
In general, this coin was minted with a very weak or absent mintmark, but a few examples have been found where the mintmark is entirely missing. The rarity of this error, combined with its historical significance, makes the 1922 No D a highly valuable coin. In good condition, a 1922 No D penny can be worth anywhere from $500 to $30,000 depending on its grade. Higher-grade examples can bring even more.
4. 1931-S Wheat Penny
The 1931-S is one of the rarest and most valuable Lincoln Wheat pennies from the 1930s. Only 866,000 of these pennies were minted in San Francisco, making it an extremely low mintage coin. Because of the Depression-era scarcity, many of these coins were lost or worn down, and only a small number of high-quality examples remain.
As a result, the 1931-S is highly sought after by collectors and can be worth $1,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on the condition. Coins in mint state (MS-65 and above) can fetch upwards of $20,000, making this penny a serious treasure if you can find one in excellent shape. If you stumble upon a 1931-S penny in your collection, you might want to have it professionally graded to find out its full potential.
5. 1943 Copper Wheat Penny
While most 1943 Lincoln pennies were struck in steel to conserve copper for World War II, a small number of copper planchets (blanks) were mistakenly used to strike 1943 pennies. These 1943 copper pennies are one of the most famous error coins in U.S. history and have made headlines for fetching millions of dollars at auction.
While not technically part of the standard Lincoln Wheat penny series (since it was minted during wartime), the 1943 copper penny is often grouped with them because of its connection to the series. This rare error coin can be worth anywhere from $100,000 to $1 million, depending on its condition. In 2019, one 1943 copper penny sold for over $1 million, cementing its status as one of the most valuable pennies in existence.
While the 1943 copper penny is extremely rare, it could be hiding in plain sight among a collection of wheat pennies, so be sure to double-check your coins if you suspect you might have one.
How to Identify Rare Lincoln Wheat Pennies
If you think you might have a valuable Lincoln Wheat penny, there are a few steps you can take to confirm its rarity and value:
- Examine the Date and Mintmark: Start by looking at the date and mintmark of the penny. Key dates like 1909-S VDB, 1914-D, 1922 No D, 1931-S, and 1943 copper are the ones to watch for. The mintmark will be located just below the date on the obverse of the coin.
- Check for Errors: If you suspect that your penny may be an error coin, such as the 1922 No D or the 1943 copper penny, carefully examine the coin for signs of missing mintmarks, double-striking, or unusual material composition.
- Assess the Condition: The value of a coin increases significantly with its condition. Coins that are in high grades (e.g., MS-64, MS-65) are worth far more than those that are worn or damaged. Use magnification tools like a jeweler’s loupe to examine the coin closely and check for details.
- Get the Coin Graded: If you believe you have a rare or valuable Lincoln Wheat penny, the next step is to have it professionally graded. Companies like the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) or the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) can assess the coin’s authenticity, condition, and grade, which will help determine its market value.
Conclusion
While most Lincoln Wheat pennies are worth just a few cents, the five rare varieties listed above can be worth thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars, depending on their condition and rarity. Whether it’s the 1909-S VDB, 1914-D, 1922 No D, 1931-S, or the famous 1943 copper penny, these coins represent some of the best finds in the world of numismatics.
If you’ve been collecting or saving pennies over the years, it might be time to take a closer look. You could be holding onto a piece of history worth far more than you ever imagined. So, go ahead dig through your change jar or coin collection and see if you have one of these rare and valuable Lincoln Wheat pennies. Your next find might just make you a small fortune.