15 Most Valuable Wheat Pennies

Most Valuable Wheat Pennies – The Wheat Penny, officially known as the Lincoln Wheat Cent, is one of the most iconic coins in U.S. history. Minted from 1909 to 1958, this coin features a portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and two wheat stalks framing the reverse—a design that symbolizes prosperity and unity.

While many Wheat Pennies are worth only their copper content, certain rare varieties and minting errors have become hidden treasures worth thousands or even millions of dollars.

In this article, we’ll explore the 15 most valuable Wheat Pennies and why they’re so sought after by collectors.

What Makes These Wheat Pennies So Valuable?

Before diving into the list, let’s break down what makes these coins so desirable:

• Rarity: Low mintage numbers, minting errors, or limited surviving specimens create scarcity.
• Condition (Grade): Coins certified as high-quality by professional services like PCGS or NGC command premium prices.
• Historical Significance: Certain pennies represent pivotal moments in U.S. history, making them highly sought after.
• Minting Errors: Variations like doubled dies, overdates, or off-center strikes make coins exceptionally rare and valuable.

Now, let’s uncover the 15 most valuable Wheat Pennies that could be hiding in your collection.

1. 1943 Bronze Lincoln Wheat Penny

In 1943, pennies were made of steel to conserve copper for the war effort. However, a few were mistakenly struck on leftover bronze planchets, creating an error coin.

One sold for $1.7 million in 2022. To identify it, test its weight—a genuine bronze penny will be heavier and non-magnetic compared to steel versions.

Also Read: 13 Rarest & Most Valuable Pennies in U.S. History

2. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Wheat Penny

The 1909-S VDB Lincoln Wheat Penny had a mintage of just 484,000, making it one of the scarcest Wheat Pennies ever produced. Its association with Victor David Brenner’s initials adds to its allure. An MS-64 example fetched $10,000 in 2023.

3. 1922 No D Lincoln Wheat Penny

Due to a minting error, some 1922 pennies from Denver lack the “D” mint mark. High-grade examples can sell for up to $20,000. Check for the absence of the “D” below the date to spot this rarity.

4. 1914-D Lincoln Wheat Penny

The 1914-D Lincoln Wheat Penny had a mintage of just 1.2 million, making it one of the lowest-mintage issues in the series. High-grade examples are scarce, and an MS-65 coin fetched $12,000 in 2023.

5. 1931-S Lincoln Wheat Penny

With a mintage of just 866,000, the 1931-S Lincoln Wheat Penny is one of the scarcest dates in the series. High-grade survivors are rare, and an MS-65 example sold for $15,000 in 2022.

6. 1955 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Wheat Penny

This famous error coin features doubling on the obverse, particularly noticeable in the date and the word “LIBERTY.” It’s one of the most iconic Wheat Penny errors, with an MS-65 example selling for $50,000 in 2023.

Also Read: 15 Hidden Treasure Lincoln Pennies That Could Make You Rich

7. 1909 VDB Lincoln Wheat Penny

The 1909 VDB Lincoln Wheat Penny, featuring Victor David Brenner’s initials prominently on the reverse, was quickly redesigned after complaints. High-grade examples are highly sought after, with an MS-65 coin selling for $8,000 in 2023.

8. 1911-S Lincoln Wheat Penny

The 1911-S Lincoln Wheat Penny had a mintage of just 40.2 million, but many were heavily circulated, leaving few high-grade survivors. An MS-65 example brought $10,000 in 2023.

9. 1944 Steel Lincoln Wheat Penny

In 1944, pennies were supposed to return to copper, but a few were mistakenly struck on steel planchets left over from 1943. A high-grade example sold for $100,000 in 2022. Test its magnetism to identify this rare error.

10. 1926-S Lincoln Wheat Penny

The 1926-S Lincoln Wheat Penny had a mintage of only 970,000, making it one of the lowest-mintage issues of the 20th century. High-grade examples are exceedingly rare, and an MS-66 coin fetched $75,000 in 2023.

11. 1924-D Lincoln Wheat Penny

The 1924-D Lincoln Wheat Penny had a mintage of just 1.4 million, making it one of the scarcest dates in the series. High-grade survivors are extremely rare, and an MS-66 example sold for $85,000 in 2022.

12. 1921 Lincoln Wheat Penny

The 1921 Lincoln Wheat Penny had a mintage of just 1.2 million, and many were heavily circulated. High-grade examples are particularly scarce, with an MS-65 coin fetching $80,000 in 2021.

13. 1933 Lincoln Wheat Penny

The 1933 Lincoln Wheat Penny had a mintage of just 20 million, but many were melted down during the Great Depression. High-grade examples are rare, and an MS-65 example sold for $25,000 in 2023.

14. 1937 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Wheat Penny

This error coin features doubling on the obverse, particularly noticeable in the date and the word “LIBERTY.” Fewer than 20 examples are known to exist, and a Fine-graded example sold for $130,000 in 2023.

Also Read: 13 Most Valuable Nickels to Add to Your Coin Collection

15. 1945-S Lincoln Wheat Penny

The 1945-S Lincoln Wheat Penny features a smaller-than-usual “S” mintmark, known as the “Micro S.” Fewer than 10% of the total mintage exhibits this variation. An MS-67 example fetched $75,000 in 2022.

From the legendary 1943 Bronze Penny to the quirky 1955 Doubled Die Obverse, these 15 Wheat Pennies represent some of the rarest and most valuable coins in U.S. history. Whether you’re drawn to their beauty, rarity, or historical significance, adding these treasures to your collection could be a life-changing experience. Keep your eyes peeled—you never know when you might stumble upon a piece of history worth a fortune.