Lincoln wheat pennies were minted from 1909 to 1958 — nearly half a century of American history stamped in copper. Most wheat cents found in circulation are worth a few cents to a dollar. But certain key dates, mint marks, and error varieties are worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. This guide tells you exactly which ones to look for and what they're worth today.
The most famous and valuable wheat penny. Victor D. Brenner, the coin's designer, placed his initials "VDB" on the reverse. The public complained the initials were too prominent, so they were removed after just 484,000 were struck in San Francisco (the Philadelphia issue of 27+ million had the initials too, but those are common). Result: a scarce key date that every serious collector wants.
Identification: Look on the reverse at the bottom — "VDB" in small letters. Plus "S" mint mark on the obverse, below the date. Both must be present for the valuable variety.
| Grade | 1909-S VDB Value |
|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | $700–$900 |
| Fine (F-12) | $1,000–$1,400 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $1,400–$1,800 |
| Extremely Fine (EF-40) | $1,800–$2,500 |
| MS-63 | $4,000–$6,000 |
| MS-65 Red | $12,000–$20,000+ |
With only 1,193,000 struck at Denver, the 1914-D is the second most valuable common-series wheat penny. It's often counterfeited by altering the mint mark on a common 1914-P or adding a "D" to a 1944. When buying, insist on PCGS or NGC certification.
| Grade | 1914-D Value |
|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | $180–$250 |
| Fine (F-12) | $350–$500 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $600–$800 |
| Extremely Fine (EF-40) | $900–$1,200 |
| MS-63 | $3,000–$5,000 |
All 1922 Lincoln cents were made only at Denver, so they all should have a "D" mint mark. But worn dies sometimes produced coins where the "D" is weakly struck or completely missing. A 1922 with no visible mint mark — especially one with a strong Lincoln obverse — is a rare and valuable error. Values range from $500 in Good to $12,000+ in MS grades.
Only 866,000 struck. The 1931-S is scarce in all grades and crosses $100 in well-circulated condition, reaching $300–$500 in Very Fine and $2,000+ in MS-63.
In 1943, the Mint switched to zinc-coated steel to save copper for the war effort. A tiny number of copper planchets from 1942 were accidentally fed through the presses. Only about 20 genuine examples are known, and they sell for $100,000–$250,000+.
Test: Hold a magnet to your 1943 penny. If it sticks, it's steel (common). If it doesn't stick, have it authenticated immediately — but note that counterfeit copper-plated steel cents also won't stick the same way. Professional authentication is essential.
| Date/Mint Mark | Mintage | Good (G-4) | Fine (F-12) | MS-63 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1909 VDB (P) | 27.9M | $8–$12 | $12–$18 | $60–$100 |
| 1909-S VDB | 484K | $700–$900 | $1,000–$1,400 | $4,000–$6,000 |
| 1909-S | 1.8M | $60–$80 | $100–$130 | $600–$900 |
| 1914-D | 1.2M | $180–$250 | $350–$500 | $3,000–$5,000 |
| 1922 No D | Scarce | $500–$700 | $900–$1,200 | $8,000+ |
| 1924-D | 2.5M | $20–$30 | $45–$65 | $500–$800 |
| 1926-S | 4.6M | $8–$12 | $20–$30 | $400–$600 |
| 1931-S | 866K | $75–$100 | $120–$150 | $800–$1,200 |
| 1943 Copper | ~20 known | $100,000+ | $150,000+ | $200,000+ |
| 1944 Steel | ~30 known | $75,000+ | $100,000+ | $150,000+ |
| 1955 Doubled Die | Rare error | $1,200–$1,800 | $2,500–$3,500 | $15,000+ |
| Common dates (1940s–50s) | High | $0.05–$0.25 | $0.25–$0.75 | $2–$10 |
The 1955 Doubled Die obverse is one of the most dramatic and recognizable error coins in American numismatics. A misaligned die hub created a strongly doubled image on Lincoln's portrait and the lettering — the date reads almost like "1955/1955." These are extremely popular and genuinely valuable.
In circulated grades, genuine examples trade for $1,200–$3,500. In MS-63, expect $10,000–$20,000. The error is so pronounced that you can see it with the naked eye — look for strong doubling on the date and "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST."
Search 1955 Doubled Die on eBayThe key areas to examine on a Lincoln cent are:
Lincoln's cheek and jaw: This shows wear first. Smooth flatness = circulated. Visible facial detail with luster = uncirculated territory.
The wheat stalks on reverse: The individual wheat grain lines should show clearly in Fine and better grades. In Good, the outline is there but details are smooth.
Color designation: Uncirculated cents get Red (RD), Red-Brown (RB), or Brown (BN) designations. Full Red commands premiums of 50–200% over Brown.
The best sources for wheat pennies today are estate sales and auctions, where old coin jars often contain untouched rolls of wheat cents. Bank rolls occasionally turn up wheat cents. Antique shops frequently have wheat pennies in their "junk coin" bins. Online, eBay lots of unsorted wheat pennies can yield key dates if you're willing to sort through bulk purchases.