Top Rare Wheat Pennies Worth
What if the pennies hiding in your drawer were worth more than a house?
It sounds unbelievable — but it’s absolutely real.
Certain Lincoln Wheat Pennies (1909–1958) have sold for six and even seven figures due to extreme rarity, historic minting errors, or survival in near-perfect condition.
Most Wheat pennies are worth only a few cents —
but a tiny percentage are among the most valuable U.S. coins ever sold.
Let’s break down the true elite Wheat pennies, how much they’re really worth, and how to identify them 👇
🥇 1️⃣ 1943 Bronze (Copper) Wheat Penny
💰 Worth up to $1,250,000
This is the most valuable Wheat penny ever sold.
🔍 Why It’s So Rare
- In 1943, pennies were supposed to be steel
- A few bronze blanks from 1942 were accidentally used
- Fewer than 20 authentic examples exist
🏆 Auction Records
- $840,000 (PCGS AU55)
- $1,000,000+ (Mint State examples)
- Top specimens exceed $1.25M
📌 If your 1943 penny sticks to a magnet, it is NOT this coin.
🥈 2️⃣ 1909-S VDB Wheat Penny
💰 Worth up to $168,000
The most famous key-date Wheat penny.
Identification
- Mint mark: S (San Francisco)
- Designer initials V.D.B. on reverse bottom
Value Range
- Circulated: $700–$2,000
- MS65 Red: $40,000+
- MS67 Red: $168,000
🥉 3️⃣ 1955 Doubled Die Obverse Wheat Penny
💰 Worth up to $125,000
One of the strongest doubling errors in U.S. coin history.
Look for Bold Doubling On
- Date (1955)
- “LIBERTY”
- “IN GOD WE TRUST”
Value
- Circulated: $1,200–$3,000
- MS65 Red: $45,000+
- MS67 Red: $125,000
🪙 4️⃣ 1944 Steel Wheat Penny
💰 Worth up to $500,000
The reverse of the 1943 error.
- 1944 pennies should be copper
- A few were struck on leftover steel planchets
🏆 Auction sales exceed $400,000 in Mint State.
🟠 5️⃣ 1922 “No D” Wheat Penny
💰 Worth up to $75,000
A Denver coin missing its mint mark due to die wear.
Key Requirements
- Weak or missing “D”
- Strong reverse
- Not damaged or altered
High-grade examples sell for $50,000–$75,000.
🟡 6️⃣ 1914-D Wheat Penny
💰 Worth up to $159,000
Low mintage + heavy circulation = extreme rarity in high grades.
- Circulated: $200–$2,000
- MS65 Red: $50,000+
- MS66 Red: $159,000
🟤 7️⃣ 1931-S Wheat Penny
💰 Worth up to $75,000
Depression-era scarcity drives value.
- Only 866,000 minted
- Rare with original red color
MS67 Red examples exceed $70,000.
🟠 8️⃣ 1926-S Wheat Penny
💰 Worth up to $149,000
One of the rarest San Francisco Wheat cents in top grade.
- Circulated: $20–$200
- MS65 Red: $40,000+
- MS66 Red: $149,000
🟡 9️⃣ 1924-D Wheat Penny
💰 Worth up to $125,000
Not rare overall — but exceptionally rare in Mint State.
- Circulated: $20–$100
- MS65 Red: $40,000+
- MS66 Red: $125,000
🟠 🔟 1909-S Wheat Penny (No VDB)
💰 Worth up to $117,000
Often overshadowed by the VDB version — but equally important.
- MS66 Red examples exceed $100,000
🧭 How to Check Your Wheat Pennies (Step-by-Step)
1️⃣ Check the year (1909–1958)
2️⃣ Look for mint marks under the date
3️⃣ Examine color — Red (RD) is king
4️⃣ Use magnification for doubling or errors
5️⃣ Never clean the coin ❌
6️⃣ Store in inert holders
7️⃣ Submit to PCGS or NGC for authentication
🔔 Final Thoughts
Most people see a penny.
Collectors see:
💎 History
💎 Rarity
💎 Opportunity
That old coin jar could be hiding:
- A $1,000 surprise
- A $50,000 treasure
- Or a seven-figure rarity
Before you spend it…
look closer.
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