Wheat pennies are old U.S. coins made between 1909 and 1958. These small copper coins are loved by many coin collectors. They have wheat stalks on the back and Abraham Lincoln on the front.
Wheat pennies are not just old coins. Some of them are rare and worth a lot of money. It all depends on the year, mint mark, and condition of the coin.
What Is a Wheat Penny?
A wheat penny is also called the Lincoln Wheat Cent. It was first made in 1909. The front shows Abraham Lincoln, and the back shows two wheat stalks.
Important things to know:
- Made from 1909 to 1958
- 95% copper
- Mint marks include: no mark (Philadelphia), D (Denver), S (San Francisco)
Wheat Penny Value by Year
Some wheat pennies are common. Others are rare and worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. This depends on the year, mint mark, and if the coin is in good condition.
Here’s a simple table to show the value of wheat pennies by year:
| Year | Circulated Value | Uncirculated/Key Date Value |
| 1909 (no mint mark) | $1–$3 | $25+ |
| 1909-S | $100–$350 | $600–$1,500 |
| 1909-S VDB | $600–$1,500 | $2,000–$5,000+ |
| 1910–1915 | $0.20–$2 | $10–$100+ |
| 1914-D | $200–$1,000 | $2,500+ |
| 1922 (No D) | $300–$1,200 | $3,000+ |
| 1931-S | $40–$75 | $150–$300 |
| 1943 Steel Penny | $0.10–$0.50 | $5–$30 |
| 1943 Copper Penny | $100,000+ | Up to $1 million+ |
| 1944 Steel Penny | $50,000+ | $75,000–$100,000+ |
| 1950–1958 | $0.05–$0.25 | $1–$5 |
These are just general prices. A professional coin grader can give a better idea of value.
Most Valuable Wheat Pennies
Some wheat pennies are very rare. Here are five of the most valuable ones:
1943 Copper Penny
Value: $100,000 to over $1 million
Why: In 1943, pennies were made from steel. A few were made with copper by mistake.
1909-S VDB
Value: $600 to $5,000+
Why: First-year issue with designer’s initials “VDB” on the back. Very few were made.
1914-D
Value: $200 to $2,500+
Why: Low mintage from the Denver Mint. Hard to find.
1922 No D
Value: $300 to $3,000+
Why: Only made in Denver that year. Some coins were made with no mint mark.
1944 Steel Penny
Value: $50,000 to $100,000+
Why: Steel was not used for pennies in 1944. These coins were made by mistake.
What Affects Wheat Penny Value?
Many things can change how much a wheat penny is worth:
- Rarity: Rare years or mint mistakes can be worth a lot.
- Mint Mark: Coins from Denver (D) or San Francisco (S) are sometimes rarer.
- Condition: Coins in mint or uncirculated condition are worth more.
- Errors: Mistakes like doubled letters or off-center prints are valuable.
How to Find the Mint Mark
Look at the front of the coin, just below the date. This is where the mint mark is shown.
- No mark: Made in Philadelphia
- D: Made in Denver
- S: Made in San Francisco
FAQs
What years of wheat pennies are worth money?
1909, 1914, 1922, 1931, 1943, and 1944 are key years.
What is the rarest wheat penny?
The 1943 copper penny.
How can I check my wheat penny’s value?
Look at the year, mint mark, and condition.
Where is the mint mark on a wheat penny?
Below the date on the front of the coin.
Are all wheat pennies valuable?
No, most are common, but some are very valuable.
