Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies List (1909-1958) (2023)

The wordpennyhas been around since medieval times, and the name of the U.S. penny comes from the British coin with the same name.

First minted in 1787, the U.S. penny has been one of the mainstays ofAmerican coinage. The officialU.S. Mintname for the coin is the “cent,” and the official U.S. Treasury name for it is “one-cent piece.”

Although pennies have been around since the late 1700s, the penny did not take its now-familiar form until 1909, when its design began featuring President Abraham Lincoln — to celebrate the centennial of his birth, replacing the Indian head pennies in production at the time.

The first Lincoln pennies released came to be known as the Lincoln wheat penny, or Lincoln wheat cent, which featured two wheat stalks framing the writing on the reverse side.

This article will answer the two key questions about the Lincoln wheat pennies: What are the most valuable wheat pennies tocoin collectors(i.e. key dates, low mintage, minting errors), and what are the wheat pennies to look for in your pocket change?

What Is a Wheat Penny?

Wheat pennies refer specifically to Lincoln Cents produced from 1909 to 1958. The obverse featured the Lincoln head design, still present in the one-cent coins minted today, but the reverse portrayed wheat stalks, hence the moniker.

President Theodore Roosevelt commissioned a revamp in the American coinage at the time. And the famous sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens was the one tasked with the redesigns. However, Saint-Gaudens fell gravely ill and passed away before finalizing the design for the penny. Litvak-American sculptor Victor David Brenner inherited the task.

The dies were prepared in the Philadelphia Mint and distributed to the other branches in June of 1909. That initial year had two versions. One version had the engraver's initials, Victor David Brenners (V.D.B.), on the reverse side, and the other did not. Brenner's initials would be brought back in 1918, but they were much smaller and were placed on the front of the coin near Lincoln's shoulder.

Although a wheat penny's face value is one cent, as a good rule of thumb, all wheat pennies, including common dates, are worth more than their face value. Even those in poor condition are worth at least 3 or 4 cents, and some can be worth six figures to coin collectors.

Most wheat pennies in good condition will be worth about $10 on average and are fairly easy to find and purchase. Of course, the rarest wheat pennies carry higher premiums and will cost you, well, a pretty penny.

Here are some of the most valuable wheat pennies updated as of July 2022.

Check out more:What are pennies made of

How Much is a Wheat Penny Worth?

The following list contains the most valuable wheat pennies that were issued into circulation. Their values are based on the latest deals and market updates. They are worth a considerable amount over theircoppermelt value due to their numismatic interest. Not unlike key dates from silver dimes, quarters, half dollars and dollar coins who are worth much more than what is called "junk silver".

1944 Steel Penny

Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies List (1909-1958) (1)

Source: PCGS

In 1943, due to the United States' involvement in World War II, the United States Mint had to replace the use of copper for steel for the wheat cents. The change lasted only a year, and in 1944, the bronze alloy returned to the Lincoln wheat cents again. However, some leftover steel blanks ended up in the pressing machines, and these 1944 steel cents ended up in circulation.

The reason 1944 Steel Cents are so valuable is precisely because they are extremely rare coins. There are only around 30 samples known.

Value:In average condition, this coin is worth about $77,000 and as much as $110,000 if in certified mint state condition by a coin grading service.

1943 Copper Penny

Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies List (1909-1958) (2)

Source: Gainesville Coins

Source: Gainesville Coins

As mentioned above, 1943 cents should have been minted with steel rather than copper due to the country's efforts in World War II. Numismatists believe some bronze planchets were used by mistake. Very few of these pennies were minted and released into circulation. In other words, this is actually an extremely rare error coin.

Value:In average condition, many collectors would be willing to pay about $60,000 and as much as $85,000 in mint condition.

1914 D Wheat Penny

(Video) Most Valuable Lincoln Wheat Cent Pennies (1909 - 1958)

Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies List (1909-1958) (3)

Source: USA CoinBook

This year and mintage (Denver) is considered a key date and is the most valuable of the non-error Wheat pennies.

Value:The value ranges from $280 to as much as $5,500 in mint condition.

1922 D Wheat Penny

Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies List (1909-1958) (4)

Source: USA CoinBook

Value:This penny's value ranges from about $20 to as high as $5,000 if in mint condition.

1926 Wheat Penny

It has no mintmark.

Value: This coin ranges in value from about 35 cents to $3,000 if in mint condition.

1909 S VDB Penny

Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies List (1909-1958) (5)

Source: PCGS

As previously mentioned, the debut year had V.D.B. and non V.D.B. versions. The VDB pennies minted in the San Francisco Mint are the rarest.

Value:In average condition, this penny will be worth around $950 and in mint condition around $2,200.

Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies List (1909-1958) (6)

Source: USA CoinBook

Value: This Lincoln penny is worth around $1.50 and up to $1,800 if in mint condition.

1914 S Wheat Penny

Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies List (1909-1958) (7)

Source: USA CoinBook

Value: The 1914 S Lincoln wheat cent is worth an average of $28 and as high as $1,500.

1924 S Wheat Penny

Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies List (1909-1958) (8)

Source: USA CoinBook

Value: It is valued from $1.55 to as much as $1,500.

1915 S Wheat Penny

Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies List (1909-1958) (9)

Source: USA CoinBook

It is worth significantly more than its face value in any condition.

(Video) 1909 To 1958 Lincoln Wheat Cent Penny Value Part 1 - The Key Dates - What To Look For

Value: These valuable pennies are worth anywhere from $30 to as much as $1,200.

1924 D Wheat Penny

Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies List (1909-1958) (10)

Source: USA CoinBook

This penny is also worth much more than face value.

Value: The value of this penny ranges from $35 to $1,200.

1923 Wheat Penny

Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies List (1909-1958) (11)

Source: USA CoinBook

There is no mint mark on this penny.

Value: This Lincoln penny value varies from 75 cents up to $1,000.

1927 Wheat Penny

Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies List (1909-1958) (12)

Source: USA CoinBook

Value: Without a mint mark, it ranges in value from about 35 cents to $1,000.

1918 D Wheat Penny

Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies List (1909-1958) (13)

Source: USA CoinBook

Value: The value ranges from $1.25 to about $900.

1920 S Wheat Penny

Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies List (1909-1958) (14)

Source: USA CoinBook

Value: This penny is worth anywhere from 75 cents to as much as $900.

1921 S Wheat Penny

Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies List (1909-1958) (15)

Source: USA CoinBook

Value: The value of this penny ranges from $1.95 to around $850.

1916 S Wheat Penny

Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies List (1909-1958) (16)

Source: USA CoinBook

Value: It ranges in value from about $8 to $800.

1917 S Penny

Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies List (1909-1958) (17)

Source: USA CoinBook

Value: The value of this coin ranges from 95 cents to as much as $700.

Other Wheat Pennies to Look For

In addition to the pennies mentioned above, keep an eye out for wheat pennies with double dies and other errors — they'rerare coins worth a considerable sumin the coin collecting business.

Some of the error strikes in these old coins can only be identified with a magnifying glass, but some are quite visible. Here are five that are valuable due to these kinds of errors in the manufacturing process.

1909 S Over Horizontal S

(Video) Do You Have One Of These Valuable 1958 Lincoln Pennies? - Monster Coins To Look For!

Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies List (1909-1958) (18)

Source: PCGS

Until recently, mint marks were punched by hand, and thus the position tended to vary slightly. Mistakes also happened, and rather than scrapping the coin, the coin was usually re-punched with the correct mark. With this coin, the S was originally punched horizontally and was re-punched vertically.

Value:The value of this coin ranges from $50 up to $240 for uncirculated coins.

1917 Double Die Obverse

Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies List (1909-1958) (19)

Source: PCGS

Double die minting errors result from two impressions being made that are slightly offset from one another. The error can be seen in the word “Trust” and on the date.

Value:The value of a coin with this error can make for quite a few dollars, ranging from $80 to as much as $3,000 if uncirculated.

1922 No D

Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies List (1909-1958) (20)

Source: PCGS

For some reason, the Denver Mint produced around 500,000 pennies without the “D” mint mark this mintage year.

Value: Values range from $350 to about $12,000 for this coin.

1944 D D Over S

Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies List (1909-1958) (21)

Source: USA CoinBook

Another example of a re-punched coin, an S was originally punched and then covered up with a D.

Value: The value of this coin ranges from $40 to about $260.

1955 Doubled Die Obverse

Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies List (1909-1958) (22)

Source: PCGS

These coins have been given the designation “King of Lincoln Cent Varieties” due to the doubling’s dramatic extent.

Value: The value ranges from $500 to around $1,900.

(Video) Valuable 1909 Lincoln Pennies Date by Date

Most Valuable Wheat Pennies List

Below is a list of the top 15 most valuable wheat pennies ever sold at auctions, according to PCGS:

  1. 1943-D Bronze Wheat Penny MS64BN - Sold for $840,000 in January of 2021;

  2. 1943-S Bronze Wheat Penny MS63BN - Sold for $504,000 in November of 2020;

  3. 1944-S Steel Wheat Penny MS66 - Sold for $408,000 in August of 2021;

  4. 1943 Bronze Wheat Penny MS62BN - Sold for $372,000 in February of 2021;

  5. 1958 Doubled Die Obverse Wheat Penny MS64RD - Sold for $336,000 in March of 2018;

  6. 1909 VDB VDB Proof Wheat Penny PR67+ - Sold for $258,500 in August of 2014;

  7. 1943 Lincoln Cent (Wheat Reverse) AU58 - Sold for $218,500 in January of 2010;

  8. 1944 Steel Wheat Penny MS64 - Sold for $180,000 in June of 2021;

  9. 1909-S VDB Wheat Penny MS67RD - Sold for $168,000 in April of 2022;

  10. 1914-D Lincoln Cent (Wheat Reverse) MS66+RD - Sold for $158,625 in May 2018;

  11. 1926-S Lincoln Cent (Wheat Reverse) MS65 - Sold for $149,500 in January of 2006;

  12. 1943/2-S Lincoln Cent (Wheat Reverse) AU58 - Sold for $138,000 in March 2004;

  13. 1914 Lincoln Cent (Wheat Reverse) Proof PR68 - Sold for $126,500 in April of 2008;

  14. 1917 Doubled Die Obverse Wheat Penny MS67+RD - Sold for $120,000 in March of 2019;

  15. 1944-D Steel Wheat Penny MS63 - Sold for $115,000 in August of 2007.

Final Thoughts

While not all wheat pennies will fetch a high price tag, all wheat pennies are worth more than their face value and are thus a sought-after coin for collectors.

With this list of Lincoln wheat penny values in mind, you can now be on the lookout for wheat pennies to add to your collection or earn a few extra dollars in case you spotted one of these in your spare change.

Looking for more? See the19 Most Valuable Pennies Ever Sold here.

FAQs

  • What years of Lincoln Wheat Pennies are valuable?

The value of a coin varies according to many factors: metal content, purity, rarity, etc. As the Lincoln Wheat Cents were produced for 50 years, some mintages and variations are rarer than others, therefore, extremely valuable to collectors. The most valuable Wheat Penny ever auctioned is a unique 1943-D Bronze Cent, sold for $840,000. Other examples of valuable wheat pennies include the 1909-S VDB Lincoln Wheat Penny, the 1944 Steel Penny, and other variations of the 1943 Bronze Penny.

  • Where to sell Wheat Pennies?

You can sell wheat pennies to local or online coin dealers, in auction houses, online websites such as eBay, coin shows, or pawn shops. The most advisable way to sell them is to find a trustworthy dealer who can evaluate your coins appropriately and offer a fair deal.

  • When did they stop making Wheat Pennies?

The Wheat Penny debuted in 1909 and production ceased in 1958, during President Eisenhower’s term in office. He officially announced the change in design that same year. The new penny would have the Lincoln Memorial as a motif, substituting the popular wheat stalks. The United States Mint started its production in January of the following year.

  • How many Lincoln Wheat Pennies are there in a pound?

The usual 1 lb bags of Wheat Pennies include 148 coins, but it might vary. The metal composition of a coin directly affects its weight. The valuable 1944 Steel Wheat Penny, for example, is composed of 95% steel and weighs 2,7 grams. While Copper Pennies, for instance, weigh 3,11 grams.

  • How to clean Wheat Pennies?

The first thing is not to wipe the coin. The incorrect use of brushes or cloth can cause unwanted scratches or tears. Brass brushes would be an excellent option because they are softer. But it is advisable to use proper coin cleaners. Or, for simpler attempts, soaking the coins in a vinegar solution would be a safe way to clean Wheat Pennies.

(Video) 1909-1958 Set of 1,500 Unsearched Lincoln Wheat Cents in Canvas Bag | Coins & Collectibles | Sho...

  • What is the rarest penny?

The 1909-S VDB. Besides being the first strike dating back to 1909 for widespread circulation, the US Mint produced a limited edition of 484,000 units. These coins come from the San Francisco Mint and initially received the designer’s initials on the obverse of the coin, but after some review, they were repositioned to the reverse.

  • Is a used Lincoln Wheat Penny worth anything?

Coins are worth at least their face value. Other factors like the mint year, condition, and rarity greatly influence the value of a collectible coin. Lincoln Wheat Cents are legal tender. But even in poor condition, they may be worth at least 3 or 4 cents, and some may be worth a lot more to coin collectors.

FAQs

What is the most valuable 1958 D wheat penny worth? ›

USA Coin Book Estimated Value of 1958-D Lincoln Wheat Penny is Worth $0.06 in Average Condition and can be Worth $0.34 to $1.16 or more in Uncirculated (MS+) Mint Condition. Click here to Learn How to use Coin Price Charts. Also, click here to Learn About Grading Coins.

How much is a 1958 wheat penny worth today? ›

If your 1958 wheat penny is in Extremely Fine condition, it is worth about thirteen cents, and Uncirculated wheat pennies from this year are worth from about 33 cents to $1.13, depending on how pristine it is.

What is a 1959 D wheat penny worth? ›

The 1959-D wheat penny is one of the most controversial mule coins ever. It's worth $50,000!

How much is a 1959 wheat penny worth? ›

Unfortunately, that doesn't affect its price, and the 1959 penny value is pretty low. You can find valuable pieces, but it primarily depends on their condition, mint mark, and possible errors.
...
1959 Lincoln penny
Face value$0.01
Compound95% copper and 5% tin and zinc
5 more rows

What makes a 1952 wheat penny valuable? ›

The year 1952 was one of those full of important historical events, making Lincoln pennies collectible. Even though the 1952 wheat penny value is insignificant except for rare excellently-preserved ones, they are desirable as a part of the set.

What is the most sought after wheat penny? ›

The most valuable Wheat Penny ever auctioned is a unique 1943-D Bronze Cent, sold for $840,000. Other examples of valuable wheat pennies include the 1909-S VDB Lincoln Wheat Penny, the 1944 Steel Penny, and other variations of the 1943 Bronze Penny.

How much is a 1955 wheat penny worth? ›

How much is the 1955 No Mint mark Lincoln wheat penny worth? An average penny struck in 1955 typically costs $2.25 to $700, depending on toning. Remember that only pieces in uncirculated condition are collectible.

What year wheat pennies should I look for? ›

Rare coins such as the 1909-S VDB and 1914-D are the “Holy Grails” of any Lincoln Wheat cent collection. Before you go down the path of building a complete set of Lincoln Wheat pennies, there are a few things you'll need to know.

What is the error on a 1909 wheat penny? ›

1909 VDB Penny DDO Error

A DDO is a double-die obverse error. That means the obverse die that's used to make the front of the coin was flawed. The die moved between strikes, creating a doubling effect and all coins minted with that die have the same error. This is called a variety.

What year wheat pennies are rare? ›

Considered to be the most valuable of the non-error Wheat Pennies, the 1914 D Wheat Penny commands an asking price range from $281 to $4,268.

What is the error on a 1958 wheat penny? ›

The 1958 Doubled Die Obverse is the rarest and most valuable DDO error of all of the Lincoln Wheat Cent (Penny) series. There are only a handful known to exist and the coins are best identified by the very clear doubling of the legend "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the doubling of the word "LIBERTY" on the front of the coin.

What are the five most valuable wheat pennies? ›

Most Valuable Wheat Pennies
  • 1944 Steel Wheat Penny – $500,000.
  • 1943 Copper Wheat Penny – $100,000.
  • 1914 D Wheat Penny – $10,000.
  • 1922 D Wheat Penny – $6,000.
  • 1926 Wheat Penny – $4,000.

Why is the 1956 D penny rare? ›

A scarce and expensive error coin is the 1956 Wheat Penny DDO, or “Doubled Die Obverse.” In this case, the design on the coin's obverse (or “heads” side) was inadvertently stamped twice, resulting in a twofold image.

Is a 1958 penny rare? ›

No Mintmark Under Date: Philadelphia Mint Struck the Coin

Philadelphia variety 1958 pennies are Abundant on the rarity scale. With a change in design the following year, these "old" design cents were saved from circulation. Many formed the beginnings of a wheat penny collection.

Why is the 1961 D penny worth so much? ›

Since Lincoln Memorial pennies minted in 1961 are made of pricey copper, all are worth far more than their face value, regardless of condition.

Why is a 1963 D penny worth so much? ›

In 1963, Philadelphia made 757,185,645 pennies, and 3,075,645 were proof coins. In comparison, the Denver Mint coined 1,774,020,400. So 1963 D pennies have the highest mintage volume. But 1963 D Error coins can be worth good money, and some are rather rare.

How much is a 1909 wheat penny worth? ›

USA Coin Book Estimated Value of 1909 Lincoln Wheat Penny is Worth $4.63 in Average Condition and can be Worth $20 to $28 or more in Uncirculated (MS+) Mint Condition. Proof Coins can be Worth $868 or more. Click here to Learn How to use Coin Price Charts. Also, click here to Learn About Grading Coins.

What makes a 1962 D penny rare? ›

Penny struck on a silver dime planchet

In rare cases, you can find the 1962 D Lincoln penny with almond-gold toning. This error appeared because of sticking the penny on a silver dime planchet. Such pieces can be valuable, and one coin in an MS 62 grade was sold for $823 at an auction in 2013.

What is a 1950 wheat penny worth? ›

In Good condition these coins are worth one cent (face value), in Fine condition they are worth five cents, in Extremely Fine condition they are worth about eight cents, and in Uncirculated the 1950 “S” wheat pennies can be worth anywhere from 96 cents to $2.28 each.

What makes a 1957 wheat penny rare? ›

1957 Wheat Penny Struck on Dime Planchet

One of the rarest kinds of Mint errors are those where coins are struck on the wrong planchet. That was the case for one 1957 Wheat penny, which was struck on a planchet intended for a dime. It was graded MS62 by the PCGS and fetched over $1,000 at auction.

How much is a 1957-D wheat penny worth today? ›

Value of a 1957-D Wheat Penny

An average uncirculated specimen (MS-63) will cost about seventy-five cents.

What is rare about the 1957-D wheat penny? ›

The 1957-D Wheat Penny had a total mintage of over 1 billion coins. This is the second year that the Denver Mint struck over a billion coins, which is an astronomical amount of coins.

What makes a 1955 D wheat penny valuable? ›

The 1955 Wheat penny with a double die obverse is one of the most famous error coins in existence. Some 40,000 of them were struck in a single night at the Philadelphia mint.

Why is a 1982 penny worth $10000? ›

So for the past 30 years, pennies have been made with an alloy comprised of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, but pennies minted before 1982 are 95% copper and 5% zinc. The price of copper has more than quadrupled over the past 10 years.

Which pennies are worth a lot of money right now? ›

Here's a list of the top 10 most valuable pennies for 2023:
  • 1) 1944 Steel Wheat Penny - $408,000.
  • 2) 1943 Copper Wheat Penny - $250,000.
  • 3) 1856 Flying Eagle Penny - $25,000.
  • 4) 1873 Indian Head Penny - $10,000.
  • 5) 1858 Flying Eagle Penny - $10,000.
  • 6) 1857 Flying Eagle Penny - $7,000.
  • 7) 1914 D Wheat Penny - $5,500.
Mar 1, 2023

Is there anything special about a 1959 penny? ›

In 1959, Frank Gasparro, a mint engraver, designed a new reverse side of the penny which changed the image from stalks of wheat to Abraham Lincoln's Memorial to commemorate the 150th birthday anniversary of Abraham Lincoln.

What is a 1943 zinc penny worth? ›

They are worth about 10 to 13 cents each in circulated condition and as much as 50 cents or more if uncirculated.

What rare pennies should I be looking for? ›

Let's start with the most valuable pennies minted in the USA.
  • S Lincoln Penny – $105,800. ...
  • 1944-D Lincoln Penny on a Zinc-Coated Steel Planchet – $115,000. ...
  • 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny. ...
  • 1872 Indian Head Penny – $126,500. ...
  • 1969-S Lincoln Penny–Doubled Die Obverse – $126,500. ...
  • 1926-S Lincoln Penny – $149,500.
Feb 16, 2023

What are the key Lincoln penny dates? ›

Key-Date issues of the Lincoln cent series include the 1909-S V.D.B., the 1909-S, the 1914-D and the 1931-S. Semi-Key Dates, in great demand but not among the scarcest issues, include the "S" mint mark Lincolns of 1910-1915 as well as the 1924-D and 1926-S cents.

Do all 1909 pennies have VDB on them? ›

Prodigy Coins

The VDB only appears on the 1909 cents, and not even all of them.

How can you tell if a 1909 penny is VDB? ›

Determining if you have a 1909 VDB coin is easy. The VDB is located on the coin's reverse, near the bottom. It is easy to spot because it is raised above the coin's surface.

Where is the VDB on a 1909 wheat penny? ›

The 1909 Lincoln cent was struck to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. The designer was Lithuanian immigrant sculptor Victor D. Brenner. The original design featured the designer's initials "V.D.B" at the bottom of the reverse and those initials were relatively large.

What are the 15 most valuable pennies? ›

Rare Pennies
  • 1914-S Lincoln Penny.
  • 1944-D Lincoln Penny (Zinc-coated steel)
  • 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny.
  • 1872 Indian Head Penny.
  • 1969-S Lincoln Penny-Doubled Die Obverse.
  • 1926-S Lincoln Penny.
  • 1877 Indian Head Penny.
  • 1914-D Lincoln Penny.
Sep 17, 2022

Are all 1944 pennies rare? ›

How rare is a 1944 wheat penny. The 1944 wheat penny is not rare. Standard unmarked 1944, 1944-D, or 1944-S cent are some of the most common wheat pennies, with over 2,148,338,000 pennies produced during 1944. It was one of the most minted coins in all U.S. coin production history.

Is a 1945 penny worth $85,000? ›

The value of a 1945 wheat penny depends on its condition and whether it's the rare “steel” variety. A well-circulated coin could be worth only a few cents, while a pristine steel penny could fetch up to $85,000.

What 1958 wheat penny sold for $336,000? ›

The 1958 doubled die obverse Lincoln cent is one of the rarest varieties of the 20th century, with only three known examples. Doubling is evident with the naked eye in the date, inscription LIBERTY, and in the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. In March 2018, a PCGS-graded MS64RD example garnered a whopping $336,000 at auction.

What are rare error pennies? ›

"Double die pennies are highly sought after by coin collectors because they are considered a rare and valuable error. The double image on the coin makes it unique and highly prized among collectors."

What makes a 1964 penny rare? ›

A 1964 D penny is considered rare for a few reasons. First, only about 1% of all pennies minted in 1964 were of the D-mint variety. Second, the Denver Mint, where the D pennies were made, had a higher-than-average number of coins rejected due to quality control issues.

What wheat pennies are worth $1000000? ›

Simpson, co-chairman of the Texas Rangers baseball club, paid $1 million for the finest known 1943-S Lincoln Wheat cent on a bronze planchet. All 1943 Lincoln cents were supposed to be made of steel planchets coated with zinc. However, some bronze planchets left over from 1942 slipped into the production process.

What is the most valuable 1956 wheat penny worth? ›

A 1956 Penny in average condition is worth about 2 cents. That's still double its face value, and the extra expense comes from the melt value of copper in November 2022. But some 1956 Pennies in high grades can fetch significantly more. The priciest one sold for $13,200.

What makes a 1944 D penny rare? ›

1944 No Mint Wheat Penny Value

The value of a 1944 no-mint Wheat Penny can be significantly higher than a coin with a mint mark. This is because coins produced at the Philadelphia mint, which did not have mint marks, are considered more rare and more desirable among collectors.

What is the rarest D penny? ›

1943-D Lincoln Bronze Cent – $1,700,000

Accidents can produce the rarest coins as we have seen. When the US changed from bronze alloy to zinc-plated steel pennies in 1943, only a handful of bronze pennies slipped through.

What is the error on a 1958 D wheat penny? ›

The 1958 Doubled Die Obverse is the rarest and most valuable DDO error of all of the Lincoln Wheat Cent (Penny) series. There are only a handful known to exist and the coins are best identified by the very clear doubling of the legend "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the doubling of the word "LIBERTY" on the front of the coin.

What wheat penny is worth a million dollars? ›

1943 wheat penny worth a million dollars

$840,000 was paid for it at auction in 2021. A 1943 bronze Lincoln cent graded Mint State 63 Red was reportedly sold in a private agreement for one million dollars.

What is the hardest penny to find? ›

1943-D Lincoln Bronze Cent

Many of these coins exhibit wear from circulation. This is an indication that they were not "helped" by some unscrupulous mint employee. But the rarest of all is this single known pristine example from the Denver mint. It is the most valuable Lincoln penny in the world.

What pennies should I keep? ›

Here's a rundown of 10 of the most expensive pennies made since 1900:
  • 1909-S Indian Cent: $300 to $1,000+ ...
  • 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent: $600 to $1,300+ ...
  • 1914-D Lincoln Cent: $150 to $2,200+ ...
  • 1922 Plain Lincoln Cent: $500 to $10,500+ ...
  • 1931-S Lincoln Cent: $65 to $100+ ...
  • 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent: $125,000+
Nov 18, 2022

Why is a 1944 d penny worth so much? ›

The 1944 wheat penny is worth roughly 15 cents in average condition, always more than its face value. Some examples of 1944 Wheat Penny are also valuable because they contain errors or are in exceptional mint state condition, which are in high demand by collectors.

What is the error on the 1957 D wheat penny? ›

1957 P Lincoln Wheat Penny "BIE" Die Break. The BIE error is named after a die break between the B and E in LIBERTY. The thin area between the B and E seems to be the most frequent part of a Lincoln cent die to crack off.

What makes a 1950 wheat penny rare? ›

During World War II, no proofs were made for any American coinage, but starting in 1950, proofs were minted once again, including that of the 1950 wheat penny. However, they only created a little over 51,000 of these coins, so they are very rare.

What are the most valuable wheat penny errors? ›

As for the wheat pennies, the most valuable errors are the off-metal errors printed in 1943 and 1944 during World War II. The steel planchets were sometimes struck, creating off-centered coins.

What makes a 1983 D penny rare? ›

The U.S. made about 7.7 billion pennies in 1983, but only about 5,000 of them are known to have been made with this doubling error, James McCartney, director of numismatics at Stack's Bowers Galleries, tells CNBC Make It. The rarity of these misprinted pennies are what make them more valuable than ordinary pennies.

What pennies are worth thousands? ›

Which pennies are worth $1,000? Some examples of pennies worth $1,000 or more include the 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent, the 1909-S Indian Cent, the 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent and the 1914-D Lincoln Cent.

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Introduction: My name is Errol Quitzon, I am a fair, cute, fancy, clean, attractive, sparkling, kind person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.