Collectors and history buffs alike prize wheat pennies, especially those minted in the early to mid-20th century, for their unique designs, rare minting errors, and historical context. Many of these pennies have sold for impressive amounts at auctions, making them a desirable addition to any coin collection. If you’re lucky, you may have one of these valuable coins tucked away in a drawer or an old collection. Below is a list of eight wheat pennies that could be worth a significant amount.
1. 1909-S VDB Wheat Penny
The 1909-S VDB wheat penny is one of the most iconic and highly valued wheat pennies. Minted in San Francisco, this penny carries the initials “VDB” for Victor David Brenner, the designer, on the reverse side. Due to its low mintage, this penny is rare and can fetch thousands of dollars, especially in high-grade condition.
- Year: 1909
- Mint Mark: S
- Material: Copper
- Estimated Value: Up to $2,000+
2. 1914-D Wheat Penny
The 1914-D wheat penny, minted in Denver, is another collector’s favorite due to its scarcity. A limited mintage combined with the coin’s age makes it particularly valuable. Collectors actively seek high-grade versions of this coin, which can be worth thousands.
- Year: 1914
- Mint Mark: D
- Material: Copper
- Estimated Value: $500 – $4,000+
3. 1922 No D Wheat Penny
The 1922 No D penny stands out in the series due to a minting error that omitted the “D” mintmark. This error was unintentional, and as a result, these coins are rare and prized by collectors. High-quality examples of this error coin can command prices well into the thousands.
- Year: 1922
- Mint Mark: None
- Material: Copper
- Estimated Value: $1,000 – $20,000+
4. 1931-S Wheat Penny
With a limited mintage of just over 800,000, the 1931-S wheat penny is one of the rarest in the series. This low production number, combined with its age, has given the 1931-S penny high collectible value. Well-preserved examples can sell for considerable sums.
- Year: 1931
- Mint Mark: S
- Material: Copper
- Estimated Value: $100 – $2,000+
5. 1943 Copper Wheat Penny
In 1943, most pennies were minted from steel to conserve copper for the World War II effort. However, a few copper pennies were accidentally minted that year, creating one of the most sought-after coins in U.S. history. These copper pennies are extremely rare, with some auction sales surpassing $100,000.
- Year: 1943
- Mint Mark: None
- Material: Copper
- Estimated Value: $100,000+
6. 1944 Steel Wheat Penny
When the U.S. Mint returned to using copper for pennies in 1944, a small number of steel pennies were mistakenly produced. These rare 1944 steel pennies are highly valuable, especially if in good condition, with some examples selling for tens of thousands of dollars.
- Year: 1944
- Mint Mark: None
- Material: Steel
- Estimated Value: $30,000 – $75,000+
7. 1955 Doubled Die Wheat Penny
The 1955 Doubled Die penny is famous for its distinct minting error, which resulted in a visible doubling of the date and inscriptions. This error makes the penny highly collectible, with high-grade specimens valued at several thousand dollars.
- Year: 1955
- Mint Mark: None
- Material: Copper
- Estimated Value: $1,000 – $17,000+
8. 1943-S Copper Wheat Penny
Similar to the 1943 copper penny minted in Philadelphia, the 1943-S copper penny from San Francisco is another rare and valuable error coin. With only a few known examples, it is one of the most valuable wheat pennies a collector could find.
- Year: 1943
- Mint Mark: S
- Material: Copper
- Estimated Value: Up to $100,000+
| Coin Name | Year | Mint Mark | Material | Estimated Value (High Grade) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1909-S VDB | 1909 | S | Copper | Up to $2,000+ |
| 1914-D | 1914 | D | Copper | $500 – $4,000+ |
| 1922 No D | 1922 | None | Copper | $1,000 – $20,000+ |
| 1931-S | 1931 | S | Copper | $100 – $2,000+ |
| 1943 Copper | 1943 | None | Copper | $100,000+ |
| 1944 Steel | 1944 | None | Steel | $30,000 – $75,000+ |
| 1955 Doubled Die | 1955 | None | Copper | $1,000 – $17,000+ |
| 1943-S Copper | 1943 | S | Copper | Up to $100,000+ |
Each of these coins is valuable not only because of its rarity but also because of unique errors or limited minting that set it apart from typical pennies.
If you come across one of these prized coins, consider having it professionally graded to determine its exact worth. Even seemingly minor differences in condition can significantly impact the value of a rare wheat penny.
What makes wheat pennies valuable?
Wheat pennies are valued for their rarity, age, unique mint marks, or minting errors, which collectors highly prize.
How do I know if my wheat penny is valuable?
Look for key years, mint marks, and conditions. Getting the coin professionally graded can also reveal its value.
Are all 1943 pennies valuable?
Most 1943 pennies were made of steel and are not especially rare, but the copper 1943 pennies are extremely valuable.
