7 Rare Lincoln Wheat Pennies Hiding in Your Pocket Change: If you’ve ever sifted through your spare change, chances are you’ve come across a Lincoln Wheat Penny. Minted from 1909 to 1958, these small copper coins often go unnoticed — yet some of them are worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars today. You might be carrying a hidden treasure without even realizing it!
In this article, we’ll explore seven rare Lincoln Wheat Pennies that you should look out for in your pocket change, old coin jars, or inherited coin collections.
1. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Wheat Penny
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Value: $700 to $15,000+
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Why It’s Valuable: This was the first year the Lincoln cent was issued. Designer Victor David Brenner’s initials (VDB) were featured prominently on the reverse, causing public controversy. The San Francisco mint struck only 484,000 of these coins before the design was changed.
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How to Spot It: Look for “V.D.B.” on the bottom center of the reverse and an “S” mintmark under the date.
2. 1914-D Lincoln Wheat Penny
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Value: $250 to $5,000+
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Why It’s Valuable: Only 1.2 million were minted in Denver, making it one of the lowest mintages in the series.
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How to Spot It: Check for the “D” mintmark under the year 1914. Beware of altered coins where a “D” is added to a common 1914 penny.
3. 1922 No D Lincoln Wheat Penny
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Value: $500 to $10,000+
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Why It’s Valuable: All 1922 pennies were minted in Denver, but due to a worn die, some came out without the “D” mintmark, making them a rare variety.
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How to Spot It: A 1922 penny with no mintmark and strong details (especially in Lincoln’s face and hair) is likely this valuable error.
4. 1931-S Lincoln Wheat Penny
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Value: $75 to $300+
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Why It’s Valuable: Only 866,000 of these were minted during the Great Depression, making it a key date for collectors.
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How to Spot It: Look for the “S” mintmark beneath the year 1931.
5. 1943 Bronze (Copper) Lincoln Wheat Penny
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Value: $75,000 to $250,000+
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Why It’s Valuable: In 1943, the U.S. Mint used zinc-coated steel to conserve copper for World War II. However, a few bronze planchets (used in 1942) accidentally remained in the presses.
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How to Spot It: Use a magnet. If your 1943 penny sticks, it’s steel and common. If it doesn’t stick and it’s copper-colored — you may have struck gold!
6. 1944 Steel Lincoln Wheat Penny
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Value: $30,000 to $100,000+
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Why It’s Valuable: In contrast to the 1943 error, a few steel blanks were used in 1944 by mistake.
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How to Spot It: If you find a steel penny dated 1944, this is an extremely rare mint error. Again, test with a magnet.
7. 1955 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Wheat Penny
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Value: $1,000 to $10,000+
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Why It’s Valuable: A misalignment during the minting process led to a dramatic doubling effect on the date and inscriptions like “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
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How to Spot It: Look closely at the lettering — if it appears strongly doubled and the coin is in good shape, you may have a treasure on your hands.
🪙 Summary Table of Rare Lincoln Wheat Pennies
| Year | Mint Mark | Key Feature | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1909 | S VDB | First year; initials visible | $700 – $15,000+ |
| 1914 | D | Low mintage | $250 – $5,000+ |
| 1922 | No D | Mint error; no mintmark | $500 – $10,000+ |
| 1931 | S | Depression-era scarcity | $75 – $300+ |
| 1943 | No mint (Copper) | Bronze error | $75,000 – $250,000+ |
| 1944 | No mint (Steel) | Steel error | $30,000 – $100,000+ |
| 1955 | No mint | Doubled die | $1,000 – $10,000+ |
Final Thought
What might seem like an ordinary coin can actually be a miniature fortune. Lincoln Wheat Pennies are not only nostalgic but can also be extremely valuable if you know what to look for. The next time you check your change, don’t just glance — inspect. You might discover a rare piece of American history hiding in plain sight.
Whether you’re a seasoned coin collector or just curious, keeping an eye out for these pennies is a fun (and possibly profitable) hobby. Happy hunting!
FAQs
Q1: Are Lincoln Wheat Pennies still in circulation?
Yes, though less common, some Lincoln Wheat Pennies still appear in pocket change, especially from older coin rolls or estate collections.
Q2: How can I tell if my wheat penny is valuable?
Key indicators include the mint year, mintmark, rarity, errors, and overall condition. Use a magnifying glass and compare your coin to verified images online or with a coin dealer.
Q3: What’s the best way to sell a rare penny?
For high-value coins, consider certified grading services (like PCGS or NGC) and reputable auction houses. You can also try local coin shops or online marketplaces — but do your research first.
Q4: Are steel pennies worth anything?
Most 1943 steel pennies are common and worth $0.10 to $2.00, but 1944 steel pennies are extremely rare and valuable.