
What Are the Most Valuable Rare Lincoln Wheat Pennies to Look For?
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Comprehensive Guide: What Are the Most Valuable Rare Lincoln Wheat Pennies to Look For?
If you're a coin collector or enthusiast, discovering Rare Lincoln Wheat Pennies can be an exciting and profitable venture. The Lincoln Wheat Penny, minted from 1909 to 1958, is one of the most iconic U.S. coins, with some rare editions fetching thousands—or even millions—of dollars. Whether you're checking your spare change or evaluating inherited collections, knowing Lincoln Wheat Penny Values is essential.
In this detailed guide, we’ll explore the most valuable Wheat Pennies, including key dates, mint errors, and condition factors that influence their worth. We’ll also provide a Wheat Penny Value Chart reference to help you assess your coins accurately.
Key Rare Lincoln Wheat Pennies to Look For
1. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny (The King of Wheat Pennies)
The 1909 VDB Lincoln Penny is one of the most famous and valuable coins in U.S. numismatics. The initials "VDB" (for designer Victor David Brenner) were removed from the reverse later in 1909, making the 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent extremely rare.
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Mintage: Only 484,000 were struck.
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Value: Up to 3,000+∗∗inGoodcondition,and∗∗100,000+ in Mint State.
2. 1914-D Lincoln Wheat Penny
With a low mintage, the 1914-D Wheat Penny is highly sought after.
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Mintage: 1.2 million.
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Value: 200–1,500+ in circulated grades, up to $25,000 in MS-65.
3. 1922 No D Lincoln Penny (Strong Reverse)
A striking error left some 1922 Pennies without the "D" mintmark, making them rare.
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Mintage: Unknown (very few exist).
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Value: 500–15,000+ depending on condition.
4. 1931-S Lincoln Wheat Penny
Extremely low mintage makes this a key date.
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Mintage: 866,000.
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Value: 100–2,500+.
5. 1943 Copper Lincoln Penny (The "Wrong Metal" Rarity)
Most 1943 Pennies were steel, but a few copper planchets were accidentally struck.
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Mintage: Estimated 10–20 exist.
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Value: 100,000–1.7 million (one sold for over $1 million at auction).
6. 1955 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) Wheat Penny
A famous mint error doubling Lincoln’s profile and lettering.
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Mintage: Approximately 20,000–24,000.
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Value: 1,000–25,000+.
Other Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies
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1909-S (No VDB): 100–5,000+
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1910-S: 50–1,500+
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1911-S: 40–1,200+
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1912-S: 60–1,800+
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1913-S: 70–2,000+
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1915-S: 30–1,000+
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1924-D: 50–1,200+
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1926-S: 40–1,000+
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1942 Wheat Penny Value (D & S mintmarks): 5–500+
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1941 Wheat Penny Value (D & S mintmarks): 3–300+
Factors Affecting Lincoln Wheat Penny Values
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Rarity (Mintage Numbers) – Lower mintage = higher value.
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Condition (Grading) – Uncirculated (MS) coins sell for premiums.
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Mint Errors – Doubled dies, off-center strikes, and repunched mintmarks increase value.
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Demand – Some dates are more popular among collectors.
Wheat Penny Value Chart (Key Dates & Approximate Values)
Year | Mintmark | Circulated Value | Uncirculated Value |
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1909 | S VDB | 800–3,000+ | 10,000–100,000+ |
1914 | D | 200–1,500+ | 5,000–25,000+ |
1922 | No D | 500–15,000+ | $20,000+ |
1931 | S | 100–2,500+ | $3,000+ |
1943 | Copper | $100,000+ | $1M+ |
1955 | DDO | 1,000–25,000+ | $30,000+ |
How to Determine Your Wheat Penny’s Worth
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Check the Date & Mintmark – Look for key dates like 1909 VDB Lincoln Penny or 1942 Wheat Penny.
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Assess Condition – Use a grading scale (Good, Fine, Extremely Fine, Uncirculated).
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Look for Errors – Doubled dies, repunched mintmarks, or off-metal strikes.
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Consult a Price Guide – Use a Wheat Penny Value Chart for reference.
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Get It Certified – PCGS or NGC grading adds credibility and value.
Where to Sell Rare Lincoln Wheat Pennies
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Coin Dealers (Reputable buyers offer fair prices).
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Auction Houses (Heritage Auctions, Stack’s Bowers).
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Online Marketplaces (eBay, Etsy, specialized coin forums).
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re hunting for a 1909 VDB Lincoln Cent, a 1943 Copper Penny, or just checking Hay Penny Value in your collection, understanding Lincoln Wheat Penny Values is crucial. Some of these coins could be hiding in old jars, inherited collections, or even pocket change—so keep an eye out!
For more detailed pricing, check our Wheat Penny Value Chart and start your treasure hunt today!
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This guide ensures you know exactly which Lincoln Wheat Pennies are worth big money—happy collecting!