The Lincoln wheat penny (sometimes called wheat cent or wheatback) is the classic U.S. one-cent coin minted from 1909 to 1958. The reverse shows two stalks of wheat — that’s where the nickname comes from!
A Quick History of the Lincoln Cent
Designed by Victor David Brenner to celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday, the Lincoln penny was the first U.S. coin to feature a real person. The wheat reverse lasted until 1959 when the Memorial design took over.
Why Some Lincoln Pennies Are Worth a Fortune Today
Most wheat pennies are worth 3–25 cents, but tiny minting mistakes and super-low production years turned a handful into six- and seven-figure treasures. Collectors go crazy for key dates, doubled dies, repunched mintmarks, and the famous off-metal strikes.
Top 15 Most Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies (2025 Values)
| Rank | Year & Variety | Record Sale / Est. Value | Why It’s Rare |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1943 Bronze (no copper allowed) | $1.7 million+ | Only ~20 known – struck in bronze by mistake |
| 2 | 1944 Steel | $373,000+ | Wartime planchet error |
| 3 | 1955 Doubled Die Obverse | $125,000+ (MS65+) | Dramatic doubling on date & lettering |
| 4 | 1909-S VDB | $100,000+ (MS67+) | Lowest mintage of the series |
| 5 | 1914-D | $90,000+ (MS66+) | Only 1.2 million minted |
| 6 | 1922 No D (Plain) | $80,000+ | Mintmark missing or filled die |
| 7 | 1931-S | $55,000+ (MS66+) | Just 866,000 minted during Depression |
| 8 | 1909-S | $30,000+ (MS67) | First year S-mint |
| 9 | 1917 Doubled Die Obverse | $25,000+ | Strong doubling visible to naked eye |
| 10 | 1926-S | $18,000+ (MS65) | Low mintage San Francisco issue |
| 11 | 1936 Doubled Die Obverse | $15,000+ | Clear doubling on “IN GOD WE TRUST” |
| 12 | 1943-D Bronze | $1.2 million+ | Only one known! |
| 13 | 1910-S | $12,000+ (MS66) | Early S-mint rarity |
| 14 | 1924-D | $10,000+ (MS65) | Another tough Denver key date |
| 15 | 1909 VDB Matte Proof | $8,000–$15,000 | Rare proof version of the famous first year |
Key Date vs. Error Coins – Quick Comparison
| Type | Examples | Typical Value Range | What Makes Them Special |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key Dates | 1909-S VDB, 1914-D, 1931-S | $500 – $150,000+ | Very low original mintage |
| Error Coins | 1955 DDO, 1943 Bronze, 1922 No D | $1,000 – $1.7M+ | Mint mistakes create one-of-a-kind coins |
How to Spot These Rare Coins in Your Change
Grab a magnifying glass (10x works great) and look for:
- Tiny “S” or “D” mintmarks under the date
- Doubling on letters or Lincoln’s face
- Wrong metal (1943 should be steel, not copper!)
- Check every 1909–1930s wheat penny you find
Expert Tips for Starting Your Lincoln Penny Hunt
- Buy a “Red Book” or use the free PCGS CoinFacts app for prices.
- Search rolls from banks — CRH (coin roll hunting) still turns up treasures.
- Never clean your coins! Cleaning destroys value.
- Get rare finds graded by PCGS or NGC — it can 10x the price.
- Join local coin clubs; members love helping new collectors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are all 1943 pennies valuable?
A: Only the bronze ones — steel 1943 cents are worth $1–$10.
Q: What’s the most common valuable wheat penny?
A: The 1955 Doubled Die — still worth $1,000+ in any condition.
Q: Can I still find these in circulation?
A: Yes! A 1943 bronze was found in change as recently as 2019.
Final Thoughts – Start Digging Through Your Pennies Today!
Your spare-change jar, grandma’s coffee can, or that old Whitman folder in the attic could hold a six-figure Lincoln wheat penny. The top 15 rare Lincoln cents we just covered prove that tiny copper discs can change lives overnight. So grab a loupe, start sorting, and who knows — the next million-dollar penny might be in your hands right now!