If you’ve ever found an old penny with two wheat stalks on the back, congratulations – you just held a “wheat penny” (officially the Lincoln Wheat Cent). Minted from 1909 to 1958, these are the pennies before the Lincoln Memorial design we know today.
A Quick History of the Wheat Cent (1909–1958)
Designed by Victor David Brenner to celebrate Lincoln’s 100th birthday, the wheat penny was the first U.S. coin to feature a real person. Over 25 billion were made, but tiny mint-mark and date combinations turned a few into legends.
Why Wheat Pennies Are Hotter Than Ever in 2025
Young collectors on TikTok and Reddit, plus investors looking for “hard assets,” have driven demand through the roof. Low-interest rare coins have outperformed many stocks in the last decade – and wheat pennies are the affordable entry point.
Top 10 Most Valuable Wheat Pennies (2014 vs 2025 Prices)
| Rank | Year & Mint | 2014 Auction | 2025 Record Sale | 11-Year Gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1943 Bronze (error) | $180,000 | $378,000+ | +110% |
| 2 | 1944 Steel (error) | $90,000 | $198,000 | +120% |
| 3 | 1909-S VDB | $65,000 | $168,000 | +158% |
| 4 | 1914-D | $48,000 | $152,000 | +217% |
| 5 | 1922 No D | $28,000 | $98,500 | +252% |
| 6 | 1931-S | $18,000 | $78,000 | +333% |
| 7 | 1955 Double Die | $12,000 | $62,000 | +417% |
| 8 | 1909-S | $5,500 | $18,500 | +236% |
| 9 | 1917 Double Die | $4,200 | $16,800 | +300% |
| 10 | 1943-D Bronze | $800,000 (only 1 known) | Still the king! | – |
Price Explosion Table: Everyday “Semi-Key” Dates That 10X’d
| Year | Grade | 2014 Value | 2025 Value | Gain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1931-S | MS65 | $120 | $1,200 | 10× |
| 1924-D | MS63 | $150 | $1,650 | 11× |
| 1914-D | VF20 | $180 | $2,200 | 12× |
| 1909-S | XF40 | $350 | $3,800 | 11× |
How to Spot a $5,000+ Wheat Penny in Your Change
- Flip it – look for wheat ears on the reverse (1959+ are Memorial cents).
- Check the date and mint mark (tiny letter under the date: no mark = Philadelphia, D = Denver, S = San Francisco).
- Look for famous errors: 1955 doubled die (letters look blurry/shadowed), 1943 copper, 1944 steel.
- Use a 10× loupe – tiny details make the difference between $50 and $50,000.
Expert Tips to Start Collecting (or Selling) Today
- Never clean your coins – it destroys value.
- Store in cardboard 2×2 flips or albums, not PVC plastic.
- Use PCGS or NGC price guides (free online).
- Sell on eBay, GreatCollections, or Heritage Auctions for top dollar.
- Join r/coins on Reddit – the community is incredibly helpful.
Wheat Penny FAQs
Q: Are all wheat pennies valuable?
A: No – common dates are still 5–25 cents each. Only certain dates, errors, and high-grade coins bring big money.
Q: What’s the rarest wheat penny?
A: The 1943 bronze penny (only about 15–20 known) – one sold for $1.7 million in 2010, but recent sales top $378,000.
Q: Can I still find valuable ones in circulation?
A: Extremely rare now, but people still find 1930s-S and 1955 double dies in old jars and estates.
Final Thoughts: Your Pocket Change Could Be a Goldmine
In just 11 years, many wheat pennies have gone from “cool old coin” to life-changing money. The best part? You don’t need to be rich to start – a $20 Whitman folder and a little patience can turn into thousands (or hundreds of thousands). Grab that old jar from grandma’s attic, check those dates, and who knows – your next coffee change could fund a vacation.