The Top 10 Most Valuable Wheat Pennies
Ever felt that heart-pounding excitement when you stumble upon a rare coin?
You know, that moment when you're holding a tiny treasure in the palm of your hand, and you can't help but wonder, "Is this the one?" It's a rush like no other, right?
We've all been there, giddy with anticipation, hoping to uncover a hidden gem in our collection. And let's be honest, who wouldn't love to find a valuable wheat penny that could make our friends green with envy?
But then, there's that doubt in the back of your mind: "Am I just kidding myself? Are these wheat pennies really worth anything?" Hey, we get it. The world of coin collecting can be a rollercoaster of emotions, and sometimes it's hard to separate the wheat from the chaff (pun intended!).
But fear not, fellow numismatist, because we're here to guide you through the exhilarating world of valuable wheat pennies, and help you discover those elusive gems that could bring in some serious dough.
So, buckle up, and get ready to embark on a thrilling journey through the top 10 most valuable wheat pennies. We promise you won't be disappointed.
Now, without further ado, let's dive in and explore the hidden treasures waiting to be found!
1. 1931-S Wheat Penny: The Rare San Francisco Treasure
Value: $70-$150 Auction Record: $18,600
Meet the 1931-S Lincoln Wheat Penny, a key date in the series with a mintage of just 866,000 coins.
Yeah, you read that right.
Compared to the millions typically minted, this baby is rarer than rare! It's also the last penny minted at the San Francisco Mint until 1935. Now, because collectors hoarded this cent, uncirculated examples aren't too hard to find.
You'll want to pay close attention to those designated "Red" because they command the highest prices. Case in point: in 2021, an MS66+RD graded coin sold for a jaw-dropping $18,600!
2. 1917 Doubled Die Wheat Penny: The Not-So-Obvious Gem
Value: $100-$5,000 Auction Record: $120,000
The 1917 Doubled Die Wheat Penny might play hard to get, but it's worth the chase.
This coin shows class V doubling, also known as "pivoted hub doubling." But don't expect it to be glaringly obvious.
The doubling appears mostly on the date and in the words IN GOD WE TRUST. As a popular choice among collectors, you'll want to keep your eyes peeled for this coin.
Just be aware that spotting the doubling on worn coins can be tricky.
3. 1909-S Wheat Penny: The Coveted Semi-Key Date
Value: $100-$300 Auction Record: $69,000
Here's the 1909-S Lincoln Wheat Penny, a semi-key date that's all the rage in any grade.
Sure, it's not as sought-after as the 1909-S VDB variety, but with a mintage of 1,825,000, it's still worth your attention. In 2004, an MS67+RD graded coin fetched a cool $69,000!
4. 1909-S Over Horizontal S Wheat Penny: The Mint's Oopsie
Value: $120-$350 Auction Record: $32,900
The 1909-S Over Horizontal S Wheat Penny is an error coin known as an RPM (Repunched Mint Mark).
What happened?
The first S was punched in the wrong orientation, so the mint had to correct it with a second S. This happened because before 1990, all mint marks were hand-punched into the dies. In July 2022, an MS67RD specimen sold for a whopping $32,900!
5. 1914-D Wheat Penny: The Valuable Non-Error
Value: $200-$2,500 Auction Record: $158,625
The 1914-D Lincoln Wheat Penny is a key date in the series and the most valuable non-error penny.
With a low mintage of 1,193,000, finding an uncirculated coin is like striking gold.
But watch out – counterfeiters love this coin. In 2018, an MS66+RD graded example sold for an impressive $158,625.
6. 1922-D No D Wheat Penny: The Missing Mint Mark
Value: $500-$20,000 Auction Record: $92,000
The 1922-D No D Lincoln Wheat Cent is the only circulation strike in the series missing its intended mint mark.
The Denver Mint was the sole producer of pennies at the time, but due to high demand, they got a bit sloppy, and a batch missed the mint mark.
Keep your eyes peeled for this major variety, which is a hit among collectors. In 2008, an MS64 graded cent went for $92,000!
7. 1909-S VDB Wheat Penny: The Challenging Pursuit
Value: $700-$1,500 Auction Record: $168,000
The 1909-S VDB Lincoln Wheat Cent is one tough cookie to find and ranks high on collectors' lists. Be cautious, though – counterfeits are common, so authentication is a must if you stumble upon this elusive gem.
8. 1955 Doubled Die Wheat Penny: The Dramatically Doubled
Value: $1,000-$1,800 Auction Record: $114,000
The 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Wheat Penny is a fan favorite among collectors due to its unmistakable doubling – so dramatic it's visible without magnification!
With only around 24,000 of these gems in circulation, watch out for fakes. Get your coin certified if you suspect it's the real deal. In 2018, an MS65+RD specimen fetched $114,000.
9. 1944 Steel Cent Wheat Penny: The Happy Accident
Value: $75,000-$125,000 Auction Record: $180,000
The 1944 Steel Wheat Cent was born out of pure chance.
It's thought that steel blanks from the previous year were left behind or accidentally mixed in with copper blanks. Either way, collectors lucked out!
With just 25 to 30 of these coins in existence, beware of zinc-coated copper penny fakes. In 2021, an MS64 graded coin sold for $180,000.
10. 1943 Bronze Wheat Penny: The Ultimate Prize
Value: $100,000-$200,000 Auction Record: $372,000
The most coveted coin on our list, the 1943 Bronze Wheat Cent, is shrouded in mystery. During WWII, the mint switched to steel cents to save copper for ammunition.
However, a few copper planchets were left behind and mistakenly struck with 1943-dated dies.
Fraudulent coins abound, so test yours with a magnet. If it doesn't stick, it could be authentic – get it checked out! In 2021, an MS62BN graded coin sold for a staggering $372,000.
