Lincoln Wheat Penny (1909–1958): Values & Key Dates
In pristine condition, a 1941 Lincoln cent “could be” worth $1,000 or $5,000, but what is a well-worn example from pocket change worth in reality? That’s a different story.
First, The Bad News. . .
The vast majority of Lincoln Wheat pennies are worth less than ten cents each, with well-worn 1943 steel pennies fetching 5 to ten cents in worn condition, and no Lincoln Wheat penny struck after 1933 fetching more than eight cents in worn condition.
Now, The Good News!
There are four major regular-issue key dates in the series, as well as several valuable semi-key dates, varieties, and errors, and many Lincoln Wheat pennies are worth more than ten cents.
Key Date Wheat Pennies
The following are the major Lincoln Wheat cent key dates: 1909-S1909-S VDB1914-D1931-S. Although varieties and errors are not required for completing a set of Lincoln Wheat cents, many collectors pursue them anyway.
What Are These Wheat Pennies Worth?
The values above are for problem-free coins with no signs of damage, such as holes, major gouges, scratches, or cleanings, and are for coins in average circulated (VG8 to VF20) and average uncirculated condition.
Collecting Lincoln Wheat Cents
Many collectors will build sets of Lincoln Wheat pennies using cardboard folders, deluxe albums, or Lucite holders. The Lincoln penny is one of the most widely collected issues among all United States coinage, and the Lincoln Wheat cent is a long-obsolete coin that has been disappearing from circulation.
When did wheat pennies start and end?
The Lincoln cent (also known as the Lincoln penny) is a one-cent coin that has been produced by the United States Mint since 1909. The obverse or heads side, as well as the original reverse, depicting two stalks of wheat (thus “wheat pennies,” struck 1909u20131958), were both designed by Victor David Brenner.
What year did wheat penny end?
Whether or not the 1959-D Lincoln wheat cent is genuine or a forgery, regular-issue Lincoln wheat cents were last struck in 1958, and they are still plentiful and relatively inexpensive (they’re even occasionally found in circulation).
Why is the 1958 wheat penny so valuable?
The 1958 Doubled Die Lincoln Wheat Penny is one of the largest and rarest errors for Wheat Pennies, with only three known examples and only two being officially graded by PCGS, a third-party grader. Doubling can be seen very clearly on the obverse of the coin.
What years of wheat pennies are valuable?
Most wheat cents (wheat pennies were minted between 1909 and 1956) are worth about 4 to 5 cents, but better examples (especially those in near-perfect condition) can be worth much more. Indian Head pennies from 1859 to 1879 are generally worth more than $10.
What are the rarest wheat pennies?
Wheat Pennies with the Highest Value
- The 1944 Steel Wheat Penny is valued at $500,000. The 1943 Copper Wheat Penny is valued at $100,000. The 1914 D Wheat Penny is valued at $10,000. The 1922 D Wheat Penny is valued at $6,000. The 1926 Wheat Penny is valued at $4,000.
What is the rarest date on a penny?
The 1877 Indian Head Penny is the most scarce of all the Indian Head pennies ever minted. In 1877, the economic slump that began in 1873 was still in full swing, with demand for US coins at an all-time low and families struggling to make ends meet.
Should I clean my wheat pennies?
Cleaning foreign coins, Morgan dollars, wheat pennies, and other valuables to remove corrosion is a delicate and dangerous task; we do not recommend cleaning rare coins if you plan to sell them because cleaning such valuable items devalues them.
How much is a 1943 D steel penny worth?
The 1943 D Steel Wheat Penny is worth an average of 45 cents on CoinTrackers.com, but one in certified mint state (MS ) could be worth $12 (see details).
What is the rarest mint mark?
The wide AM reverse Lincoln cent dates from 1998, 1999, or 2000, with 1999 being the most scarce; the A and M in America have more space between them than usual, and this coin is worth up to $600.
Is a 1958 D wheat penny worth anything?
According to CoinTrackers.com, the average value of a 1958 D Wheat Penny is 15 cents, but one in certified mint state (MS) could be worth $4.
How rare is a 1958 penny?
The 1958 Doubled Die Penny is an extremely rare error coin, with only three known to exist. It’s possible you found the fourth, but it’s highly unlikely.
What makes a 1957 D penny rare?
Higher grades are elusive due to the Denver mint’s bulk handling of coins, which resulted in all coins having some minuscule bag marks; problem free circulated examples can be purchased for about 10 to 15 cents.
What is the rarest Kennedy half dollar?
A 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar Snatches A World-Record $108,000! Heritage Auctions held a public auction of rare U.S. coins on Thursday, April 25, 2019, and a 1964 Kennedy Half Dollar sold for a world record $108,000, making it the most expensive coin of its type.
Why is 1944 wheat penny rare?
The 1944 Lincoln penny is particularly desirable to collectors, not only because of its design, but also because of its scarcity: because no more 1944 Lincolns are being produced, their scarcity is constantly increasing, making the coins more valuable.
How much is a 1957 D Lincoln wheat penny worth?
The 1957 D wheat pennies are currently worth 15 to 60 cents in average condition, and the coins in mint condition are worth up to $1.