The wheat penny, first minted in 1909, was a special coin for the United States. It was the first coin to feature a U.S. president, Abraham Lincoln. Designed by Victor D. Brenner to honor Lincoln’s 100th birthday, this coin captured a piece of history. While Lincoln remains on the penny, the wheat design was replaced in 1959 by the Lincoln Memorial.
Today, collectors love these wheat pennies, and some are surprisingly valuable! A few rare ones still show up in pocket change, so if you come across one, give it a closer look. Here are 15 of the most valuable wheat pennies, ranked by their worth.
15 Most Valuable Wheat Pennies
15. 1915 S Penny
- Value: Up to $1,500
- Why It’s Valuable: This penny was minted in San Francisco and has a unique reddish-brown color, making it more appealing to collectors. Beginners might find one worth around $28, but in perfect condition, it could be worth much more!
14. 1909 S VDB Penny
- Value: Up to $2,200
- Why It’s Valuable: Brenner’s initials, “V.D.B.,” appear on this coin, which caused a bit of controversy when it was released. Only 484,000 of these were made, making it highly collectible.
13. 1926 Penny
- Value: Up to $3,000
- Why It’s Valuable: While this penny is common in worn condition, a mint-condition one is worth thousands. It has no mintmark, which adds to its appeal for some collectors.
12. 1922 D Penny
- Value: Up to $5,000
- Why It’s Valuable: Known for its disappearing “D” mintmark, this penny’s value varies based on how visible the “D” is. A rare “plain” version is especially valuable.
11. 1914 D Penny
- Value: Up to $5,500
- Why It’s Valuable: Only 1.2 million of these were made, compared to 75 million from Philadelphia. Watch out for fakes, though; many counterfeit versions exist.
10. 1917 Doubled Die Penny
- Value: $3,000 – $6,000
- Why It’s Valuable: This penny features a “doubled die” error, where “IN GOD WE TRUST” and the date appear doubled, making it a unique find.
9. 1955-P DDO Penny
- Value: $4,000 – $16,000
- Why It’s Valuable: This coin’s doubled die error is the most famous of all wheat pennies. Look for the noticeable doubling in “LIBERTY” and the date.
8. 1922-D No D Strong Reverse Penny
- Value: $12,000 – $30,000
- Why It’s Valuable: Mistakes at the Denver Mint led to a rare version of this penny without a mintmark. This error makes it a top pick for collectors.
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7. 1944-P Steel Penny
- Value: $50,000+
- Why It’s Valuable: In 1944, pennies were made from copper, but a few leftover steel blanks from 1943 were mistakenly used. The steel versions from this year are rare treasures.
6. 1944-D Steel Penny
- Value: $60,000+
- Why It’s Valuable: Only seven of these Denver-minted steel pennies are known, but there could be more out there. This penny is highly sought after by serious collectors.
5. 1958-P DDO Penny
- Value: $100,000 – $200,000**
- Why It’s Valuable: With only a few known, this coin’s double-die error makes it extremely rare. The slight doubling in “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” sets it apart.
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4. 1943 Bronze Penny
- Value: $300,000+
- Why It’s Valuable: Made by mistake, this penny should have been steel in 1943 but ended up being copper. Be careful with counterfeits—genuine ones won’t stick to a magnet.
3. 1943-S Bronze Penny
- Value: $500,000+
- Why It’s Valuable: Only five are known to exist, making it a top collector’s item. This San Francisco mint coin is rare due to its unexpected use of copper.
2. 1944-S Steel Penny
- Value: $700,000 – $1 million**
- Why It’s Valuable: Just two of these San Francisco steel pennies are known, making it one of the rarest pennies ever. It’s a true collector’s gem.
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1. 1943-D Bronze Penny
- Value: $800,000 – $2 million
- Why It’s Valuable: This penny is the ultimate find. There’s only one known to exist, and it’s rumored to have been struck by a mint employee. This rare bronze coin is often called the “Holy Grail” of pennies.
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