1917 Lincoln Wheat Penny Value Guide

The 1917 Lincoln Wheat Penny is a significant piece of American numismatic history, minted during the height of World War I. It is highly collectible as an early example of the Victor David Brenner design, featuring the iconic wheat ears that symbolized national prosperity.

What Is 1917 Lincoln Wheat Penny Worth?

The typical price range for 1917 Lincoln Wheat Penny is $0 - $1 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• The presence of a mint mark (D for Denver or S for San Francisco) can significantly increase value over the Philadelphia strike.
• Overall strike quality and the amount of wear on the wheat lines and Lincoln's hair.
• The preservation of original copper luster, often categorized as Red (RD), Red-Brown (RB), or Brown (BN).
• The presence of any minting errors, such as doubled dies or off-center strikes, which are rare for this year.

How to Identify 1917 Lincoln Wheat Penny?

• Verify the 1917 date located on the obverse side below the 'In God We Trust' motto.
• Check for the designer's initials 'VDB', which were removed from the reverse in 1909 but may appear on the shoulder of Lincoln in later strikes.
• Examine the reverse for the two distinct stalks of wheat framing the words 'ONE CENT' and 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'.
• Confirm the material composition is the authentic 95% copper and 5% tin/zinc alloy used during this era.

History of 1917 Lincoln Wheat Penny

The Lincoln Wheat Penny was introduced in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. The reverse side features two wheat ears, symbolizing prosperity. The 1917 coin is part of this series produced until 1958, and it was made during a period of growth and change in the United States, including World War I.