1945 S Lincoln Wheat Penny Value Guide

The 1945 S Lincoln Wheat Penny is a significant piece of numismatic history, marking the final year of World War II production. These coins are highly collectible because they were struck using a unique alloy derived from recycled military shell casings, distinguishing them from standard pre-war copper cents.

What affects the value of 1945 S Lincoln Wheat Penny?

• The presence of original 'Red' (RD) mint luster significantly increases value over brown or circulated examples.
• Overall strike quality and the absence of bag marks or scratches on Lincoln's portrait.
• The specific 'S' mint mark, as San Francisco production numbers often differ from Philadelphia or Denver.
• The condition of the coin's surface, specifically looking for any signs of corrosion or environmental damage to the shell-casing alloy.

How to Identify 1945 S Lincoln Wheat Penny?

• Locate the 'S' mint mark positioned directly below the 1945 date on the obverse side.
• Verify the composition of copper, zinc, and tin, which lacks the typical pre-war bronze luster due to the shell casing brass alloy.
• Examine the reverse for the iconic 'Wheat Ears' design created by Victor David Brenner.
• Check for a sharp strike on Lincoln's hair and the wheat stalks, which indicates a well-preserved specimen.

History of 1945 S Lincoln Wheat Penny

Designed by Victor David Brenner and first issued in 1909, the Lincoln Cent was the first US coin to feature a person's portrait. The 1945 issue was struck during the final year of World War II. After the 1943 steel cent experiment, the Mint used shell casing brass from 1944 to 1946 to produce these pennies, which have a slightly different alloy than pre-war versions.