Wheat Penny Value & Price Guide

The Lincoln Wheat Penny, minted from 1909 to 1958, is one of the most beloved and widely collected coins in American history. Known for the iconic stalks of durum wheat on the reverse, these copper cents represent a transition from 19th-century design to modern numismatics.

Price Range: $1 - $1 based on recent sales

History of Wheat Penny

Introduced in 1909 to commemorate the centennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth, the Wheat Penny was a revolutionary shift in U.S. coinage as it was the first regular-issue coin to feature a historical figure. Designed by Victor David Brenner, the coin replaced the Indian Head penny and remained in production for fifty years. During World War II, the composition famously shifted to zinc-coated steel in 1943 to conserve copper for the war effort, resulting in the unique 'Steelie' pennies. The design was eventually replaced in 1959 by the Lincoln Memorial reverse to mark the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's birth.

Value Factors for Wheat Penny

The typical price range for Wheat Penny is $1 - $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 (S for San Francisco or D for Denver) can dramatically increase value for specific years.
• The 'Red' (RD), 'Red-Brown' (RB), or 'Brown' (BN) color designation assigned by grading services.
• Overall strike quality and the amount of detail remaining on the wheat stalks and Lincoln's hair.
• Rarity of the specific year and mint combination, with early dates generally being more valuable than later ones.

Tips for Buying Wheat Penny

• Inspect the 1943 steel cents for signs of rust or re-processing, as original zinc coating is highly preferred by collectors.
• Look for 'key dates' like the 1909-S VDB or 1914-D, which carry significantly higher premiums than common 1940s and 50s issues.
• Prioritize coins with original 'Red' luster over those that have turned 'Brown' or show signs of harsh cleaning.
• Check for doubled die varieties, particularly the famous 1955 doubled die obverse, which can be worth thousands.

Items in This Collection

• Wheat Pennies Value & Price Guide
• 1958 Wheat Penny
• 1940s Wheat Penny
• 1956 Wheat Penny
• 1942 Wheat Penny
• 1953 Wheat Penny
• 1945 Wheat Penny
• 1946 Wheat Penny
• 1944 Wheat Penny
• 1946 Lincoln Wheat Cent
• 1945 Lincoln Wheat Penny
• 1941 Lincoln Wheat Penny
• 1941 Wheat Penny
• 1956 Lincoln Wheat Penny
• 1919 Lincoln Wheat Penny
• 1940 Lincoln Wheat Penny
• 1943 Wheat Penny
• 1919 Wheat Penny
• 1950 Lincoln Wheat Penny
• 1955 D Wheat Penny