The Wheat Pennies, minted between 1909 and 1958, are really fascinating American coins; one side carries the portrait of Abraham Lincoln, while the other has stalks of wheat. Most of these Wheat Pennies are worth a few cents only, and some extremely rare varieties that carry errors or were produced in extremely limited numbers can be auctioned for millions. Here are the top five rare Wheat Pennies along with the features that set them apart and how to identify such treasures.
1943-D Bronze Penny
This famous error coin known as the 1943-D Bronze Penny has been valued at up to $2.3 million in mint state. During the Second World War, pennies were struck in zinc-coated steel to save copper, but a few bronze planchets were mistakenly used at the Denver Mint. Fewer than 7 are said to exist, with one having sold for $1.7 million in 2010. Check any 1943 penny with a “D” mint mark with a magnet; if it is not attracted, it probably is bronze and should be authenticated by PCGS or NGC.
1909-S VDB Penny
The 1909-S VDB Penny is highly sought after due to the low mintage of 484,000 and because of the initials of the designer Victor D. Brenner appearing on the reverse. It is valued between $700 and $168,000 in the highest grades, with a record sale of $92,000 in 2005. Look for the S mint mark on the reverse, with “V.D.B.” placed between the wheat stalks. Counterfeiters have been known to add “S” marks, so authentication is a must.
1955 Doubled Die Obverse Penny
The famous error of 1955 Doubled Die Obverse Penny shows a very clear doubling in the date and in “IN GOD WE TRUST” as a result of an out-of-line double die. While over 330 million 1955 pennies were struck at Philadelphia, only the smallest number has this error, which is worth from $1,100 to $336,000. Afterward, in the year 2005, one specimen was sold for $126,500. Hold it under a magnifier and check for unmistakable doubling on the date and letterings. Do not clean the coin, or the value probably will be compromised.
1914-D Penny
With a mintage of just 1.2 million, the 1914-D Penny is a key-date coin and has an unbelievably wide range of values from $280 to $159,000 in MS condition. Minted in Denver, it is even rarer than the 1909-S VDB due to the lower survival rate, many having gone into circulation. Check for the “D” mint mark, but beware of counterfeits. An MS66+RD graded example sold for $158,625 in 2018.
1922 No D Penny
The 1922 No D Penny, a Denver Mint error, has no “D” mintmark due to an unusual case of a worn die, with values ranging from $500 to $67,000. Since 1922 was the only year that Denver produced pennies, this kind of variety is unique in its own right. One specimen sold in 2014 for more than $67,000. Study 1922 pennies for the missing mint mark and verify with the experts, as some of those coins might have had their mint marks worn off.
Also Read:Grandpa’s Toolbox Surprise: Kennedy Half Dollar Worth $50,000+