Top 10 Rare and Valuable Wheat Pennies to Watch For

The wheat penny, also known as the wheat cent, remains a favorite among coin collectors. Many people have found these coins in their change or pockets. If kept in excellent condition, rare wheat pennies can fetch impressive prices. To maximize value, focus on coins that have seen little circulation, as their worth increases significantly over heavily used coins.

Top 10 sought-after Wheat Pennies

1909-S VDB

The 1909-S VDB is one of the most coveted modern-era wheat pennies, with around 484,000 produced. Even in poor condition, it can sell for over $700. The initials VDB, for Victor David Brenner, are located on the reverse below the wheat stalks.

Over Horizontal S 1909-S

This mint error involves the “S” mint mark being punched in the wrong direction, then corrected with a second S, resulting in a unique coin called a Re punched Mint Mark (RPM).

1922-D Without a D Mint Mark

The 1922-D wheat penny is notable for lacking its expected “D” mint mark due to a mistake at the Denver Mint during coin production, making it a rare variant for collectors.

1909-S

Popular among collectors, the 1909-S wheat penny can be worth at least $80 and is considered semi-key. Despite its lower mintage of 1,825,000, it remains highly desirable across all grades.

1917 Doubled Die Obverse

Rare because of a die error, the 1917 Doubled Die Obverse features noticeable doubling on the word “TRUST” and the date upon close inspection with magnification, making it highly valuable.

1931-S

Minted in limited numbers—only 866,000— the 1931-S Lincoln wheat penny is a key date, fetching at least $80 in lower grades and highly prized by collectors.

1914-D

With only 1,193,000 minted, the 1914-D wheat penny is among the rarest common dates and is sought after because of its scarcity, though counterfeits are common—be cautious when buying.

1944-D Over S

The 1944-D Over S error features an “S” mint mark partially overstruck by a “D,” visible under magnification. This error is a prized find for collectors.

1944 Steel Cent

The 1944 Steel Cent was mistakenly produced using steel blanks instead of copper. Limited to around 25–30 in existence, these coins are extremely rare and highly valuable.

1943 Bronze Cent

During World War II, copper was repurposed for war efforts, leading to the production of steel cents. However, some 1943 bronze cents were accidentally struck using leftover copper planchets, making them highly collectible and valuable.

Value depends on rarity and condition. Even rare coins lose value if damaged or dirty, so proper handling is crucial. Collecting wheat pennies should be driven by passion, with proper care ensuring your collection remains valuable over time.