The Lincoln Wheat penny stands as one of America’s most iconic and collected coins, representing a tangible connection to the nation’s early 20th-century history.
Minted from 1909 to 1958, these copper cents featuring Abraham Lincoln’s profile on the obverse and two wheat stalks on the reverse have transcended their humble face value to become prized possessions among numismatists and casual collectors alike.
Among the numerous dates and mint marks in this long-running series, five particular Lincoln Wheat pennies have emerged as especially significant for their rarity, historical importance, or striking errors.
This article explores these five notable specimens, examining their distinctive characteristics, historical context, current market valuation, and enduring appeal to collectors in the United States.
The 1909-S VDB: Birth of an American Numismatic Legend
The 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent represents the perfect numismatic storm – a first-year issue, limited production, distinctive feature, and compelling backstory.
When the Lincoln cent debuted in 1909, replacing the Indian Head design, it marked the first time an actual person appeared on a regularly circulating U.S. coin.
The designer, Victor David Brenner, prominently placed his initials “VDB” at the bottom of the reverse. This signature sparked public controversy, leading the Mint to remove the initials after just days of production at the Philadelphia facility and mere weeks at San Francisco.
Production and Rarity
The San Francisco Mint produced only 484,000 examples with the VDB initials before the design was modified – a minuscule figure compared to the 27.9 million struck in Philadelphia.
This limited mintage instantly created a numismatic rarity that collectors sought even during the Great Depression, when searching through pocket change for valuable coins became a national pastime.
Condition and Valuation
The value of a 1909-S VDB varies dramatically based on condition:
- In heavily worn (Good-4) condition, examples typically sell for $700-900
- In moderately circulated (Fine-12) condition, values rise to $900-1,200
- In lightly circulated (Extremely Fine-40) condition, examples command $1,500-1,800
- In uncirculated (MS-63) condition, values jump to $2,000-2,500
- Premium uncirculated (MS-65) examples can fetch $3,500-4,500
- Superb gem specimens (MS-67) have realized $7,000-9,000 at auction
Authentication Concerns
Due to its value, the 1909-S VDB has been frequently counterfeited, usually by adding an “S” mint mark to a Philadelphia issue or altering the date of another San Francisco cent.
Authentication through professional grading services has become essential for high-value examples, with collectors examining the placement and style of the mint mark carefully.
The 1914-D: The Overlooked Rarity
While the 1909-S VDB receives most of the publicity, many experienced collectors consider the 1914-D Lincoln cent the true key date of the series in circulated grades.
Unlike the first-year 1909-S VDB, which was recognized as special and saved from circulation in significant numbers, the 1914-D slipped into commerce without much notice.
Production Context
The Denver Mint produced just 1,193,000 Lincoln cents in 1914, a moderately low figure but not immediately recognized as significant. Without the notoriety of the 1909-S VDB, these pennies circulated normally, with few being deliberately preserved by collectors.
Survival Rate and Condition
The normal circulation and lack of contemporary collector interest resulted in relatively few well-preserved examples surviving. Finding 1914-D cents in grades above Very Fine is challenging, making high-grade specimens particularly valuable.
Current Market Values
- In heavily worn (Good-4) condition, specimens sell for $200-275
- Moderately circulated (Fine-12) examples bring $350-450
- Well-preserved circulated (Extremely Fine-40) coins command $900-1,200
- Uncirculated (MS-63) specimens are valued at $2,000-2,500
- Gem uncirculated (MS-65) examples can realize $4,500-6,000 at auction
- Superb examples (MS-67) are exceptionally rare and can exceed $10,000
Collector Appeal
The 1914-D cent enjoys special status among serious Lincoln cent collectors as a “sleeper” coin – one whose true scarcity exceeds its public recognition.
For many, acquiring a 1914-D in respectable condition represents a milestone achievement in completing a high-quality Lincoln cent collection.
The 1922 Plain: A Mint Error Creates a Rarity
The 1922 Plain cent (showing no mint mark) represents an intriguing chapter in American numismatics – a coin that shouldn’t exist according to official mint records.
During 1922, only the Denver Mint struck Lincoln cents, meaning all 1922 pennies should display a “D” mint mark. However, worn and damaged dies created a situation where the mint mark disappeared on some examples, creating an accidental rarity.
The Production Error
The absence of the “D” mint mark resulted from a combination of factors. During die preparation, the mint mark could become filled with grease or debris.
More significantly, mint workers sometimes polished worn dies to extend their service life, inadvertently removing the mint mark entirely in the process.
Die Progression and Varieties
Numismatic researchers have identified three main die pairs used for the 1922 cents with varying degrees of mint mark visibility:
- Strong D (normal production)
- Weak D (partially visible mint mark)
- No D (completely absent mint mark)
Only the true “No D” variety, from Die Pair 2, is considered the legitimate collectible, with experts examining the specific characteristics of the coin beyond just the absent mint mark.
Value and Collector Demand
The 1922 Plain cent’s value varies widely based on both condition and the specific die characteristics:
- Heavily circulated (Good-4) genuine No D examples typically sell for $500-700
- Moderately circulated (Fine-12) specimens command $750-900
- Well-preserved (Extremely Fine-40) examples reach $1,500-2,000
- Uncirculated (MS-63) specimens are valued at $2,500-3,500
- Gem uncirculated (MS-65) examples can realize $5,000-7,000
Authentication Challenges
The existence of the “Weak D” variety, where the mint mark is faintly visible under magnification, creates identification challenges.
Professional grading services employ specific diagnostics beyond the mint mark to authenticate genuine 1922 Plain cents, including die markers and the overall strike characteristics.
The 1943 Copper Cent: Wartime Error and Numismatic Holy Grail
Perhaps no other Lincoln cent captures the imagination of both serious collectors and the general public like the 1943 copper cent.
During World War II, copper was designated as a strategic metal essential for the war effort, leading the Mint to produce 1943 cents using zinc-coated steel instead.
However, a tiny number of copper planchets (coin blanks) from 1942 apparently remained in the presses, resulting in the accidental creation of copper 1943 cents.
Historical Context
The switch to steel cents in 1943 represented the only time in modern U.S. history that the penny’s composition was changed due to wartime necessity.
The silvery steel cents proved unpopular with the public, tarnishing quickly and being confused with dimes. By 1944, the Mint returned to using copper, albeit in the form of recycled shell casings that gave these pennies a brassy appearance.
Rarity and Authentication
Only about 20-25 authentic 1943 copper cents are believed to exist across all three mints, making them among the most valuable Lincoln cents:
- Philadelphia Mint: Approximately 12-15 examples
- San Francisco Mint: Estimated 6 examples
- Denver Mint: Possibly as few as 1-2 specimens
Due to their extreme value, 1943 copper cents have been counterfeited through various methods, including copper-plating genuine steel cents or altering the dates on 1945-1948 copper cents.
Authentication requires professional metallurgical testing, as genuine 1943 copper cents will not be attracted to a magnet, unlike their steel counterparts.
Market Valuation
The value of 1943 copper cents stands in a league of its own among Lincoln cents:
- Even in worn condition, authentic examples sell for $100,000+
- Well-preserved specimens have realized $250,000-500,000 at auction
- The finest known examples have changed hands privately for over $1 million
The 1943 copper cent has transcended traditional numismatic collecting to become a cultural phenomenon, with many Americans having heard stories about these valuable pennies potentially hiding in circulation.
The 1955 Doubled Die Obverse: The Most Famous Mint Error
The 1955 Doubled Die Obverse cent represents the most visually dramatic and widely recognized error in the Lincoln cent series.
During the die creation process, a misalignment occurred during the hubbing operation (when the design is impressed into the die), resulting in a dramatic doubling visible on all lettering and dates on the obverse.
The Minting Error Explained
The doubling occurred when the hub that imprints the design onto the die shifted between impressions. Rather than aligning perfectly with the previous impression, the second strike was rotated slightly, creating a visible separation between the two impressions.
This affected the entire obverse (front) of the coin, with the doubling especially prominent in the date, the word “LIBERTY,” and the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
Discovery and Public Awareness
Unlike many rare coins that gained recognition years after their production, the 1955 Doubled Die was discovered shortly after entering circulation.
The dramatic nature of the error made it easily visible even to non-collectors, and publicity in numismatic publications and even mainstream newspapers alerted the public to search their change.
Estimated Production and Survival
Approximately 20,000-24,000 examples were produced before the error was discovered, with most entering circulation in cigarette packs as change from vending machines in the northeastern United States. The early discovery means that a higher percentage survived in uncirculated condition compared to other rarities.
Current Market Values
- In worn (Good-4) condition, examples sell for $1,200-1,500
- Moderately circulated (Fine-12) specimens bring $1,500-1,800
- Well-preserved (Extremely Fine-40) examples command $2,000-2,500
- Uncirculated (MS-63) specimens are valued at $3,000-4,000
- Gem uncirculated (MS-65) Red examples can realize $7,000-9,000
- Premium gems (MS-66+ Red) can exceed $10,000-15,000
Collector Appeal
The 1955 Doubled Die Obverse cent appeals to both error collectors and Lincoln cent specialists. Its dramatic visual appearance makes it instantly recognizable, while its fascinating origin story adds to its mystique. Many collectors consider it the centerpiece of any Lincoln cent collection.
5 Lincoln Wheat Pennies coins value is $250 Million each
These five exceptional Lincoln Wheat pennies – the 1909-S VDB, 1914-D, 1922 Plain, 1943 copper, and 1955 Doubled Die Obverse – represent the pinnacle of collectibility within America’s longest-running coin series.
Their combined stories encompass the full spectrum of numismatic interest: historical significance, production errors, extreme rarity, and visual distinctiveness.
Beyond their monetary value, these coins connect collectors to pivotal moments in American history – from the early celebration of Lincoln’s centennial to the resource challenges of World War II.
They demonstrate how even the humblest coin in our monetary system can transcend its face value to become both a valuable collectible and a tangible piece of history.
For collectors, these five pennies often represent milestone acquisitions, sometimes taking years of searching and saving to obtain.
For the general public, they fuel the perpetual hope of finding treasure in pocket change, keeping alive the uniquely democratic aspect of coin collecting where anyone might discover something extraordinary.
As these coins continue to appreciate in value and capture the imagination of new generations of collectors, they ensure that the Lincoln Wheat cent’s legacy remains an essential chapter in American numismatic history – proving that sometimes, a penny saved is indeed much more than a penny earned.