1916-D Wheat Penny

The 1916-D Wheat Penny had a much lower mintage than Philadelphia of the same year, but still came out relatively high with just under 36 million total produced at the Denver Mint. The lower mintage could account for the higher price tag on this coin in the highest Mint State grades, although it is still somewhat more accessible in higher grades compared to the more scarce coins in the Wheat Penny series. In Full Red versions, the 1916-D Wheat Penny can pull in almost $60,000 for a high-grade coin.

History of the 1916-D Wheat Penny

The 1916-D Wheat Penny is an attractive coin, and is valued partly due to being struck at the Denver Mint. Cherrypicking is advised with this coin to ensure you find one with a sharp strike and overall appealing surfaces. The Wheat Penny was designed by Victor David Brenner. President Theodore Roosevelt wanted to prepare new coin designs that had more artistic merit. He chose Brenner based on a plaque he created with Lincoln’s profile. The Wheat Penny depicts a bust and profile of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse, with the D mint mark under the date. The reverse features two stalks of durum wheat.