Most Valuable Wheat Penny Coins Worth Money List

Are you  collecting wheat pennies? Looking to add the most valuable wheat pennies to your coin collection? Or simply want to know what your wheat pennies are worth? In this article, you will learn about wheat pennies worth money and which high-value Wheat Penny you can add to your collection. Whether you are a new or a seasoned collector, making an informed decision is essential when selecting your next coin.

Some Wheat Pennies are valued at just a few dollars, while others can be worth hundreds or even thousands. The secret lies in identifying the features that distinguish valuable wheat pennies coins from the rest.

Also known as Lincoln Pennies, Wheat Pennies pay tribute to President Abraham Lincoln. Collecting these coins combines sentimental value with financial potential, making them a meaningful and rewarding addition to any collection.

Without further ado, let’s dive in and uncover  the most valuable Wheat Pennies!

Top Most Valuable Wheat Penny Worth Money in 2025

1. 1909-S Wheat Penny

1909-S Wheat Penny (Regular Strike) - Image Source PCGS

The San Francisco mint produced only about 1.8 million wheat pennies in 1909, a relatively low mintage compared to other dates in the series.

While the 1909-S VDB often steals the spotlight, the 1909-S wheat penny itself remains highly sought after due to its low mintage and generally attractive strike, making it desirable even in circulated grades.

Red-colored 1909-S wheat pennies are considered to be in gem condition, making them some of the most valuable coins in the entire Lincoln series.

While a brown example can fetch around $1,700, red examples have been known to sell for as much as $69,000.

Learn more about 1909 S Wheat Penny

2. 1909-S VDB Wheat Penny

1909-S Wheat Penny (Regular Strike) - Image Source PCGS

The 1909-S VDB wheat penny is a highly prized collector's item and is ranked among the 100 greatest U.S. coins.

This coin has a fascinating history that adds to its allure. The "VDB" in its name refers to the initials of its designer, Victor David Brenner, which originally appeared on the coin’s reverse at the bottom. However, the chief engraver at the time altered this by replacing Brenner's full name with just his initials.

Controversy arose over Brenner’s initials being so prominently displayed, with critics arguing that it resembled illegal advertising. In response to the public outcry, Mint officials decided to remove the VDB initials from future 1909 coins. As a result, the San Francisco Mint struck only 484,000 1909-S Lincoln wheat pennies with the VDB initials, while the rest of the mintage did not feature them.

The limited mintage of the 1909-S VDB sparked immediate interest among collectors, who rushed to hoard these rare coins.

Today, 1909-S VDB wheat pennies are extremely scarce, particularly in circulated condition, due to the early hoarding. Red examples are the most valuable, with some fetching as much as $168,000. However, even brown and red-brown versions are highly sought after, with prices ranging from $10,000 to $19,200.

Learn more about 1909 S VDB Wheat Penny Value

3. 1909-S Over Horizontal S Wheat Penny

1909-S Wheat Penny - Image Source: PCGS

The 1909-S over horizontal S Lincoln cent, also known as a repunched mint mark, is a highly coveted error coin among collectors.

This unique error occurred when Mint workers initially misaligned the "S" mint mark and then repunched it in the correct position. Prior to 1990, mint marks were manually applied to die presses, which made such errors more common.

One of the most valuable examples of this coin, graded MS67, fetched an impressive $32,900 at a 2022 auction.

4. 1944 D Steel Wheat Penny

1944 D Steel Wheat Penny Regular Strike - Image source: PCGS

AUCTION RECORD: $115,000 • MS63 • 08-09-2007

The 1944-D steel cent is one of the rarest and most intriguing coins in the Wheat Penny series. This error coin occurred when wheat penny dies mistakenly struck steel planchets, instead of the usual bronze ones.

In 1943, all mints, except the one in Denver, produced zinc-clad steel coins for foreign use. It’s believed that  some of these steel planchets were accidentally carried over into 1944, and, in turn, struck with 1944 wheat penny dies.

Because the 1944-D steel cents were unintentional strikes, only a few were produced before the error was discovered. Today, only about seven known examples exist.

One of these specimens, graded MS63—the finest of the seven—was sold for an impressive $115,000.

Learn more about 1944 Wheat Penny Value

5. 1931-S Wheat Penny

1931 S Steel Wheat Penny Regular Strike - Image source: PCGS

AUCTION RECORD: $5,060 • 01-05-2010

The  1931-S Lincoln cent is one of the rarest in the Wheat penny series, with just 866,000 coins minted.

The low mintage of the 1931-S Wheat Penny led collectors to hoard these coins, further exacerbating their scarcity. However, due to this hoarding, uncirculated examples up to MS65 are relatively accessible. Coins graded above MS66, on the other hand, are incredibly rare, with only about 100 known specimens in this grade or higher.

While red-colored 1931 Wheat Pennies command a premium, most of the other coins in this series are poorly struck, with faint details and minimal luster or frosting, even in higher grades.

For instance, a red-colored 1931-S Wheat Penny graded MS66 sold for $18,600 at a 2011 Auction. Brown and Red-Brown examples are also highly sought after, with values ranging from $2,600 to $5,000.

Learn more about 1931 Wheat Penny Value

6. 1921 Lincoln Wheat Penny

1921 Wheat Penny - Image Source: PCGS

The U.S. Mint produced nearly 40 million Lincoln wheat pennies in 1921, making them relatively common. As a result, 1921 Lincoln cents are easy to find in circulated condition and are typically quite affordable.

However, these coins begin to become scarce at the MS63 grade and are exceptionally rare in grades of MS67 or higher. 1921 Lincoln cents in higher grades tend to command a premium, as shown by one example graded MS68 that fetched an impressive $55,200 at auction.

Learn more about 1921 Wheat Penny Value

7. 1914-D Wheat Penny

1914 D Wheat Penny - Image Source: PCGS

With a mintage of approximately 1.2 million, the 1914-D wheat penny is one of the rarest in the series, making it highly sought after by coin collectors.

In contrast, the Philadelphia Mint produced over 70 million wheat pennies in the same year, highlighting the true rarity of the 1914-D from Denver.

If you happen to find a 1914 wheat penny with a D mint mark, it's crucial to verify its authenticity.

Due to its scarcity and strong demand among collectors, this coin is often targeted by counterfeiters. To ensure your coin is genuine, it's recommended to consult a professional authentication service.

Learn more about 1914 D Wheat Penny Value

8. 1943-D Bronze Wheat Penny

1943 D Bronze Wheat Penny - Image Source: PCGS

Similar to the 1944 steel cent, the 1943-D bronze cent is a highly sought-after coin that also faces a high risk of counterfeiting.

The 1943-D bronze cents were struck during a period of transition at the Mint when the U.S. switched from using copper to steel planchets for coin production. This change was necessary due to the nation's wartime demand for copper, which led to the Mint producing steel pennies for the entirety of 1943.

However, a small number of copper planchets were inadvertently left behind and were struck using the 1943 dies, creating an error that resulted in these coins being incredibly rare.

As with any valuable coin, it's crucial to authenticate your 1943-D bronze cent before making any significant investment. One way to conduct a quick initial test is the magnet test: simply use a magnet to pick up the coin. If the coin isn't attracted to the magnet, it is likely authentic bronze-coated copper. If the coin is attracted to the magnet, it’s likely a steel coin coated with copper.

A 1943-D bronze cent in MS64 grade was sold for a staggering $840,000 at auction in 2021.

9. 1917 Doubled Die Wheat Penny

1917 Doubled Die Wheat Penny - Image Source: PCGS

The 1917 doubled die wheat penny is highly sought after by specialists and advanced collectors with a keen eye for detail.

Only about 200 specimens are known to exist in both circulated and uncirculated conditions. Uncirculated examples are particularly rare and hard to find, especially in higher mint state grades.

The distinct doubling, combined with the coin's scarcity, contributes to its high demand among collectors. The doubling is most noticeable around the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the date.

Collectors can expect to pay premium prices, especially for red varieties. One red example graded MS67 sold at auction for an impressive $120,000, while brown specimens can fetch up to $14,950.

Learn more about 1917 Wheat Penny value

10. 1915-S Lincoln Wheat Penny

Until recently, the 1915-S Lincoln cent was largely overlooked by collectors. It was often sold or purchased for as little as $200, with collectors not paying much attention to its value.

However, as of 2023, the 1915-S wheat cent has surged in popularity, now commanding prices of $10,000 and up. It has become one of the most difficult coins to find in mint state within the entire Lincoln series. Moreover, coins with full red surfaces are especially rare, so consider yourself fortunate if you happen to come across one.

For example, a 1915-S Lincoln cent graded MS66 was sold for $48,300 in 2005, highlighting its significant rise in value.

Learn more about 1915 S Wheat Penny value

Rare Wheat Penny Worth Money List for 2025

Wheat Penny Year	Wheat Penny Error Type	Wheat Penny Value	Notes
1909	RPM (S Over S Mint Mark) wheat penny	$32,900	Rare variety
1910	S/S wheat penny, Re-Punched Mint Mark, FS-502	$20,000	Highly collectible
1911	Re-Punched Mint Mark wheat penny	$1,750	Good condition required
1912	S/S wheat penny RPM	$46	Common RPM
1913	Die cracks or die cuds wheat penny	$200	Moderate value
1914	Red D wheat penny near-perfect condition	$100,000	Exceptionally rare
1915	Die cracks or die cuds wheat penny	$200	Minor errors
1916	No Mint Mark wheat penny, Obverse Lamination	$150	Rare lamination error
1917	DDO wheat penny	$10,500	Double die obverse error
1918	Wheat penny, Struck Nine Times	$2,000	Unique multi-strike error
1919	L on Rim Doubled-Die Obverse Wheat Penny	$265	Die variety with doubled letters
1920	No Mint Mark Wheat Penny, Clipped Planchet	$114	Clipped edge error
1921	Perfect Wheat Penny	$10,000	Perfect strike, hard to find
1922	No D Wheat Penny Uncirculated	$18,500	Key rarity, especially in uncirculated condition
1923	Struck 15% Off-Center Wheat Penny	$500	Off-center error
1924	Repunched Wheat Penny	$75	Minor RPM error
1925	S Wheat Penny, Re-Punched Mint Marks	$43,000	Rare and valuable RPM
1926	Doubled Die Obverse Wheat Penny	$150	Common doubled die error
1927	Doubled Die Obverse Wheat Penny	$2,613	Increased value with clearer doubling
1928	Large Mint Mark (Large S) wheat penny	$5,875	Distinctive large mint mark
1929	Off-Center Wheat Penny	$100	Moderate error, off-center strike
1930	Doubled Die Wheat Penny	$500	Common doubled die variety
1931	Uncirculated S wheat penny	$225	Uncirculated condition increases value
1932	Off-Center wheat penny	$200	Off-center error with slight misalignment
1933	Off-Center wheat penny	$100	Another off-center example
1934	D Wheat Penny, Re-Punched Mint Mark	$3,745	Highly valued RPM error
1935	On A Dime Planchet Wheat Penny	$500	Struck on dime planchet, rare
1936	P Wheat Penny, Double Die Obverse, FS-101	$8,000	Famous doubled die error
1937	Obverse Struck Through Fragment Wheat Penny	$515	Struck-through error with fragment
1938	D/D Wheat Penny, Re-Punched Mint Marks	$750	Highly collectible RPM
1939	P Wheat Penny, Double Die Obverse	$715	Common doubled die variety
1940	S Wheat Penny, Double Die Obverse	$175	Common doubled die error
1941	DDO Wheat Penny	$2,400	Value increases with better condition
1942	Struck On A Dime Planchet Wheat Penny	$14,000	Rare dime planchet error
1943	Die Crack Wheat Penny	$575,000	Significant die crack, very rare
1944	S Over D Mark Wheat Penny	$130	Minor over mint mark error
1945	Doubled Die Wheat Penny	$500	Common doubled die error
1946	S Over D Wheat Penny	$3,181	Highly collectible error
1947	S/S Wheat Penny, Re-Punched Mint Mark	$800	Value depends on clarity of RPM
1948	Double Denomination Wheat Penny	$14,100	Rare and valuable double denomination
1949	S Wheat Penny, Double Die Obverse	$1,500	Clear doubling increases value
1950	Off-Center Wheat Penny	$300	Common off-center strike error
1951	No Mint Mark Proof Wheat Penny, Double Die Obverse	$14,250	Highly collectible proof coin
1952	Doubled Die Obverse Wheat Penny	$200	Value increases with doubling clarity
1953	DDO Proof Wheat Penny	$3,692	Popular among collectors
1954	Re-Punched Mint Mark Wheat Penny	$300	Common RPM error
1955	Double Die Obverse Wheat Penny	$288,000	One of the most valuable doubled die varieties
1956	Double Denomination Wheat Penny	$2,070	Rare double denomination error
1957	Triple Re-Punched Mint Mark Wheat Penny	$1,000	Triple RPM, very rare
1958	DDO Wheat Penny	$336,000	Highly valued doubled die error

Collecting Wheat Pennies in 2025

Wheat pennies are among the most sought-after U.S. coins, but identifying the most valuable ones takes time and dedication. Whether you're buying or selling, it's important to make informed decisions.

Error coins, no-mint mark pennies, and low mintage Lincoln cents tend to be the most valuable and are an excellent starting point for those looking to build a high-quality wheat penny collection.

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