Lincoln Cents

The Wheat penny was made of steel in 1943. Due to the need for copper in ammunition and other military equipment during World War II, the U.S. Mint produced pennies in steel coated with zinc that year. These steel pennies are often referred to as "steel cents" or "steelies." After 1943, the Mint reverted to using a copper-based alloy for pennies, but with a composition of 95% copper and 5% zinc, omitting the tin used before the war.

The most valuable wheat penny is the 1943-D struck on bronze at the Denver Mint.

The "Wheat penny" gets its name from the two stylized wheat stalks that flank the words "ONE CENT" on the reverse side of the coin. These wheat stalks are a prominent feature of the coin's design, and they gave rise to the popular nickname "Wheat penny" or "Wheat cent." The official name of this coin is the Lincoln cent, as it features a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln on the obverse side. The Wheat penny design was used from 1909 to 1958, after which it was replaced by the Lincoln Memorial design on the reverse.

The Wheat penny, also known as the Lincoln Wheat cent, was minted from 1909 to 1958. The design was introduced in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth and featured his portrait on the obverse. The reverse showcased the two stylized wheat stalks, giving the coin its popular "Wheat penny" nickname. In 1959, the reverse design was changed to the Lincoln Memorial, marking the end of the Wheat penny's production.

The first year of issue of the Wheat penny was 1909.

While many Wheat pennies are common and found in circulation, certain key dates, mint marks, and varieties are particularly valuable due to their rarity and demand among collectors. Here are some of the most valuable Wheat pennies:

1909-S VDB: This is one of the most sought-after Wheat pennies. The ""S"" mint mark indicates it was minted in San Francisco, and ""VDB"" are the initials of the coin's designer, Victor David Brenner, which appear on the reverse. Only 484,000 were minted.

1909-S: Without the VDB initials but with the San Francisco mint mark, this coin is also rare with a mintage of just over 1.8 million.

1914-D: The Denver mint produced far fewer pennies this year compared to the Philadelphia and San Francisco mints, making the 1914-D penny quite valuable.

1922 No D: Due to a minting error, some pennies from the Denver mint in 1922 lack the ""D"" mint mark. These are rare and valuable.

1931-S: With a mintage of only 866,000, this San Francisco issue is one of the key dates for Wheat penny collectors.

1955 Double Die: A minting error resulted in a noticeable doubling of the date and other elements on the obverse of this coin. It's one of the most famous error coins in U.S. numismatics.

1943 Copper: In 1943, pennies were made of steel due to wartime copper shortages. However, a few were mistakenly struck on copper planchets, making them extremely rare.

Other Key Dates: Other valuable dates include 1910-S, 1911-S, 1912-S, 1913-S, 1914-S, 1915-S, 1924-D, and 1926-S, among others.

High Grades: Even common dates can be valuable if they are in exceptionally high grades. For example, a common date Wheat penny in a grade of MS-67 or higher (especially with red color) can command a premium.

Errors and Varieties: In addition to the mentioned errors, other minting mistakes or varieties can increase a Wheat penny's value.

It's essential to note that while these are some of the most valuable Wheat pennies, the actual value of any coin depends on its grade, demand, rarity, and current market conditions. If someone believes they have a valuable Wheat penny, it's a good idea to have it authenticated and graded by a reputable coin grading service.

The Wheat penny, officially known as the Lincoln cent, was designed by Victor David Brenner. He created both the portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and the two stylized wheat stalks on the reverse. Brenner's initials, "VDB," were initially placed prominently on the reverse of the coin in its debut year (1909) but were removed later that same year due to public controversy over their size and prominence. The initials were later restored in a more discreet location on the coin's shoulder in 1918.

The 1909-S VDB is considered the rarest and most sought-after of the Wheat pennies. Here's why:

Mint Mark and Initials: The "S" mint mark indicates that the coin was minted in San Francisco. The "VDB" are the initials of the coin's designer, Victor David Brenner, which are located on the reverse (bottom) of the coin.

Limited Mintage: Only 484,000 of the 1909-S VDB pennies were minted, making it the lowest mintage of all the Wheat pennies.

Public Controversy: The prominent display of Brenner's initials on the coin led to public controversy. As a result, the U.S. Mint quickly removed the initials, making the 1909-S VDB version with the initials a one-of-a-kind issue.

Because of its rarity and the story behind its design, the 1909-S VDB Wheat penny is highly prized by collectors and can command significant prices, especially in higher grades.