The Wheat Penny or Lincoln Wheat Penny was originally released on August 2, 1909. People were intrigued about their new cent coin because the mint did not release any pictures of the Lincoln Cent before the release of the actual coin. The mint sent out what was believed to be a sufficient amount of Lincoln Wheat Pennies, but the morning of August 2 proved their predictions to be astoundingly wrong. With long lines outside of each treasury to buy the new Lincoln cent the U.S. Mint was overwhelmed!
The Lincoln Cent's obverse design consisted of a profile of President Lincoln, the side profile was inspired by a photo taken on February 9, 1864. On the reverse of the coin a wheat stock was featured on each side and the words “ ONE CENT” were in-scripted. The wheat stock featured on the coin is the reason why the Lincoln Cent coin got its other name, the Wheat Penny. The designer of the Lincoln Wheat Penny was Victor D. Berner.
The Wheat penny was minted from 1909-1958 in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. Some of these Lincoln cents were also minted in 1909 with the initials “VDB” for the designer of the coin. If someone were to have this rare version of the Lincoln cent these initials will be found on the bottom of the reverse of the coin.
Many collectors throughout the United States collect Lincoln Cents. The main reason for this is affordability. Complete sets of the Lincoln Pennies can often be put together for only a couple hundred dollars in circulated quality. Some collectors look to spend a little more money and put together a certified Lincoln Penny set graded either by NGC or PCGS. The key dates in the Lincoln Penny series are the following:
-1909 S VDB Wheat Penny
-1909 S Wheat Penny
-1914-D Wheat Penny
-1922 D No D Wheat Penny
-1924 D Wheat Penny
-1931 S Wheat Penny
Wheat Penny Mintages and Values
| Date | Mintage | Good | Very Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1909 Wheat Penny (VDB) | 27,995,000 | $15.00 | $18.00 | $19.00 | $25.00 | |
| 1909-S Wheat Penny (VDB) | 484,000 | $600.00 | $725.00 | $850.00 | $1,200.00 | |
| 1909 Wheat Penny | 72,702,618 | $4.00 | $7.00 | $8.00 | $17.00 | |
| 1909-S Wheat Penny | 1,825,000 | $80.00 | $130.00 | $150.00 | $300.00 | |
| 1910 Wheat Penny | 146,801,218 | $0.35 | $1.50 | $4.00 | $18.00 | |
| 1910-S Wheat Penny | 6,045,000 | $17.00 | $25.00 | $45.00 | $100.00 | |
| 1911 Wheat Penny | 101,177,787 | $0.45 | $2.50 | $6.00 | $21.00 | |
| 1911-D Wheat Penny | 12,672,000 | $6.00 | $20.00 | $50.00 | $95.00 | |
| 1911-S Wheat Penny | 4,026,000 | $35.00 | $60.00 | $75.00 | $185.00 | |
| 1912 Wheat Penny | 68,153,060 | $1.25 | $5.50 | $1.00 | $35.00 | |
| 1912-D Wheat Penny | 10,411,000 | $7.00 | $25.00 | $65.00 | $170.00 | |
| 1912-S Wheat Penny | 4,431,000 | $20.00 | $40.00 | $75.00 | $180.00 | |
| 1913 Wheat Penny | 76,532,352 | $0.85 | $4.00 | $18.00 | $35.00 | |
| 1913-D Wheat Penny | 15,804,000 | $3.00 | $10.00 | $50.00 | $110.00 | |
| 1913-S Wheat Penny | 6,101,000 | $10.00 | $30.00 | $60.00 | $175.00 | |
| 1914 Wheat Penny | 75,238,432 | $0.75 | $6.00 | $20.00 | $55.00 | |
| 1914-D Wheat Penny | 1,193,000 | $150.00 | $250.00 | $700.00 | $2,000.00 | |
| 1914-S Wheat Penny | 4,137,000 | $20.00 | $40.00 | $85.00 | $325.00 | |
| 1915 Wheat Penny | 29,092,120 | $1.75 | $18.00 | $60.00 | $90.00 | |
| 1915-D Wheat Penny | 22,050,000 | $2.00 | $7.00 | $22.00 | $85.00 | |
| 1915-S Wheat Penny | 4,833,000 | $20.00 | $35.00 | $70.00 | $200.00 | |
| 1916 Wheat Penny | 131,833,677 | $0.30 | $2.00 | $8.00 | $18.00 | |
| 1916-D Wheat Penny | 35,956,000 | $1.00 | $6.00 | $15.00 | $75.00 | |
| 1916-S Wheat Penny | 22,510,000 | $1.75 | $8.00 | $25.00 | $105.00 | |
| 1917 Wheat Penny | 196,429,785 | $0.30 | $2.00 | $4.00 | $16.00 | |
| 1917-D Wheat Penny | 55,120,000 | $0.80 | $4.50 | $35.00 | $80.00 | |
| 1917-S Wheat Penny | 32,620,000 | $0.50 | $2.50 | $10.00 | $75.00 | |
| 1918 Wheat Penny | 288,104,634 | $0.20 | $1.50 | $3.00 | $16.00 | |
| 1918-D Wheat Penny | 47,830,000 | $0.75 | $4.00 | $12.00 | $80.00 | |
| 1918-S Wheat Penny | 34,680,000 | $0.50 | $3.00 | $11.00 | $80.00 | |
| 1919 Wheat Penny | 392,021,000 | $0.20 | $1.00 | $3.25 | $14.00 | |
| 1919-D Wheat Penny | 57,154,000 | $0.50 | $4.00 | $10.00 | $65.00 | |
| 1919-S Wheat Penny | 139,760,000 | $0.20 | $2.00 | $6.00 | $50.00 | |
| 1920 Wheat Penny | 310,165,000 | $0.20 | $0.50 | $2.25 | $15.00 | |
| 1920-D Wheat Penny | 49,280,000 | $1.00 | $0.50 | $19.00 | $80.00 | |
| 1920-S Wheat Penny | 46,220,000 | $0.50 | $2.25 | $10.00 | $110.00 | |
| 1921 Wheat Penny | 39,157,000 | $0.50 | $2.10 | $9.00 | $50.00 | |
| 1921-S Wheat Penny | 15,274,000 | $1.50 | $7.00 | $35.00 | $135.00 | |
| 1922-D Wheat Penny | 7,160,000 | $20.00 | $27.00 | $40.00 | $110.00 | |
| 1923 Wheat Penny | 74,723,000 | $0.35 | $1.00 | $5.00 | $15.00 | |
| 1923-S Wheat Penny | 8,700,000 | $5.00 | $12.00 | $40.00 | $220.00 | |
| 1924 Wheat Penny | 75,178,000 | $0.20 | $0.85 | $5.00 | $24.00 | |
| 1924-D Wheat Penny | 2,520,000 | $40.00 | $60.00 | $125.00 | $300.00 | |
| 1924-S Wheat Penny | 11,696,000 | $2.00 | $5.50 | $20.00 | $125.00 | |
| 1925 Wheat Penny | 139,949,000 | $0.20 | $0.60 | $3.00 | $10.00 | |
| 1925-D Wheat Penny | 22,580,000 | $1.00 | $0.60 | $13.00 | $75.00 | |
| 1925-S Wheat Penny | 26,380,000 | $1.00 | $5.00 | $12.00 | $90.00 | |
| 1926 Wheat Penny | 157,088,000 | $0.20 | $4.00 | $2.00 | $8.00 | |
| 1926-D Wheat Penny | 28,020,000 | $1.35 | $0.50 | $14.00 | $85.00 | |
| 1926-S Wheat Penny | 4,550,000 | $9.00 | $5.25 | $35.00 | $155.00 | |
| 1927 Wheat Penny | 144,440,000 | $0.20 | $17.00 | $2.00 | $10.00 | |
| 1927-D Wheat Penny | 27,170,000 | $1.25 | $0.60 | $7.50 | $62.00 | |
| 1927-S Wheat Penny | 14,276,000 | $1.50 | $3.75 | $15.00 | $85.00 | |
| 1928 Wheat Penny | 134,116,000 | $0.20 | $5.00 | $2.00 | $9.00 | |
| 1928-D Wheat Penny | 31,170,000 | $0.75 | $0.60 | $5.50 | $37.00 | |
| 1928-S Wheat Penny | 17,266,000 | $1.00 | $3.00 | $9.50 | $75.00 | |
| 1929 Wheat Penny | 185,262,000 | $0.20 | $3.75 | $2.00 | $8.00 | |
| 1929-D Wheat Penny | 41,730,000 | $0.40 | $0.75 | $5.50 | $25.00 | |
| 1929-S Wheat Penny | 50,148,000 | $0.50 | $2.25 | $5.80 | $21.00 | |
| 1930 Wheat Penny | 157,415,000 | $0.12 | $0.50 | $1.25 | $6.00 | |
| 1930-D Wheat Penny | 40,100,000 | $0.20 | $0.55 | $2.50 | $12.00 | |
| 1930-S Wheat Penny | 24,286,000 | $0.20 | $0.60 | $1.75 | $10.00 | |
| 1931 Wheat Penny | 19,396,000 | $0.50 | $1.50 | $4.00 | $20.00 | |
| 1931-D Wheat Penny | 4,480,000 | $5.00 | $8.50 | $13.50 | $60.00 | |
| 1931-S Wheat Penny | 866,000 | $60.00 | $100.00 | $125.00 | $175.00 | |
| 1932 Wheat Penny | 9,062,000 | $1.50 | $2.50 | $4.50 | $20.00 | |
| 1932-D Wheat Penny | 10,500,000 | $1.50 | $2.75 | $4.50 | $19.00 | |
| 1933 Wheat Penny | 14,360,000 | $1.50 | $3.00 | $6.25 | $20.00 | |
| 1933-D Wheat Penny | 6,200,000 | $3.50 | $7.25 | $12.00 | $23.00 | |
| 1934 Wheat Penny | 219,080,000 | $0.12 | $0.30 | $1.00 | $7.00 | |
| 1934-D Wheat Penny | 28,446,000 | $0.20 | $0.75 | $2.25 | $20.00 | |
| 1935 Wheat Penny | 245,388,000 | $0.15 | $0.25 | $0.50 | $3.00 | |
| 1935-D Wheat Penny | 47,000,000 | $0.15 | $0.25 | $0.50 | $5.00 | |
| 1935-S Wheat Penny | 38,702,000 | $0.15 | $0.50 | $2.00 | $12.00 | |
| 1936 Wheat Penny | 309,632,000 | $0.15 | $0.50 | $1.50 | $3.00 | |
| 1936-D Wheat Penny | 40,620,000 | $0.15 | $0.50 | $1.00 | $3.00 | |
| 1936-S Wheat Penny | 29,130,000 | $0.15 | $0.55 | $1.00 | $5.00 | |
| 1937 Wheat Penny | 309,170,000 | $0.15 | $0.50 | $1.00 | $3.00 | |
| 1937-D Wheat Penny | 50,430,000 | $0.15 | $0.40 | $1.00 | $5.00 | |
| 1937-S Wheat Penny | 34,500,000 | $0.15 | $0.40 | $1.00 | $5.00 | |
| 1938 Wheat Penny | 156,682,000 | $0.15 | $0.40 | $1.00 | $4.00 | |
| 1938-D Wheat Penny | 20,010,000 | $0.20 | $0.80 | $1.25 | $4.00 | |
| 1938-S Wheat Penny | 15,180,000 | $0.40 | $0.75 | $1.10 | $4.00 | |
| 1939 Wheat Penny | 316,466,000 | $0.15 | $0.25 | $0.50 | $2.00 | |
| 1939-D Wheat Penny | 15,160,000 | $0.50 | $0.85 | $1.25 | $4.00 | |
| 1939-S Wheat Penny | 52,070,000 | $0.15 | $0.75 | $1.00 | $3.00 | |
| 1940 Wheat Penny | 586,810,000 | $0.15 | $0.40 | $0.60 | $2.00 | |
| 1940-D Wheat Penny | 81,390,000 | $0.15 | $0.60 | $0.75 | $3.00 | |
| 1940-S Wheat Penny | 112,940,000 | $0.15 | $0.50 | $1.00 | $3.00 | |
| 1941 Wheat Penny | 887,018,000 | $0.15 | $0.30 | $0.60 | $2.00 | |
| 1941-D Wheat Penny | 128,700,000 | $0.15 | $0.50 | $1.00 | $4.00 | |
| 1941-S Wheat Penny | 92,360,000 | $0.15 | $0.50 | $1.00 | $4.00 | |
| 1942 Wheat Penny | 657,796,000 | $0.15 | $0.25 | $0.50 | $1.00 | |
| 1942-D Wheat Penny | 206,698,000 | $0.15 | $0.25 | $0.50 | $1.00 | |
| 1942-S Wheat Penny | 85,590,000 | $0.20 | $0.85 | $1.25 | $7.00 | |
| 1944 Wheat Penny | 1,435,400,000 | N/A | $0.20 | $0.20 | N/A | |
| 1944-D Wheat Penny | 430,578,000 | N/A | $0.20 | $0.20 | N/A | |
| 1944-S Wheat Penny | 282,760,000 | N/A | $0.20 | $0.20 | N/A | |
| 1945 Wheat Penny | 1,040,515,000 | N/A | $0.20 | $0.20 | N/A | |
| 1945-D Wheat Penny | 266,268,000 | N/A | $0.20 | $0.20 | N/A | |
| 1945-S Wheat Penny | 121,770,000 | N/A | $0.20 | $0.20 | N/A | |
| 1946 Wheat Penny | 991,655,000 | N/A | $0.20 | $0.20 | N/A | |
| 1946-D Wheat Penny | 315,690,000 | N/A | $0.20 | $0.20 | N/A | |
| 1946-S Wheat Penny | 198,100,000 | N/A | $0.20 | $0.20 | N/A | |
| 1947 Wheat Penny | 190,555,000 | N/A | $0.20 | $0.20 | N/A | |
| 1947-D Wheat Penny | 194,750,000 | N/A | $0.20 | $0.20 | N/A | |
| 1947-S Wheat Penny | 99,000,000 | N/A | $0.25 | $0.25 | N/A | |
| 1948 Wheat Penny | 317,570,000 | N/A | $0.20 | $0.20 | N/A | |
| 1948-D Wheat Penny | 172,637,500 | N/A | $0.20 | $0.20 | N/A | |
| 1948-S Wheat Penny | 81,735,000 | N/A | $0.30 | $0.30 | N/A | |
| 1949 Wheat Penny | 217,775,000 | N/A | $0.20 | $0.20 | N/A | |
| 1949-D Wheat Penny | 153,132,500 | N/A | $0.20 | $0.20 | N/A | |
| 1949-S Wheat Penny | 64,290,000 | N/A | $0.30 | $0.30 | N/A | |
| 1950 Wheat Penny | 272,635,000 | N/A | $0.20 | $0.20 | N/A | |
| 1950-D Wheat Penny | 334,950,000 | N/A | $0.20 | $0.20 | N/A | |
| 1950-S Wheat Penny | 118,505,000 | N/A | $0.25 | $0.25 | N/A | |
| 1951 Wheat Penny | 284,576,000 | N/A | $0.25 | $0.25 | N/A | |
| 1951-D Wheat Penny | 625,355,000 | N/A | $0.12 | $0.12 | N/A | |
| 1951-S Wheat Penny | 136,010,000 | N/A | $0.30 | $0.30 | N/A | |
| 1952 Wheat Penny | 186,775,000 | N/A | $0.15 | $0.15 | N/A | |
| 1952-D Wheat Penny | 746,130,000 | N/A | $0.15 | $0.15 | N/A | |
| 1952-S Wheat Penny | 137,800,004 | N/A | $0.20 | $0.20 | N/A | |
| 1953 Wheat Penny | 256,755,000 | N/A | $0.15 | $0.15 | N/A | |
| 1953-D Wheat Penny | 700,515,000 | N/A | $0.15 | $0.15 | N/A | |
| 1953-S Wheat Penny | 181,835,000 | N/A | $0.15 | $0.15 | N/A | |
| 1954 Wheat Penny | 71,640,050 | N/A | $0.35 | $0.35 | N/A | |
| 1954-D Wheat Penny | 251,552,500 | N/A | $0.12 | $0.12 | N/A | |
| 1954-S Wheat Penny | 96,190,000 | N/A | $0.12 | $0.12 | N/A | |
| 1955 Wheat Penny | 330,958,200 | N/A | $0.10 | $0.12 | N/A | |
| 1955-D Wheat Penny | 263,257,500 | N/A | $0.10 | $0.12 | N/A | |
| 1955-S Wheat Penny | 44,610,000 | N/A | $0.20 | $0.12 | N/A | |
| 1956 Wheat Penny | 420,745,000 | N/A | $0.10 | $0.12 | N/A | |
| 1956-D Wheat Penny | 1,098,201,100 | N/A | $0.10 | $0.12 | N/A | |
| 1957 Wheat Penny | 282,540,000 | N/A | $0.10 | $0.12 | N/A | |
| 1957-D Wheat Penny | 1,051,342,000 | N/A | $0.10 | $0.12 | N/A | |
| 1958 Wheat Penny | 252,525,000 | N/A | $0.10 | $0.12 | N/A | |
| 1958-D Wheat Penny | 800,953,300 | N/A | $0.10 | $0.12 | N/A | |
*Source 2020 Red Book