The Lincoln wheat cent, better known as the Wheat Penny, is one of the most collected U.S. coins out there. First made in 1909, it featured President Abraham Lincoln on the front—making it the first U.S. coin to show a real person—and two wheat stalks on the back.
These pennies were designed by artist Victor David Brenner and were minted between 1909 and 1958. Most are worth just a few cents, but a few rare versions are worth thousands—or even hundreds of thousands—of dollars.
Let’s break down the top three wheat pennies that could turn your spare change into a small fortune.
1. The 1943 Copper Wheat Penny – Worth Up to $840,000
This is the holy grail of wheat pennies. In 1943, the U.S. Mint switched to steel pennies because copper was needed for World War II. But somehow, a few copper planchets were still used to strike pennies that year by mistake.
That little slip-up turned these 1943 copper wheat pennies into mega-rare collectibles.
- Only around 30 are known to exist
- One sold for $840,000
- Others have sold for $264,000 and $500,000+
Check the date—and the color. If your 1943 penny sticks to a magnet, it’s steel. If not, you might just be holding a treasure.
2. The 1909-S VDB Penny – Worth Up to $360,000
This one’s special because it was the first year the Lincoln penny was made. A few coins from San Francisco (with an “S” mintmark) also had the designer’s initials “VDB” on the back.
Some folks thought the initials were too big, so they were quickly removed. That makes the 1909-S VDB penny incredibly rare today.
- Hard to find in good condition
- One sold for over $360,000
- Another went for $99,000 just this year
So if you find a 1909 penny with an “S” under the date and “VDB” on the back near the rim, hold onto it!
3. The 1955 Double Die Penny – Worth Over $16,000
This coin looks like it’s got double vision—and that’s not your eyes playing tricks. A minting mistake caused the design to be struck twice, slightly off, which gave it a doubled look on the lettering and date.
You’ll see the doubling on the words:
- “Liberty”
- “In God We Trust”
- And the date, 1955
These are more common than the first two on this list, but well-kept ones can still bring in over $10,000. One sold for $16,644 at auction.
Quick Reference Table
| Penny Type | Key Feature | Est. Value | Number Known |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 Copper Penny | Wrong metal (copper not steel) | Up to $840,000 | ~30 |
| 1909-S VDB Penny | “S” mint + “VDB” initials | Up to $360,000 | Few thousand |
| 1955 Double Die Penny | Doubled text | $10,000–$16,000+ | ~20,000–24,000 |
Final Thoughts
Wheat pennies are more than just cool-looking old coins—they could be your ticket to a big payday. While most are worth only a few cents, the rare versions like the 1943 copper, 1909-S VDB, and 1955 double die have made collectors thousands—sometimes hundreds of thousands—of dollars.
FAQ’s
Q: How do I know if my 1943 Wheat Penny is copper?
A: Try using a magnet. If it sticks, it’s steel (common). If not, you might have a rare copper one—get it checked by a coin expert.
Q: What does “VDB” stand for on the 1909 penny?
A: Those are the initials of the coin’s designer, Victor David Brenner.
Q: Can I still find a double die penny in circulation?
A: It’s rare, but yes! Some are still out there, especially in older collections or jars of change.
