Lincoln Wheat Penny Priced at $990,000 – Is One Waiting in Your Change?

Introduction

Coin collecting is full of interesting stories and one of the most incredible accounts is about Lincoln Wheat penny. These legendary coins were minted from 1909 through 1958. Most people today find them just in loose change or in those old coin jars, and of course, these are usually priced at only a few cents out of their actual face value. However, some rare Lincoln Wheat pennies have become incredibly valuable, with one penny even fetching a staggering $990,000 at auction.

History of the Lincoln Wheat Penny

The Lincoln Wheat penny was minted in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. The coin was designed by Victor David Brenner and featured a profile of Lincoln on the obverse and two stalks of wheat on the reverse, earning it the “Wheat penny” nickname. The design ran for nearly 50 years, making the coin a part of American history and currency.

By the time the coin was withdrawn from circulation in 1958, over billions of them had been minted, but over the decades, some of these pennies have become highly sought after by collectors due to certain unique characteristics that make them stand out.

Types of Lincoln Wheat Penny

Year	Mint Mark	Designer	Metal Composition
1943	Copper	Victor D. Brenner	95% Copper
1909	S	Victor D. Brenner	95% Copper
1922	No D	Victor D. Brenner	95% Copper
1955	None	Victor D. Brenner	95% Copper
1914	D	Victor D. Brenner	95% Copper
1931	S	Victor D. Brenner	95% Copper
Various	Various	Victor D. Brenner	95% Copper

1943 Copper Lincoln Wheat Penny

The rarest coin here is the penny of 1943, most of which was made of steel because of a metal shortage in the war years. Only a few copper coins were mistakenly made, and this makes them so valuable.

1909-S VDB Lincoln Wheat Penny

The 1909-S VDB Penny is another interesting coin, and it bears the initials of the designer, Victor D. Brenner. With a mintage of just more than 484,000, it is rare and sought after by collectors.

1922 No D Lincoln Wheat Penny

This version of the Lincoln Wheat Penny does not have the “D” mint mark, which means it was mistakenly made in Denver without the mint mark. Its uniqueness is what makes it highly collectible.

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1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Wheat Penny

The 1955 Doubled Die Penny is most notable for a striking minting error in doubling the date and lettering; it is apparent without magnification, which also makes it popular among collectors as a find.

1914-D Lincoln Wheat Penny

Produced in Denver, this was a low-output coin. Rarity and historical interest make it all the more priceless in any collection.

1931-S Lincoln Wheat Penny

This coin has a very low mintage of only 866,000. As such, it is quite rare and, therefore, much sought after by collectors looking for early Wheat Pennies.

Rare Lincoln Wheat Penny Worth $60 Million Could Be in Your Pocket

How to Sell a Valuable Lincoln Wheat Penny

If you suspect you have a rare or valuable Lincoln Wheat penny, you need to have it appraised and authenticated properly. You can do this by consulting a reputable coin dealer or by having the coin professionally graded by services such as the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) or Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). After grading, your penny could be sold at auction or through coin dealers, where collectors will compete for it.

How to Spot a Rare Lincoln Wheat Penny

The odds of finding a 1943 copper Lincoln Wheat Penny in your change may be slim, but it’s not impossible. Here’s how to spot these rare coins:

Check the Year
The first thing to check is the year. The most famous one is the 1943 copper penny, but there are other years that have minting errors. Special attention should be paid to pennies from 1943, and the details should be carefully inspected.
Check the Material
Most pennies made in 1943 are composed of zinc-coated steel, so if you come across a penny from this year that is copper, that is a quick indication to you that you probably have a rare coin. Use a magnet to decide what type of material it is; steel pennies will stick to a magnet, while copper pennies will not.
Look for Minting Errors
Even outside the 1943 copper variety, there are errors on some of the Lincoln Wheat Pennies: double strikes, off-center strikes, or die cracks. Those can make your coins more valuable.
Consider the Condition
The condition of the coin is as important as the rarity. Coins in pristine or uncirculated condition are worth much more than those that have been worn and used. If you find a rare Lincoln Wheat Penny, have it graded by a professional coin grading service to determine its value.

Conclusion

The possibility of finding a Lincoln Wheat penny worth hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars is an exciting prospect for collectors and casual coin enthusiasts alike. While most of these pennies are worth only their face value, a few rare specimens have achieved legendary status in the world of numismatics. Whether you’re searching through your pocket change or scouring old coin jars, keep an eye out—your next penny could be worth a fortune!

FAQ’s

What Makes the Lincoln Wheat Penny So Valuable?

Its scarcity, special errors, and historical significance make it very valuable; some have sold for as much as $990,000.

How Do I Identify a Rare Lincoln Penny?

Look for particular years, mint marks, and special characteristics, such as the lack of mint marks or doubled images in the text.

What Is the Value of a Circulated Lincoln Wheat Penny?

Circulated coins can vary from a few dollars to thousands, depending on the coin’s rarity and condition.

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