Lincoln Wheat Cents

1909-1958

The Lincoln Wheat Penny or Cent is one of the most collected coins in the world. It's not uncommon to find one in circulation even to this day. These pennies are 95% Copper and 5% Tin & Zinc. In general, the Lincoln Wheat Cents minted from 1909-1942 are worth more than the coins thereafter.

The 1909-S Lincoln Wheat Cent without VDB is quite valuable, as the San Francisco Mint only produced 1,825,000 copies. The 1909-P (Philadelphia Mint) has no "P" mint mark is the most common, but is worth more than the 1-Cent face value with well circulated versions selling for $1 or more.

Key Date 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent Coins

The 1909 VDB Wheat Cent is one of the most famous and significant coins in U.S. history. The Lincoln Cent was introduced in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. It replaced the Indian Head Cent.
Designer: The coin was designed by Victor David Brenner, whose initials (VDB) are a central part of its story.

Obverse: Features a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, designed by Victor David Brenner. This was the first time a U.S. president's image was used on a circulating coin.
Reverse: Initially featured "ONE CENT" in the center, with "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" below it, flanked by two wheat stalks, hence the name "Wheat Cent" or "Wheat Penny." At the bottom, near the rim, are Brenner's initials "VDB."

The "VDB" Controversy

Initials Controversy: The inclusion of Brenner's initials, "VDB," on the reverse of the coin sparked controversy because some people felt the initials were too prominent and promotional.
Removal of Initials: Due to the public outcry, the U.S. Mint decided to remove the initials from the coin later in 1909. This led to the creation of two types of 1909 Lincoln Cents: the 1909 VDB and the 1909 (without VDB). This makes the "VDB" versions quite collectible and valuable. The San Fransisco "S" 1909-S Lincoln VDB cents are some of the most collectible pennies the US Mint has ever produced, and also some of the most rare. With an official mintage of 484,000, these are true collector coins in any condition. Mint-State, or near perfect 1909-S Lincoln VDB Wheat cents are some of the most valuable pennies from this era.

1909 VDB Doubled Die Obverse

Rare 1909 VDB Error Coin

Eagle Eye coin collectors have found a rare variant 1909 VDB Lincoln Wheat Cent. These coins feature a doubling on the front - usually on the 1909 date and on the letters "ERTY" in the word LIBERTY. Given that the 1909-P Lincoln Cents are more common, it's worth looking for this valuable error coin in your stacks.

Key Date 1914-D Lincoln Cent Coins

Key Characteristics

Mint Mark: The 1914-D Lincoln Cent features a "D" mint mark, indicating it was minted at the Denver Mint. The mint mark is located on the obverse (front) of the coin, just below the date.
Low Mintage: Only 1,193,000 of the 1914-D Lincoln Cents were produced, making it one of the lower mintage issues in the Lincoln Wheat Cent series.
Rarity: The 1914-D Lincoln Cent is considered one of the key dates in the series due to its low mintage and high demand among collectors. This coin is especially scarce in higher grades.
Counterfeits: Due to its high value and demand, the 1914-D Lincoln Cent is often counterfeited or altered (e.g., adding a "D" mint mark to a 1914 Philadelphia cent). It's crucial to have the coin authenticated by a reputable grading service, such as PCGS or NGC, to ensure its authenticity.
Top Selling 1914-D Wheat Pennies Value Chart

Year	Grade	Sold	Date
1914-D	MS66 RD	$83,375	Dec 2008
1914-D	MS66 RD	$81,075	Feb 2016
1914-D	MS66 RD	$74,750	Sep 2009
1914-D	MS66 RD	$72,000	Aug 2022
1914-D	MS65+ RD	$52,800	May 2023
1914-D	MS65 RD	$10,200	May 2024
1914-D	MS65 BN	$4,920	May 2024
1914-D	MS62 BN	$3,120	Jun 2024
1914-D	VF35	$540	May 2024
1914-D	VF30	$385	Jun 2024
1914-D	F12	$216	May 2024
1914-D	VG8	$160	Jun 2024

Key Date 1917 Lincoln Doubled Die Obverse

Key Characteristics

Doubling Of Text: The 1917 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Wheat Cent is a key error coin of the era. The Doubling occurs on a misaligned die at the US Mint. These coins usually feature a very subtle doubling in "IN GOD WE TRUST" and on the 1917 date. On well worn coins, you'll need to examine very closely and possibly use a magnification to see the doubling.
Top Selling 1917 DDO Value Chart

Year	Grade	Sold	Date
1917	MS66 RD	$28,750	Dec 2008
1917	MS66 RD	$27,600	Feb 2011
1917	MS66 RD	$25,300	Jan 2007
1917	MS65+ RD	$24,087	Feb 2016
1917	MS65 RD	$19,200	Nov 2023
1917	MS65 RB	$14,100	Jan 2016
1917	MS64 RD	$10,575	Sep 2015
1917	MS64 RB	$6,600	Jan 2018
1917	AU58	$2,400	Dec 2017
1917	AU55	$2,280	Nov 2023
1917	AU50	$1,800	Jun 2018
1917	XF45	$1,260	May 2024
1917	VF35	$630	Jan 2024
1917	F15	$192	Dec 2023
1917	G4	$100	Jun 2024

Key Date 1922-D Lincoln Wheat Cents

Key Characteristics

No "D" Mint Mark: In 1922 Lincoln Cents were only minted in Denver, meaning no versions exist from either the San Fransisco "S" or Philadelphia "P" mint. Normally all coins minted at the Denver Mint came with a "D" mint mark just under the date on the obverse (front) of the coin. However, due to a mint error many coins from 1922 either have no "D" mint mark, or only a faint outline of one.
The 1922-D Lincoln Cent has several variations. The most valuable (and rare) are the "No D Strong Reverse" also known as "Die Pair 2". These coins feature no "D" mint mark below the date and a strong strike on the reverse.
Top Selling 1922-D "No D" Value Chart

Year	Grade	Sold	Date
1922 No D	MS65 BN	$67,562	Aug 2014
1922 No D	MS64 RB	$59,800	May 2005
1922 No D	MS64 RB	$46,000	Jul 2005
1922 No D	MS64 RB	$40,250	Mar 2010
1922 No D	MS64 BN	$31,200	Nov 2023
1922 No D	MS62 BN	$14,950	Sep 2010
1922 No D	AU58	$8,400	Mar 2024

Key Date 1936-P Lincoln Doubled Die Obverse

Key Characteristics

Doubling On The Obverse (Front): Strong doubling in the Date, In God We Trust and LIBERTY text should be evident.
Top Selling 1936-P Lincoln Cent Doubled Die Value Chart

Year	Grade	Sold	Date
1936-P	MS67 RD	$34,800	Nov 2023
1936-P	MS66 RD	$16,100	Feb 2011
1936-P	MS65 RD	$10,950	Jan 2012

Key Date 1943 Steel Lincoln Cents

The 1943 Steel Wheat Penny is a unique and interesting coin with a significant place in U.S. numismatic history. During World War II, copper was a critical material needed for wartime production, particularly for ammunition and other military equipment. To conserve copper for the war effort, the U.S. Mint decided to use an alternative material for pennies in 1943. In 1943, the U.S. Mint produced pennies from zinc-coated steel instead of the usual bronze (copper and tin). These steel pennies are sometimes referred to as "steelies." The 1943 steel penny has a distinct silvery color due to its zinc coating. This is a stark contrast to the typical reddish-brown color of copper pennies.

The steel pennies were produced at all three mints: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco.
Philadelphia Mint: Produced 684,628,670 steel cents. These coins have no mint mark.
Denver Mint: Produced 217,660,000 steel cents (identified by the "D" mint mark)
San Francisco Mint: Produced 191,550,000 steel cents (identified by the "S" mint mark)

Value The 1943 Steel Lincoln Wheat Cents were collected and set aside by most consumers from nearly day one. This means only coins in near perfect condition (graded MS65 and higher) are worth life changing sums of money. The San Francisco "S" 1943 Steel Cents are worth more because of the lower mint count.

Lincoln Wheat Cents

1944-1958

The Lincoln Wheat Cents minted after 1944 are generally worth less than the previous years. While some variations, such as the 1944 D over S and the 1946 S over D are highly collectible - in general these coins need to be in nearly uncirculated condition to hold much value.