The 30-second version
The vast majority of wheat pennies are worth 2–10 centsapiece — common dates, heavily circulated. Better dates in nicer condition run a few dollars. The series keys can reach $700–$3,000+ circulated and well into five figures in Mint State Red.
Mint marks
The mint mark sits on the obverse, just below the date:
- (blank) — Philadelphia.
- D — Denver.
- S — San Francisco.
The five dates everyone wants to find
- 1909-S VDB— the famous one. Designer Victor David Brenner’s initials “V.D.B.” sit at the bottom of the reverse on a small portion of the 1909-S mintage. Worn: $700–$1,500. Mint State: $2,000–$10,000+. Counterfeits and altered coins are everywhere — have one authenticated.
- 1914-D— a true rarity at any grade. Worn: $200–$800. Mint State: $3,000–$20,000+.
- 1922 “Plain” (No D)— a filled-die variety where the Denver mint mark is missing. Worn: $600–$1,500; Mint state: $5,000+. (A weakly-struck “D” is not the same coin.)
- 1931-S — low mintage. Worn: $80–$150. Mint State: $200–$800.
- 1955 Doubled Die Obverse— one of the most dramatic doubled-die varieties in U.S. coinage; clearly visible on LIBERTY and the date. Circulated: $1,000–$2,500. Mint State: $3,000–$15,000+.
Semi-keys worth checking for
- 1909-S (without VDB) — worn $80–$150.
- 1910-S, 1911-S, 1912-S, 1913-S, 1914-S, 1915-S— early San Francisco issues. Worn: $10–$30 each; better grades higher.
- 1924-D, 1926-S, 1931-D — worn $30–$80.
The 1943 steel cent
In 1943, copper was diverted to the war effort, so cents were struck on zinc-coated steel. A 1943 steel cent in average circulated condition is worth about $0.05–$0.50. The famous rarity is the 1943 copper cent— a handful of bronze planchets were accidentally struck. Genuine examples have sold for $100,000–$1,000,000+. Most “1943 copper cents” you encounter are altered 1948s or copper- plated steel cents; authentication is critical.
Common dates: realistic pricing
- Worn common date (G–F): $0.02–$0.10.
- Extremely Fine (XF): $0.25–$1.
- About Uncirculated (AU): $1–$3.
- Mint State 63 Red-Brown: $3–$10.
- Mint State 65 Red: $15–$50 for common dates; much more for earlier dates.
On Lincoln cents, color matters. Graders mark coins as Red (RD), Red-Brown (RB), or Brown (BN) based on retained original color. A 1909 VDB in MS-65 Red can be worth 5–10× the Brown version of the same grade.
What to do next
- Skim the dates. Pull aside 1909-S VDB, 1914-D, 1922 Plain, 1931-S, 1955 Doubled Die, and any 1909-S, 1924-D, or 1926-S.
- Also check any 1943 cent — the steel ones are common, but a real copper 1943 is a life-changing find.
- Don’t clean anything. Tarnished wheat cents are normal and natural; cleaning sharply reduces value.
- Photograph notable coins and send to a numismatist for a free appraisal.
Common questions
Are old wheat pennies worth more if they look shiny?
It depends on whether the shine is original or polished on. Original mint luster (Red color, original surfaces) commands a premium. A coin that's been cleaned or polished — even if it looks brighter — is worth a fraction of an original equivalent. Don't clean them.
How can I tell a real 1943 copper cent from a fake?
Real 1943 copper cents are non-magnetic (steel cents stick to a magnet) and weigh about 3.11g (steel cents weigh 2.7g). Many fakes are real 1948 cents with the '8' altered to a '3'. Have any candidate authenticated by PCGS or NGC before doing anything else.
Is it worth submitting wheat pennies for grading?
For common-date wheat cents in any grade — no, fees exceed value. For key dates and any cent that looks uncirculated with strong Red color, yes — grading typically pays for itself many times over.
Related guides
Peace silver dollar values: dates, mintmarks, and grades
Peace dollars (1921–1935) range from $25 to $200,000+ depending on date and grade. The 1921 high relief and 1928 Philadelphia are the keys.
Read →Mercury dime values: key dates, Full Bands, and overdates
Mercury dimes (1916–1945) are 90% silver. The 1916-D is the series key (worth $1,000+); the 1942/1 overdate is the prize variety. Full Bands designations command big premiums.
Read →Buffalo nickel values: Type 1, Three Legs, and missing dates
Buffalo nickels (1913–1938) have classic key dates (1913-S Type 2, 1937-D Three Legs) but many are 'dateless' from wear. Here's how each is priced.
Read →Have wheat pennies to sell?
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