The Lincoln Wheat Penny, minted between 1909 and 1958, is more than just spare change—it’s a piece of American history. While many wheat pennies are worth just a few cents over face value, some rare examples have become prized collectibles, selling for tens of thousands—and in some cases—millions of dollars. Their high value stems from unique minting errors, material anomalies, and extremely low survival numbers.
If you’re a coin enthusiast, casual collector, or someone cleaning out an old jar of coins, keep an eye out for these six high-value wheat pennies. Some of them have set auction records above $800,000 and are still gaining value as demand from collectors grows.
1. 1943-D Bronze Wheat Penny – The Holy Grail of Lincoln Cents
- Mint: Denver (D)
- Composition: Bronze (used in error)
- Notable Feature: Accidentally struck on a bronze planchet instead of wartime steel
- Auction Price: $840,000 (January 2021)
- Known Examples: Only 1 verified
During World War II, copper was needed for ammunition and other military equipment. As a result, pennies struck in 1943 were made from steel coated with zinc. However, a few leftover bronze planchets from 1942 were mistakenly used, resulting in the rare 1943-D Bronze Penny. With only one confirmed example, this coin is considered the rarest wheat penny ever struck.
If you spot a 1943-D penny that looks brown instead of silver, it might be worth testing—it could change your life.
2. 1943-S Bronze Wheat Penny – Scarce San Francisco Error
- Mint: San Francisco (S)
- Composition: Bronze
- Notable Feature: Struck on pre-war bronze blanks
- Auction Price: $504,000 (November 2020)
- Known Examples: Only 6 exist
Similar to the Denver variant, the 1943-S Bronze Penny resulted from leftover bronze planchets being used during the transition to steel. This minting mistake occurred at the San Francisco Mint. Only a handful of these coins have ever been authenticated, making them an incredibly rare find.
Collectors seek this coin for its origin and its historical ties to wartime manufacturing shifts.
3. 1944-S Steel Wheat Penny – A Coin from a Different Year
- Mint: San Francisco (S)
- Composition: Steel
- Notable Feature: Struck on a leftover 1943 steel blank
- Auction Price: $408,000 (August 2021)
- Known Examples: Just 2 known
In 1944, the Mint resumed producing pennies in copper due to public complaints about steel coins rusting and damaging vending machines. However, a few 1943 steel blanks slipped through, creating this anomaly. The 1944-S Steel Penny is distinguishable by its magnetic properties and shiny gray appearance.
Owning one of these means holding a piece of transitional minting history—and a small fortune.
4. 1943 Bronze Wheat Penny – Philadelphia’s Rare Strike
- Mint: Philadelphia (no mint mark)
- Composition: Bronze
- Notable Feature: Error coin with leftover bronze blank
- Auction Price: $372,000 (February 2021)
- Known Examples: About 20 exist
This is the most “common” among the rare bronze 1943 pennies. While still extremely valuable, there are slightly more examples of this Philadelphia version than the San Francisco or Denver mints. Nonetheless, it remains a six-figure coin due to its unexpected material and historical timing.
Check any 1943 penny for its composition. If it’s not steel and doesn’t stick to a magnet, you might be in for a big surprise.
5. 1958 Doubled Die Obverse Wheat Penny – A Modern Minting Marvel
- Mint: Philadelphia (no mint mark)
- Composition: Copper
- Notable Feature: Visible doubling on letters and date
- Auction Price: $336,000 (March 2018)
- Known Examples: Fewer than 3 confirmed
Unlike the earlier errors, this one is a classic doubled die—a minting error where the coin’s design appears to have been stamped twice, slightly offset. It’s most noticeable in the inscriptions “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” The rarity of this coin stems not just from the error itself, but from how few made it into circulation.
Only a few known examples exist, and most collectors have never seen one in person.
6. 1909-S VDB Wheat Penny – The First and Most Famous
- Mint: San Francisco (S)
- Composition: Copper
- Notable Feature: Designer’s initials “VDB” on reverse
- Auction Price: $168,000 (April 2022)
- Known Examples: 484,000 minted, but very few in mint condition
This is the coin that launched the Lincoln cent series. The initials of Victor David Brenner, the designer, were prominently displayed on the reverse, causing public controversy. The U.S. Mint quickly removed them, resulting in a very short production run at the San Francisco Mint.
Its scarcity and historical significance make it one of the most coveted coins in American numismatics.
Summary Table of Rare Wheat Pennies
| Year | Mint Mark | Composition | Key Feature | Record Sale | Sale Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 | D | Bronze | Error – bronze planchet | $840,000 | 2021 |
| 1943 | S | Bronze | Error – bronze planchet | $504,000 | 2020 |
| 1944 | S | Steel | Error – steel planchet | $408,000 | 2021 |
| 1943 | – | Bronze | Error – bronze planchet | $372,000 | 2021 |
| 1958 | – | Copper | Doubled die obverse | $336,000 | 2018 |
| 1909 | S | Copper | “VDB” initials | $168,000 | 2022 |
Final Thoughts: Could You Be Holding One?
The value of wheat pennies depends heavily on their rarity, minting location, condition, and any unique errors. While most wheat pennies are easy to find and low in value, the ones on this list are in a class of their own.
Collectors, dealers, and auction houses actively seek these coins. If you own old coin jars, inherit a coin collection, or enjoy metal detecting, you might stumble upon one of these valuable pennies.
That one small coin could be worth more than a luxury car—or even a house.
