Lincoln wheat cents
Wheat penny value: which ones are worth money
Most wheat pennies (Lincoln cents made from 1909 to 1958) are worth a few cents each. The valuable ones are the key dates and errors: the 1909-S VDB, 1909-S, 1914-D, 1922 no D, 1931-S, the 1955 doubled die and the off-metal 1943 and 1944 cents, which range from about $100 to many thousands even when worn.
How to read a wheat penny
The date is on the front, to the right of Lincoln. The mint mark (D for Denver, S for San Francisco, none for Philadelphia) is directly under the date. "Wheat" refers to the two wheat ears on the back, used until 1958.
Wheat pennies worth money
| Coin | Why it's valuable | Rough value |
|---|---|---|
| 1909-S VDB | 484,000 made, the series key | Hundreds worn, thousands nice |
| 1909-S | 1,825,000 made | About $100 and up |
| 1914-D | 1,193,000 made, mostly circulated | Hundreds and up |
| 1922 no D | Denver die with the D filled in | Hundreds and up (strong reverse) |
| 1931-S | 866,000 made | About $100 and up |
| 1955 doubled die | Bold doubled date and lettering | Thousands certified |
| 1943 bronze | Off-metal error | Six figures and up |
| 1944 steel | Off-metal error | Six figures |
Values are rough ranges for genuine coins and depend heavily on grade. Key dates are often counterfeited or altered, so certified coins are the safe benchmark.
Real listing data
From our own eBay checks: certified 1909-S VDB cents were listed at a median of about $1,800 and raw examples around $1,400 (November 2026). Certified 1955 doubled dies listed at a median of about $3,570, while raw coins listed as "1955 doubled die" had a median ask of just $27, because most are ordinary coins with hopeful titles.
| Common wheat pennies | Listings | Median ask | Middle half |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw (not graded) | 109 | $2.75 | $1.67 to $7.42 |
Active fixed-price eBay listings in US Coins, titles matched to this coin, lots and replicas removed, checked November 11, 2026. These are asking prices, not sales, and many listings are hopeful or mislabeled.
The common-date median ask of $2.75 per coin is mostly sellers' hopes; dealers typically pay a few cents each for common circulated wheat cents, more for bright uncirculated rolls.
How to search a jar of wheat pennies
- Sort by date and set aside anything from 1909 to 1933 for a closer look.
- Check mint marks on 1909, 1914, 1922 and 1931.
- Run a magnet over any 1943 or 1944 cent.
- Look at 1955 cents for doubling on the date and lettering.
Questions
How much is a wheat penny worth?
Common wheat pennies are worth a few cents each. Key dates and errors are worth from about $100 to many thousands.
What wheat penny is worth the most?
The 1943 bronze and 1944 steel off-metal errors are the most valuable, followed by the 1909-S VDB and 1955 doubled die.
Are 1944 wheat pennies worth anything?
Normal bronze 1944 cents are worth a few cents. Only the rare steel version is valuable.