10 Most Valuable Wheat Pennies Worth Over $70 Million Still Circulating Today

10 Most Valuable Wheat Pennies Worth Over $70 Million : Wheat pennies, officially known as Lincoln Wheat Ears reverse cents, continue to capture the attention of coin collectors and enthusiasts around the world. These historic coins, minted from 1909 to 1958, have become increasingly rare—yet some are still in circulation, unknowingly held in change jars, piggy banks, and old drawers. In this detailed guide, we uncover 10 rare wheat pennies worth over $70 million combined, that remain highly sought-after and could be hiding in plain sight.

1. 1909-S VDB Wheat Penny – The King of Lincoln Cents

Estimated Value: Up to $100,000

The 1909-S VDB wheat penny is the holy grail for Lincoln penny collectors. Minted in San Francisco, it features the initials “VDB” of designer Victor David Brenner. Only 484,000 were minted before controversy over the initials halted production.

Key Identifiers:

• “S” mintmark under the date.
• Bold “V.D.B.” initials on the reverse bottom.

2. 1914-D Wheat Penny – Scarce and Highly Coveted

Estimated Value: Up to $28,000

The 1914-D penny from Denver is another incredibly rare and valuable coin. Its low mintage and tendency to wear heavily make high-grade versions extremely rare.

Key Identifiers:

• “D” mintmark below the year.
• Sharp strike and full wheat lines.

3. 1922 No D Wheat Penny – A Unique Error

Estimated Value: Up to $35,000

This famous error coin was struck in Denver, but due to a worn-out die, the “D” mintmark was completely absent from a small batch.

Key Identifiers:

• No mintmark on the obverse.
• Strong strike with clear details, especially on Lincoln’s jawline.

4. 1931-S Wheat Penny – Low Mintage, High Value

Estimated Value: Up to $4,000

One of the lowest minted wheat pennies of the series. Only 866,000 were produced, making it highly collectible.

Key Identifiers:

• “S” mintmark below the date.
• Crisp features and minimal wear increase its value.

5. 1943 Bronze Wheat Penny – Accidental Rarity

Estimated Value: Up to $1,750,000

The 1943 penny was supposed to be made of steel due to wartime needs. A few bronze planchets were accidentally used, making these coins exceptionally rare.

Key Identifiers:

• Not magnetic (unlike steel cents).
• Rich brown color.
• Weighs about 3.11 grams.

6. 1944 Steel Wheat Penny – Another Wartime Blunder

Estimated Value: Up to $125,000

In contrast to the 1943 bronze error, the 1944 penny should have been bronze, but a few steel planchets were accidentally used.

Key Identifiers:

• Silver-gray color, magnetic.
• Weighs about 2.7 grams.

7. 1924-D Wheat Penny – A Tough Find

Estimated Value: Up to $12,000

The 1924-D penny is a sleeper rarity. Its poor strike quality and low survival rate make high-grade examples extremely rare.

Key Identifiers:

• Weak “D” mintmark.
• Look for clean surfaces and good definition.

8. 1909-S Wheat Penny (No VDB) – Early Mint Rarity

Estimated Value: Up to $1,800

Even without the VDB initials, the 1909-S penny is valuable due to its limited production run.

Key Identifiers:

• “S” mintmark under the date.
• Absence of VDB initials on the reverse.

9. 1936 Doubled Die Obverse – Error with Dramatic Appeal

Estimated Value: Up to $3,500

This doubled die error displays strong doubling on Lincoln’s profile and the date. Collectors prize it for its eye-catching characteristics.

Key Identifiers:

• Obvious doubling on “In God We Trust,” “Liberty,” and the date.

10. 1955 Doubled Die Obverse – The Famous Double Vision Penny

Estimated Value: Up to $15,000

Perhaps the most iconic doubled die of them all, this 1955 penny exhibits dramatic doubling visible to the naked eye.

Key Identifiers:

• Strong doubling on all obverse text.
• Genuine examples show no doubling on the reverse.

Diagram: Wheat Penny Value Breakdown by Year and Rarity

graph TD
    A[Wheat Pennies (1909-1958)]
    A --> B[Key Dates]
    B --> C[1909-S VDB - $100,000]
    B --> D[1914-D - $28,000]
    B --> E[1922 No D - $35,000]
    B --> F[1931-S - $4,000]
    B --> G[1943 Bronze - $1,750,000]
    B --> H[1944 Steel - $125,000]
    B --> I[1924-D - $12,000]
    B --> J[1909-S No VDB - $1,800]
    B --> K[1936 DDO - $3,500]
    B --> L[1955 DDO - $15,000]

Tips to Identify Valuable Wheat Pennie

• Use a magnifying glass: Look closely at mintmarks and doubling.
• Check the weight: Errors often weigh differently.
• Magnet test: Helps identify steel vs. bronze.
• Compare with certified examples: Use PCGS or NGC resources.
• Preserve condition: Avoid cleaning or polishing coins.

Where to Look for These Rare Coins

• Coin jars and change trays.
• Old family collections.
• Estate sales and flea markets.
• Bank coin rolls (coin roll hunting).
• Antique stores and garage sales.

Final Thoughts

Rare wheat pennies continue to fascinate collectors and investors alike, with some fetching astronomical prices on the open market. Whether you’re an experienced numismatist or a curious novice, these coins could be closer than you think. Stay vigilant, inspect your change, and you might just uncover a small fortune in your pocket.