Wheat pennies are one of the most popular and valuable coins for collectors. Some of these coins have rare errors that make them worth much more than their original face value. These errors happen because of mistakes during the minting process, and discovering one of them can make you a fortune. In this article, we will look at 11 of the most valuable wheat penny errors that collectors should know about.
What is a Wheat Penny?
Wheat pennies were minted in the United States from 1909 to 1958. They got their name because the reverse side of the coin has two stalks of wheat. The front side shows Abraham Lincoln. Though most wheat pennies are worth only a few cents, some have valuable mistakes that can make them worth thousands, or even millions, of dollars.
| No. | Year | Error Type | Description | Approximate Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1909 | 1909-S VDB | First year of the wheat penny with the VDB initials on reverse. | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| 2 | 1943 | 1943 Copper Penny | Made of copper instead of steel due to metal shortage during WWII. | $200,000 – $500,000 |
| 3 | 1922 | 1922 No D | Missing the mintmark “D” due to a worn die. | $1,000 – $20,000 |
| 4 | 1955 | 1955 Double Die | Double die error on the obverse, with doubling of the date. | $1,500 – $25,000 |
| 5 | 1944 | 1944 Steel Penny | Mistakenly minted steel pennies, which should have been copper. | $100,000 – $500,000 |
| 6 | 1937 | 1937-D Double Die | Doubled die on the reverse of the coin, noticeable in the lettering. | $500 – $3,000 |
| 7 | 1914 | 1914-D | Rare error with a “D” mintmark struck over the “1”. | $1,000 – $20,000 |
| 8 | 1924 | 1924 D over S | “D” mintmark struck over an “S”. | $50 – $500 |
| 9 | 1931 | 1931-S | Low mintage with fewer coins produced, making it scarce. | $50 – $1,500 |
| 10 | 1942 | 1942/1 Overdate | The year “1” was overstruck with the “2” of 1942. | $200 – $5,000 |
| 11 | 1939 | 1939 Doubled Die | Double die error visible in the lettering and date. | $200 – $1,500 |
11 Valuable Wheat Penny Errors
1. 1909-S VDB Wheat Penny
This penny is famous for having the designer’s initials (VDB) on the back. The “S” represents the San Francisco mint. This penny is highly sought after by collectors, especially in higher grades.
2. 1914-D Wheat Penny
The 1914-D is a rare penny with a small “D” mintmark that makes it worth a lot. It is considered one of the most valuable wheat pennies.
3. 1922 No D Wheat Penny
The 1922 penny is famous for a rare error where the “D” mintmark is missing. This was caused by a worn-out die. These pennies are highly collectible.
4. 1931-S Wheat Penny
The 1931-S is a rare penny that is often overlooked by less experienced collectors. Its low mintage makes it very valuable.
5. 1943 Copper Wheat Penny
This penny is one of the most famous error coins. In 1943, most pennies were made from steel, but a few copper versions were accidentally minted. These rare copper pennies can fetch a high price.
6. 1955 Double Die Wheat Penny
This penny is one of the most famous and valuable error coins because it shows the same design twice. The double die mistake makes it highly collectible.
7. 1937-D Doubled Die Wheat Penny
Another double die error, this penny shows a doubling effect on the date and letters. It’s worth much more than its regular counterpart.
8. 1944 Steel Wheat Penny
Like the 1943 copper penny, the 1944 steel penny is a major error. Most of these pennies were made of copper, but a few were mistakenly minted with steel.
9. 1924-D Wheat Penny
This rare penny has a “D” mintmark that’s hard to spot, making it worth more than most 1924 pennies. It’s a good find for collectors.
10. 1917-D Wheat Penny
The 1917-D is rare because of its low mintage. Collectors are always on the lookout for this coin in good condition.
11. 1936 Doubled Die Wheat Penny
This error is also a doubled die, where the design shows up twice. It is especially noticeable in the “Liberty” and “In God We Trust” inscriptions.
FAQs
What is a wheat penny?
A wheat penny is a U.S. coin minted between 1909 and 1958. It features two stalks of wheat on the back and Abraham Lincoln’s image on the front. It is one of the most popular coins among collectors.
Why are some wheat pennies valuable?
Some wheat pennies are valuable because of rare minting errors that make them unique. These errors, like double dies or missing mint marks, make the coins more sought after by collectors and increase their value.
What are the most valuable wheat penny errors?
Some of the most valuable wheat penny errors include the 1909-S VDB, the 1943 copper penny, the 1922 No D penny, and the 1955 double die penny. These errors make the coins much more valuable than regular wheat pennies.
How can I identify a rare wheat penny?
You can identify a rare wheat penny by looking for errors in the minting process. For example, check for double die errors, missing mint marks, or unusual color variations. A magnifying glass can help you see these details clearly.
What is a double die penny?
A double die penny is a coin that was struck with a die that was misaligned, resulting in the design appearing twice or doubled. The 1955 double die and the 1937-D doubled die are examples of valuable double die wheat pennies.
Wheat pennies with errors are incredibly valuable to collectors. If you find one of these rare errors in your pocket change, you could be holding a coin worth thousands of dollars. Keep an eye out for these rare pennies and check your collections to see if you have any hidden treasures.
