Rare Lincoln Wheat Pennies Still In Circulation Could Be Worth Over $1 Million
Even in everyday loose change, rare Lincoln Wheat pennies can be worth a fortune. Thanks to historic minting errors and low production runs, several varieties from the 1909–1958 era trade for six to seven-figure sums. Learn which ones to look for, how much they’re worth, and what makes them so precious.
Table: Most Valuable Lincoln Wheat Penny Varieties
| Penny Variety | Rarity & Key Features | Estimated Value (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 1943‑D Bronze Penny | Copper planchet error in a steel era; only a few exist | ~$1.7 million |
| 1943 Copper Penny | Genuine copper instead of steel; extremely rare | $500,000–$1 million |
| 1944‑S Steel Penny | Steel planchet leftover used in 1944; mint-marked S | ~$1.1 million |
| 1909‑S VDB | First year issue with scarce San Francisco VDB mint mark | ~$50,000 for MS67 grade |
Why These Pennies Command High Prices
1. The 1943‑D Bronze Penny: A WWII Minting Mistake
During WWII, pennies were struck in zinc-coated steel, reserving copper for the war effort. A rare batch slipped through on bronze planchets, resulting in a few 1943‑D bronze pennies—the most valuable Lincoln Wheat cents, with one fetching around $1.7 million at auction.
2. Other Rare Metal Errors from the Period
- 1943 Copper pennies (non-D): A handful exist, valued from $500,000 up to over $1 million, depending on condition.
- 1944‑S Steel pennies: Created by error when leftover steel planchets were used, they’ve sold for approximately $1.1 million.
3. Key-Date High-Grade Rarities
The 1909‑S VDB penny, featuring designer Victor Brenner’s initials and minted in San Francisco, had a tiny mintage of just 484,000. High-grade examples can fetch around $50,000 or more.
How to Spot These Rare Pennies
- Check material density: Use a magnet—genuine copper coins won’t stick. Bronze weighs ~3.11g; steel just ~2.7g.
- Inspect the mint mark and date: Especially for 1909‑S or 1943 & 1944 errors.
- Condition is critical: Grading (e.g., MS67) significantly influences value.
- When in doubt, get professional authentication before buying or selling.
That unlikely penny hiding in your pocket change could be worth a small fortune. Rare Lincoln Wheat cents, particularly the 1943‑D bronze, 1943 copper, 1944‑S steel, or 1909‑S VDB, command values ranging from hundreds of thousands to over a million dollars.
If you think you’ve found one of these rare specimens, consider getting it professionally graded—it could be the most valuable penny you’ve ever held.
