MintPricedLincoln Wheat pennies (1909–1958): a collector’s guide
The Lincoln cent with two wheat ears on the reverse was struck from 1909 to 1958. Billions were made, so most Wheat pennies found today are common. They are still one of the best series to start with: the dates are easy to read, coins turn up in old jars and rolls, and a complete date and mint mark set is a real challenge.
How to read a Wheat cent
- Date — on the obverse, to the right of Lincoln’s portrait.
- Mint mark — directly under the date: D for Denver, S for San Francisco, no letter for Philadelphia.
- Designer’s initials — some 1909 cents show “V.D.B.” (Victor David Brenner) at the bottom of the reverse. The initials were removed in 1909 and returned in 1918, very small, on Lincoln’s shoulder.
Dates collectors look for
These are widely listed in references as the scarcer or better-known Wheat cents. Being on this list does not make a coin valuable by itself — condition and authenticity matter most.
- 1909-S VDB and 1909-S — low mintages from San Francisco.
- 1914-D — a scarce Denver date.
- 1922 “no D” — 1922 cents were struck only in Denver; some show a weak or missing D because of worn dies.
- 1931-S — a low mintage from the Depression years.
- 1943 steel cents — made of zinc-coated steel to save copper during the war. They are common; a magnet sticks to them.
- 1943 bronze and 1944 steel — famous rarities struck on leftover blanks. Almost every one offered is a fake or altered coin.
- 1955 doubled die obverse — strong, clear doubling of the date and lettering. See error coins.
Watch for altered and fake coins
Key dates are often faked by changing a digit (for example a 1948 tooled into a 1943) or by adding or removing a mint mark. Check the shape and spacing of the digits against a genuine example, look for tool marks around the date and mint mark, and remember that copper-plated steel cents exist. For anything that might be a key date, ask a grading service.
Condition and storage
Copper reacts with air and skin. Do not clean Wheat cents — it removes the original surface and lowers value (see why not to clean coins). Keep them in PVC-free holders (how to store coins).
The MintPriced app can track a Lincoln Wheat cent series so you can see which dates you still need. Estimated values, when shown, are ranges and not offers.
Sources and further reading
- U.S. Mint: History of U.S. circulating coins
- U.S. Mint: Mint marks
- NGC Coin Explorer
- PCGS CoinFacts
- NGC: Counterfeit detection
More answers in the coin FAQ.
General information, not financial or appraisal advice. Values depend on condition and the buyer; ask a qualified dealer or grading service before buying or selling.