Is Your Penny Worth $100,000? How to Spot the Rare Lincoln Wheat Cent

Ever found an old penny and wondered if it might be your ticket to riches? If that penny is a Lincoln Wheat Cent, you could be sitting on a hidden gem. Some of these coins have sold for over $100,000! The best part? You don’t need to be a seasoned coin expert to identify one.

In this guide, we’ll break down what makes these pennies valuable, which ones are the most sought after, and how to check if you’ve got one worth big bucks.

Basics

The Lincoln Wheat Penny was minted from 1909 to 1958. It was the first U.S. coin to feature a real person—Abraham Lincoln—on the front. On the back, two wheat stalks flank the words “One Cent,” giving it the nickname “wheat penny.”

Made mostly of copper, the design was a tribute to Lincoln’s centennial birthday and replaced the Indian Head penny. Some versions are now worth thousands thanks to minting quirks, historical value, or extremely low mintage.

Rarity

So, what makes some of these coins more valuable than others?

1. Minting Errors
Errors are gold—figuratively. Some coins were accidentally made with the wrong metal or had doubled images due to mechanical issues. A perfect example is the 1943 Bronze penny, made when pennies were supposed to be steel. A few bronze ones slipped through and became legends.

2. Limited Production
A coin that had a short production run is usually more valuable. Take the 1909-S VDB, for instance. It was pulled quickly after backlash over the artist’s initials. Today, it’s a key date for collectors.

3. Historical Significance
Coins tied to changes in design or important events get more attention. The Lincoln penny marked a major design shift by honoring a president—a first in U.S. coinage history.

Winners

Let’s look at the top three most valuable wheat pennies collectors go wild for.

Coin	Why It’s Special	How to Identify	Value Range
1943 Bronze	Mint error with wrong metal	Doesn’t stick to magnet, weighs 3.11g	$100K – $500K
1909-S VDB	Rare with removed initials	S mint mark + VDB initials on reverse	$700 – $100K+
1955 Doubled Die	Visible doubling on letters	Obvious doubling on “LIBERTY” and motto	$1K – $125K

Tests

Wondering how to check your own coins? Here’s a simple, beginner-friendly checklist:

Step 1
Focus on dates like 1909, 1943, and 1955. Mint marks can be S (San Francisco), D (Denver), or blank (Philadelphia). Some combinations are worth checking.

Step 2
A 1943 penny that sticks to a magnet is steel. One that doesn’t could be rare bronze—now you’re talking serious cash.

Step 3
Use a digital scale. Steel pennies weigh 2.7 grams. Bronze ones? Around 3.11 grams. Even small differences matter.

Step 4
Use a magnifying glass or phone macro lens to spot doubling, die cracks, or design flaws. These tiny errors can mean a big payout.

Step 5
Condition is king in coin collecting. The better the grade, the higher the value. Here’s a quick scale:

Grade	Description
Poor (P-1)	Barely identifiable
Fine (F-12)	Moderate wear
Very Fine (VF-20)	Light details visible
Mint State (MS-60+)	No visible wear

Professional grading boosts your coin’s credibility, especially when selling.

Tips

Want to take this hobby to the next level or prep for a big sale?

• Use Trusted Sites: Stick with PCGS and NGC for reliable data.
• Never Clean Coins: It’ll reduce their value.
• Store Smart: Keep them in coin holders, albums, or airtight capsules.
• Join the Community: Reddit, Facebook groups, and coin shows are great for learning.
• Get an Appraisal: A pro can confirm if your coin is rare and valuable.

If you’re lucky enough to find one of the rare wheat pennies, you’re not just holding old change—you’re holding history. Whether it’s a valuable coin or not, every wheat penny tells a story, and the thrill of discovering that story is what keeps collectors searching.

FAQs