The Lincoln Wheat Cent was the first US token to depict a real historical figure and for beginners, collecting Wheat coins may seem like a simple and cheap hobby, but there are certain release years and varieties that turn a simple copper coin into a coin worth many thousands of dollars.
The 1909, 1914, 1945 Wheat Penny tokens and so on may become a target and new motivation for coin auctions visiting for you.
The Three Rarest Dates
1909-S VDB
Coins minted in Philadelphia without the VDB were common, but the coins from San Francisco made before the initials were removed had a small number of only 484,000 pieces.
Today, this is the most expensive regularly produced coin in the series, reaching prices over $30,000 – $50,000 USD.
How to Identify: The initials “V.D.B.” are on the reverse side, at the bottom edge, between the lower parts of the stalks, and the “S” mint mark is under the date on the front side.
1914-D
Being the second rarest in the series, it was minted in Denver with a total number of only 1,193,000 pieces.
People often fake this one by adding a “D” letter to the 1914 coin made in Philadelphia.
How to Identify: The “D” mint mark is under the date, and a coin found in MS-64 Red condition can cost $5,000 to $15,000, while ones in lower conditions (VG-8) cost $200 to $500.
1931-S
How to Identify: Look for the “S” mint mark under the date.
Their price still starts at $100 in low circulated states and goes over $2,000 in MS-65 Red condition.
Famous Errors from the War Time
1943 Copper Cent
Due to a severe copper shortage, all pennies were made from steel covered with zinc, giving them a silver color but, by mistake, a small number of copper coin blanks left from 1942 got into the presses in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco, resulting in only about 40 such copper cents exist today.
Price: One was sold at an auction for $1.7 million USD
How to Identify: It should be steel and stick to the magnet, so if the coin is from 1943, does not stick to the magnet, and is copper-colored, you got it.
1944 Steel Cent
This one is the opposite error, happening when the Mint returned to copper blanks in 1944, getting them from melted-down shell casings but, just like in 1943, a small number of steel blanks from 1943 mistakenly got into the 1944 presses, making them a major rarity, although 1944 steel pennies are found more often than the 1943 error.
Price: In high condition can reach $75,000 – $100,000
How to Identify: A 1944 coin should be copper, so if it is from 1944 and sticks to a magnet, it is a steel error.
1955 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
On the coin, this looked like a clear doubling of the words, the date 1955 and the mottos LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST.
The Mint noticed the error but put about 20,000 – 24,000 such coins before the die was taken away.
The 1945 Wheat Penny
General Facts and Context
1945 was the year the Second World War ended, and the need for copper was still great, but the Mint had fully switched to making coins from a copper-zinc mixture, using copper mostly from melted brass casings.
- 1945: 1,040,100,000
- 1945-D: 266,200,000
- 1945-S : 181,770,000
Value of Common 1945 Coins
Best Uncirculated Condition
The coins must be completely red (Red, RD), having no signs of getting darker, showing they were never used — no scratches, wear, or contact marks.
Examples of the 1945 coin in MS-67 Red condition can cost $200 to $500.
Rare Varieties and Errors of 1945
1945 Doubled Die Obverse can cost hundreds of dollars even if they are not in perfect condition.
Struck on Wrong Planchet: Although the official switch back to copper was in 1944, steel blanks from 1943 could sometimes get into the 1945 presses, so if you find a 1945 coin sticking to a magnet, get it certified immediately.
Other Key Dates to Look For
1911-S, 1912-S, 1913-S
- 1911-S (4 million made): Starts at $50 in VG-8 condition
- 1912-S (4 million made): Starts at $70 in VG-8 condition
- 1913-S (6 million made): Starts at $20 in VG-8 condition
1922 No D
This coin is often confused with the common Philadelphia issue, but the true 1922 No D coin shows signs of re-polishing on the front side and is a rare find, costing $500 and more.
1924-D
Having a total production of only 2,680,000 pieces, this one is often found in poor condition (G-4 or lower).
Examples in Fine (F-12) condition cost $150 to $300.
1910-S
This is the second year of minting and the first year showing the “S” mint mark without the VDB initials, having a production of 6,045,000.
How Value Is Decided
| Grade | Description | Value | Key Features |
| G-4 | Good | Low | Only the main shapes are visible, with Lincoln’s face and the date barely seen. |
| F-12 | Fine | Medium | Lincoln’s shapes and words are clear but worn out, while the wheat stalks on the back are still very flat |
| AU-58 | About Uncirculated | High | It has small signs of wear on the highest points, but 90% of the mint luster is still there |
| MS-60 — MS-70 | Mint State | Highest | It wasn’t used in circulation, with MS-65 being the collector standard, and MS-70 meaning a perfect coin |
For copper coins the color is another feature to analyze:
- BN (Brown): The copper has become oxidized, meaning it has the lowest price in MS
- RB (Red-Brown): Some of the original red color is still there, giving it a medium price
- RD (Red): The original red color is completely kept, giving it the highest price
The Importance of Certification
For any coin costing more than $100 USD, it is strongly suggested to get certification from one of the two main grading companies:
- Professional Coin Grading Service
- Numismatic Guaranty Corporation
Certification guarantees the coin is real and has the correct grade, and most importantly, it protects your money by removing the risk of buying a fake.
Collecting Strategy for Beginners
Start by buying a standard album and try to fill it by buying or finding the common dates.
Instead of trying to get the expensive 1909-S VDB right away, start by searching for common dates in the best condition.
Learn how small errors look, such as DDO, Repunched Mint Marks (RPR), or Die Breaks, knowing that these small varieties are often not correctly valued and can be found in circulation.
Focus on coins with a low number made but found in high quality, since for example, a 1931-S in MS-65 Red condition is worth much more than a 1909-S VDB in G-4 condition.
