If you’ve ever found an old penny in your change and thought, “Is this worth anything?”—you’re not alone. Especially when it comes to wheat pennies. These coins might look like your everyday penny, but some of them are worth way more than one cent. In fact, some are worth hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars! 

Let’s take a fun and simple dive into the world of wheat pennies. I’ll walk you through five valuable wheat pennies you should definitely keep an eye out for in your spare change. Who knows? You might have a small fortune hiding in your coin jar! 

What Is a Wheat Penny? 

Before we get into the valuable ones, let’s clear up what a wheat penny is. 

A wheat penny is a Lincoln cent that was made from 1909 to 1958. On the back, instead of the Lincoln Memorial (like newer pennies), it has two wheat ears curving along the sides. That’s why it’s called a “wheat” penny. 

Simple, right? Now let’s see which ones are worth the most. 

1909-S VDB Wheat Penny 

This one is the holy grail of wheat pennies. 

Here’s why: In 1909, the very first Lincoln pennies were made, and some of them had the designer’s initials—V.D.B. (for Victor David Brenner)—on the bottom of the back. Some people didn’t like that, so they quickly removed the initials. But a few were already minted in San Francisco, making the 1909-S VDB penny super rare. 

Why it’s valuable: It’s old, rare, and hard to find. If you find one in good shape, it could be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars! 

Coin	Mint Mark	Key Feature	Value (approx.)
1909-S VDB	S (San Francisco)	V.D.B. on reverse	$700+ (varies by condition)

1943 Copper Wheat Penny 

Now, this one is kind of a mistake—but in a good way! 

In 1943, pennies were supposed to be made from steel because copper was needed for World War II. But a few copper blanks got mixed in, and they accidentally made some 1943 copper pennies. 

Why it’s valuable: It’s a big error, and people love error coins. A real 1943 copper penny can be worth tens of thousands! 

Coin	Year	Metal	Value (approx.)
1943 Wheat Penny	1943	Copper (by mistake)	$50,000+

1914-D Wheat Penny 

Another rare one with a “D” mint mark from Denver. This penny didn’t have a big mintage, meaning not many were made. 

Why it’s valuable: It’s over 100 years old and was only made in small numbers. If you find one, it could fetch you a few hundred to a few thousand bucks, depending on the condition. 

Coin	Mint Mark	Year	Value Range
1914-D	D (Denver)	1914	$250 to $2,000+

1922 “No D” Wheat Penny 

This one’s fun. In 1922, all pennies were supposed to have the “D” mint mark because they were made in Denver. But due to a problem with the dies, some came out without any mint mark at all. 

Why it’s valuable: A 1922 penny with no mint mark is a rare error, and coin collectors love it. It’s not just old—it’s also weird. And that makes it valuable. 

Coin	Year	Error	Value
1922 Wheat Penny	1922	No mint mark	$500+

1955 Doubled Die Wheat Penny 

Have you ever looked at something twice because your eyes were playing tricks on you? Well, this penny does that to you. 

In 1955, a batch of pennies came out with double images on the front—especially the date and letters. It’s not your eyes; it’s a real minting error called a “doubled die.” 

Why it’s valuable: It’s an eye-catching error and super popular with collectors. One in good shape could go for over $1,000! 

Coin	Year	Error	Estimated Value
1955 Wheat Penny	1955	Doubled die	$1,000+

Conclusion 

So, next time you get change from the store, don’t just toss those pennies aside. Take a closer look. You might just be holding onto a tiny piece of history—or even a coin worth serious cash. 

Wheat pennies are more than just old coins—they’re stories, mistakes, and tiny treasures that might be hiding in your pocket right now. So, go grab your coin jar and start digging! 

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