The most popular or desirable coin of all time for coin collectors is the Lincoln Wheat Penny. United States Mint contracted sculptor Victor D. Brenner to design this coin in 1908 and in 1909 it was minted for the first time. It is the first circulating coin in United States history that carries a United States president’s portrait.
Most Lincoln Wheat Pennies are generally valued at $20 or $30 only if they are in good condition. For instance a 1933-D penny value will be around or more than $2.30 whereas in a good condition 1931-S Lincoln penny could be valued $40 or more. The mintage year, pennies condition, and mint facility play a crucial role to calculate Lincoln Pennies value.
Lincoln Wheat Penny Value
The Lincoln wheat penny was manufactured in 1909 and till yet it is a popular “gateway coin” for many new collectors. While Lincoln pennies of the initial year of issuance play an important role to calculate the coin’s value. The year of mintage, coins condition, and mint facility also play a significant role in determining their worth.
Lincoln Pennies, commonly known as “Wheat Reverse cents” or “Lincoln Cents”, were struck at the San Francisco, Philadelphia and Denver mints. The design of the Lincoln wheat penny grasped the record for being the longest running designed coin in United States Mint history.
The more well-kept wheat pennies value will be greater than the coins that have experienced damage or normal wear-and-tear. Usually Lincoln Wheat Pennies are priced at a small number of cents.
If a coin collector keeps it in good condition, it can be valued up to $20 or $30 an average. Lincoln Pennies with specific dates, low mintages, or any producing time errors can be considered more valuable.
Rare and Valuable Lincoln Wheat Penny Value
Lincoln Wheat Penny is not one of the rarest cent in the series but it is a highly demanding cent ever. Rare, Valuable and good condition Lincoln Wheat Penny values are listed in the below table.
| Lincoln Wheat Cent Types | Values |
| 1911 S Lincoln Wheat Cent | Between $53 and $250 |
| 1922 “No D” Lincoln Wheat Cent | Between $805 and $29,200 |
| 1924 D Lincoln Wheat Cent | Between $40 and $380 |
| 1914 D Lincoln Wheat Cent | Between $215 and $3,580 |
| 1943 Copper Lincoln Wheat Cent | Between $130,000 and $380,300 |
| 1931 S Lincoln Wheat Cent | Between $85 and $205 |
Lincoln Wheat Pennies Mint marks and the 1909 VDB
Lincoln Wheat Cents value can depend on the mint of generating as well as year of mintage. An “S” mintmark that an individual can see under the date of a Lincoln Wheat Penny, it indicates that the penny was minted by the San Francisco Mint. Coin collectors want to get these coins and they may also trade for higher premiums than common date wheat cents.
A “D” mark under the date indicates that the penny was minted in Denver, whereas the lack of a mint mark shows that the penny was minted in Philadelphia. In the mint year 1909, some wheat cents were also produced with the designer’s initials, “VDB” for Victor D. Brenner.
You are able to find these initials along the bottom rim of the coin just below the wheat stalks. Because fewer cent’s were minted with these engraved initials, you need to check your 1909 Lincoln Wheat Penny to find out whether it has the VDB engraving or not. If it has VDB engraving then it will be considered more valuable.
Why is the 1943 Lincoln Bronze/Copper Cent a rare type of the Lincoln Penny?
A most demanding and rare variety of the Lincoln Penny is the 1943 Bronze/Copper Cent. The Lincoln Penny was struck in 95% copper by 1943. It is because during the time of World War II, Lincoln Pennies were stuck in steel because of the original copper shortage in the country.
During the penny change, copper planchets were unintentionally left in the press machine. As a result of this unconsciousness, around 30-40 of the 1943 Copper Pennies were struck. Till yet only thirteen of these cents have been located but experts think it likely that there are many more will be discovered in future.
How is the value of Lincoln Cent Calculated?
The value of a Lincoln Wheat Cent can be calculated based on following listed factors.
- Year and Mint Mark: The year the coin was minted and the mint mark (such as “S” for San Francisco, “D” for Denver) can affect its value. It is because a few years and mint marks are rarer than others.
- Condition: Good conditioned coins, which means that the coin’s that can show fewer signs of wear, are more valuable than others.
- Rarity: Lincoln Cents that were minted in small quantities or have some unique features (such as errors) are considered more valuable.
- Metal Content: Lincoln Cents minted before 1982 are made with 100% copper, which can increase their value because of the metal content.
- Market Demand: The coin’s demand from cent collectors can also increase a coin’s value.