6 Super Rare Wheat Pennies Valued at $250 Million That Might Be in Circulation

On: Sunday, April 13, 2025 9:29 AM

Wheat Penny Coins: There is perhaps no more humble coin in circulation than the penny, and yet every so often, the stories of a wayward penny bring it note worthiness because its value is touted to be tremendously rare. Occasionally, some stories circulate about wheat pennies Lincoln cents minted from 1909 through 1958 with wheat stalks on the reverse that are allegedly worth hundreds of millions of dollars, like $250 million each.

These claims spark treasure hunts through coin jars nationwide, but do they hold any numismatic truth? Let’s explore the fascinating world of wheat pennies, their actual values, and the psychology behind these persistent high-value myths.

What Are Wheat Pennies?

Wheat pennies, or Lincoln Wheat Cents, were produced in the United States from 1909 until 1958. They were the first coins issued by the United States to have the portrait of an actual individual President Abraham Lincoln and the reverse of the coin contains two sheaves of wheat, thus the name.

Though most wheat pennies are worth only a few cents more than their face value, some rare issues and error coins are extremely valuable because of low production, historical importance, or minting errors.

1. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent

Estimated Value: Up to $150,000

The 1909-S VDB is arguably the most popular of all wheat pennies. It was the first to bear Abraham Lincoln’s image and had the initials of designer Victor David Brenner (VDB) on it. But public outcry over the size of the initials meant its speedy removal from circulation.

Struck in San Francisco (marked by the “S” mintmark)
Just 484,000 pieces were coined before being withdrawn.
Today, a high-grade 1909-S VDB may sell for more than $100,000.

Still in Circulation?

Doubtful, but a handful are thought to have stayed in rolls or collections and never have been discovered.

2. 1943 Copper Wheat Penny

Estimated Value: $1 Million to $2 Million

The most popular error coin in U.S. history, the 1943 Copper Wheat Penny, was minted in copper when all the cents were to be minted in zinc-coated steel in order to conserve copper for WWII.

Fewer than 20 genuine specimens are known to exist.
One sold for $1.7 million in a private sale.

Still in Circulation?

A few unverified specimens may still be in circulation, hidden among millions of steel cents.

3. 1914-D Lincoln Penny

Estimated Value: $30,000 to $250,000 (high grade)

The 1914-D penny is very rare because of limited mintage in Denver and a poor survival rate in mint state.

Only around 1.2 million were produced.
Very difficult to locate in uncirculated form

Still in Circulation?

Yes, some are found in change jars or old coin albums particularly worn, so that they are difficult to notice.

4. 1922 “No D” Penny

Estimated Value: Up to $90,000

This type resulted from a die mis strike. The Denver Mint was the sole plant to run pennies in 1922, but some were struck with a worn die that lacked the “D” mintmark.

Genuine “No D” coins are scarce and sought after.
High-grade, well-centered specimens command enormous prices.

Still in Circulation?

Some circulated specimens have probably been ignored because they appear old and worn.

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5. 1955 Doubled Die Penny

Estimated Value: Up to $180,000

The 1955 doubled-die penny is one of the most dramatic and famous minting mistakes.

Has prominent doubling on the date and legends
Clearly visible to the naked eye

Still in Circulation?

Occasionally discovered in coin rolls or handed-down coin collections. Some might still be housed in vintage penny jars!

6. 1944 Steel Penny

Approximate Value: Up to $250,000

Following the 1943 steel penny test, the U.S. Mint used copper again in 1944. However, a small number of steel planchets from the earlier year were unintentionally utilized in 1944.

Fewer than 30 specimens are known to exist.
Simple to confuse with a 1943 steel penny—always examine the date!

Still in Circulation?

Maybe. It’s unlikely but possible one might have been overlooked in a batch of coins.

How Can You Identify One?

To recognize one of these extremely rare wheat pennies:

Inspect the date and search for mintmarks (“S” = San Francisco, “D” = Denver, no mark = Philadelphia).
Inspect for mistakes such as doubling, missing mintmarks, or strange metal color.
Use a magnifying glass or coin loupe.
Weigh the coin some mistakes are caused by weight variations.

Where Can You Get a Wheat Penny Appraised?

If you think you’ve discovered a rare wheat penny:

Go see a certified coin dealer in your local area.
Go to coin shows or expos.
Submit to professional graders such as PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) or NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation).

These agencies authenticate, grade, and encapsulate coins for protection as well as resale in the marketplace.

Why These Coins Are So Valuable

The scarcity and value of these coins result from

Historical significance
Production faults (such as wrong metal or double designs)
Limited minting
Strong demand from collectors and investors

Several of these coins are mythical not just for their history or design but also because of the mysterious possibility they might still exist out there perhaps even in your piggy bank.

Conclusion

The notion of a penny potentially being worth hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars is intriguing. But with wheat pennies, it’s not fantasy it’s reality for some fortunate few. While the rest of us might never happen to find a 1943 copper penny or a 1909-S VDB, there’s no cost to examining your change more closely.

You could be in possession of a piece of history and a fortune. So go ahead dig through that coin jar, open that old piggy bank, or ask your grandparents about their collections. Who knows? One of these 6 rare wheat pennies worth $250 million collectively could be hiding in plain sight.