Wheat pennies, also known as Lincoln wheat cents, were minted in the United States from 1909 to 1958. They get their name from the design on the reverse side, which features two stalks of wheat flanking the words "One Cent."
These pennies marked the debut of Abraham Lincoln on U.S. coinage, a tribute to the 100th anniversary of his birth.
While most wheat pennies are common and worth just a few cents, some are worth thousands due to rarity, errors, and historical significance.
The most valuable examples include the 1909-S VDB, which was the first year of issue and had a low mintage, and the 1943 copper penny, an error coin made during WWII when pennies were supposed to be struck in steel.
Only a few copper versions were accidentally minted, making them extremely rare.
Collectors prize these coins for their history, condition, mint marks, and oddities. A rare wheat penny in pristine condition with a key date or error can easily fetch thousands at auction.
So, if you stumble upon an old wheat penny, it’s worth taking a closer look—you might just be holding a small fortune in your hand. Do you have any wheat pennies in your collection?