Wheat Pennies

Wheat Pennies, also known as wheat cents, were minted from 1909-1958. Most wheat pennies are composed of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc. They each weigh 3.11 grams. These coins are collectible and they can sell for premiums in the higher condition grades.

Series

Different series are available. Wheat pennies were minted out of three different locations- Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. The pennies with no mint mark were minted out of Philadelphia. Pennies with the D mint mark were minted out of Denver. Lastly pennies with the S mint mark were minted out of San Francisco. The mint mark, when present, can be found underneath the date.

Proof coins with no mint mark were minted during select years and these coins will sell for more money.

Design

Victor D. Brenner designed these coins. This wheat design was first issued in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. These were the first cents to include the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST".

The front of the design features a portrait of Abraham Lincoln. It's the same portrait that is on the Lincoln Memorial pennies and shield pennies. The reverse side of the coin features two wheat stalks.

The design was slightly modified over the years. Some of the 1909 coins have the designer's initials V.D.B. on the reverse side of the coin. These coins, known as VDB pennies, can be quite valuable. In 1918 the initials were added back to the obverse side of the coin near Lincoln's shoulder.

Value

Most of these pennies in circulated condition will only be worth their copper melt value, which is currently around $0.02 per penny. Pennies in the better condition grades will sell for premiums. Pennies in uncirculated condition will sell for higher premiums. In addition, several notable error varieties exist and these error pennies can be quite valuable.

Ultimately, the value of a wheat penny will depend on its series and its condition. See the list below to learn the value for any individual penny.

• 1909 Wheat Penny
• 1910 Wheat Penny
• 1911 Wheat Penny
• 1912 Wheat Penny
• 1913 Wheat Penny
• 1914 Wheat Penny
• 1915 Wheat Penny
• 1916 Wheat Penny
• 1917 Wheat Penny
• 1918 Wheat Penny
• 1919 Wheat Penny
• 1920 Wheat Penny
• 1921 Wheat Penny
• 1922 Wheat Penny
• 1923 Wheat Penny
• 1924 Wheat Penny
• 1925 Wheat Penny
• 1926 Wheat Penny
• 1927 Wheat Penny
• 1928 Wheat Penny
• 1929 Wheat Penny
• 1930 Wheat Penny
• 1931 Wheat Penny
• 1932 Wheat Penny
• 1933 Wheat Penny
• 1934 Wheat Penny
• 1935 Wheat Penny
• 1936 Wheat Penny
• 1937 Wheat Penny
• 1938 Wheat Penny
• 1939 Wheat Penny
• 1940 Wheat Penny
• 1941 Wheat Penny
• 1942 Wheat Penny
• 1943 Wheat Penny
• 1944 Wheat Penny
• 1945 Wheat Penny
• 1946 Wheat Penny
• 1947 Wheat Penny
• 1948 Wheat Penny
• 1949 Wheat Penny
• 1950 Wheat Penny
• 1951 Wheat Penny
• 1952 Wheat Penny
• 1953 Wheat Penny
• 1954 Wheat Penny
• 1955 Wheat Penny
• 1956 Wheat Penny
• 1957 Wheat Penny
• 1958 Wheat Penny

Sources:

The Red Book