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“What’s the value of my wheat pennies?”
That’s the main question I keep getting here at The Fun Times Guide to Coins — and I’m glad this is so, because Lincoln cents have long been my specialty. In fact, that’s the first coin I ever collected and the coin that — to this day — I still focus my coin collecting efforts on.
When I was a new coin collector I, too, used to wonder what the value of wheat pennies was — simply because they’re obsolete coins that by the very nature of their being old were not seen in circulation very often.
In fact, my first coin was a 1941 penny, with a value that was far less than I would’ve imagined (around 10 cents) for a coin so old. But I learned that not all wheat cents are worth so little.
As I soon learned, some scarce wheat pennies are worth lots of money, and many more Lincoln cents barely register a value above the intrinsic one-cent denomination.
Still, though, you want to know what the value of your wheat pennies is — if for nothing else than to satisfy your curiosity (some are worth $1000 or more!), then a Lincoln coin value guide is a must-read for you.
So, without further ado, here is information on the value of wheat pennies – hope you’re sitting down, yours may be worth the big bucks!
Wheat Penny Values
*Pennies are assumed to be in grades of Good-4 (heavily worn with only a few major details showing). Values are based on several sources, including information from A Guide Book of United States Coins by R.S. Yeoman, and PCGS online price guide.
Early 1900s Lincoln Cents
• 1909 $4
• 1909 VDB $12
• 1909-S $100
• 1909-S VDB $780
• 1910 50 cents
• 1910-S $15
• 1911 45 cents
• 1911-D $6
• 1911-S $40
• 1912 $1.25
• 1912-D $7
• 1912-S $22
• 1913 85 cents
• 1913-D $3
• 1913-S $12
• 1914 75 cents
• 1914-D $200
• 1914-S $22
• 1915 $1.75
• 1915-D $2
• 1915-S $20
• 1916 30 cents
• 1916-D $1
• 1916-S $1.75
• 1917 30 cents
• 1917-D 80 cents
• 1917-S 50 cents
• 1918 20 cents
• 1918-D 75 cents
• 1918-S 50 cents
• 1919 20 cents
• 1919-D 50 cents
• 1919-S 20 cents
1920s Lincoln Cents
• 1920 20 cents
• 1920-D 25 cents
• 1920-S 25 cents
• 1921 20 cents
• 1921-S $1.25
• 1922-D $15
• 1922 plain $650
• 1923 20 cents
• 1923-S $2.50
• 1924 20 cents
• 1924-D $35
• 1924-S $1
• 1925 20 cents
• 1925-D 30 cents
• 1925-S 25 cents
• 1926 20 cents
• 1926-D 25 cents
• 1926-S $6
• 1927 20 cents
• 1927-D $1
• 1927-S $1
• 1928 20 cents
• 1928-D 20 cents
• 1928-S 35 cents
• 1929 20 cents
• 1929-D 20 cents
• 1929-S 20 cents
1930s Lincoln Cents
• 1930 15 cents
• 1930-D 20 cents
• 1930-S 20 cents
• 1931 35 cents
• 1931-D $4
• 1931-S $110
• 1932 $1.50
• 1932-D 80 cents
• 1933 $1
• 1933-D $2
• 1934 15 cents
• 1934-D 20 cents
• 1935 15 cents
• 1935-D 15 cents
• 1935-S 15 cents
• 1936 15 cents
• 1936-D 15 cents
• 1936-S 15 cents
• 1937 15 cents
• 1937-D 15 cents
• 1937-S 15 cents
• 1938 15 cents
• 1938-D 20 cents
• 1938-S 40 cents
• 1939 15 cents
• 1939-D 50 cents
• 1939-S 15 cents
1940s Lincoln Cents
• 1940 15 cents
• 1940-D 15 cents
• 1940-S 15 cents
• 1941 15 cents
• 1941-D 15 cents
• 1941-S 15 cents
• 1942 15 cents
• 1942-D 15 cents
• 1942-S 20 cents
• 1943 30 cents
• 1943-D 35 cents
• 1943-S 40 cents
• 1944 10 cents
• 1944-D 10 cents
• 1944-S 15 cents
• 1945 10 cents
• 1945-D 10 cents
• 1945-S 15 cents
• 1946 10 cents
• 1946-D 10 cents
• 1946-S 15 cents
• 1947 10 cents
• 1947-D 10 cents
• 1947-S 20 cents
• 1948 10 cents
• 1948-D 10 cents
• 1948-S 20 cents
• 1949 10 cents
• 1949-D 10 cents
• 1949-S 25 cents
1950s Lincoln Cents
• 1950 10 cents
• 1950-D 10 cents
• 1950-S 15 cents
• 1951 10 cents
• 1951-D 10 cents
• 1951-S 25 cents
• 1952 10 cents
• 1952-D 10 cents
• 1952-S 15 cents
• 1953 10 cents
• 1953-D 10 cents
• 1953-S 10 cents
• 1954 25 cents
• 1954-D 10 cents
• 1954-S 10 cents
• 1955 10 cents
• 1955-D 10 cents
• 1955-S 20 cents
• 1956 10 cents
• 1956-D 10 cents
• 1957 10 cents
• 1957-D 10 cents
• 1958 10 cents
• 1958-D 10 cents
As you can see, the value of your wheat pennies is primarily dependent on its date, with scarcer years being worth much more than those that are more common. However, the value of your wheat pennies will also hinge on its state of preservation; the less wear your coin has, the more it is worth.
Because most people here at The Fun Times Guide are asking about values of wheat pennies they have found in pocket change, I decided to list the values for very low-grade coins. So, if you have a wheat penny in a higher grade, you can be confident that is almost surely worth more than the prices you see listed here.
No matter what the value of your wheat pennies may be, remember that all Lincoln cents made between 1909 and 1958 are now considered obsolete and are worth hanging onto. After all, these coins are becoming scarcer, especially in circulation, and are increasingly valued by coin collectors who want to assemble complete sets of this highly popular coin.

I’m the Coin Editor here at TheFunTimesGuide. My love for coins began when I was 11 years old. I primarily collect and study U.S. coins produced during the 20th century. I’m a member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and the Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG) and have won multiple awards from the NLG for my work as a coin journalist. I’m also the editor at the Florida United Numismatists Club (FUN Topics magazine), and author of Images of America: The United States Mint in Philadelphia (a book that explores the colorful history of the Philadelphia Mint). I’ve contributed hundreds of articles for various coin publications including COINage, The Numismatist, Numismatic News, Coin Dealer Newsletter, Coin Values, and CoinWeek. I’ve authored nearly 1,000 articles here at The Fun Times Guide to Coins (many of them with over 50K shares), and I welcome your coin questions in the comments below!
i found a 2008 penny that has a slight space in between the 0 and the 8 do you think it is worth anything?
I like examining coins… and girls.
Hay to all. Joshua could you please take a look at this 1995 penny on the reverse and see if there’s anything there thank you number one fan
Hi, David!
Thank you for the photos. There seems to be some doubling on the coin, HOWEVER, the image also appears a bit fuzzy on my end, even with zoom, so I can’t tell if the doubling I might be seeing is on the coin or in the photo. Is there a chance you might kindly resend a crisper version of the image, please?
Thank you!
Josh
Hello . Joshua here are more pic of 1995 with the possible doubling on it thank you #1
Hi, David —
From what I can see in the images, there does appear to be some doubling on your coin. I would need a crisper image of the obverse please, particularly around the lettering and date to provide a better opinion. Thank you for the images!
Best,
Josh
Hi, Kathy —
The conflicting prices are due mainly to each coin’s individual condition and market variables. One coin worth only $1 to $2 in well-circulated grades can be worth thousands of dollars in uncirculated condition. Indeed, your piece is worth $1 to $2, but is nonetheless a great collectible.
Best,
Josh
Thank you very much Josh!!!
Hi!I have a box of wheat pennies my grandfather left me.I have…Well…ALOT.What are the most collectible/valuable I might have?I saw a 1943 go for quite a bit & I’m hoping I find one.I have a few 1943 but they stuck to a magnet so I don’t think they are bronze.Can you help?
I have some pennies from the 1950’s. Are they worth anything? The years are 1958, 1957 and two from 1953. If anyone knows any info that would be helpful. Thanks.
Hi, Michael —
Assuming these coins exhibit some degree of circulation wear and have no significant errors or varieties, they are worth 3 to 5 cents each. With the exception of aforementioned oddities, all circulated Lincoln cents from the 1950s are worth generally under 25 cents. I’d still suggest keeping them since they are Lincoln wheat cents and are considered obsolete — their value may increase in time.
Neat coins!
Josh
Thanks very much. 😀 I never knew until now that you answered me.
You’re welcome, Michael! I’m always glad to help!
Hi Josh,how much is a wheat penny with the date 191 worth?
Hi, Joan —
Would you please post a photo of this “191” cent so I can determine what might be going on with it and what it may be worth?
Thank you so much,
Josh
I have tried to find out why my penny looks so dark year is 1940 https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a258182d35ebc2b853468c39312bba4ddbb36da132e13c9b2ad0c19b02405ae8.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a258182d35ebc2b853468c39312bba4ddbb36da132e13c9b2ad0c19b02405ae8.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/362972d77c157297d850b388a001d75c8e15da870cf57ef92837a80c2ed09e95.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/eb7b76efc807c8e85909c7d9ac9e2dada645049458bf666e92fc546b33c9ee09.jpg
Hi, Amy —
A dark copper Lincoln cent like this was likely exposed to some pretty strong environmental conditions, including the possibility of chemical fumes or exposure to soil. It appears to have some light porosity, too.
Given what I see, this piece is worth about 3 cents, which is just a little less than a problem-free 1940 Lincoln cent.
This is still a great old coin, and one that I’d certainly keep if I found it in pocket change.
Thank you for your question and photo,
Josh
I found a 1943 steel wheat penny. The front looks like there could have been an error on minting. Would you be able to help me with this?
Hello, Cynthia —
Based on what I see on the photo of the 1943 steel cent you’re asking about, it looks like part of the coin’s steel interior is rusting through the zinc outer coating. This is actually a very common situation with steel cents and one reason why they were unpopular with the general public of the mid 1940s. It’s still worth about 15 cents.
Best wishes,
Josh
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1cb3dc95f55c9935be0008823306bb5f41142f2e49ad5fec234ca96d67ff716c.jpg
I found a 1955 Wheat Penny in an old piggy bank I had. Reading this I’m not sure all I can say , is I lost confidence when an article said about 10¢. The picture may not be all that great, but please help me with my curiosity. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ff063de360c0d0e59070d27a2b46815af6a75beadd552071c869bf973b7396a0.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/fd7989296bfc6462b8310a8e334dd427bb5adac2b560589bf9da154efe43f29a.jpg
Hello, Wizzy —
The 10-cent estimate is about right for this piece. The 1955 doubled die penny is a very scarce coin, and the doubling is very prominent in the date and lettering of that error variety coin. This is still a nice, obsolete coin worth keeping! If you’re looking for coins in pocket change that are worth more than face value, you might want to check out this article: https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/us-coins/
Good luck!
Josh
Thank you.
Hey Josh,
I was wondering how much these two pennies are worth.
Thanks
Gulinky https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/080f89687718f7d564b0fe93b448909e73635bee5bc186c0328c7e46cb4c4ad5.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f187be4bc7afe0f29a43094fa26d6455e47cf237789bd6e485903d37d63b7037.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/07d616d100c4162ebc10ce87466245552334ea02e5106f211c9e55e5dcbe4ab1.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/be2ca882bc840e799f3a1738c4a8b673af02456b5c68003028b73770d322e570.jpg
Hello, Gulinky —
Your 1919 and 1925 Lincoln cents are each worth 10 to 20 cents. These are very nice-looking coins with original, chocolate brown patina — definitely keepers@
Best wishes,
Josh
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/261f1e1d594500575841be85de8a196595a9ca11209883ad831360d000b4fa95.jpg
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/df8d2105a02b2abe5fce648aac25fec7473b3b914aff4363d7edf2869b67f810.jpg
Hi josh just wondering the value if any on those pennies??
Hi, Marie —
I’m afraid I don’t see any dates on the image — it’s too dark and blurry. Would you mind please retaking the image or list me the dates and mintmarks?
Thank you,
Josh
Hi yes I commented under both these names different phones I did take more pics and list dates on my comments to you…let me know if you see anything interesting thanks
Hi Josh,
I have this 1940 penny. It appears to be a business strike in really good condition. And it has what I think may be a die crack on the lower left of the reverse at the bottom of the wheat and up into the letters O and U. What do you think this may be? Thank you! https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/437afaec2979d33b8d90fd5a16b604152d5fb8565c01c383b2460f44055fc83b.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6bc285716440ee0f8fbae173c1fa330ad0441b843e5f47d87164e24f7b1acf13.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/01510f420f11d15fd6010c3dba8bbecba7aeeb25fe05c3a518867c09a13f39da.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/131d2b7c59a4ffd3a7eb1260e99f7906f04a6a37ad34d98b66ca94a2063092e3.jpg
Hello, Sky Watch —
This looks like a moderately to lightly circulated 1940 cent that has been cleaned. I’m looking at the last photos and see what you describe as the die crack. Usually a die crack exhibits as a raised line, not a sunken, hollowed area like this. It looks like a possible lamination error. If that’s what this is, such a piece is generally worth $2 or $3.
Neat find,
Josh
Hey Josh I hope all is well but I have a 1968 s penny that’s in pretty good shape
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1d19aa2dd1223082d04f09afd91cca74d9b2b2f4a04201aaf362a17d4b32dd85.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8f927ad7a0644f50bd32ca862cc289910fb78aa7b0f5147cb7a7e45e0bf4f559.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/8448434d82e8f6526225b2ca38147863862bc17fdbeb00df901c6ee3336bccd0.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e72d76007d4a2a353daf3c9cc1ac6fd319557075128bdace51dd1364716ba951.jpg
Hi, Great —
Your 1968-S Lincoln cent appears to be uncirculated! Nice! Such pieces are generally worth 10 to 15 cents.
I can’t tell what’s up with your Canadian cent. It looks discolored and it appears to have a bunch of surface pitting. My first thought with this coin is that it’s porous due to corrosion, but I can’t tell for sure.
Hmmm…
-Josh
Josh I have a 1968 d silver dime https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1ed2e534d98c89d9a6454eddff0f032b6bf29518aa1cebd5e842243b0b8ba27a.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f4152fb1322a13711e4055c74823998dd035e9b8812b8f5ae983dcc33b98de8d.jpg I also a very rare 1958 d nickel that is pretty dam amazing
Hi, Great —
What does your 1968-D dime weigh? We will need to figure that out before confirming if it is a silver dime…
May we see a photo or two of the 1958-D nickel?
Best,
Josh
2.0 grams https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/b1dbf4710c91a3b88a42a8b34ceba2217474217d4cd29f0ad7436c7f127c1d95.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ed5b80d4f8c3d1a4a597240c6f6d103880afb871fb1c5396ed93f36bab4ca34b.jpg
2.4 grams sorry I weighed the 1969 d full Bands https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1f3ae83a8b0cf636517648dd04b67135459c058b50479e6926b653303c4d3c8c.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e1ffe6ba01b77ddec7e98f4359970d425c1795ada0cbda7ed9db05e6a2bdb34e.jpg
Hi, Great —
I can’t tell if it’s full bands in these photos (too dark and blurry in the important spots… I’m sorry!) but it looks like a nice coin from the parts I see.
Best wishes,
Josh
I also have a uncirculated 1987 p nickel with full steps https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2cf6cab4db878571678d5c440b6c7409e5a0b547faece79150290a299665438c.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a23436989d98b0fad5cd1c91036c2fd875f5f15891ac4e045296393765c97001.jpg
Looks like a nice coin, Great! If you want to get it certified consider sending it to a certification company. Here’s a link with more info: https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/slabbed_coins/
Good luck,
Josh
The 19587 that is what the date is on this coin
Hi, Great —
That “7” is just a nick on the coin; it’s a 1958. It’s basically worth face value in that grade.
Best wishes,
Josh
Here a better look at the coin,
I have used a microscope, the 1968 does not have full bands https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0d23ca4af982e354b79dadf32a3cbf45ab67111bde0eb44a477d72952c87f251.jpg
Hi, Great —
I’m not sure what I’m looking at here… You mention a 1968 coin with bands but what I see here is a 1958 Jefferson nickel which has no bands.
Thanks for any clarification you can provide,
Josh
Josh check these out https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1ff930d14fb8f6ab22fabb388c84241a4ad398836ed489c53fc6c3d3391fe0c0.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/17d3a53fee82536d3ab2e648118004eadcbf991259c2dd74317b0d6cb2964bf3.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/903b9114950971c721b82842608abe8f7f45d46c81eaccc98de92531f27e15f0.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/186cbee039a1403410a2671f3d9c240b14d6ec0f5f8881eae6e05c3578475474.jpg
Hello, Great —
Nice business-strike pieces! The 1968 and 1975 dimes bear no mintmark because they were struck at the Philadelphia Mint, which at that time did not place mintmarks on any of its coins. Here’s more info that could help you in identifying no-S proof Roosevelt dimes: https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/rare-1975-roosevelt-dime/
The 1967 quarter is a blazer to be sure… nice luster. It may be either uncirculated (or very close) or have come from a special mint set. If it’s uncirculated, it’s worth about $1.
Cool finds,
Josh
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/920fe06881de32308030368a0bf9099bc4cf1041ab6580de9245a94fa2234de1.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4901110d486af84854413f26bfdce9e2bd65c6941a7128461847e0aa266c314d.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4901110d486af84854413f26bfdce9e2bd65c6941a7128461847e0aa266c314d.jpg
Is this possibly a double die??
Hello, Anisha —
The coin appears to have possibly been double struck, but is not a doubled die. Double strikes are common with aging dies and are not valuable. Here’s more info about doubled dies and how they are created: https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/doubled-die-coins/
Best wishes,
Josh
Thanks so much for your response https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/612fd15cde07d49e3a879a219b32cb72f09970ede4b04a3cc12e8e167340e78d.jpg
Found this one today you think it’s damaged or mint error?
Hi, Anisha —
This is unfortunately post-mint damage. There’s some heavy shearing damage here… However, you’ll be glad perhaps to know the coin is worth about twice its face value, or two cents, for its copper content.
Best wishes,
Josh
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e3c974ea4774bf5c6dd09824b9ed71c46c720669944e00e3d00ef0b8a4da3cad.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/920fe06881de32308030368a0bf9099bc4cf1041ab6580de9245a94fa2234de1.jpg
Hi josh is this a possible double die??
Thanks again , but I have a 1983 spitting eagle with a double eye https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/47eac5bae3fa0124a32856e1eb9f48195488be5493180c2fec7cf67070c10c76.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/fda350c7ea67a1334384f864290e983c9c00f535c651c86da1506ae3674ecbc4.jpg
Hi. Great —
I do see doubling in the eye and maybe in front of Washington’s mouth. This might be machine doubling but I’m not sure. You might want to run this photo by John Wexler (doubledie.com) for confirmation as to if this is a spitting eagle.
Good luck,
Josh
Ok thanks again josh
You’re welcome, Great!
-Josh
What’s up josh
Doing well, thank you, Great! How about you? Any new coins you’ve discovered that you want to show us?
Cheers,
Josh
Well yes I have for u to look at 1963 did and also a 1980 dd https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6654dfe2812ed9c2d016ad85b5a44f544f59fb5a14b59de9f76a8058d82a307c.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6654dfe2812ed9c2d016ad85b5a44f544f59fb5a14b59de9f76a8058d82a307c.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1336bcd3182e24519ca1871ef17a445633656b9ba7ed91c5a9d5bcb42958230d.jpg
Hi, Great —
This appears to be a normal 1963 Jefferson nickel, though one that has been well preserved. If it’s uncirculated, it’s worth about 15 to 20 cents.
Best wishes,
Josh
1980 dd the last is a bonus coin lo hill 1966 no clad layer and there is one https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e907408afea77d48f8a022ccb7e4f86bf97dc0ef181afaa628ba586b201b9ff8.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e7a229de2486fb31647d4c709b7f5086035fbbcc5a9f1acf1d4681f4f08d157d.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4701e6be114a58aa5d277e81a869c7fecdb979e9dd5ff0cfeb0c1c03ae981b7c.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/aab5bc6e70373492dec19b274e1b7f1efcfdcb0a7dc81dbf4ea8c508b47f165a.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/266ab67f144bdb632f559cf9634c2975737e2726dbf72c7c2dbd13a0c98ba4ca.jpg
Hi, Great —
Among these coins the 1980 Washington quarter appears to have some potential doubling in the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. It may be worth sending a photo to doubled die expert John Wexler (doubleddie.com) for a second opinion.
Good luck!
Josh
And I also have funny looking Canadian cent I will send u pics
Here we go
i got a silver 1958D wheat straw penny. what it value thx
Hi, Norma —
Please attach a couple clear photos of your silver 1958-D Lincoln cent so I can help further.
Thanks!
Josh