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Got Wheaties?… See How Much Your Wheat Pennies Are Worth

wheat-back-penny-USA_1_cent_1944-public-domain.JPG Bud wrote:

I have several hundred wheat pennies, with dates in the 50’s, 40’s, 30’s, 20’s, and have a 1909. The 1909 does not have the initials on the back. Could you tell me if it is worth anything, and what would the collective value of the wheat pennies be? Thank you.

A bunch of readers want to know the values of their wheat back pennies, which collectors call “wheaties”.

So here is the run-down on wheat pennies…

The Value Of Wheat Pennies

1930’s wheaties and earlier are worth 10 cents to 30 cents.

Almost all of the 1940’s and 50’s wheat pennies are worth 4 cents to 10 cents, depending on the grade of the coins.

Here are the exceptions:

1955-double-die-penny-public-domain.jpg

1955 Double Die — Some of the 1955 wheat cents were struck from improperly prepared dies that show a fully doubled outline of the 1955 date. The 1955 double die books for about $1,200.

Learn more about the 1955 double die penny .

1931 S — Only due to very low mintage this coin books for around $75.

1924 D — Low mintage worth $20.

1922 — Three varieties which I have explained in this article.

1914 D — Over a million were minted, but it still books for around $200.

Now we come to a whole new section, the 1909 wheat cents and what to look for…


About Those 1909 Wheat Pennies

1909 was the first year the wheat cents were issued. The designer of this penny was Victor D. Brenner.

When the 1909 coins were first struck, they had Brenner’s initials on the reverse and are known as VDB cents. However, his initials were removed mid-way through production and not re-instated again until 1918 when they were switched to the front instead of the reverse side.

So we ended up with 1909 VDB’s,1909 S VDB’s,1909’s without VDB,and 1909 S’s without VDB.

There were a lot fewer of these coins minted at the San Francisco mint — which makes the S’s worth quite a bit more.

  • The 1909 with no VDB is worth about $2.
  • The 1909 S with no VDB is worth about $80.
  • The 1909 VDB is worth about $10.
  • The 1909 S VDB… known as the KING OF THE WHEATIES, it’s one of the most sought-after cents of any collector. There were less than 490,000 of them minted, and this bad boy books anywhere from $650 to $2,200, depending on the grade.

 

Where To Look For The VDB Mark

wheat-penny-public-domain.jpgYou will find the VDB letters on the back side of the coin — at the very bottom — near the rim.

The VDB was printed very small and coins become worn over the years, so if you have a 1909 you might want to look closer with a magnifying glass.

Here is a picture of the 1909 S VDB cent. Can you see the VDB initials at the bottom near the rim?

There are a few other wheat pennies that book for more than just a few cents.

They are:

1933 D – $2.00

1932 – $1.50

1931 D – $3.00

1926 S – $2.25

1923 S – $2.00

1916 S – $1.20

1915 S – $7.00

1915 D – $1.75

1915 – $1.60

1914 S – $12.00

1913 S – $7.00

1913 D – $2.50

1912 S – $12.00

1912 D – $6.00

1912 – $1.25

1911 S – $18.00

1911 D – $5.00

1910 S – $8.00

The average buying price for any wheat pennies — other than the ones I have listed in this article — is about 4 cents each.

  • Anonymous

    A 1946 cent is worth about 3 to 5 cents in typical grades, Connor.

  • Anonymous

    how much is a penny from 1941 worth?

    • Anonymous

      Grawr,

      A 1941 penny in worn grades is worth about 5 to 10 cents.

    • procollector

      3-4 cents

  • Jerry

    There was no etched, stuck, or inscribed that letter into the coin. I’ve been studies very carefully on this coin. I can see that letter look so prefect sharp and very original. I never seen anything like that before. Because I know so much about the old coins like wheat penny for many years. That why I’ve been kept this for over ten years. I’ve been tried to the coin collections and they doesn’t know anything about this. They never seen like that before. That why, I am looking for an answer out there somewhere.

    • Anonymous

      Hi Jerry,

      Hmm… Well, unfortunately I haven’t seen or heard of such a coin, either. There are many, many people who are metal workers at heart and they inscribe these things onto coins just for the sport of it.

      Now, there are cases where certain letters in the phrases (like E PLURIBUS UNUM) may be messed up and look like other letters, but the b or q mark is something I can’t make sense of at all. If the b or q is just sitting by itself in the middle of open space, then it is 99.99% likely that a person simply inscribed or stamped this upon their own whim.

      If the b or q is mixed up in the lettering that’s supposed to be on the coin, then perhaps there is some type of mint error going on. But, again, I seriously doubt that’s the case given the descriptions you’re giving me about your coin.

      I wish you all the best…

      • Allen Grosse

        I have a large quantity of circulated wheat back pennies, mostly from the 40’s and 50’s but also some from the 10’s, 20’s and 30’s. Probably about 75 pounds total weight. Can you give me some advice on how to sell this hoard. Thanks, Allen

  • procollector

    1909 wheat back pennies can (depending on the type) be up to 550.00 in price.

    for more info visit: http://coins.about.com/library/coin_values/bl_wheat_cents.htm

    • Anonymous

      Actually, 1909-S VDB Lincoln cents are worth at least $600 to $800 and MORE if they are problem-free (have not been cleaned, bent, corroded, etc.) and in grades of good (very well worn) or higher. In fact, it’s not uncommon for gem uncirculated specimens to bring in $2,500 to $5,000.

  • Riley

    how much is a 1951d or 1952 d worth

    • Anonymous

      Riley,

      Unless they’re uncirculated, a 1951-D or 1952-D is worth about 2 to 5 cents each.

  • T. Terrin

    I have a 1941 penny that weighs 3. grams seems to be made of brass what is it worth.any help is appreceiated

    • Anonymous

      Hi, T. –

      What you have sounds like a standard 1941 Lincoln wheat cent that, in circulated grades, is worth between 2 cents and 5 cents.

  • a. soard

    how much is a 1958 uncirculated wheat penny worth?

    • Anonymous

      A. Soard,

      A typical 1958 uncirculated wheat is worth about 10 to 25 cents in Mint State 60-63. Values for a 1958 uncirculated Lincoln cent can exceed $10 to $20 or more if the coin is virtually spotless, markless, and has what coin collectors call red (looks like orange to reddish orange) color.

      • Anonymous

        Thank you

        • Anonymous

          You’re welcome!

  • Anonymous

    I have a rare 1943 copper wheat penny where can I sell it to get a good price

    • Anonymous

      Loretta,

      Congrats on the find! If it isn’t graded and authenticated, I would do that first. Why? Because, frankly, nobody is going to bid on or buy such an expensive coin unless it has been authenticated by a major third-party coin grading company like PCGS or NGC.

      Once you have overcome that hurdle — or if you already have — I would approach auction houses. Teletrade is a major phone and online auction house, Heritage, Bowers & Merena, and Stack’s are three other well-respected numismatic auction companies which routinely handle expensive and rare coins.

      Good luck!

  • dennis

    I have a 1952 penny. No mint stamp and on the back there seems to be a star on top of the A in America

    • Anonymous

      Hi, Dennis —

      What you have is a regular 1952 Lincoln cent (worth around 2 to 3 cents) that somebody altered when that person stamped the star on the back.

      The lack of a mint mark on your coin means it was made at the Philadelphia mint. Even to this day, Philadelphia-mint Lincoln cents don’t carry a mint mark.

      • Pete Seiler

        I have a 1952 and 1955 Wheat Penny with the D mark below the year. I also have a 1943 steel wheat penny and a few other 1942 and 1941 wheat pennys. Any of them worth anything?

        • Anonymous

          Hi, Pete —

          Assuming your coins are in typical circulated grades, each is worth 3 to 5 cents; the steel cent has a value closer to 10 to 25 cents.

  • phil

    sir
    I have a 1899 indian head wheat back penny and also a 1895 indian head wheat back gold penny could you tell me their valvue

    • Anonymous

      Hi, Phil —

      An 1899 Indian Head penny is worth about $2 to $3 in typical lower circulated grades without damage. Its value is higher if it has only light to moderate wear. If your 1895 Indian Head cent is gold-plated, it would have value only as a novelty coin, bringing in a price of under $5 in most cases.

  • jim

    no the price for a 1955 wheat penny were about 10 dollars

    • Anonymous

      Hi Jim,

      A regular 1955 cent is worth less than $2, even in mid-range uncirculated grades.

      The so-called Poor-Man’s Double die can be bought for under $5.

      The real 1955 Double Die sells for nearly $1,000, and that’s if the coin is in the lowest circulated grades…

  • penniboy

    is 1943 steel wheat penny worth more than a dollar if it has 3 little black spots on it
    mine has 3 little black spots but you can still see everthing on the penny.

    • Anonymous

      Pennyboy,

      Unfortunately in your case, spots tend to decrease the value of coins. The only way yours would be worth more than $1 is if it is uncirculated. Otherwise, the value of your coin is around 20 cents to about 75 cents in the typical circulated grades.

  • Anonymous

    Looking to find out how much a 1944 Steel Pennie is worth?

    • Anonymous

      Moses,

      A genuine 1944 steel cent can be worth $100,000! Check out more info about this elusive and sought-after coin here: http://www.coinlink.com/News/top-stories/1944-d-steel-cent-error-to-be-auctioned-by-heritage/

    • Freeride132006

      it has to be copper not steel to be worth anything..

      • Anonymous

        Freeride,

        1943 cents have to be copper to be rare; 1943 steel cents are very common.

        The reverse is the case for the 1944 pennies. If you find a 1944 steel cent, that is a rare coin worth tens of thousands of dollars.

        • Enterprises_9

          I have some rare coins call me if your interested 336-681-3162

    • Alexandorsh

      i herd of a 1943 but not 1944

    • Alexandorsh

      i herd of a 1943 but not 1944

      • Anonymous

        Alex,

        The 1944 steel penny is simply an error, and only a handful are known to exist, making each worth tens of thousands of dollars.

      • Anonymous

        Alex,

        The 1944 steel penny is simply an error, and only a handful are known to exist, making each worth tens of thousands of dollars.

  • Rwitham27

    1907 indian head wheatie whats that worth out of curiosity as i see nothing about it on here? thx….

    • Anonymous

      Hi, RW —

      The wheaties in this article refer to Lincoln cents with the wheat ears back. Your 1907 Indian cent is, in typical worn condition, worth around $2 to $3.

  • Dustin

    what if there is no D or S on the coin i have a 1911 wheat penny

    • Pbrody86

      .25

    • Anonymous

      Dustin,

      You have a 1911 penny minted in Philadelphia. These are worth 25 to 50 cents in typical circulated grades.

  • Virginia

    I have a 1941 wheat penny and a double stamped 1953 wheat penny…what are theyt worth…i was jst gunna use em as regular pennies?? what shall i do???

    • Anonymous

      Hi, Virginia —

      Definitely keep both. Each is worth at least 3 to 5 cents and both coins are becoming difficult to find in circulation. If you’d like, you can easily post a photo of your 1953 ‘double-stamped’ penny on The Fun Times Guide to Coins Facebook wall (http://www.facebook.com/#!/TheFunTimesGuideToCoins) so we can take a look at it and see what’s going on with the coin.

    • Anonymous

      Hi, Virginia —

      Definitely keep both. Each is worth at least 3 to 5 cents and both coins are becoming difficult to find in circulation. If you’d like, you can easily post a photo of your 1953 ‘double-stamped’ penny on The Fun Times Guide to Coins Facebook wall (http://www.facebook.com/#!/TheFunTimesGuideToCoins) so we can take a look at it and see what’s going on with the coin.

    • Sheppard_dakota

      the double stamped is at least worth 1.00 and up

  • Virginia

    I have a 1941 wheat penny and a double stamped 1953 wheat penny…what are theyt worth…i was jst gunna use em as regular pennies?? what shall i do???

  • michael

    Hello! I’m Michael and i live in SASKATCHEWAN! I love finding wheat pennies in my change. 🙂 my oldest is a 1925s wheatpenny. then i have a 1934 wheat penny 🙂 2 1941D’s. 1942D all wheat pennies :). my fav is my 1955D because i found it when i was seven and now i’m 15!!! But i like em all!!!! i found a 1955s but i lost it!!! 🙁 and a 1956 but i lost it 🙁 sad sad sad 🙁 not i leave em all nicely displayed on my clothed table in my room. over 395 coins collected very few of them are wheaties but i enjoy them dearly :). its -40 deg celcius out today!!!

    • Anonymous

      Hi, Michael —

      Lincoln wheat cents are a perennial favorite of so many coin collectors. They’re fun to look for in pocket change and even more fun to try and collect a date run of. It’s getting pretty difficult to build even a decent partial set from circulation, but it’s still a fun challenge to pull whatever dates you can find!

      Have fun with your Lincoln wheat pennies!

  • Bigislandgirl85

    I have a 1897 indiAN head wheat penny… What is it worth?

    • Anonymous

      Islandgirl,

      Your 1897 Indian Head penny is worth around $3.

  • I found a 1911 wheat penny though i can’t see what the letter is on the back

    • Anonymous

      Eric,

      There wouldn’t be a letter on the back… the mintmark would actually be under the date. If there isn’t any mintmark, your 1911 penny is worth between 50 cents and $1 in typical circulated grades.

  • Gail

    i have a 1914d wheat penny very good condition could you help me find out how much it is worth have seen so many different prices confused

    • Anonymous

      Gail,

      Assuming your 1914-D penny is authentic and not damaged (not bent, corroded, cleaned, has holes or lots of nicks and such), your coin is worth at least $150.00 the reason you see so many different prices is because its value is largely based on how much (or little) wear it has.

      The best way we could help you is if you could post a photo of your coin on The Fun Times Guide to Coins Facebook wall. Seeing the coin will really help in narrowing in on about how much it may be worth. Here’s the link: http://www.facebook.com/#!/TheFunTimesGuideToCoins

  • Bryant_windels

    I have a 1951 D wheat back how much do you think its worth its in good condition

  • Bryant_windels

    joshua i know your not a an expert at quarters but if i have colected all 50 quarters how much would it be worth

  • Brian

    I want to buy a 1909vdb (red) uncirculated wheat penny. the seller is asking $175.00. item is not certified as yet which I want to have done. should I buy it or not? item is clean and stored away in a safety deposit box. look forward to any suggestions. thanks

    • Anonymous

      Brian,

      A truly red early Lincoln cent is always a desirable piece. I would hope that the 1909 VDB you’re considering is in impeccable shape, because it is possible to buy red 1909 VDB cents for less than $175, but those pieces sometimes have small specks or other moderate imperfections.

  • Marinemom321

    Is a 1946s penny worth anything?

    • Anonymous

      Hi, Marinemom —

      A 1946-S penny in worn grades is generally worth 3 to 10 cents.

  • Tolman_09

    is a 1930 B penny worth anything?

    • Anonymous

      Tolman,

      A 1930 D or S penny is worth 10 to 20 cents; if you have a 1930 penny that has a B on it, then the B was not placed there by the U.S. Mint and your piece is therefore an altered coin with essentially no numismatic value.

      I think I’d double check the letter and make sure it’s not a D or an S (because those mintmarks are small and can be difficult to read sometimes!)

      By the way, here’s some more info on mintmarks if you’re interested: http://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/2007/12/mint_marks_letters_on_coins.php

  • Tolman_09

    how about a 1944D wheatback and a 1942 unmarked wheatback?

    • Anonymous

      Tolman,

      Each is worth around 3 to 5 cents.

  • Ssssss

    i have a 1909 s penny with no vdb maring. im confused on how to tell what condition its in, and i was wondering how much that could make or break the valure of these things and what i can get for it if its in good condition, or fine or excellent or something.

    • Anonymous

      Sss,

      Pretty much with coins like yours, the grade of your coin (how much wear it has) is the biggest factor in determining your coin’s value. As long as it’s in at least minimal collectible grades, has NOT been cleaned, and has no other forms of damage, a typical 1909-S Lincoln cent is worth at least $75 to $100, though potentially much more.

      Here is a basic guide on grading coins: http://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/2007/12/how_to_grade_a_coin_grades.php

      Please let us know if we can be of any further help with this coin or any others.

  • Jalarcon

    i have a 1910 and a 1944 penny both have the wheat on the back whats it worth both in excellent condition..

    • Anonymous

      Jalarcon –

      In typical grades, a 1910 penny is worth around 15 to 20 cents, while a 1944 has a value 3 to 5 cents.

  • Sheri Montrose

    I have quite a few 1955S wheat pennies and a quite few steel 1943 .
    how do you know if the 55’s are double and how do you know the value
    of the steel ones or how can you tell?

    • koin kollector

      steel wheat pennies aren’t worth very much at all but the are pretty nifty because they can stick to a magnet and you can tell that the 1955s are double because it looks like you have double vision when you look at the penny you see the image of a regular 1955 wheat penny and then you see the sam image of the penny slightly down and off to the side

  • dave

    i have a 1941 wheat penny that ive notice has another stamp on it! or print that is visable could you plz tell me more about it and is it worth anything. ill try n post a pic of it to show the stamp on it. just need a better camra to show details of it thank you.

  • Jmartindds

    i have a 67 lincoln cent that does not have dots before or after the unum. is this rare?

  • Bforehand36

    i have a 1956 aluminum lincoln wheat penny,what is this worth

  • Hiya

    i have a 1944… so that was almost a 55! AHHH well not almost…. but one number off for each. So this is worth ten cents! 🙁 great

    • Powner

      not all 1955’s were double died only a few that is why the cost is so much , i have a 1955 and it’s not double died

      • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

        Only 24,000 or so 1955 cents were doubled die. Perhaps only 10,000 or so remain today. Tens of millions of 1955 pennies were struck normally and without any evident error whatsoever.

  • angela

    Hello , I own a 1937 penny, and a 1940-S penny . Are either worth anything?
    Thank You

  • Beckie02006

    Wheaties from 1909-1946 can be worth 10-40 cents

  • Beckie02006

    Wheaties 1909-1964 is worth about 10-20 cents

  • Julie

    I got a 1956 wheat penny. Do you know if it’s worth anything? Thanks.

  • Powner

    false dude its 1909-1959 get your facts straight

    • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

      The fact is that Lincoln wheat cents were officially made from 1909 to 1958 and Lincoln Memorial pennies were first struck in 1959.

  • Rosie

    Hello, I have a 1955 penny with no VDB. Is that worth anything?

    • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

      Rosie,

      Your 1955 penny is worth 3 to 5 cents.

  • Dannyssky6

    I have acquired a 1944 wheat backed cent with no mint mark and it does stick to a magnet what do I do next?

  • eric

    I have a 1919 s penny…is it worth anything?

    • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

      Eric,

      It’s worth around 10 to 20 cents in typical, worn condition.

  • Mtmathew

    I have a gold 1930 wheat penny. Could you tell me the value?

    • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

      Mt,

      It was gold plated by a private company or individual and is worth a couple dollars on the novelty coin market.

  • yanna79

    I have a 1930 ‘s wheat penny and the 0 in 30 is filled , what is it worth? please and thankyou

    • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

      Hi, Yanna –

      It sounds like there may have been some damage to the die, which produces the image on a blank coin. While this doesn’t really add any value to the coin, it’s definitely an interesting piece to have.

  • yanna79

    Also i have a 2012 doubled die i think the liberty , date , and in god we trust is doubled , What is it worth?

  • doris york

    i have a 1919 wheat peenie what can i get for it

    • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

      Doris,

      About 10 cents for a 1919 Lincoln cent in average condition.

  • Danlewisjr

    i have a 1909 S VDB double died. what is that worth?

  • Danlewisjr

    I have a 1909 S VDB double died wheat penny. what is it worth?

  • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

    I can’t find any record of a 1909-S VDB doubled die Lincoln cent. Perhaps it experienced machine doubling, which a is a form of damage? Can you please post a pic of this coin here in the comments forum so we can figure out what’s going on with the coin and perhaps determine a rough value? Thanks!

  • Bill

    I have a 1919 wheat penny that is colored as if it were uncirculated yet the features on it have some wear. Is this because the coin has been cleaned?

    • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

      Hi, Bill –

      If there were a pic of the coin, we may be able to tell more so exactly what the situation is with your coin, but it sounds like your coin is indeed cleaned given the description.

  • Kathie

    I have several hundred wheat pennies that I would like to sell… is there a specific place/person that will buy them?

    • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

      Hi, Kathie –

      I urge you to peruse this list of reputable coin dealers and sell to the somebody near you.

      Professional Numismatists Guild coin dealer directory: http://www.pngdealers.com/dealersearch.php

  • kayla

    How much is a 1910 wheat back penny worth?

    • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

      Kayla,

      A 1910 Lincoln cent in typical, worn condition is worth around 15 to 20 cents.

  • Tonya

    I have a 1915 (unmarked; meaning no S or D or anything else under the date) wheat penny. Is it worth anything?

    • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

      Hi, Tonya –

      A 1915 Lincoln cent is worth around 20 cents.

  • Madalyn shane

    I’m just now starting my collection I had sixty’s seventy’s eighty’s ninety’s 2000 2010. the bus because I can’t find anything lower than 1960.

  • Help

    I have a 1958 D penny good condition. How much is it worth

    • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

      Help,

      A 1958-D Lincoln cent is worth around 5 cents.

  • Daniil

    i have a one cent. the year is 1946. it looks like it was double stamped.

  • ChanelWillow

    I have recently began collecting coins, and the coins I came across most often were the wheat pennies. One has something odd about it that i cannot find in the others. My 1946 wheat penny has no stamp of origin, it is not scratched off it’s just not there could this mean I have a rare penny?

  • justin magnan

    can you tell me how much my pennies are worth they have been used they are real the years are 1941 to 1960 thanks so much

    • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

      Hi, Justin –

      A 1941 to 1960 set of Lincoln cents is worth around $5.

  • Mary M.

    hello i have a 1911 wheat penny that is marked with the number 26 across the top and it goes through some of the letters of the United States of America
    could you tell me what this is?

    • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

      Hi, Mary –

      Unfortunately, somebody scrawled these numbers into the coin, which means it will be considered damaged. Your coin is still worth around 5 to 10 cents.

  • Sydney

    I have a 1943 penny that appears to be steel. I also have two other copper pennies, one from 1944 and the other from 1958. They all are missing a letter under the date . Can anyone tell me how much they may be worth?

    • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

      Hi, Sydney –

      Definitely. First off, if your old pennies lack a letter, called a mint mark, under the date, then they were made at the Philadelphia mint. Your 1943 cent is worth around 10 cents and the 1944 and 1958 pennies are each worth 3 to 5 cents.

  • JR

    I have a 1953 steal wheat penny. I can not find any information on it. Is there such a coin?

  • Alex Schmidt

    I have a 1936 wheat penny and was wondering if it was worth anything?

    • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

      Hi, Alex –

      Yes, a 1936 Lincoln cent is worth around 5 to 10 cents in typical, circulated condition.

  • adrienne

    How can you tell if a wheat penny is steel or copper? I tried using a magnet and they didnt stick but the newer pennies dont stick either.

    • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

      Hi, Adrienne –

      The only year that the U.S. Mint intended to make steel pennies for circulation was 1943 (there are some very rare ones dated 1944). Other than that, all other U.S. pennies contain some amount of copper and will not stick to a magnet.

  • Loretta

    How much is a 1949 wheat back penny with a circle on Lincoln worth

    • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

      Hi, Loretta –

      The circle may be post-mint damage. If that is true, then your 1949 Lincoln cent is unfortunately worth only a couple cents.

  • its shows a pic of the 1944 wheat penny i have right under the 1909 s vdb but saays nothing of how much it is worth pleas tell me

    • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

      Hi, Tristan –

      A 1944 Lincoln cent is worth approximately 5 cents.

  • CharlotteWilson

    hi i have some old pennies and was wondering if you could tell me what they’re worth? one is 1952 with a S beneath, another says 1956 with a D beneath, and the last is just 1947

    • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

      Hi, Charlotte –

      The values of your coins are the following (assuming each coin has an average amount of wear for its age):

      1947 Lincoln cent: 5 cents
      1952-S Lincoln cent: 7 cents
      1956-D Lincoln cent: 3 cents

      If you have anymore questions, please feel free to ask!

  • Ben

    Hi, I Have A 1918 Wheat Penny But It Is Steel Not Copper Is It Worth Anything?

    • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

      Hi, Ben –

      Your coin may have either been plated with a metal such as pewter or silver or, more likely, covered with mercury.

  • Liz Shibahara

    I like copper & was picking out of circulation pennies minted before 1970 (I was born in 1969 so my theory was I needed ones as old or older than me). I read online that the ones minted before 1983 are good to keep. Yesterday, I went through my penny jar and set aside the ones before 1983. I like shiny copper so, I cleaned my older coins last year with silver polish. I am reading now that is not really the right thing. So I guess I should not clean these here from 1970-1982 sitting on my table. What is the best way to store them? I had them all just in the bottom of a drawer. I don’t think a plastic bag is right. So now I corralled the ones from pre-1970 into a cloth coin purse and the ones from 1970-1982 are in a pile on the table wanting to be shined-up, in my opinion. I mean, yesterday, I found one from 1919 that someone gave me as change and I shined it up with silver polish so I could see it better. OOOPs, right? Help, I don’t know what I am doing!

  • jay

    i found a 1918 weatback penny can you tell me how much it is worth?

    • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

      Hi, Jay –

      A 1918 Lincoln cent with a typical amount of wear for its age is worth around 20 to 50 cents.

  • JoanShort

    Can someone with real knowledge about this kind of thing help me understand what to make of this 1944 Lincoln Wheat Penny I have with a tiny, tiny “B” under the date (1944). I know about the SVDB on the back of some 1944 Lincoln Wheats, so you needn’t explain that part to me.

    Honestly, I just don’t know what this coin is about. I cannot find any assistance so far on the coin websites; of course, they all mention plain, the “D” and the “S.” But, a “B”? Has anyone heard of that.

    I would be so grateful at any help anyone can provide, even if the assistance isn’t an answer, but is only the next direction I should go in my investigation. You all seem so knowledgeable. I’m way out of my league here!

    • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

      Hi, Joan –

      May we see a photo of your coin? While there are “D” and “S” mintmarks under the date of some 1944 Lincoln cents, if it is a “B,” then it may either be a type of die error that would have caused the “D” or “S” mintmarks to look mis-shapen, or it is quite possible that somebody inscribed the “B” there on the coin.

      • JoanShort

        I just ran across this again, and I don’t know if Joshua is even still here, but I can tell him for certain that no one inscribed the “B” on that coin. Be it right or wrong, the “B” clearly came from the mint that way.

        Oh, and Joshua was so very kind to offer assistance. If I find where I put that penny I will post a picture, though I’m aware that no one probably cares about it by now!

        • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

          Hi, Joan —

          If there is a photo of that piece I would be glad to examine it and see what might be going on, but the only mint-made letters under the date on 1944 Lincoln cents are either “D” or “S,” which often look mis-shapen due to circulation wear and damage, and could potentially cause either of those letters to look like a letter “B.” Interestingly, there are several different known (and unusual) die varieties of Lincoln cents from that year, but none of them involve any mintmarks or letters other than the normal.

          As long as I’m here at The Fun Times Guide (going on eight years now), I’ll definitely care about helping any readers wit their questions however I can!

          Have a wonderful day,
          Josh

  • Alisha Doxtader

    My mom has a whole box of these pennies. How do she sell them?

  • Kimberly Smith Hamm

    I have indian head wheat pennies….2, I can’t remember the dates off hand without digging them out….I also have a few other cents from early times….sets as well….do you only deal with pennies?

    • JoshuaTheFunTimesGuide

      Hi, Kimberly –

      I answer questions on all types of U.S. coins, Kimberly! Here’s some more info on Indian Head cents, if you’re interested: http://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/2009/03/indian_heady_penny_value.php

      If you can find the dates on any of your pennies, please let me know and I’ll try my best to determine an approximate value for you!