The wheat penny was first minted in 1909, and it was the first coin in wide circulation to feature a U.S. president. Sculptor Victor D. Brenner was asked by the U.S. Mint to design a coin depicting Abraham Lincoln in celebration of his centennial birthday.
While Lincoln is still on the penny today, the wheat is long gone. It was replaced by the Lincoln Memorial in 1959. Despite this, the coin is wildly popular among collectors.
These valuable wheat pennies are rare, but some are still in circulation today. If you happen to get passed a wheat penny, make sure to check it closely — after all, you may have a unique collectible on your hands!
15. 1915 S Penny
Value: Up to $1,500
Bottom line: The San Francisco-minted coin is one that’s good for beginners, as its worth about $28 in average condition. In mint condition, they typically sell for more than other pennies from the same year.
The penny comes in reddish brown or brown hues The reddish brown version is the most sought after.
14. 1909 S VDB Penny
Value: Up to $2,200
Bottom line: This coin was designed by Victor David Brenner, who placed his full name on the base of the reverse, bottom center. This was modified by engraver Charles Barber, who changed Brenner’s name to “V.D.B.”
Once the coins were released, some publications had a problem with the initials, saying they were free advertising for the designer. Mint employees decided to remove them completely after this outcry.
Only 484,000 pennies were issued with the designer’s initials.
13. 1926 Penny
Value: Up to $3,000
Bottom line: Actually, 1926 wheat pennies are fairly common in a “good” grade and not worth much, which makes them especially popular among beginner coin collectors.
However, mint condition ones can fetch into the thousands. This coin has no mintmark.
12. 1922 D Penny
Value: Up to $5,000
Bottom line: The 1922-D penny is one of the more common of the decade. However, the degree to which its mintmark disappears can drive up the price.
Pennies with visible mintmarks are cheapest. “Ghost” (barely visible) mintmarks can fetch some money. The plain of the coin version is the most valuable, and the penny with a strong reverse is the most sought after by collectors.
11. 1914 D Penny
Value: Up to $5,500
Bottom line: Not as many of these coins were minted as those that came out of Philadelphia (1.2 million as opposed to 75 million), making this mint all the more valuable.
But beware of the many fakes and counterfeits of this particular coin.
