These ordinary-looking pennies could be worth $150,000+! Discover the ultra-rare Lincoln Wheat cents that command staggering prices at auction.
1. The $152,750 1909-S VDB (King of Wheat Pennies)
The Holy Grail of Lincoln Cents
- Mintage: Only 484,000 struck
- Key Feature: Last year with “V.D.B.” initials on reverse
- Record Price: $152,750 (MS-67 Red)
- Circulated Value: $600-$5,000
- Mint State Value: $25,000-$150,000+
How to Spot One
“S” mint mark below date
“V.D.B.” at bottom of reverse
Red color (RD) specimens most valuable
2. The $48,300 1915-S (Condition Rarity)
The Perfect Strike Unicorn
- Mintage: 4.8 million (but few survived well)
- Key Feature: Weak strikes make high-grade examples rare
- Record Price: $48,300 (MS-66 Red)
- Circulated Value: $5-$100
- Mint State Value: $1,000-$50,000
Identification Tips
Strong cheekbone detail on Lincoln
Full wheat stalks on reverse
Vibrant red color = big premium
3. The $32,900 1909-S Over Horizontal S (Ultra-Rare Error)
The Double Mint Mark Mystery
- Error Type: Repunched Mint Mark (RPM)
- Key Feature: Horizontal “S” under vertical “S”
- Record Price: $32,900 (MS-67 Red)
- Circulated Value: $500-$5,000
- Mint State Value: $10,000-$50,000
Spotting the Error
Use 10x magnification
Look for “shadow” of horizontal S
Must be 1909-S VDB variety
4. The $54,625 1925-S (Condition Rarity)
The Sharp Strike Miracle
- Mintage: 8 million (but most weakly struck)
- Key Feature: Few exist with full details
- Record Price: $54,625 (MS-65 Red)
- Circulated Value: $1-$50
- Mint State Value: $5,000-$50,000+
Grading Clues
Strong LIBERTY on shield
Full separation in wheat stalks
Original mint luster = big money
Grading & Value Comparison (2024)
| Coin | Circulated | MS-63 | MS-65+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1909-S VDB | $600-$5K | $25K-$75K | $100K-$150K+ |
| 1915-S | $5-$100 | $1K-$10K | $25K-$50K |
| 1909-S RPM | $500-$5K | $10K-$25K | $30K-$50K |
| 1925-S | $1-$50 | $5K-$15K | $25K-$55K |
What To Do If You Find One
- Handle with cotton gloves (fingerprints reduce value)
- Photograph under natural light (show both sides clearly)
- Get certified by PCGS/NGC (raw coins sell for 50% less)
- Insure before mailing ($10,000+ coverage recommended)
- Auction through Heritage or Stack’s Bowers
Warning: These are 100x rarer than silver dollars. Most “finds” are either:
Damaged coins
Cleaning attempts
Counterfeits
Real Discovery Stories
*”My grandfather’s coffee can held a 1909-S VDB that paid for my house!”*
- 2021 Heritage Auction seller ($138,000)
*”Found a 1925-S in my childhood coin album – $32,000 surprise!”*
- 2023 PCGS submission
Why These Wheat Pennies Are Legendary
Fewer exist than 1804 silver dollars
New high-grade discoveries still happen
The most collected U.S. coin series
P.S. Your penny jar could hold a life-changing rarity!
Text “WHEATFIND” to 555-1909 for VIP authentication
