7 Lincoln Wheat Pennies Worth a Fortune Due to Rare Errors

The Lincoln Wheat Penny, minted from 1909 to 1958, is a cherished coin among collectors. While many are common, certain rare errors have transformed some into highly valuable treasures.

This article explores seven such Lincoln Wheat Pennies, detailing their unique errors and the impressive values they have achieved at auctions.

1. 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent

During World War II, the U.S. Mint shifted from copper to zinc-coated steel for penny production to conserve copper for the war effort. However, a few pennies were mistakenly struck on leftover bronze planchets from 1942. These 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cents are exceptionally rare and highly sought after by collectors.

• Error Type: Struck on bronze planchets instead of steel.
• Approximate Value: Up to $840,000.

The rarity of this coin is attributed to a minting error, with pennies accidentally struck on copper planchets instead of steel during the war. Approximately 30 of these coins exist, with one selling for over $840,000 at auction.

2. 1955 Doubled Die Obverse

The 1955 Doubled Die Obverse penny features a prominent doubling effect on the obverse, especially noticeable on the date and inscriptions. This error occurred due to misalignment during the minting process.

• Error Type: Doubled die on the obverse.
• Approximate Value: Between $4,000 and $16,000.

The coin’s die was misaligned during striking, resulting in a noticeable doubling effect on the date and lettering, particularly on “Liberty” and “In God We Trust.” It is estimated that around 20,000 to 24,000 of these misprinted coins were circulated, making them scarce and valuable.

3. 1922 No D Plain

In 1922, all Lincoln cents were minted in Denver and should bear a “D” mint mark. Some coins, however, were struck without this mark, known as the 1922 No D Plain error.

• Error Type: Missing “D” mint mark.
• Approximate Value: Between $12,000 and $30,000.

The absence of the mint mark resulted from over-polishing of the die, removing the “D.” Genuine No D 1922 pennies are usually weakly struck, especially on the obverse. Collectors should be cautious, as some coins have had the “D” removed fraudulently to mimic this error.

4. 1909-S VDB

The inaugural year of the Lincoln cent saw the inclusion of designer Victor David Brenner’s initials, “VDB,” on the reverse. The 1909-S VDB penny, minted in San Francisco, had a limited mintage, making it a prized find.

• Error Type: Inclusion of “VDB” initials on the reverse.
• Approximate Value: Up to $50,400 in mint condition.

Only 484,000 of these coins were produced before the initials were removed due to public controversy. In 2019, a 1909-S VDB cent graded at MS67 (mint condition) sold for $50,400, highlighting its desirability among collectors.

5. 1944 Steel Cent

Post-World War II, the mint reverted to copper for penny production. However, a few 1944 Steel Cents were mistakenly struck using leftover steel planchets from 1943.

• Error Type: Struck on steel planchets instead of copper.
• Approximate Value: Over $50,000.

These coins are highly sought after due to their rarity and the historical context of their production. The 1944 Steel Cent stands out as an anomaly, as most pennies that year were struck in copper.

6. 1936 Doubled Die Obverse

The 1936 Doubled Die Obverse penny exhibits noticeable doubling on the obverse inscriptions and date, resulting from a die misalignment.

• Error Type: Doubled die on the obverse.
• Approximate Value: Up to $5,000 in mint state.

The doubling is most evident on the motto “In God We Trust” and the word “Liberty.” Even in lower circulated grades, these coins can fetch around $100, with mint state examples reaching up to $5,000.

7. 1958 Doubled Die Obverse

The 1958 Doubled Die Obverse is one of the rarest Lincoln cent errors, with only a few known examples.

• Error Type: Doubled die on the obverse.
• Approximate Value: Up to $336,000.

The doubling is prominent on the inscriptions and date. Due to its extreme rarity, a 1958 Doubled Die Obverse penny in mint state can command prices upwards of $336,000.

Lincoln Wheat Pennies With Errors & Value

Penny Error	Error Type	Approximate Value
1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent	Struck on bronze planchets	Up to $840,000
1955 Doubled Die Obverse	Doubled die on the obverse	$4,000 – $16,000
1922 No D Plain	Missing “D” mint mark	$12,000 – $30,000
1909-S VDB	Inclusion of “VDB” initials	Up to $50,400
1944 Steel Cent	Struck on steel planchets	Over $50,000
1936 Doubled Die Obverse	Doubled die on the obverse	Up to $5,000
1958 Doubled Die Obverse	Doubled die on the obverse	Up to $336,000

Lincoln Wheat Pennies remain one of the most collectible U.S. coins, and rare errors make them even more valuable. From the elusive 1943 Bronze Cent to the dramatic 1955 Doubled Die, these error coins can command astonishing prices at auctions. If you have a collection of old pennies, checking for these rare errors could lead to an unexpected fortune!