You won’t believe this — a tiny copper coin from your grandpa’s jar could actually be worth almost five thousand dollars! Yes, certain rare Lincoln Wheat Pennies (the ones with wheat stalks on the back) that are still floating around in circulation today can sell for $2,000 to $4,900 or even more. Keep reading to find out exactly which years and mint marks to hunt for right now.
What Is a Lincoln Wheat Penny?
The Lincoln Wheat Penny was made from 1909 to 1958. On the front you see Abraham Lincoln, and on the back there are two wheat stalks — that’s why collectors call them “wheaties.”
Most are worth only 1–5 cents, but a handful of super-rare errors and low-mintage dates have skyrocketed in value.
The Top 7 Most Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies Still Found in Circulation
| Rank | Year + Mint | Key Feature / Error | Recent Sale Price | Why It’s So Rare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1943 Bronze (no mint mark, D or S) | Made in bronze instead of steel | $204,000–$1.7M | Only ~20 known — huge mistake by the Mint |
| 2 | 1944 Steel (no mint mark, D or S) | Made in steel instead of bronze | $50,000–$375,000 | Wrong planchet error |
| 3 | 1922 No “D” (Denver) | Missing mint mark, strong details | $12,000–$45,000 | Die abrasion removed the D |
| 4 | 1955 Double Die Obverse | Dramatic doubling on date & letters | $1,000–$4,900 | Famous doubling error |
| 5 | 1936 Double Die Obverse | Clear doubling in date and lettering | $800–$3,500 | Another cool doubling mistake |
| 6 | 1914-D | Low mintage from Denver | $800–$5,000+ | Only 1.2 million minted |
| 7 | 1909-S VDB | Designer’s initials + San Francisco | $700–$4,000+ | First year + very low mintage |
The One Everyone Is Talking About Right Now – The 1955 Double Die Penny
This is the Lincoln Wheat Penny most likely to still be in circulation and worth big money today.
Why it looks different:
When you tilt the coin under light, you’ll see the date “1955” and the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” look thick and blurry — almost like double vision. That’s because the die was misaligned and hit the planchet twice.
How much is it worth in 2025?
- Good condition: $1,000–$1,500
- Very Fine: $1,800–$2,500
- Extra Fine or better: $3,000–$4,900 and up
Real story: In 2024, a pocket-change 1955 doubled die in almost uncirculated condition sold for $4,560 at auction!
How to Spot These Valuable Wheat Pennies in Your Change (Step-by-Step)
- Grab any penny dated 1958 or earlier.
- Flip it — if you see wheat stalks instead of the Lincoln Memorial, you have a wheat penny.
- Check the year carefully.
- Look under the date for a tiny letter:
- Nothing = Philadelphia
- D = Denver
- S = San Francisco
- Use a 5x–10x magnifying glass or your phone’s zoom to look for:
- Doubling (especially 1955, 1936)
- Missing mint marks (1922 No D)
- Wrong metal color (1943 bronze looks copper, 1944 steel looks silver)
Pro Tips to Find Them Faster
- Ask tellers for “old wheat cents” — many banks still get them in rolls.
- Buy $25–$50 boxes of pennies from the bank and search at home (called “coin roll hunting”).
- Check your parents’ or grandparents’ old jars — that’s where most big finds come from.
- Never clean the coins! Cleaning destroys value.
Final Warning: Don’t Spend These by Mistake!
A gas station in Ohio once got a 1943 bronze cent as payment for coffee. The cashier almost gave $4,000+ in change for a $2 coffee! Always double-check your old pennies.
Start digging through your change, couch cushions, and that old coffee can full of coins tonight — your $4,900 Lincoln Wheat Penny might be waiting for you right now.