Introduced in 1909 to commemorate President Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday, the Lincoln Wheat Penny, designed by using Victor David Brenner, capabilities a profile of Lincoln at the obverse and wheat stalks on the opposite. It become produced till 1958 and became the first U.S. Coin to reveal a U.S. President’s face.
While most Wheat Pennies are not unusual everyday coins, some rare varieties—because of mint mistakes, low mintages, or rare metal compositions—at the moment are really worth tens or even loads of thousands of dollars.
What Is the Lincoln Wheat Penny?
The Lincoln Wheat penny, additionally known honestly as the “wheat cent,” become minted within the United States from 1909 through 1958. Designed via Victor David Brenner, it became the first U.S. Coin to depict a historical determine—President Abraham Lincoln—at the obverse, even as the opposite featured stylized wheat stalks, lending it its famous moniker.
Struck at the Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (“D”), and San Francisco (“S”) mints, production numbers various: for example, in 1955, a few 330 million were struck at Philadelphia, 563 million at Denver, and forty four million at San Francisco.
By and large, the vast majority of these coins were mass‑produced for everyday events, meaning most surviving specimens are worth only a few cents—pennies themselves, plus a modest numismatic premium when in good condition.
The $49,000 Penny: Why It’s So Valuable
The star of this story is the 1943 bronze (copper) Wheat penny. In 1943, during World War II, the U.S. Mint switched from copper to zinc-covered metal to shop copper for the warfare effort. But a small number of bronze planchets (the metal blanks used for coins) were mistakenly left in the presses and used — ensuing in a very rare copper version of the 1943 penny.
Only some dozen are recognized to exist, and because the error became accidental, each one is a numismatic treasure. One such coin fetched nearly $49,000 at public sale — and others have sold for even more, depending on situation and authenticity.
How to Spot a Rare 1943 Bronze Penny
If you suspect you’ve determined a 1943 Wheat penny, right here’s how to check if it is able to be the rare bronze model:
- Magnet check: Steel pennies will stick to a magnet; bronze/copper ones will not.
- Color: Steel cents are silvery, even as bronze ones are brown or reddish.
- Weight: Steel pennies weigh approximately 2.7g; bronze variations weigh about 3.1g.
- Date and mint mark: Look for 1943 or 1943-D/S. Authentic variations are extremely rare and should be validated through specialists.
Are Any Lincoln Wheat Pennies Still in Circulation?
- All wheat pennies were removed from regular production by 1958, and early 1960s pennies transitioned to the Lincoln Memorial design. New pennies minted since then bear no wheat reverse.
- However, millions of Wheat pennies remain in circulation out of habit, discovery in piggy banks, estates, old coin rolls, and collectors’ caches.
- Rare varieties such as the 1909‑S VDB, 1943 copper, or 1955 double‑die are extremely unlikely to be found in mainstream circulation—but it’s not entirely impossible. Many stories document rare finds in rolls from banks or inherited change jars.
- That said, wheat pennies no longer enter new circulation, and over time, old ones get removed due to wear or loss. Yet, shockingly, even in 2025 there are billions still active in local change—though almost all are common, low‑value examples.
Conclusion
The idea of a Lincoln Wheat penny valued at $49,000 being “nonetheless in move” makes for stimulating headlines—however doesn’t maintain as much as scrutiny. While true examples of the 1909‑S VDB, 1955 double‑die, or the 1943 copper blunders can sell for tens or loads of lots, even hundreds of thousands, these coins are licensed, graded, and extraordinarily uncommon.
Most wheat pennies in alternate are worth most effective their face value—or some greater cents if in very first-class circumstance. Still, in case you’re curious, checking antique coin jars or financial institution rolls with endurance and care may be worthwhile. But don’t assume locating a pocket worth $49K—still, it’s incredible that despite modern manufacturing halted, some wheat pennies hold quietly circulating, probably conserving historical treasure.
FAQ’s
Which Lincoln Wheat penny is worth $49,000?
The 1943 bronze (copper) Wheat penny is the only valued at up to $49,000 or greater. It turned into mistakenly struck in bronze when pennies that year were speculated to be fabricated from metal.
Are these rare pennies still in circulation?
Possibly. A few could still be hiding in vintage change jars, bank rolls, or collections, unnoticed through humans blind to their value.
What should I do if I think I observed one?
Don’t clean it. Store it appropriately and feature it authenticated through a expert coin grading carrier like PCGS or NGC.
