Coin collectors often emphasize that anyone with a coin collecting hobby should have the “Wheat Penny” in their collection. Wheatback, Wheatie, Strawpeny and Wheat Head are some of the names that these coins receive. The United States Mint produced this one cent coin from 1909 to 1958.
The beginning
The design for these coins was drawn up by Victor David Brenner, a well-known New York sculptor, who inserted his initials of VDB into the coin. These initials appeared on early coins until it came to an end about the same time the public outcry began. Approximately 484,000 such coins were minted, that is the main reason behind these coins fetching over $100 dollars. If you are lucky enough to own even one of those minted coins, it could be worth nearly $12,000. These 1909 San Francisco minted coins are the prestigious wheat pennies to own in the collection.
Although lesser in value, the 1909-S VDB Wheat Penny and the 1914-D Wheat Penny can fetch up to $5,000. Both types of coins had some inaccuracies, so they still command that price. Today, these types of coins find their place in people’s personal and private galleries or in the hands of coin dealers.
Even in recent times we come across a wheat coin in our regular circulation. These coins are not, in general, the prestigious or rare wheat coins, however, they will even fetch a good price over time. The best example is the 1922 Wheat Penny without a mintmark. This was because the dye used to make them was very weak; some pennies are found with a D stamp on them while the same is missing on others.
1943 Wheat Penny
The 1943 penny, made of bronze or zinc-coated steel, is considered one of the most unique pennies. These were specially designed around the time of World War II, due to the war share of copper. Wheat penny collectors who collect each year consider the 1943 steel penny a must-have for any gallery. The mint changed the composition to copper, tin, and zinc in 1944.
1955 Double Dice
The double-tinted 1955 wheat penny commands attention. You will find a distinctive dual image of President Lincoln on these coins. The coins are considered defective coins as they were not supposed to turn out this way. Without this coin, the true assortment of wheat pennies is considered incomplete.
Beginning with a year considered to be a “key date” or “semi-key date”, wheat pennies, in any other year, are valued at three times their value. To get an exact idea of the value of a penny of wheat, you can take a look at various websites online. Depending on the person evaluating a wheat penny, the value of a penny will vary. The prices offered by a retailer will be lower than those of the person who is the collector of such coins. Even the local library will be of great help, not only providing you with a complete history of these fascinating pennies, but also providing guidance on their valuation.
