subject: Noticeable Years Of Wheat Pennies [print this page] Any coin collector will tell you that one of the most important coins a collector should have in any collection is a "Wheat Penny". These pennies are also known by the name Wheatback, Wheatie, Strawpenny as well as Wheat Head. This is a one-cent coin that was produced by the US mint from 1909 until 1958.
The Beginning These coins were designed by Victor David Brenner, a sculptor in New York, who infamously added his initials of V.D.B. to the coin. This was done on a small number of coins until controversy erupted and ended the initials on the coin. There were around 484,000 of these coins minted, which is one reason why they can now fetch up to $100's of dollars. If you have one that is in mint condition it could sell as high as $12,000. These 1909 San Francisco minted coins are one of the most valuable wheat pennies to have in a collection.
Even though lower in value, the 1909-S VDB wheat penny and the 1914-D wheat penny, can obtain as much as $5,000. Both these kinds of coins had some inaccuracies in them, which is why they still demand such a price. Nowadays, such kinds of coins found their place either in the personal and private galleries of people or in the hands of coin dealers.
Even in recent times we come across a wheat coin in our regular circulation. These coins are by and large not the prestigious or the exceptional wheat coins, however even they will fetch a good price in the passage of time. The best example is the 1922 wheat penny without a mint mark. This was because the dye used to make them was very weak; some pennies are found bearing a stamp D on them while the same is missing on others.
1944 Wheat Penny One of the rarest is the 1943 wheat penny, this one was made from bronze or zinc coated steel. These were made during World War II because of the war rationing of copper. Date collectors of wheat pennies consider the 1943 steel penny to be a must for any collection. The mint changed back to a composition of copper, tin and zinc in 1944.
1955 Double Die 1955 double dye wheat penny coins are the most appealing. These coins have a perfect dual image of Lincoln engraved on them. Since it was not expected to be made in such a manner, it was deemed an error coin. The absence of this coin is regarded as a deficiency among the wheat penny collectors.
Wheat pennies from just about any year are worth three times their value, unless of course it's from a year considered to be a "key date" or "Semi-Key Date". There are numerous websites online that will give you an idea of the value of a wheat penny. Prices of course will vary depending on who is doing the evaluation. A retailer will offer less than a direct purchase done with a collector. If you have one that you would like to sell or just get an idea of the value, Ebay is a fascinating place to check out values. Your local library will also be able to give you some guidance as well as a complete history on these fascinating pennies.
