Did you know some ordinary-looking Lincoln Wheat Pennies could be worth $150,000+? These humble cents, minted between 1909–1958, are among the most collected U.S. coins — and a few rare dates and varieties have reached jaw-dropping prices at auction.
Here are the legendary Wheat Pennies you need to know about:
1. The $152,750 1909-S VDB — “King of Wheat Pennies”
- Mintage: Only 484,000 struck
- Key Feature: Designer’s initials “V.D.B.” on reverse (removed after controversy)
- Auction Record: $152,750 (graded MS-67 Red)
Values Today:
- Circulated: $600 – $5,000
- Mint State: $25,000 – $150,000+
How to Spot One:
- “S” mintmark (San Francisco) below date
- “V.D.B.” at the bottom of the reverse
- Brilliant red luster (RD) = premium prices
2. The $48,300 1915-S — Condition Rarity
- Mintage: 4.8 million
- Key Feature: Weak strikes make high-grade examples nearly impossible to find
- Auction Record: $48,300 (MS-66 Red)
Values Today:
- Circulated: $5 – $100
- Mint State: $1,000 – $50,000
How to Spot One:
- Sharp cheekbone detail on Lincoln
- Full wheat stalks on reverse
- Strong red mint luster
3. The $32,900 1909-S Over Horizontal S (RPM Error)
- Error Type: Repunched Mint Mark (RPM)
- Key Feature: A horizontal “S” lies underneath the vertical “S”
- Auction Record: $32,900 (MS-67 Red)
Values Today:
- Circulated: $500 – $5,000
- Mint State: $10,000 – $50,000
How to Spot One:
- Use 10x magnification
- Look for a “shadow” of the sideways S under the main mintmark
- Must be from the 1909-S VDB variety
4. The $54,625 1925-S — The Sharp Strike Miracle
- Mintage: 8 million
- Key Feature: Most are poorly struck; sharply struck examples are treasures
- Auction Record: $54,625 (MS-65 Red)
Values Today:
- Circulated: $1 – $50
- Mint State: $5,000 – $50,000+
How to Spot One:
- Clear, bold LIBERTY on obverse
- Full wheat stalk separation on reverse
- Strong, original mint luster
Grading & Value Comparison (2024)
| Coin | Circulated | MS-63 | MS-65+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1909-S VDB | $600 – $5K | $25K – $75K | $100K – $150K+ |
| 1915-S | $5 – $100 | $1K – $10K | $25K – $50K |
| 1909-S RPM | $500 – $5K | $10K – $25K | $30K – $50K |
| 1925-S | $1 – $50 | $5K – $15K | $25K – $55K |
What To Do If You Find One
- Handle with cotton gloves (fingerprints = lost value)
- Photograph both sides in natural light
- Get certified by PCGS or NGC (uncertified coins sell for 50% less)
- Insure if mailing (especially $10,000+ coins)
- Sell through top auction houses like Heritage or Stack’s Bowers
Warning: Most “finds” are not the real deal — be cautious of:
Damaged coins
Harshly cleaned examples
Counterfeits
Real Discovery Stories
“My grandfather’s coffee can held a 1909-S VDB that paid for my house!” — 2021 Heritage Auction ($138,000)
“Found a 1925-S in my childhood coin album – $32,000 surprise!” — 2023 PCGS Submission
Why These Wheat Pennies Are Legendary
Rarer than 1804 silver dollars
Auction records keep climbing
Lincoln cents are the most collected U.S. coin series
Your penny jar might be hiding a life-changing discovery. Check those dates and mintmarks carefully!
Text “WHEATFIND” to 555-1909 for VIP authentication & coin tips
