Wheat Penny Price Guides
Coin collectors the world over share their fondness for the wheat penny. In the collectors circle, it is obviously known as the Lincoln Wheat Cent, and is also referred to as the Wheat Head, Wheatback, or Wheatie. This one-cent coin was produced and circulated between 1909 and 1958. As with other collectibles, the older they are, the higher the market value, as perceived by collectors.
Wheat Penny Price Guides will point you to the direction of a rare wheat penny which has the designer’s initials displayed prominently on the right arm of Lincoln. We are sure you know all about that special Wheatie! The fascination towards this particular one-cent coin is primarily due to the notoriety of the design more than anything else. Public outcry prompted the removal of the designer’s initials in subsequent circulation. Limited circulation commands high price in auctions and in the collectors market.

Updated information on pricing and availability is very important, especially if you plan on unloading some of your coin collection. You definitely don't want to end up being short-changed by unscrupulous traders. New information is particularly useful when trying to put value to your wheat penny collection.
The value may fluctuate depending on supply and demand but it would still be necessary to consult Wheat Penny Price Guides so that you will have an idea on which coins to sell at a very profitable price. The increments in the change in value may not be massive but it’s worth knowing the pulse of the market. That way, you will know when to unload or hold on to your collection.
| 2010 North American Coins & Prices: A Guide to U.S. | ![]() |
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US $5.17 | 17d 1h 27m |
| 2010 North American Coins & Prices: A Guide to U.S., C | ![]() |
US $1.99 | 17d 9h 46m |
| PCGS 2010 S Proof JEFFERSON Nickel PR69 DCAM Deep Cameo Coin PRICE GUIDE-$12 d*! | ![]() |
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US $10.71 | 28d 21h 24m |
| PCGS 2010 S Proof JEFFERSON Nickel PR69 DCAM Deep Cameo Coin PRICE GUIDE-$16 e*! | ![]() |
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US $11.62 | 25d 16h 51m |
| PCGS 2010 S Proof JEFFERSON Nickel PR69 DCAM Deep Cameo Coin USA PRICE GUIDE-$12 | ![]() |
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US $11.62 | 21d 3h 11m |
| 2010 North American Coins & Prices: A Guide to U.S., Canadian and Mexican Coins | ![]() |
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US $5.98 | 19d 8h 33m |
| 2010 North American Coins & Prices: A Guide to U.S., Ca | ![]() |
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US $13.95 | 15d 11h 48m |
| North American Coins and Prices 2011 (2010, Paperback) Price Guide | ![]() |
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US $9.15 | 13d 4h 42m |
| 2010 North American Coins & Prices 19th Edition Guide | ![]() |
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US $11.95 | 9d 1h 31m |
| U.S. Coin Digest 2010 Price Reference Guide | ![]() |
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US $11.95 | 5d 20h 37m |
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Use Ketchup to Clean Your Wheat Pennies?
NOTE: ALWAYS USE CAUTION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLEAN ANY OF YOUR COLLECTIBLE COINS!
It's always interesting to hear what products people use to clean coins. Of course there are some great coin cleaner products on the market, but why not use something that's right there in your home already... ummmm, RIGHT IN YOUR FRIDGE!
How To Clean Your Wheat Pennies With Ketchup
Sounds kinda crazy huh? But it is true... the acid from the tomatoes will definitely clean those wheat pennies up! It's been proven time and time again!
Just use a small container and cover the pennies with ketchup and let them soak a while. Wipe them off and you'll be amazed at how clean they got from using ketchup!
What do you use to clean your coins?
| Cordless Ultra Sonic Cleaner For Coins Jewelry Denture | ![]() |
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US $5.99 | 4d 13h 31m |
| SONIC WAVE ULTRASONIC CLEANER KEYS RING COINS DENTURES | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $23.99 | 5h 54m |
| MINT STATE ALL NATURAL COPPER BRONZE CLEANER COINS | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $8.95 | 12h 12m |
| Ultra Sonic Cleaner For Coins Gem Diamond Jewelry #9908 | ![]() |
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US $4.21 | 16d 4h 54m |
| ELECTRO SONIC JEWELRY COIN CLEANER KIT TOOL SET BRUSH | ![]() |
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US $34.95 | 1d 4h 37m |
| Codyson CD-4820 Ultrasonic Cleaner 2.5 litres Heater Coins Jewelry 110V or 220V | ![]() |
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US $96.90 | 1d 7h 1m |
| MS70 COIN CLEANER & BRIGHTENER, INDUSTRIAL STRENGTH, SILVER, GOLD, COPPER COINS | ![]() |
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US $8.50 | 9d 19h 58m |
| Mini Jewelry Denture Coin Metal Glass Cleaning Tool Cordless Ultrasonic Cleaner | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $1.07 | 5h 21m |
| 2.5L Ultrasonic Cleaner Heater + Timer Dental Jewelry Watch Coins 110V or 240V | ![]() |
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US $101.16 | 28d 3h 53m |
| New Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner dental denture dentures ring coins necklace sonic | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $7.15 | 2d 3h 35m |
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Wheat Penny Trading Cards
If no items appear below, the auctions have ended! Please check back for more Wheat Penny Trading Cards.
Many people collect Wheat Pennies for different reasons. They may be a collector or investor, they may collect only a few wheat pennies or have a very large and valuable collection. When wheat pennies are collected, the collector is usually looking for a particular year or mint, or a combination of things like a year and a certain grade. With so many rare Wheat Cents to look for, it gives collectors a variety of options.
Trading Cards With Wheat Pennies
You may not realize it, but there are quite a few Wheat Penny Trading Cards out there on the market. These are very unique and not all wheat penny collectors know about them. With big names from sports, television, theater and music, they make great collectors items.
Check out these interesting trading cards with wheat pennies.
| Roberto Clemente MLB Debut Penny card with 1955 Lincoln Wheat Penny | ![]() |
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US $14.95 | 24d 8h 50m |
| Gordie Howe 1951 Wheat Penny Hockey card | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $5.99 | 3d 3h 28m |
| Maurice Richard 1961 Wheat Penny Hockey card | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $5.99 | 3d 3h 29m |
| Guy Lafleur 1971 Wheat Penny Hockey card | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $5.99 | 3d 3h 31m |
| Rocky Marciano 1923 Wheat Penny Boxing Card | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $5.99 | 3d 3h 37m |
| Rocky Marciano 1952 Wheat Penny Boxing Card | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $5.99 | 3d 3h 38m |
| Cassius Clay 1964 Wheat Penny Boxing Card | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $5.99 | 3d 3h 39m |
| Williams / Musial / Mays 1955 Wheat Penny Baseball Card | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $5.99 | 3d 3h 51m |
| Koufax / Musial / Spahn 1960 Wheat Penny Baseball Card | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $5.99 | 3d 3h 53m |
| Jackie Robinson 1919 Wheat Penny Baseball Card | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $5.99 | 3d 3h 55m |
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How Do You Store Your Wheat Cents?
It's always interesting to see and hear how people store their Wheat Pennies. If you have a collection, then you have that collection stored somewhere right? Some of the most common places people store their collection of Wheat Pennies are:
- Jars
- Boxes
- Paper Rolls
- Socks (yes the ones you wear on your feet)
- Drinking Cups
- Tupperware Containers
If you have a collection, then you definitely need coin holders, ones that are made for pennies. Especially if you have valuable Wheat Cents!
| 100 Airtite Holders / Capsules PENNY / CENT 1¢ Direct Fit Air-Tite 19mm Coin | ![]() |
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US $30.95 | 29d 9h 32m |
| Coin Holders Flips 2x2 Cardboard - Penny 25pk | ![]() |
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US $1.44 | 22d 22h 32m |
| (25) PENNY SIZE COIN ROUND TUBE SCREW ON CAP HOLDERS | ![]() |
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US $9.99 | 4d 5h 48m |
| WHITMAN 2" X 2" PLASTIC COIN HOLDERS -- 30 PENNY + (1) SCREW TYPE | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $9.99 | 5h 19m |
| 25 Coin Holders / Capsules PENNY / CENT 1¢ Direct Fit Air-Tite19mm Airtite | ![]() |
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US $10.20 | 15d 18h 38m |
| (32) LOT OF QUARTER DIME,NICKEL,AND PENNY ROLL/COIN TRAY HOLDERS | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $189.00 | 21h 4m |
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Of course there are many different ways to store your collection. I've used about every method mentioned for coins that haven't been sorted through yet. I only put them in rolls after I have sorted them and have no need of looking at them again. I can mark the paper rolls so I'll know what's in it, or number it and have the numbers documented somewhere as to what they are. Then of course, the ones of value are inserted into coin holders like the ones above for safe keeping and easy viewing.
How do you store your Wheat Penny Collection?
Looking For Wheat Pennies? Just Ask!
One of the most well known places to find Wheat Pennies is somewhere you visit and may not even realize it! Where could this place be? Your bank! Some may not know or realize this, but your local bank is a GREAT place to find Lincoln Wheat Cents! But you need to use a little etiquette when you go asking for rolls of pennies from the teller!
- Use YOUR bank! We would suggest asking for pennies at a bank you have an account with. Remember, this is a common practice and tellers are well aware of what you are up to when you walk up asking for rolls of pennies.
- Don't go overboard! As exciting as it gets to sit down and go through roll after roll of pennies trying to find that treasure, don't ask the teller for a huge amount of rolls to begin with. Get a feel for your bank and how they react to what you are asking for. Starting off with a good relationship may pay off and that teller won't a problem with your request for large amounts of penny rolls in the future.
- Ask for the old stuff! Make sure you communicate and ask for the old pennies. It's not going to do you much good to search for a wheatie in a new roll of pennies.
- Bringing them back! Remember, you may go through quite a few rolls and end up needing to take quite a few pennies back to the bank to swap for more. Take time to re-roll those pennies. The bank may be more inclined to help you if you bring back rolls instead of loose pennies THEY have to roll.
- Check them all! When you go through those rolls of pennies you just got from the bank, make sure to turn each and every one over and check the backs for those wheat stalks! Too many times people assume that a shiny penny isn't a wheat penny so be sure to check each and every one!
There have been many cases of very Rare Wheat Pennies found in rolls someone got from the bank. So always keep this in mind as one of your treasure hunting sources!
Remember, your bank doesn't always have pennies to spare, so be patient! When you find that treasure you've been searching for, it will make all those trips to the bank worth while!
Use a Metal Detector To Find Those Wheat Pennies
If you are a collector of Wheat Pennies, how do you find them? Below are several ways collectors find those valuable Wheat Cents!
- Swap Meets
- Ebay
- Change
- Flea Markets
- Online Forums and Groups
Those are some of the most popular places to find Wheaties, but how many of you have found them using Metal Detectors?
Metal detectors are responsible for many great finds when it comes to coin collecting! Searching around old homes and schools are favorite places to search Or maybe an abandon lot where a country store use to be. Searching these type places with a Metal Detector have been known to produce very rare coins, including Wheat Pennies!
| Tesoro Toltec 100 Metal Detector Great Condition | ![]() |
16 Bids | US $153.50 | 7h 16m |
| KOSS DELUXE NOISE REDUCTION HEADPHONES MINELAB E TRAC METAL DETECTOR TESORO | ![]() |
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US $33.50 | 6h 23m |
| METAL DETECTOR DETECTING POUCH WITH BELT U/W WHITES GARRETT FISHER TESORO | ![]() |
1 Bid | US $11.95 | 5h 21m |
| Tesoro Compadre w/ 7" coil and cover metal detector | ![]() |
14 Bids | US $126.50 | 1d 5h 33m |
| Beach Sand Scoop Use With Garrett Tesoro Metal Detector | ![]() |
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US $34.50 | 18d 22h 26m |
| Tesoro Vaquero Metal Detector with 9x8" Monolithic Coil | ![]() |
0 Bid | US $446.25 | 1d 19h 35m |
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Do you use a Metal Detector to search for your Wheat Cents?
Have you made any great finds?
How Much Are People Paying For Wheat Pennies?
With the tough economic times, you would think that folks where skipping out on things like collectibles. WRONG! Always remember this, folks collect and invest in items such as Wheat Pennies, because they KNOW there is a future for them! With hot auction spots like Ebay, it's no wonder collectors want to grab up every Wheat Penny they can get their hands on!
Did you know that recently over 30 Lincoln Wheat Pennies have sold on Ebay for between $2,000 and $8,000 dollars?
We found this auction currently running on Ebay...
1914-D Lincoln Wheat Cent $16,900.00
Do you have one of those lying around?
You would be surprised at how many people have rare pennies in their collection and because they are not "professional collectors", they don't realize what they have!
1909 Wheat Penny Facts
In an earlier post that you can read by clicking here, we talked about the 1909-S VDB Wheat Penny and also have some ongoing auctions for that particular coin.
Another interesting fact about the 1909 Wheat Penny is that there were actually six U.S. Cents issued in 1909.
1909 Indian Head Penny
1909-S Indian Head Penny
1909 VDB Wheat Penny
1909-S VDB Wheat Penny
1909 Wheat Penny
1909-S Wheat Penny
The VDB is definitely the most popular among collectors and investers!
The 1909-S VDB Wheat Penny
The 1909 San Francisco, California-minted "VDB" Wheat Cent is considered to be one of the more valuable Wheat Pennies for collectors. VDB was the designers initials, Victor David Brenner.
The designer put his initials between the stalks of wheat on the lower reverse side. There were only 484,000 of these produced because the public didn't like the fact that Brenner's initials were so prominently displayed.
How Valuable Is The 1909-S VDB Wheat Penny?
It's a fact that these Wheat Pennies with poor quality have sold for hundres of dollars. A high grade can go for as much as $6,000 to $12,000 dollars!
| 1909-S VDB 1c Lincoln Wheat Back Penny NGC AU Details | ![]() |
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US $1,162.00 | 25d 22h 16m |
| 1909-S VDB 1C PCGS MS 62 Brown Lincoln Wheat Penny | ![]() |
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US $1,800.00 | 23d 9h 13m |
| 1909-S VDB Lincoln Wheat Cent PCGS MS64 RB Penny 1C | ![]() |
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US $2,795.00 | 20d 6h 57m |
| 1909-S VDB 1C PCGS VF 35 Lincoln Wheat Penny | ![]() |
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US $1,250.00 | 19d 9h 45m |
| 1909-S VDB 1c Lincoln Wheat Back Penny NGC Fine Details Scratches | ![]() |
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US $927.00 | 18d 4h 14m |
| 1909-S VDB 1C PCGS VF 20 Lincoln Wheat Penny | ![]() |
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US $1,150.00 | 17d 4h 26m |
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What Is A Wheat Penny?
Referred to as many different things, the Wheat Penny has become a huge collectors item! Common names you will often hear are:
- Wheat Penny
- Lincoln Wheat Cent
- Wheatie
- Wheat Head
- Wheatback
The Wheat Penny was a one-cent coin that was produced in the United States from 1909-1958.




