1944 Wheat Cent Errors, Varieties, and Values

1944 Wheat Cent Errors, Varieties, & Values

1944 wheat cent errors and varieties exist!   First, observe a 1944 S Lincoln wheat cent displaying a minor struck through grease error in the images. 

1944 one cent wheat penny value

One of the dots is completely missing, with some of the devices, the tops of the letters “E Pluribus Unum” appear faded.  Keep scrolling to learn more about the 1944 wheat leaf penny.

This wheatback penny is in a late die stage, meaning the coin was struck with an aging die.  For instance, the faded bust of Lincoln, also known as “The Ghost of Lincoln,” is evident on the reverse and a strong indication of an overused die.  Keep reading to learn more about more 1944 wheat cent errors, varieties, and values.

best selling coin microscopes
Best Selling Coin Microscopes
1944 Lincoln Wheat Cent Values

1944 Lincoln wheat cent values depend on a variety of factors.  For instance, 1944 S wheat pennies sell for roughly two dollars or more in raw condition on Ebay.  Furthermore, it’s not always the condition of a coin that makes it the most valuable.

However, luster still has a major influence on eye appeal.  For instance, a 1944-S Lincoln wheat cent graded MS67Rd, sold for $3,290.  Additionally, a 1944-S Lincoln wheat penny graded MS67BN, sold for $50.00.

1944 wheat cent coin 1944 wheat penny value
Most Valuable 1944 Wheat Pennies

Furthermore,  a 1944-S Steel Lincoln wheat cent graded MS66, sold for $408,000.  However, that penny is not only a high mint state grade, but it’s also a rare transitional error.  That’s why it’s an extremely valuable $400K penny!

Additionally, a 1944 steel wheat cent graded MS64, sold for $180,000.  While not as lustrous, its composition makes it a rarity.  Needless to say these specimens are some of the most valuable wheat cents to date.

1944 s wheat cent value
1944 S Wheat Penny Mint Mark Varieties

The famed 1944-S Lincoln Cent struck on a Zinc-Plated Steel Planchet, weighs 2.7 grams. Moreover, be aware of the mint mark varieties that exist. For instance, a “large S, is one of two mint mark varieties in use at that time in San Francisco. 

The Knob S is the other. That 1944-S steel cent is also the Large S variety. An estimated 10 are thought to exist in various conditions and grades.” Daniel of Portsmouth Coins suggests investing in having a coin such as this professionally authenticated and graded.

1944 Penny Transitional Off Metal Errors

“When a coin is struck on a planchet different than its intended, it is defined as an “off-metal”. This is because the planchet is different than normal either in its appearance, size, or both.” – coinweek.com

Transitional mint errors happen when coins are struck with differing metal compositions not just different sizes of devices. Other 1944 penny planchet errors are as follows:

  1. 1944-S Lincoln Cent struck on a Zinc-Plated Steel Planchet.
  2. 1944-S Struck On Steel Planchet.
  3. 1944-D Struck On Zinc Coated Planchet.
  4. 1944-D Struck On Steel Planchet.
  5. 1944 Struck On Steel Planchet.
Rare Wheat Cent Varieties

The next time you come across a 1944 penny observe it very closely. Obverse and reverse doubled die varieties exist.  Furthermore, repunched mintmark varieties, and over mintmark variety discoveries may still be hiding in a roll of 1944 pennies somewhere too. There’s still a lot to look for on 1944 wheat cents!




Variety Attributions

Images to utilize for coin mint mark variety comparisons are available via coppercoins.com.  Images to compare doubled die varieties are available at doubleddie.com.  Another excellent resource is varietyvista.com.

These numismatists will examine and attribute coins for a reasonable price.  However, each has special set of instructions for submitting coins to them for attribution.  Therefore, thoroughly read the directions on each website.

This website is a partnered associate and contains affiliate links, which enable me to earn commissions from various partners. Full disclosure is available here.  Partners include Ebay, Amazon, Google Adsense, and others.

1909 Lincoln Cent Errors, Varieties, and Values

1909 Lincoln Cent Errors, Varieties, and Values

The 1909 Lincoln cent is a sought after wheat penny known for errors and varieties.  Moreover, the values of the 1909 penny vary, but they can be as high as the price of a small house.  Furthermore, both mints struck coins with the initials and without the initials.” – Heritage Auctions

1909 Penny Famous for Controversy

Additionally, “the 1909 S version was the first year of the Lincoln coin. Almost immediately upon release the public made complaints about Brenner’s initials (V.D.B.) on the back of the Lincoln cent, because the initials are located under the wheat stalks.”

1909 penny value 1909 lincoln wheat cent

After the location of the V.D.B. initials attracted public scrutiny, the U.S. Mint responded to the criticism by removing the initials entirely.  “Thus the result some 1909 Lincoln cents bear the V.D.B. initials, and others do not.” – the-sun.com

Collectible 1909 Penny Varieties

Additionally, “instead of placing the initials elsewhere with new dies, mint employees simply removed them entirely from die.  This produced a new variety of 1909 cents without the V.D.B.

wheat penny error 1909 lincoln cent errors

Furthermore, as new dies were being prepared, the designer’s initials on the old dies were removed by crude tooling. 1909 pennies struck by these altered dies are highly sought-after.” – error-ref.com

1909 V.D.B. Struck Through Reverse Error

What caused this coin to catch my eye first, is that the V.D.B. initials appear as a struck through grease error.  Moreover, I wouldn’t have noticed the V.D.B. without a microscope, because the initials aren’t as visible to the naked eye. 

Was this 1909 V.D.B. penny deliberately struck through from crude tools used to remove the initials?  Was it an unintentional error?  Additionally, feel free to contact me with your thoughts about it. 

1909 Lincoln Cent Mintages

The 1909 cent is extremely valuable not only because of the fame garnered from the controversy surrounding them, but also the low mintage brought on by the controversy.  Furthermore, only 484,000 1909-S pennies were produced.  However, though that’s a rare variety, it’s not all that makes these Lincoln pennies so valuable.

wheat cents 1909
1909 Lincoln Cent Values

1909 V.D.B cents can be found for sale on Ebay in circulated raw condition at around five dollars and up.  The values do vary and depend on the condition of the coin, mintage, and variety.  The more unique the coin, then the lesser the population, and the higher the grade, the more valuable the coin!

For instance, a 1909 VDB cent graded MS62 BN, (brown,) sold at auction for $4,830.00.   A 1909 VDB penny graded MS68RD, sold at auction for $56,400.00!

Furthermore, there are only four 1909 VDB Lincoln cents without errors, but with a high mint state grade of MS68.  The PCGS price guide value is an estimated $57,000 per coin!   A 1909 1C Lincoln, graded PR68RD (Proof), sold at auction for $59,800.00.   

1909 Lincoln Cent Doubled Die Varieties

The value of the 1909 penny depends not only on the condition of the coin but whether it has a unique error or other anomaly, such as the 1909 doubled die varieties.  The 1909 S minted pennies with the initials have the lowest mintage, but pennies of this date can still be extremely rare and valuable regardless of mintage.

1909 lincoln one cent wheat penny

Furthermore, this 1909 penny displays moderate to extra thickness showing on the date and Liberty.  I compared images to listings available via coppercoins.com first. 

Furthermore, doubling exists on the front and back of 1909 Lincoln cent.  Therefore it’s important to examine both sides of the coin.  Moreover, doubled die listings to compare images to are available via varietyvista.com.  Jon Wexler has 1909 doubled die varieties listings with images on doubleddie.com

1909 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent Values

The auction prices of graded and authenticated 1909 doubled die varieties make for an impressive conversation to start with anyone who likes to talk about money.   For instance, a 1909 VDB Lincoln cent DDO FS-1102 graded MS67RD, sold at auction for $24,150.

Furthermore, a1909 VDB 1C Doubled Die Obverse graded MS67RD, sold at auction for $23,000 in 2009.  The 1909 VDB 1C DDO FS-1102, graded MS64RB (Red Brown,) once sold at auction for $1,560.00.    The opportunities are endless “Looking Through Lincoln Cents!” 

This website is a partnered associate and contains affiliate links, which enable me to earn commissions from various partners. Full disclosure is available here.  Partners include Ebay, Amazon, Google Adsense, and others.

1957 Lincoln Wheat Cent Errors, Varieties, and Values

1957 Lincoln Wheat Cent Errors, Varieties, & Values

1957 Lincoln Wheat cent errors and varieties exist!  For instance, this 1957-D Lincoln wheat cent displays a repunched mint mark or RPM.  I got this one online via Coppercoins auction channel.

1957-d penny error

Furthermore, “Looking Through Lincoln Cents” is authored by coin errors and varieties specialist Chuck Daughtrey.  In other words, it was he who noted the die markings on this rare and valuable collectible coin.

Moreover, die markings display a split lower serif, indicating a repunched mint mark, die chips in the nine and five, and a die scratch above the one and nine.  Additionally, a die crack is visible across Lincoln’s forehead.

1957 wheat penny error value
1957 D Lincoln Wheat Cent Reverse
Repunched Mint Mark (RPM)

“A repunched mint mark variety is generated when the letter punch used to punch the mint mark into the working die leaves two or more offset impressions.”  – error-ref.com

Furthermore, mint mark impressions almost always overlap.  “A totally separate secondary mint mark is a rarity, and therefore a very valuable penny.  The era of RPM’s ceased in 1989 when the U. S. Mint began placing the mint mark on the master die instead of punching the mint mark into the working die.”

1957 Penny Values

Wheat cents are worth at least two cents each because they’re primarily composed of copper.  Always be on the lookout for a repunched mint mark on Lincoln wheat cents! RPM pennies are collectible coins.

Furthermore, the less worn a coin is the more it becomes worth.  In other words, value appreciates over time whether a wheat cent is a die variety, an error coin, or neither. 

1957 Lincoln Wheat Cent Values

For instance, a 1957-D 1C graded MS67+ RD, sold at auction for $6,600.00.  A 1957 wheat cent graded MS76+ RD, sold at auction for $13,800.00.

1957 D Lincoln Wheat RPM pennies sell in raw condition between $5 and $20.00 on Ebay and other online coin shops, such as lincolncent.com.

1957 Wheat Cent Doubled Die Varieties & Errors

Additionally, rare specimens of 1957 wheat cent doubled die varieties exist! If you’ve found a 1957 penny, then compare it to the listings available at coppercoins.com,  varietyvista.com,  and/or doubleddie.com.

Additionally, watch the video above as Mr.Chuck Daughtrey examines this 1957 wheat penny with his microscope.  Note coin number 8 of reveal #305 at 14 minutes 15 seconds in.

Next, check out a 1989 Lincoln Memorial Cent Mint Error.   This website is a partnered associate and contains affiliate links, which enable me to earn commissions from various partners. Full disclosure is available here.  Partners include Ebay, Amazon, Google Adsense, and others.