What Is a Wheat Penny? (Complete Guide for Collectors)
Wheat Penny
The Wheat Penny, also known as the Lincoln Wheat Cent, is a U.S. coin minted from 1909 to 1958.
It features President Abraham Lincoln on the front (obverse) and two wheat stalks on the back (reverse), which is where the coin gets its name.
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Key Features of Wheat Pennies
Obverse (Front): Abraham Lincoln portrait
Reverse (Back): Two wheat stalks surrounding the words “ONE CENT”
Composition: 95% copper (most years)
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Why Wheat Pennies Are Popular
Wheat pennies are one of the most collected coins in the United States because they are:
Historically significant
Affordable for beginners
Available in a wide range of dates and conditions
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Key Dates and Rarities
Some Wheat Pennies are significantly more valuable due to low mintage or errors, including:
1909-S VDB
1914-D
1922 No D
1931-S
These coins are highly sought after by collectors.
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Wheat Pennies in BU Condition
Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) Wheat Pennies are especially desirable because they retain their original luster and detail.
Coins with full Red (RD) color are even more valuable.
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Wheat Pennies in Coin Nerds Sets
Many of our coin sets feature carefully selected Wheat Pennies in BU RED condition, making them ideal for collectors looking to build high-quality sets.
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Related Terms
Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) – Learn more
Red (RD) – Learn more
Mint Mark – Learn more
Lincoln Cent – Learn more
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