Which Lincoln Penny Dates Are Actually Worth Money?
Short answer: most Lincoln cents aren't worth much more than face value. But a small handful of dates stand out, and once you know what they are, you'll never sort a jar of pennies the same way again.
I get this question constantly, so let me walk you through the ones that actually matter.
1909-S VDB
This is the coin every wheat cent collector eventually learns about. When the Lincoln cent debuted in 1909, designer Victor David Brenner's initials — VDB — appeared prominently on the reverse. The Mint pulled them almost immediately, which means only a limited number of coins from the San Francisco mint carry them. It's the most famous key date in the entire series, and it's the one most beginners hope to stumble across.
1914-D
This date had a much lower mintage than most Lincoln cents from the same era, and it doesn't get nearly as much attention as the 1909-S VDB. That's exactly why it's worth knowing about — a genuinely scarce coin that's easy to overlook if you're not paying attention to mint marks.
1922 "Plain" (No Mint Mark)
In 1922, all Lincoln cents were struck in Denver. A worn or poorly struck die on some of these coins caused the "D" mint mark to appear faint or missing entirely, creating a variety collectors call the 1922 "plain." Since every 1922 cent should technically show a D, one that doesn't is a genuine oddity worth a second look.
1931-S
Production dropped sharply this year, and far fewer 1931-S cents were struck compared to other dates nearby. It's not as expensive as the 1909-S VDB, but it's still considered a legitimate key date and a solid find for a beginner's collection.
1943 Bronze (Copper) Cent
In 1943, the Mint switched to steel cents to conserve copper for the war effort. A tiny number of bronze planchets were accidentally left in the presses, producing copper cents that shouldn't exist for that year. This is one of the most famous error coins in American numismatics, and it's exactly the kind of coin worth getting a professional opinion on before you assume you have one — most "copper-looking" 1943 cents turn out to be ordinary steel cents with rust or discoloration. If you want a broader sense of what counts as a genuine error versus ordinary wear, I've written a full guide on what error coins are and whether you could have one without knowing it.
1955 Doubled Die
This is one of the easiest key varieties to recognize once you know what to look for. The date and lettering on the obverse appear clearly doubled, almost like a double exposure photograph. It's a die-making error, not damage, and it's one of the most collectible error coins out there.
What This Means for You
Here's the honest takeaway: these dates are the exception, not the rule. The vast majority of wheat cents you'll find are common, and that's perfectly fine — building a complete date set is still a satisfying project even without a key date in it.
Condition matters just as much as date when it comes to what a key date is actually worth. Two 1909-S VDB cents can sell for very different prices depending on grade, so it's worth reading my guide on how to read a coin grade and why MS-65 means something very different from MS-63 before you get too attached to a number you saw in a price guide.
If you haven't already, take a look at my full guide on why Lincoln cents are the perfect coin series for beginners for a broader introduction to the series, including where to start and what to look for as you go.
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August Keene is the founder of Numisteria, a coin collecting website built for beginners. His mission is to help new collectors avoid costly mistakes, understand what their coins are worth, and enjoy the hobby with confidence.
Suggested FAQ
What is the most valuable Lincoln penny? The 1909-S VDB is the most famous key date in the series, though genuine error coins like the 1943 bronze cent are rarer and more valuable when authenticated.
How do I know if my penny is a key date? Check the date and mint mark against a known list of key dates, then compare the coin's details closely against reference photos before assuming it's rare.
Should I get a suspected key date graded? If a coin matches the date, mint mark, and details of a genuine key date, it's worth a professional opinion before you buy or sell it, since altered dates and mint marks are common in this series.
