As Cincinnati’s leading coin appraisal provider, we’ve encountered thousands of coins and collectibles. Whether they are common or rare, each item carries a unique story. One of our favorites here at Coins Plus is the American wheat cent. Unlike other collectibles, these 21st-century coins are still in circulation and are often hiding in bank rolls and forgotten piggy banks. The rarest varieties, however, rarely have a new specimen come to market.

Below, our coin dealers discuss the history of three particular wheat cents in ascending rarity and value:

1. 1909 S V.D.B. 

In 1907, President Theodore Roosevelt commissioned American sculptor Victor David Brenner to design a new cent. Brenner’s coin was the first U.S. currency to feature an image of a person. The sculptor also broke tradition by including his own initials, “V.D.B.” in the design. This addition was widely criticized and was subsequently removed later that same year. Nearly 484,000 wheat cents were created in 1909, but few display the famous initials and even less have an “S” or San Francisco mint mark. Those from the San Francisco mint displaying Brenner’s initials can be valued from a few hundred dollars into the thousands. There are many counterfeits in the marketplace, so please stop in for our expert appraisal if you think you have one of these rare cents. 

1. 1955 Doubled Die 

When a die is made to produce a coin, it takes multiple impressions to properly impress the image into the die steel. At the Philadelphia Mint in 1955, the obverse coin die become misaligned before the second impression, resulting in a doubled image on the front of the coin. The effect is most apparent on the date, motto, and legend, although you may also notice a slight blurring around Lincoln’s portrait. There are an estimated 40,000 1955 doubled die cents in existence, making them a rare find. The current value of a 1955 doubled die goes from about $600 into the thousands depending on the state of preservation. Again, if you have one please stop in for our expert appraisal. 

1. 1943 Bronze Cent

In 1943, the U.S. was in desperate need of copper for use in World War II. Thus, they temporarily halted copper cent production and instead relied on steel blanks. Over a billion of these “steelies” were created in 1943. However, some old copper blanks were stuck in the presses or the transportation tubes and eventually became mixed in with the steel blanks creating the famous 1943 Copper Cents. There are only 40 of these coins left in existence, making them one of the most sought after Lincoln cents. There are many copper plated steel cents out there. An easy tell is to see if the coin is attracted to a magnet. If it is, you have a copper plated coin. If it does NOT, you need to see us to get your coin authenticated for sale, which can reach into the 6 figures!  

If you have any of the above items in your collection, remember, DO NOT CLEAN THEM as that will reduce their value. Call Coins Plus at (513) 621-1996 to schedule an expert, honest coin appraisal. For more information on wheat cents as well as other collectibles we buy and sell, visit our website.