Coin collectors will often stress that anyone who has the hobby of collecting coins should have the "Wheat Penny" in his collection. Wheatback, Wheatie, Strawpeny and Wheat Head are some of the names given to these coins. The US Mint had produced this one-cent coin from 1909 till 1958.

The Beginning These coins were designed by Victor David Brenner, a sculptor in New York, who infamously added his initials of V.D.B. to the coin. This was done on a small number of coins until controversy erupted and ended the initials on the coin. There were around 484,000 of these coins minted, which is one reason why they can now fetch up to $100's of dollars. If you have one that is in mint condition it could sell as high as $12,000. These 1909 San Francisco minted coins are one of the most valuable wheat pennies to have in a collection.

1909-S VDB wheat penny and the 1914-D wheat penny will bring about $5,000. Both these coins had a mistake in them and that is the main reason why they enjoy such a high value. In recent times such wheat coins are found in the private gallery of individuals or coin dealers.

Even in recent times we come across a wheat coin in our regular circulation. These coins are by and large not the prestigious or the exceptional wheat coins, however even they will fetch a good price in the passage of time. The best example is the 1922 wheat penny without a mint mark. This was because the dye used to make them was very weak; some pennies are found bearing a stamp D on them while the same is missing on others.

One of the most exceptional coins are the 1943 wheat pennies, which were crafted from bronze or zinc coated steel. These coins were manufactured at the time of World War II due to the rationing of copper during the war. The 1943 steel penny is considered to be a necessity for any assortment amongst the penny collectors. In 1944 the composition was changed back to copper, tin and zinc by the mint.

1955 Double Die The double dye 1955 wheat penny is attention-grabbing. You find a distinctive dual image of President Lincoln on these coins. The coins are regarded as faulty coins as it was not assumed to turn out in this manner. Without this coin the real wheat penny assortment is viewed as incomplete.

Wheat pennies from just about any year are worth three times their value, unless of course it's from a year considered to be a "key date" or "Semi-Key Date". There are numerous websites online that will give you an idea of the value of a wheat penny. Prices of course will vary depending on who is doing the evaluation. A retailer will offer less than a direct purchase done with a collector. If you have one that you would like to sell or just get an idea of the value, Ebay is a fascinating place to check out values. Your local library will also be able to give you some guidance as well as a complete history on these fascinating pennies.