Rare Lincoln Wheat Penny Worth $168K Still Found in Circulation – Check Your Pocket Change

If you’ve ever emptied your change jar and found an old penny with an “S” under the date, you might’ve held something incredibly valuable—especially if it says “VDB” on the reverse. The 1909-S VDB Lincoln Wheat cent isn’t just a coin—it’s a collector’s dream. But what makes this tiny copper piece such a big deal? Let’s break it down.

Rarity

When it comes to coin collecting, rarity is everything—and this penny checks that box hard. It was minted in San Francisco (that’s the “S”) in 1909, the very first year of the Lincoln cent series. That year, only 484,000 of these coins were made with the VDB initials on the reverse.

Victor David Brenner, the coin’s designer, placed his initials prominently at the bottom on the reverse. Some felt that was too much “self-promotion” for a coin, and the U.S. Mint quickly pulled the design. That makes the original 1909-S VDB version super rare and highly desirable.

To put this into perspective: Most pennies are minted in the hundreds of millions. Having a release with less than half a million? That’s the numismatic equivalent of a limited-edition sneaker drop.

The Lincoln Wheat Penny Worth $100,000 Still Circulating – Check Your Pockets

Detail

What really separates the genuine from the fakes is in the detail. The mint mark “S” should be sharply struck and aligned in a very specific position under the “1909” date. The “VDB” initials should be crisp and centered on the reverse near the bottom rim.

Fake versions often mess this up—either the mint mark is too large, slightly tilted, or it looks like it was stamped after the coin was made. Even if it looks real to the naked eye, experts can spot red flags with a loupe or under magnification.

If you think you’ve found one of these legendary coins, don’t guess. Get it authenticated by PCGS or NGC. These grading services won’t just verify the coin—they’ll also grade its condition, which heavily affects the value.

Value

The price tag on a 1909-S VDB penny depends on one thing: condition. Here’s a look at how values typically break down:

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In 2022, one of these coins in MS67RD (Mint State, Red) sold for $168,000 at auction. That’s more than a Tesla—or even a small house in some parts of the U.S.

Fakes

Because of its value, this coin is one of the most commonly counterfeited in the U.S. coin world. Some forgers take a 1909 VDB penny from the Philadelphia Mint and add a fake “S” mint mark to pass it off as the rare version.

Others try altering the date on similar coins. It’s sneaky and hard to spot unless you know what to look for. That’s why professional authentication is crucial. A legit coin with the right documentation is your golden ticket if you plan to sell—or just want to show off your find with confidence.

Legacy

The 1909-S VDB penny isn’t just rare—it’s symbolic. It kicked off a new era in U.S. coin design, celebrating President Abraham Lincoln on the centennial of his birth. And while it was pulled quickly due to controversy over Brenner’s initials, that “flaw” ended up being the very thing that made it iconic.

The Lincoln Cent Worth $40,000 That’s Still Circulating in the U.S. – Check Your Change Today

Today, it’s a centerpiece in Lincoln cent collections, often called the “King of Wheat Cents.” Finding one is like observing buried treasure—rare, thrilling, and potentially life-changing.

If you’re lucky enough to find one, handle it with care. Better yet, get it graded. You never know—you could be holding six figures in your hand.

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