Gold: $3449.52  |  Silver: $39.72

1942 Lincoln Wheat Pennies

1942 Lincoln Wheat Pennies
1942 Lincoln Wheat Pennies Value

Coin Info

Melt Value
N/A
Country
United States
Type
Copper Coin
Face Value
$0.01 USD
Mintage
950,084,000

With World War II rationing already underway in 1942 to save metal and other necessary materials for the war effort, the U.S. Treasury had removed nickel from the five-cent coin for the nation’s artillery needs. The Lincoln cent, however, wouldn’t undergo a temporary, war-related metal composition change until the following year. In that respect, production of 1942 Lincoln Wheat Penny coins continued as normal, with nearly 1 billion Lincoln Pennies were minted; 657,796,000 at the Philadelphia Mint (no mintmark); 206,698,000 at the Denver Mint (mintmark: D); and 85,590,000 at the San Francisco Mint (mintmark: S). 

Given such high production figures, the 1942 Lincoln Penny is by no means a scarce coin – plenty exist in virtually all grades to provide Lincoln Penny collectors their fill, and for a price that is highly affordable for most numismatists. In fact, many 1942 Pennies are still circulating, so if you are inclined to assemble a collection of Lincoln cents from the 1940s (and 1950s, for that matter), searching pocket change and bank rolls may lend you the examples you want. If you would rather just buy your 1942 Pennies, you will find them for less than 20 cents each in just about any circulated grade you want, and for under $5 in uncirculated grades.

The only other major variety of 1942 Penny that for collectors to go after is the proof coin from that year, and with 32,600 originally struck for inclusion in proof sets, there are normally enough on the market to satisfy demand. You should be able to find an example in Proof 63 for around $75.

User comments

42 comments
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How much is a silver 1942 wheat penny worth? I can't seem to find the silver one mentioned.
TG
Hi, Tammy --

There was no silver, or steel, penny made in 1942. You either have a Mercury silver dime planchet that was accidentally struck by a Lincoln cent die or a regular copper 1942 cent that was plated in zinc, steel, silver, or another silvery metal by someone outside the Mint. The former is extremely rare and worth $750 to $1,000 or up and the latter is much more common and worth just two cents for the coin's intrinsic metal value.

If you would like to post a photo of your coin, I'd be happy to help determine what you have.

Best wishes,
Josh @ CoinValues
We tested the penny to a magnet and it doesn't stick to it. We also compared it to a dime and it is a hair bigger than the dime. How can I post the picture. Or do u have an email you want me to send it to?
TG
Hello, Tammy --

Based on the thorough information you provided (thank you!), you have a plated 1942 cent that is worth two cents for its intrinsic copper value.

Best wishes,
Josh
Hi: I have a 1942 D Penny. Is it worth anything? How do I send a pic?
MF
You can upload images using the "Add Media" button next to your comment.
Hi, Mary --

A well-circulated 1942-D Lincoln cent is worth about 5 to 10 cents and is considered a collectible coin.

Best wishes,
Josh @ CoinValues
I got 1942
AL
Hello, Anthony --

A 1942 Lincoln cent in average circulated condition is worth 5 to 10 cents.

Best wishes,
Josh @ CoinValues
I have a 1942D that a magnet does stick to ???
JD
Hi, J DrkPurple --

May we see a photo of this coin, please? What does it weigh?

Thank you,
Josh
Hi, I have a 1942 wheat penny, no d,a or p on it.
Worth anything?
DH
Hi, Dylan --

Your 1942 Lincoln wheat cent was made at the Philadelphia Mint; back then, the Philadelphia Mint was not stamping a mintmark on one-cent coins. Your piece, presuming it's probably worn from circulation, is worth 3 to 5 cents.

Best,
Josh
Hi!

I have a penny collection from when I was a kid (about 30-35 years ago) and I have three pennies with rainbow coloring. 1942, 1942-D, and 1942-S. Any value to those?

(I was going to post front/back photos of them, but don't see an option to do so)

Thank you,
Stephanie
SW
HI, Stephanie --

You should see at the bottom left of your comment a button that says "Add Media". Clicking that allows you to upload images. Please let us know if you have any issue in getting that to work on your computer.

I can tell you that the minimal value for the coins you listed is 3 to 5 cents each, and hopefully the rainbow toning is due to natural aging and not the recoloring from past cleanings. Photos should help us further -- Fingers crossed!

Good luck,
Josh @ CoinValues
I have a 1942 penny that sticks to a magnet. What is it worth?
CM
Hello, Channan --

How much does your 1942 cent weigh? May we see a photo of your coin, please?

Thank you so much,
Josh
I have a 1942 E copper wheat penny. What is it worth I haven't seen any thing about e just d s p or a
RT
Hi, Robert --

Would you please post a photo of this coin so I can help determine what's going on with it?

Thank you!
Josh
Robert, right below your comment will you see an "Add Media" button. You can upload images there.
ok. I'm not sure how to do that but I have a 1942 no mint appears to be an error or severely damaged obverse side coin.
RE
Hello I just wanted to know if I could email someone pics of various coins that I have, with hopes that you could help me understand if these coins are of any value. In particular I have a 1942 wheat penny without a mint mark that appears to be either an error or severely damaged coin. The flaws or damage is mostly on the obverse side of coin and along the rim. The "4" in 1942 appears to have an distinct overlapping in certain areas. Could you please send me an email address so I can send pics from another phone as my cell phone camera is not able to capture any significant pics that are clear enough to see.
RE
Hello, Robert --

You can upload photos of your coin here in the comments section, and from viewing the photos we should be able to help you further.

Best wishes,
Josh
Good day.
What I have is a 1942 copper, wheat Lincoln penny, with a "S" mint strike. My question is, what is it worth?
MR
Hi, Matt!

A circulated 1942-S Lincoln cent is worth about 5 to 10 cents.

Best wishes,
Josh
How can I upload a picture?
DM
Dana, you will see an "Add Media" button just below your submitted comment.
I found a 1942 wheat penny with no D on it, is it worth anything???
DT
Dave,

1942 Wheat Pennies with no mintmark are from the Philadelphia Mint and are worth up to 20 cents in normal worn condition.
I have a well circulated 1942 wheat that looks as if it has cracks down the center of it. I’m assuming minting errors due to the lettering being off as well. Any ideas what this penny would be worth
BR
Beth,

You would have to upload a picture to take a better look. It's hard to describe in words certain mint errors or damage.
How much is worth a 1942 s penny
BF
Brian, a 1942-S Wheat Penny is worth up to 20 cents in circulated condition.
How do I submit an image? I have a 1942 wheat penny with no mark on it
RM
Ralph, there is a "Add Media" button below your comment, but it is best to post in our forum if you have lots of pics.
I have a 1942 d that doesn't stick to a magnet how much is it worth?
SA
Sabrena, 1942 Wheat Pennies are copper and should not stick to a magnet. Your 1942-D is worth up to 20 cents in circulated condition.
1942 no mint mark 9 is bigger and maybe over lapping.

And I have 7 1942 silver looking Lincoln penny's some mint we at back I read some we're rediped but some have fase difference I have chains from 300ad I have some I guess China 1000 year's old maybe I bring them in they made 2 piles and sent pitches the a Extremely well know corner he said no biggie but the coin shop sure wanted them Go figure.
JW
Hello I have a 1942 wheat penny with an error on the reverse side of it missing the "M" in America and it doesn't appear to have any sort of tool marks suggesting it was removed after minting and I cannot find any examples like it anywhere to get an idea of its value. Thank you for any help on this matter.
JH
John,

That doesn't sound like a known mint error, but you never know. It could be, but people do lots of weird things with coins sometimes! Could you upload a picture of it?
Can you tell me what I have?
JD
Jennifer, could you be more specific? Appraising coins over the internet is nearly impossible. We suggest you find your coin using our menu above (gold, silver, pennies) and read the article about it. That will give you an idea of whether what you have is worth anything or not.

If you have doubts you should take your coin to a reputable coin dealer for appraisal.