- United States Coins
- Wheat Pennies
- 1944 Lincoln Wheat Pennies
1944 Lincoln Wheat Pennies
Coin Info
1944 marked the return of copper to the Lincoln Wheat Penny coins, though the denomination wasn’t struck with exactly the same composition as in 1942. 1944 Lincoln wheat cents were made with metal recycled from ammunition shells. Unlike Lincoln cents made from 1909 to 1942, which are 95 percent copper and 5 percent tin and zinc, Lincoln cents from 1944, 1945, and 1946 were made with a composition of 95 percent copper and 5 percent zinc (no tin). However, the slight visual differences between 1944-1946 Lincoln cents and copper cents from other years in the Lincoln Wheat Penny series are only distinct among uncirculated coins.
In other news for the 1944 Lincoln Penny, production figures were extraordinarily high, with about two billion one-cent coins made across all three mints operating in 1944; approximately 1,435,000,000 at the Philadelphia Mint; 430,578,000 at the Denver Mint (D); and 282,760,000 at the San Francisco Mint (S). Interestingly, there is a significant off-metal error from 1944, and that is the 1944 steel Penny – an inadvertent striking that presumably occurred when some 1943 steel Planchets were left behind in the hoppers that feed coin blanks through the striking machinery at the U.S. Mint. Approximately 30 or so 1944 steel cents are thought to exist, with each sporting a price tag ranging from $75,000 to more than $375,000, based on grade.
1944 Lincoln cents as a whole, though, are quite common and can be had for about 10 to 20 cents in most circulated grades. Uncirculated specimens can be bought for around $5 each. Keep in mind that many 1944 copper cents are still circulating and can be had at face value if luck strikes – searching rolls may improve your odds of finding 1944 Lincoln Wheat Penny coins without having to utilize the services of a coin dealer.
Other Years From This Coin Series:
User comments
You will find the approximate value of your 1943-D cent here: https://coinvalues.com/wheat-pennies/1943
All the best,
Josh @ CoinValues
Yes, as listed above, circulated 1944 Lincoln wheat cents (including those like yours, which have a "D" mintmark indicating its origin at the Denver Mint) are worth 10 to 20 cents. Please refer to the other articles for info on values for your other coins:
1935 Lincoln wheat pennies: https://coinvalues.com/wheat-pennies/1935
1958 Lincoln wheat pennies: https://coinvalues.com/wheat-pennies/1958
Good luck!
Josh @ CoinValues
Would you please post a photo of this coin here or in the forum so I can see what it is and provide some advice on its value?
Thank you so much,
Josh @ CoinValues
It is believed that only 30 of these 1944 steel pennies are in existence.
But it sounds like you have an altered, counterstamped 1944 Lincoln cent. Unless the origin of the stamp can be traced, such altered 1944 Lincoln cents are generally worth only 2 to 3 cents. Again, some counterstamped coins are actually worth more because they are collectible as what some might call "exonumia" coins (altered, coin or coin-like items), but generally only if we can determine the origin of the stamp, which came from a private individual or company outside of the Mint.
We'd say to hang onto the coin...
As mentioned in the article above, an average circulated 1944 Lincoln wheat cent is generally worth 10 to 20 cents.
Thank you for your question,
Josh
Would you please post a photo of your 1944-S penny here? What does this coin weigh (in grams, down to the hundredth of a gram)? This coin sounds like something worth checking out, but it will need to be evaluated further before we can determine exactly what's going on with it. You can also post photos of this 1944 cent in our Forum: https://coinvalues.com/forum
Fingers crossed!
Josh @ CoinValues
If both of your Lincoln steel cents are magnetic, then that is normal and they are worth 10 to 25 cents each in circulated condition.
Best,
Josh
If your 1944 steel cent is authentic, it's worth $75,000 or more. However, getting a 1944 steel cent authenticated requires several layers of diagnostic testing an is best done by a third-party coin grading company. Here's more info on those: https://coinvalues.com/library/coin-slabbing-services
Good luck!
Josh
Please peruse our Lincoln Wheat Penny info pages for more information on the rest of your coins.
Regarding the "massive coin collection" you have inherited, congratulations! Be sure to take the time to sift through all the coins and make sure you know what you have before deciding on keeping it or selling it. Using our gold, silver, and penny links in our main menu you will be able to read articles about each kind of coin, year-by-year, with info and estimated values. If you would like to sell anything we recommend a local reputable coin dealer or eBay. If you think you have something extremely valuable be sure to have it appraised by a professional coin grader.
a few week ago i picked up a coin which is 1944 can you tell me if it worth anything?
Thank you
[Broken links removed by moderator]
Information on it. How and where do I upload images?
3-1944 Wheat pennies
1-1927 S Wheat pennies
2-1935 Wheat pennies
1-1935 S Wheat penny
1-1930 Wheat penny
1-1941 D Wheat penny
1-1942 Wheat penny
2-1946 D Wheat pennies
1-1946 Wheat penny
1-1945 D Wheat penny
2-1958 D Wheat penny
2-1953 D Wheat penny
4-1957 D Wheat pennies
2-1950 D Wheat pennies
1-1956 D Wheat penny
1-1955 D Wheat penny
1-1954 Wheat penny
1-1969 D
1-1970 D
How much is all this ?
You can read learn about coin grading in these two articles and then find a reputable dealer near you:
Coin Grading 101
Coin Slabbing Services
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