1945 Wheat Penny

CoinTrackers.com estimates the value of a 1945 Wheat Penny in average condition to be worth 15 cents, while one in mint state could be valued around $3.00. - Last updated: March, 05 2023


1945 Wheat Penny
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  • Year: 1945
  • Mint Mark: No mint mark
  • Type: Wheat Penny
  • Price: 15 cents-$3.00+
  • Face Value: 0.01 USD
  • Produced: 1,040,515,000
  • Edge: Smooth





Notes:

Here are some 1945 Penny errors to be on the lookout for; major die breaks, struck on dime planchet (looks like a dime but with the face of a penny). broadstrikes, off center strikes, and even a rare thick planchet penny. Any of these errors on a penny from 1945 will fetch between $35 and $300 depending upon the severity of the error, and the condition of the cent.


Copper Penny Color Guide

Copper Penny Color Guide

As with other pennies RD is worth more than RB, and RB is worth more than BN


Did you know?

Some 1944 and 1945 Wheat Cents were struck on planchets made from leftover World War II brass shell casings, and not planchets made from the standard copper composition.



Mintages

Production Chart


Price Chart

Rates listed here refer to professionally graded and slabbed coins. If new to collecting the prices below might not make sense.


Breakdown of pricing per condition for by individual grade.

  • Grade MS64 = $19-$31
  • Grade MS65 = $23-$38
  • Grade MS66 = $24-$40
  • Grade MS67 = $188-$313


Is the list above a little overwhelming? If so, take 5 minutes to learn all about Coin Grading.


It's also important to note...Prices are subject to the same supply and demand laws as everything else. Coins sold at the same auction house 10x, would fetch drastically different bids each session. To raise your chances of receiving top dollar read How to Get the Most for your Coins.


We've personally researched these values. If you enjoy our content please return the favor and share this page with your friends.




How much is a 1945 Wheat Penny worth?

In Average Circulated (AC) condition it's worth around 15 cents, one in certified mint state (MS+) condition could bring as much as $3 at auction. This price does not reference any standard coin grading scale. So when we say Average Circulated, we mean in a similar condition to other coins circulated in 1945, and mint state meaning it is certified MS+ by one of the top coin grading companies. *** [?].


What are your coins really worth?

Use the handy-dandy calculator below to find the real value of any wheat penny in your collection.


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Specs & Design

This coin has a total mass of 3.11 g, a diameter of 19.05 mm, and a thickness of 1.55 mm. It's edge is smooth, and the coins are composed of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc..


Designer: Victor D. Brenner


Front (Obverse): The front or obverse of this coin contains the bust of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States. If a mint mark is present it will be on the bottom right just under the year. If no mint mark is present the coin was minted in Philadelphia. With D standing for Denver, and S standing for San Francisco. The words IN GOD WE TRUST follow the top arch of the coin nicely framing Lincolns head, and the word LIBERTY sits just left of President Lincolns Colar.


Back (Reverse): The reverse of the Wheat Penny, also known as the Wheat Cent contains two wheat stalks, the words One Cent, and the Latin phrase E PLURIBUS UNUM which means Out of many, one. The reverse image would later change in 1959.



Most Valuable

The most valuable Wheat Penny's. Prices listed are for MS-65 certified. Visit the link to learn more about each coin.

Image Year Mint Worth
Wheat Penny 1924 S $12k
Wheat Penny 1922 D $6k
Wheat Penny 1914 D $5.6k
Wheat Penny 1914 S $3.2k
Wheat Penny 1913 S $2k
Wheat Penny 1918 S $2k
Wheat Penny 1924 D $2k
Wheat Penny 1925 S $1.8k
Wheat Penny 1912 S $1.5k
Wheat Penny 1913 D $1.5k
Wheat Penny 1920 S $1.5k
Wheat Penny 1915 S $1.2k
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1989 P $345.22
1989 $345,000
1989 D $345
Image Name Mint Worth

Want more? Click here to see the most valuable coins ever minted.

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***Price subject to standard supply and demand laws, dealer premiums, and other market variations. Prices represent past values fetched at online auctions, estate sales, certified coins being sold by dealers, and user submitted values. While we wholeheartedly try to give honest price estimates there are many factors besides appearance, metal content, and rarity that help make up the coins overall value. Call or visit your local coin dealer for more information.

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