1945 Wheat Penny Value: 5 Cents to $20,400

A 1945 Lincoln wheat penny graded PCGS MS-68 Red sold for $20,400 at Heritage Auctions in 2022 — one of the highest prices ever paid for a regular-issue wheat cent. The 1945-D in MS-68 Red reached $14,400 in 2019. These are the last wartime shell case cents, struck from recycled military ammunition brass. Most circulated examples are worth only a few cents, but condition and copper color transform these humble coins into serious collector prizes.

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Three 1945 wheat pennies showing no mint mark Philadelphia, D Denver, and S San Francisco with Lincoln portrait and wheat reverse
1.49BTotal 1945 wheat pennies minted across all three mints
$20,400Auction record — 1945 MS68 RD (Heritage Auctions 2022)
95/5Shell case alloy: copper/zinc (no tin) — last wartime cent
10–20xValue premium for Red (RD) over Brown (BN) at same grade

Free 1945 Wheat Penny Value Calculator

Select your coin's mint mark, condition, copper color, and any known errors. The calculator uses verified PCGS and Heritage auction data to return an estimated value range.

Step 1 — Mint Mark
Step 2 — Condition
Step 3 — Copper Color
Step 4 — Known Errors (check all that apply)

Describe Your 1945 Wheat Penny for a Detailed Assessment

Type a description below. Mention the mint mark, copper color, any doubling visible under magnification, or unusual features for the best analysis.

Mention these things if you can

  • Mint mark — D or S below date, or none?
  • Original copper luster still present (Red)?
  • Color — bright orange-red, reddish-brown, or fully brown?
  • Does the color seem slightly brassy or yellowish (shell case)?
  • Any doubling visible on LIBERTY or IN GOD WE TRUST?
  • Grade if certified by PCGS or NGC?

Also helpful

  • Weight — standard 1945 penny: 3.11g
  • Is the design visibly off-center?
  • Any raised blobs of metal on the rim (cud/die break)?
  • Any missing portions of design from clipped planchet?
  • Came from a roll, collection album, or pocket change?

Understanding shell case cents

Every 1945 wheat penny was struck from recycled WWII ammunition brass — making it the last of the wartime shell case cents. The shell case alloy (95% copper / 5% zinc, no tin) ages differently than pre-war bronze. The Red Color Checker below explains what to look for.

Check My Coin's Color →

1945 Wheat Penny Red Color Self-Checker

The copper color designation — Red (RD), Red-Brown (RB), or Brown (BN) — is the single most important value factor for any 1945 wheat penny beyond the grade itself. At MS-67, a Red penny can be worth $300–$400 while a Brown coin at the same grade may fetch only $20–$40. Understanding which color your coin genuinely qualifies for is essential before considering a grading submission.

Three 1945 wheat pennies showing color tiers: Red (RD) brilliant copper, Red-Brown (RB) partially toned, and Brown (BN) fully oxidized
Red (RD) — Most Valuable

Brilliant original copper luster across 95%+ of both surfaces. Glows bright orange-red like a newly minted coin. Under a single light source, the luster rotates uniformly across the surface. The shell case alloy may show a slightly brassy or yellowish cast compared to pre-war bronze. At MS-67 RD: $300–$400. At MS-68 RD: $4,300–$20,400.

Red-Brown (RB) — Moderate Value

Between 5% and 95% of original copper luster has survived; the rest has oxidized to brown. The coin shows a patchwork or blended appearance of bright copper areas alongside darker toned zones. Worth substantially less than Red at the same grade — typically 3 to 5 times less — but more than Brown.

Brown (BN) — Lowest Value

Original copper luster is completely gone. The coin appears uniformly dark brown or chocolate brown across both surfaces. No bright copper visible anywhere. The underlying surfaces may be original and high grade — but the color alone reduces value dramatically. At MS-67 BN: $20–$40 only.

Assess your 1945 wheat penny's color honestly:

  • The coin shows bright, brilliant orange-red copper luster across most of both surfaces — it visibly glows when tilted under a single light source
  • The bright copper luster covers at least 95% of both sides with no significant brown or toned areas visible to the naked eye
  • The coin has not been cleaned, dipped, or artificially enhanced — the luster flows naturally without hairlines, uneven fields, or washed-out appearance

1945 Wheat Penny Value Chart at a Glance

For a complete illustrated 1945 wheat penny identification guide covering every variety and condition tier, see the detailed 1945 penny identification and value breakdown by condition. The table below covers all major varieties using verified PCGS and Heritage auction data.

VarietyWorn / CirculatedUncirculated (MS 60–64) RDGem (MS 65–66) RDSuperb Gem (MS 67+) RD
1945 Philadelphia (No Mint Mark) — Red5 – 15¢$1 – $5$10 – $25$300 – $20,400
1945 Philadelphia — Red-Brown5 – 10¢$0.50 – $2$3 – $10$20 – $75
1945 Philadelphia — Brown2 – 5¢$0.25 – $1$1 – $5$5 – $40
1945-D Denver — Red5 – 25¢$1 – $8$12 – $50$300 – $14,400
1945-D Denver — Red-Brown5 – 15¢$0.75 – $3$5 – $20$30 – $100
1945-D Denver — Brown2 – 5¢$0.25 – $1.50$2 – $8$10 – $45
1945-S San Francisco — Red10 – 25¢$1 – $6$18 – $40$300 – $7,475
DDO FS-101 (Doubled Die Obverse)$100 – $300$200 – $395$395 – $800$800+
DDR (Doubled Die Reverse)$20 – $100$100 – $500$500 – $3,819$3,819+
Wrong Planchet (NEI planchet)$1,000 – $3,000$3,000 – $7,050$7,050+Extremely rare
Off-Center Strike (15–20%, full date)$50 – $200$200 – $400$400+—
Die Break / Cud Error$100 – $300$200 – $500$500 – $660+—

Values are estimates based on PCGS auction data · 2026 edition. 1945 MS68 RD record: $20,400 (Heritage Auctions 2022). 1945-D MS68 RD record: $14,400 (Heritage Auctions 2019). 1945-S MS67+ RD record: $7,475 (2016). DDR MS67 record: $3,819 (Heritage Auctions).

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🧮 Value Calculator 📝 Describe Your Coin 🔍 Red Color Check 📊 Value Chart ⚠️ Error Varieties Guide 📈 Mintage Data 🏅 How to Grade 💰 Where to Sell ❓ FAQ

The Valuable 1945 Wheat Penny Errors: Complete Guide

Over 1.48 billion 1945 Lincoln wheat pennies were struck across Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco — one of the highest combined mintages in the entire 50-year wheat cent series. This enormous production volume, combined with wartime production pressures and the new shell case alloy (95% copper / 5% zinc) being processed through mint machinery adapted for a different bronze composition, created the conditions for a distinctive set of errors and varieties. Below are the six most significant error types ranked by maximum collector value.

1945 Lincoln cent struck on Netherlands East Indies planchet showing design compressed on foreign planchet beside normal 1945 wheat penny for comparison
Most Valuable Error$1,000 – $7,050+

1945 Wrong Planchet — Netherlands East Indies Error

The 1945 Lincoln cent struck on a Netherlands East Indies planchet is the most valuable and historically fascinating error in the 1945 wheat penny series, and one of the most distinctive wrong-planchet errors in the entire Lincoln cent series. During 1945, the U.S. Mint was simultaneously producing cent planchets for the Netherlands East Indies government as part of wartime production agreements. These foreign cent planchets were similar in composition and size to U.S. cent planchets but had subtle differences in alloy and dimension. When Netherlands East Indies planchets accidentally entered the U.S. Lincoln cent production line, they received complete Lincoln cent die impressions — creating coins that bear the design of a Lincoln wheat penny on a planchet never intended for U.S. coinage. The visual evidence can be subtle since the planchets are similar in size, but metallurgical analysis and careful examination reveal the foreign planchet origin. One documented example sold for $7,050 at Heritage Auctions in 2015, per CoinValueChecker research, establishing the error as one of the most significant wrong-planchet discoveries in the Lincoln cent series. The historical context makes these coins especially compelling — they represent a literal collision of U.S. and Dutch colonial wartime production at the Philadelphia Mint during the final year of the war. Professional authentication by PCGS or NGC is mandatory for any transaction involving this variety, as the subtle differences between U.S. and NEI planchets require expert metallurgical analysis to confirm definitively. Any suspected example should be weighed precisely and submitted to a major grading service before any sale or trade.

How to Spot ItWeigh the coin precisely on a scale sensitive to 0.01 grams. A genuine 1945 U.S. cent weighs 3.11 grams. Any significant discrepancy in weight warrants evaluation. Visual examination under magnification may reveal subtle differences in planchet surface characteristics. The design impression itself may appear slightly different in how it sits on the planchet surface. PCGS or NGC authentication is the only definitive confirmation method.
Historical ContextThe U.S. Mint produced coinage for several nations during WWII as part of wartime production agreements. The Netherlands East Indies was a Dutch colony in Southeast Asia (now Indonesia) that had its own cent denomination. The coexistence of NEI and U.S. cent planchets at the Philadelphia Mint during 1944–1946 created the production conditions for this unique error type. The error is found across the shell case cent era (1944–1946) with 1945 examples being the most documented.
NotablePer CoinValueChecker research, one example sold for $7,050 at Heritage Auctions in 2015. This is among the highest prices ever paid for a Lincoln wheat cent error outside of the ultra-rare 1943 steel or 1944 steel transitional errors. PCGS and NGC authentication mandatory before any transaction. Never buy or sell a raw claimed NEI wrong-planchet example without professional certification.
1945 wheat penny DDO FS-101 doubled die obverse showing doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST and LIBERTY with rounded secondary letter impressions
Most Searched Error$100 – $500+

1945 DDO FS-101 (Doubled Die Obverse)

The 1945 Lincoln cent DDO FS-101 (Doubled Die Obverse) is cataloged in the Cherrypickers' Guide to Rare Die Varieties as the primary doubled die variety for this date. Like all doubled dies, the FS-101 originated during the die production process when the working hub struck the working die multiple times with slight rotational misalignment, permanently embedding doubled impressions into the obverse die. Every coin struck from that die carries the same consistent doubled image — distinguishing a genuine DDO from machine doubling, which affects individual coins randomly. On the 1945 DDO, the doubling is most prominently visible on the obverse inscriptions LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST. Kennedy's portrait details and the date 1945 may also show soft doubling on strong examples. The diagnostic that separates a genuine DDO from the extremely common worthless machine doubling is the nature of the secondary images: a true DDO FS-101 shows rounded, raised secondary images at the same height as the primary design — appearing as a shadow or ghost impression with clear separation. Machine doubling creates flat, shelf-like extensions sitting below the main design surface and has zero numismatic value. The 1945 DDO is not as frequently seen as doubled dies on later Lincoln cents, making confirmed examples genuinely collectible. An MS-64 Red example with DDO characteristics sold for $395 at an eBay auction in 2019. Values range from $100 to $500 in circulated grades for confirmed strong examples, with gem Red uncirculated coins carrying higher premiums. Attribution via comparison with PCGS CoinFacts or NGC's variety database is essential before grading submission.

How to Spot ItUnder 10x to 15x magnification, examine IN GOD WE TRUST letter by letter — especially T-R-U-S-T. True DDO FS-101 shows rounded secondary images at equal relief with clearly separated serifs on the affected letters. Also check LIBERTY from top. Machine Doubling (worthless) shows flat shelves sitting below the primary device. Compare with PCGS CoinFacts FS-101 reference images before submitting.
Mint / Strike TypeBoth Philadelphia (no mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S) business strikes are documented for various DDO sub-varieties. Fivaz-Stanton reference FS-101 from the Cherrypickers' Guide. Multiple sub-varieties may exist; specific attribution requires matching documented die markers. The massive 1945 production volume means thousands of dies were used, creating opportunities for multiple DDO varieties.
NotablePer CoinValueChecker and coinvalueapp.com research, an MS-64 RD example with DDO characteristics sold for $395 on eBay (2019). CoinValueChecker documents $100–$500 for confirmed circulated DDO examples. Gem Red uncirculated examples with strong doubling command higher premiums. Machine Doubling is by far the most common false identification for DDO — flat shelves have zero premium.
1945 wheat penny doubled die reverse showing doubling on ONE CENT lettering and E PLURIBUS UNUM on the wheat reverse
High-Value Reverse Error$20 – $3,819+

1945 DDR (Doubled Die Reverse)

The 1945 Lincoln cent Doubled Die Reverse (DDR) is a less-publicized but equally valid collectible error variety that has produced some of the highest auction prices among 1945 error coins. While DDO errors attract more casual attention due to the Lincoln portrait side, confirmed DDR varieties on 1945 wheat pennies have achieved remarkable prices at specialist auctions. The DDR originates through the same hub-doubling mechanism as the DDO, but affects the reverse die rather than the obverse. The result is doubled images on the reverse design elements — the wheat stalks, ONE CENT denomination lettering, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and E PLURIBUS UNUM ribbon can all show characteristic doubled images on strong DDR examples. The wheat stalk design of the Lincoln cent reverse is particularly well-suited to showing dramatic doubled die effects, as the long horizontal lines of the stalks and the serif lettering of ONE CENT create clear visual evidence of misalignment when doubled. An MS-67 example of a 1945 DDR sold for $3,819 at Heritage Auctions, demonstrating the significant premium that strong DDR examples can achieve when combined with high grade and Red color designation. This auction result establishes the 1945 DDR as potentially the most valuable die variety (excluding the wrong planchet error) in the entire 1945 wheat cent series when encountered in gem condition. As with DDO errors, the critical diagnostic challenge is distinguishing genuine doubled die doubling from machine doubling. True DDR shows consistent, rounded raised secondary images across multiple design elements simultaneously.

How to Spot ItUnder 10x magnification, examine ONE CENT and E PLURIBUS UNUM on the reverse. True DDR shows rounded secondary images at equal relief with consistent doubling across multiple design elements. Also examine the wheat stalk lines for consistent doubling along their length. Machine Doubling (worthless) creates flat shelves on individual design elements inconsistently. Compare with NGC variety database or PCGS CoinFacts references.
Mint / Strike TypeBoth Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco business strikes documented for DDR sub-varieties. The 1945 DDR exists across multiple varieties with differing locations and strengths of doubling. The massive production volume of 1945 means multiple DDR sub-varieties are cataloged. Strong examples visible to the naked eye command the highest premiums; subtle examples under magnification command more modest values.
NotableHeritage Auctions sold an MS-67 1945 DDR example for $3,819 per antiquesknowhow research. This is the highest documented auction result for a 1945 wheat cent DDR error. CoinValueChecker documents values starting at $20 for minor circulated DDR examples and climbing to hundreds for uncirculated Red specimens. The $3,819 MS-67 result demonstrates that gem Red DDR examples can rival high-grade business strikes in collector value.
1945 wheat penny off-center strike showing shifted Lincoln portrait with blank copper crescent and full date 1945 readable
Most Accessible Error$50 – $400+

1945 Off-Center Strike

Off-center strikes on 1945 wheat pennies are the most accessible and readily available error type from this date, offering collectors a dramatic minting mistake at relatively affordable prices compared to the wrong-planchet error or high-grade DDO/DDR varieties. These errors occur when the coin planchet is not properly centered between the obverse and reverse dies at the moment of striking, resulting in part of Lincoln's portrait and the surrounding inscriptions being impressed on the planchet while a blank, unstruck crescent of copper planchet remains visible on the opposite edge. The enormous production volume of 1945 — over 1.48 billion cents across three mints — inevitably generated off-center examples when planchet feeding mechanisms occasionally misfed blanks into the striking collar. The 1945 wheat penny's distinctive design with the bold Lincoln portrait and the classic wheat reverse makes off-center examples particularly striking and visually impactful. For collectors, value scales with two primary factors: the percentage of off-center displacement and whether the full date 1945 remains completely readable on the struck portion of the coin. A 15% off-center example with the full date clearly visible brings $50 to $150. More dramatic 30–50% examples with complete dates can reach $200 to $400. The rare 1945-S with an off-center strike on the letter L in LIBERTY has achieved up to $1,000 on eBay, demonstrating the premium for extreme or unusual placement of the off-center shift. Red color designation dramatically multiplies the value of any off-center strike at a Mint State grade — an off-center error on an original Red uncirculated planchet is worth exponentially more than the same error on a circulated or Brown coin.

How to Spot ItThe design is visibly shifted to one side with a flat, blank crescent of copper planchet visible on the opposite edge. Measure the blank area as a percentage of the total coin diameter — this is the displacement percentage. Confirm whether the complete date “1945” is fully readable on the struck portion. Date visibility is the most critical single value factor. Also check for the mint mark if the coin is a D or S example.
Mint / Strike TypeAll three mints: Philadelphia (no mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S) business strikes. An MS-64 Brown 1945 penny with 15% off-center strike sold for approximately $400 on eBay per antiquesknowhow research. A 1945-S with off-center strike on the L in LIBERTY achieved up to $1,000. CoinTrackers documents off-center errors up to 70% on 1945 pennies at various premiums.
NotablePer antiquesknowhow, an MS-64 Brown 1945 penny with 15% off-center strike sold for ~$400 on eBay. CoinValueChecker documents 10–20% off-center examples at $50–$150; 50%+ misalignments at $200–$400. A 1945-S off-center strike (L in LIBERTY area) achieved ~$1,000 on eBay per craftbuds research. An AU-58 1945-S 10% off-center is worth approximately $259.95 per PCGS graded sale.
1945 wheat penny die break cud error showing raised blob of copper along rim where die cracked during production
Dramatic Die Error$100 – $660+

1945 Die Break / Cud Error

Die break errors on 1945 wheat pennies — especially the most dramatic form known as a cud — are among the most visually distinctive minting errors in the series. These errors occur when a crack develops in the working die during production. As the die continues to be used, metal from each new planchet flows into the crack under the enormous striking pressure, creating a raised, irregular feature on every coin subsequently struck from that damaged die. A minor die break appears as a raised line on the coin's surface corresponding to a crack in the die. A cud is the most dramatic form: it occurs when a section of the die actually breaks away and falls out, leaving a blank area on the die that fills completely with metal during striking, creating a raised, featureless blob of copper at the coin's rim. Because the die must be used after it cracks or breaks to produce these coins, cud errors carry multiple-coin consistency — the raised feature appears in the same location on every coin struck from that die after the break occurred. This consistency distinguishes a genuine die break from a damaged or struck-through coin. The massive production volume of 1945 — with thousands of individual working dies used across three mints — created many opportunities for die breaks and cud errors. CoinValueChecker documents cud errors on 1945 wheat pennies selling for $200 to $660 or more, with values depending on the size, location, and dramatic visual impact of the break. Large cuds covering significant portions of the rim or design elements command the highest premiums. Coins with the cud error in high uncirculated grades with original Red color are especially rare and sought after.

How to Spot ItUnder raking light from multiple angles, examine the coin's surface for raised, irregular features — particularly along the rim where the die edge is most vulnerable to cracking. A cud appears as a raised, featureless blob of metal at the rim where the die section broke away. A die crack appears as a raised line running from the rim inward. Both features are raised (not incuse/recessed), since they form where die metal is absent and coin metal fills the space.
Mint / Strike TypeAll three mints: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. Die breaks can occur at any point during a die's production life; coins struck late in the die's life after a crack forms show the break feature. Minor die cracks add modest premiums; major cuds covering large rim areas command significant premiums. The 1945 production environment — with high-pressure production goals — contributed to die wear and breakage.
NotableCoinValueChecker documents cud/die break errors on 1945 wheat pennies at $200–$660 depending on size and location. CoinTrackers lists obverse die breaks as a documented error type for 1945 pennies. The coin's original copper color (RD, RB, or BN) and overall grade also affect the premium — a large cud on a gem Red uncirculated coin commands significantly more than the same cud on a heavily circulated Brown example.
1945 wheat penny clipped planchet error showing elliptical clip on coin edge with weak opposite rim and normal penny for comparison
Accessible Entry Error$30 – $180+

1945 Clipped Planchet Error

Clipped planchet errors on 1945 wheat pennies are the most commonly encountered error type in the series, offering collectors an accessible and affordable entry point into the world of Lincoln cent error collecting. These errors occur during the planchet preparation stage, before any die impression is applied. When the circular punch used to cut planchet blanks from a flat copper strip overlaps the edge of a previously punched hole in the strip — a misalignment between successive punch positions — the resulting blank has a curved section missing from its edge. This curved missing area is called an elliptical or curved clip. When a straight clip appears, it indicates the punch overlapped the edge of the copper strip itself. The resulting coin has an incomplete rim in the area of the clip, and often shows a corresponding area of weakness on the opposite side of the coin (called the Blakesley effect) because the metal cannot flow fully against a collar that's not fully filled. The size and type of clip are the primary value factors. Minor clips of 5–10% with clear Blakesley effect bring $30 to $80. Larger clips of 15–25% with dramatic coin shape alteration bring $80 to $180. The Heritage Auctions database documents a 1945 Struck on Elliptical Clip Planchet example at MS-64 selling for $180, confirming collector interest in certified clip errors from this date. Multiple clip errors (where the planchet has two or more clips) are rarer and more dramatic, commanding higher premiums when properly certified and authenticated. The shell case alloy of 1945 cents gives clipped planchet errors a characteristic copper color that can be especially attractive when the coin is found in uncirculated condition with original luster preserved on the struck surface.

How to Spot ItExamine the coin's edge for a curved or straight missing section. A genuine clipped planchet shows a smooth, clean edge at the clip site (the metal was simply absent from the blank) with a corresponding weak rim area on the directly opposite side (Blakesley effect). The missing area should be consistent with a circular punch overlap pattern. Damage clipping (filed or cut after striking) leaves rough, irregular edges and will NOT show the Blakesley effect.
Mint / Strike TypeAll three mints: Philadelphia (no mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S) business strikes. Cannot occur on proof coins. The size of the clip is the primary value factor. Multiple clips (double or triple elliptical clips) are rarer and command higher premiums. The copper shell case alloy of 1945 means the clip area shows copper composition consistently with the rest of the coin.
NotableHeritage Auctions sold a 1945 Struck on Elliptical Clip Planchet MS-64 for $180 per antiquesknowhow research. Minor clips of 5–10%: $30–$80. Larger 15–25% clips: $80–$180. Multiple clip examples command higher premiums. The Blakesley effect (weak opposite rim) is the diagnostic that distinguishes a genuine clipped planchet from post-mint damage clipping, which has zero numismatic value.

Found one of these errors on your 1945 wheat penny?

Use the free value calculator above to get an estimated price range based on your specific mint mark, error type, condition, and copper color.

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1945 Wheat Penny Mintage & Shell Case Cent History

1945 wheat pennies showing all three mint varieties — no mark Philadelphia, D Denver, S San Francisco — with the shell case alloy's characteristic copper color
Mint / IssueStrike TypeMintageMint MarkLocation on Coin
PhiladelphiaBusiness Strike1,040,515,000NoneNo mark (obverse, right of date)
DenverBusiness Strike266,268,000DObverse, right of date below the 5
San FranciscoBusiness Strike181,770,000SObverse, right of date below the 5
Total 1945 Wheat Penny Production1,488,553,000——
Shell Case Cent Specifications: Composition: 95% copper / 5% zinc (NO tin — this is the shell case alloy, unique to 1944–1946). Weight: 3.11 grams. Diameter: 19.00 mm. Edge: Plain. Designer: Victor David Brenner (obverse) / Victor David Brenner (reverse wheat design). Note: The 1945 wheat penny is the LAST year of the wartime shell case cent series (1944–1946). The absence of tin causes these coins to develop a slightly brassy or yellowish-copper tone over time, distinguishable from the warmer reddish-brown of pre-war bronze cents (95% copper / 5% tin and zinc). No proof pennies were struck in 1945 — the U.S. Mint suspended proof production in 1942 and did not resume until 1950. Any coin offered as a “1945 proof penny” is either a mirror-bright regular strike or a misrepresentation. The mint mark is located on the obverse, right of the date below the last digit.

How to Grade Your 1945 Wheat Penny

1945 wheat penny grading strip showing four condition tiers from heavily worn Brown through gem Red uncirculated with brilliant copper luster

Worn / Circulated (BN)

Lincoln's cheek and hair high points flat. Brown throughout. Worth 2–25 cents depending on mint mark.

Lightly Circulated (AU)

Slight friction on cheekbone only. Original luster partially survives. Worth $0.25–$1.

Uncirculated (MS 60–64) RD

No wear. Original copper brilliance. Contact marks may be visible. Worth $1–$8 RD.

Superb Gem (MS 65+) RD

Full Red brilliance, minimal marks. MS-67+ extremely rare. 1945 MS68 RD: $20,400 record.

Critical Warning — Never Clean a 1945 Wheat Penny: Cleaning a coin — even gently with a cloth, water, or any chemical — permanently and irreversibly destroys its numismatic value. Professional graders at PCGS and NGC can detect cleaning under magnification, and cleaned coins receive a “Details” grade that eliminates any collector premium regardless of how brilliant the coin appears. A cleaned MS-67 Red wheat penny that would have been worth $300 becomes essentially worthless as a collectible after cleaning. The slightly brassy or yellowish tone that develops naturally on shell case cents over time is NOT a cleaning target — it is a desirable, original patina that confirms the coin's authentic 1945 shell case alloy character. Leave it alone.

Where to Sell Your Valuable 1945 Wheat Penny

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Heritage Auctions

Heritage Auctions achieved the $20,400 record for the 1945 MS-68 RD in 2022 and the $14,400 result for the 1945-D MS-68 RD in 2019. Best for gem Red examples in MS-67 or better, confirmed error varieties (DDR, DDO, wrong planchet), and any coin worth more than $500. The specialist Lincoln cent bidder audience achieves the strongest realized prices for condition rarity examples.

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GreatCollections / eBay

Effective for mid-range wheat pennies and error coins. Check recently sold prices for 1945 wheat pennies in Red condition to calibrate your listing. PCGS or NGC slabs significantly increase buyer confidence and realized prices for any uncirculated Red or error example. Always sell eBay completed listings — not asking prices — to gauge real market value.

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Local Coin Shop / Coin Show

Best for immediate cash and in-person expert evaluation. Coin shops offer 50–70% of retail for collectible pieces. Invaluable for a free in-person assessment on whether a suspected error or high-grade Red example is worth the grading fee. Lincoln cent specialists at coin shows can give experienced opinions on DDO/DDR attribution and color assessment before you invest in a grading submission.

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Common Circulated Examples

Heavily worn 1945 wheat pennies worth only 5–25 cents are best sold in bulk lots to dealer junk boxes or via online lots. Common wheat cents can be purchased in bulk by dealers at $0.03–$0.10 each depending on condition. Check all 1945-D examples for the D mint mark before selling any bulk lot — confirming mint mark adds value even on worn coins.

Submit Before Selling High-Grade or Error Coins: For any 1945 wheat penny potentially grading MS-65 Red or better, or any suspected DDO, DDR, wrong planchet, or significant off-center error, PCGS or NGC certification is the most important step before any sale. Standard grading fees of $17 to $30 are trivial against the premium a certified coin commands — a raw MS-65 Red 1945-D might sell for $15 while a PCGS MS-65 RD example certified can achieve $30–$50 or more depending on eye appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a 1945 wheat penny worth?

Most circulated 1945 wheat pennies are worth 5 to 25 cents. Uncirculated MS-63 to MS-65 Red examples are worth $1 to $25 depending on mint mark. Value increases dramatically at MS-67 Red. The all-time record is $20,400 for a 1945 Philadelphia MS-68 Red sold at Heritage Auctions in 2022. The 1945-D record is $14,400 for an MS-68 Red sold in January 2019.

What is a 1945 shell case cent?

A shell case cent is a Lincoln wheat penny struck from 1944 through 1946 using metal recovered from spent WWII ammunition shell casings. The alloy is 95% copper and 5% zinc (no tin) — subtly different from pre-war bronze composition. The absence of tin causes 1945 shell case cents to develop a slightly more brassy or yellowish tone over time compared to pre-war wheat pennies. Every 1945 wheat penny is a shell case cent.

What mint marks appear on 1945 wheat pennies?

1945 wheat pennies were struck at Philadelphia (no mint mark, 1.04 billion), Denver (D, 266 million), and San Francisco (S, 181 million). The mint mark is on the obverse right of the date below the 5. In high gem grades, the 1945-D and 1945-S command higher premiums than the common Philadelphia issue due to lower original mintage.

What do Red, Red-Brown, and Brown mean on a 1945 wheat penny?

These copper color designations assigned by PCGS and NGC dramatically affect value. Red (RD) means 95%+ original brilliant copper luster survives. Red-Brown (RB) means partial toning. Brown (BN) means the original luster is completely gone. At MS-67, a Red example may sell for $300–$400 while a Brown coin at the same grade brings only $20–$40 — a 10 to 20 times difference. Never clean a coin to try to restore Red color.

Is the 1945-D wheat penny worth more?

In high gem grades, yes. The 1945-D is often more valuable than the Philadelphia issue due to lower mintage (266 million vs. 1.04 billion) and relative scarcity in pristine Red condition. The 1945-D holds the series high record with $14,400 for an MS-68 Red at Heritage Auctions in January 2019. In circulated grades, all three 1945 varieties are essentially equal in value at 5–25 cents.

What is the 1945 DDO FS-101 variety?

The DDO FS-101 (Doubled Die Obverse) is cataloged in the Cherrypickers' Guide and shows rounded raised secondary images on LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST under 10x magnification. True DDO shows raised rounded secondary images at equal height — flat machine doubling shelves have zero value. An MS-64 RD example sold for $395 on eBay (2019). Confirmed strong examples bring $100–$500.

What is the 1945 wrong planchet error?

The 1945 Lincoln cent struck on a Netherlands East Indies planchet is the most valuable wrong-planchet error for this date. These errors occurred when NEI planchets accidentally entered the U.S. cent production line during wartime production. One example sold for $7,050 at Heritage Auctions in 2015. Always weigh a suspect coin: genuine 1945 cent weighs 3.11g. PCGS or NGC authentication mandatory.

Should I get my 1945 wheat penny graded?

Professional grading is worthwhile for 1945 wheat pennies potentially grading MS-65 Red or better, any suspected DDO, DDR, wrong planchet, or significant off-center error, and any coin worth more than $50. Standard fees of $17–$30 are justified at these value levels. For common circulated examples worth 5–25 cents, grading costs far exceed any premium. Never clean a coin before grading.

How do I check for errors on my 1945 wheat penny?

Under 10x magnification, examine LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST for rounded secondary images (DDO). Check ONE CENT and E PLURIBUS UNUM for consistent doubling (DDR). Weigh the coin: genuine 1945 cent = 3.11g; significant weight discrepancy warrants evaluation. Look for blank crescents (off-center), raised rim blobs (die break), or missing edge sections (clipped planchet). Machine doubling (flat shelves) has zero premium — don't confuse it with DDO/DDR.

Are there silver 1945 wheat pennies?

No. No 1945 wheat pennies were struck in silver. They are all copper-based (95% copper / 5% zinc shell case alloy). If your 1945 penny appears silvery, it has either been plated after leaving the mint (post-mint alteration, worth only face value as a collectible) or you are holding a different coin. Do not confuse 1945 wheat pennies with 1942–1945 silver war nickels, which contain 35% silver and are a completely different denomination.

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