Coin aficionados and collectors enjoy adding 1945-minted pennies to their collections, especially if they are high-grade and have superb toning. The value of a 1945 penny is determined by its exceptional narrative and rich history in addition to its condition and mint mark.
In addition, you can take pleasure in discovering uncommon error pieces that are valued anywhere from six cents to $1 for a single normal coin. Additionally, keep in mind that one of these coins brought home a record $20,400 at auction. Do you believe that in this instance, there can only be one?
| 1945 Wheat Penny Value | |||
| Condition | 1945 No Mint mark penny | 1945 D penny | 1945 S penny |
| Fine | $0.06 | $0.06 | $0.12 |
| Very fine | $0.12 | $0.12 | $0.18 |
| Extra fine | $0.23 | $0.23 | $0.23 |
| AU | $0.41 | $0.41 | $0.41 |
| MS 60 | $1.02 | $1.02 | $1.02 |
| MS 63 | $2.41 | $2.41 | $2.41 |
The 1945 Wheat Penny History
Three US mints produced the 1945 Lincoln cents, which are tiny coins from the Wheat penny series. Following the design of Victor D. Brenner, this series debuted in 1909. The objective was to commemorate Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, on his 100th birthday.
Up until 1959, when the reverse was altered to commemorate this dignified man’s 150th birthday, the US Mint kept producing these pieces. In honor of the first American currency to feature a real person, the obverse remained unchanged.
Americans hardly waited for the new coin because they loved the president who ended slavery and brought the fledgling country together. This initial set was a smash because it was documented that individuals waited in line for hours to receive their pennies.
However, because the new cent was too thick for the slots that were already in place, vending machine companies detested it. Because Charles E. Barber, the head engraver for the Mint, refused to alter the penny’s design, manufacturers altered their vending machines.
The US Mint only manufactured pennies from regular strikes between 1909 and 1935, yet these charming little coins quickly gained a lot of value. Consequently, the Philadelphia mint began producing the proof version in 1936.
| 1945 Wheat Penny Types | ||
| Location | Year | Minted |
| Philadelphia | 1945 No Mint mark penny | 1,040,515,000 |
| San Francisco | 1945 S penny | 181,770,000 |
| Denver | 1945 D penny | 266,268,000 |
| Total | / | 1,488,553,000 |
The 1945 Wheat pennies have historical value since, as you are aware, they were in use in the last year of World War II. Like many other cents struck between 1944 and 1946, there were rumors that some of the mintage included artillery shells left over from military training.
Copper shortages caused issues in the midst of World War II. Short-lived compositional alterations and the introduction of zinc-plated steel in 1943 were followed by a return to pre-war coinmaking in 1945.
This was required because 1943 steel pennies were particularly unpopular due to their rapid rusting and resemblance to dimes, which led to confusion in daily transactions.
The 1945 minting year pennies are identical to other pieces in the series, with the exception of some unusual characteristics and a great narrative associated with their creation.
There are three different versions of these coins: those with the S or D letter beneath the striking year, or those without the mint mark. These days, they are found in all classes, even the highest MS 65.
The 1945 Wheat Penny Features
Engraver Victor D. Brenner designed those pennies made of copper alloy with traditional ears of wheat on the reverse and a Lincoln bust on the obverse. It is possible to find coins minted in 1945 in three colors, including red, brown, and red-brown.
The 1945 Wheat Penny obverse
This President is featured on the obverse of 1945 Lincoln coins, much like other Lincoln pennies. If a coin is from Denver or San Francisco, you may tell by the mint mark below the coin’s minting date on the right. The words LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST are displayed on the left and above the head of the 16th President, respectively.
The 1945 Wheat Penny reverse
You can see two wheat ears on both Lincoln cent rims on the reverse. Between them are two inscriptions in four lines:
- ONE
- CENT
- UNITED STATES
- OF AMERICA
Finally, the Latin motto covers centrally positioned composition.
945 Wheat Penny Details
| Penny Details | |
| Coin diameter | 19.05 mm (1.75 inches) |
| Coin weight | 3.11 g (0.10970 ounces) |
| Face value | One cent ($0.01) |
| Shape | Round |
| Compound | An alloy of 95% copper with zinc or tin |
| Coin thickness | 1 mm (0.03937 inches) |
| Edge | Plain |
Additional characteristics of the 1945 Wheat Penny
Made of 95% copper, the 1945 plain-edged one-cent penny is a circular coin. Each piece weighs 3.11 g (0.10970 ounces) and has a diameter of 19.05 mm (1.75 inches). With a normal thickness of 1 mm (0.03937 inches), you can anticipate that it will be thin.
Grading of the 1945 Wheat Penny
The majority of expert grading organizations assess the value and quality of coins using a modified Sheldon grading method. By following the comprehensive parameters set forth by renowned numismatist Dr. William Sheldon in 1948, you can approximate the quality of your 1945 cent.
| # | Grade |
|---|---|
| 1 | Basal State-1 |
| 2 | Fair |
| 3 | Very Fair |
| 4, 5, 6 | Good |
| 7, 8, 10 | Very Good |
| 12, 15 | Fine |
| 20, 30 | Very Fine |
| 40 | Extremely Fine |
| 50 | About Uncirculated |
| 60 | Mint State |
| 65 | Mint State |
| 70 | Mint State |
Please check our grading guides to know your coin scale, It’s the necessary step to know the exact value of your coin.
Guide to 1945 Wheat Penny Values
In 1945, 1,488,553,000 Lincoln cents from normal strikes were issued by three mints. It is impossible to locate proof coins on the market because the US Mint did not take output into consideration between 1942 and 1950.
1945 No Mint Mark Wheat Penny Value
In 1945, Philadelphia produced 1,040,515,000 No Mint mark pennies, which was a respectable mintage. These days, you may anticipate to purchase the majority of coins at a discount because of their abundance.
The most important factor to take into account before trading, aside from condition, is their color. For example, the average price of this year’s minted brown wheat pennies ranges from $0.25 to $45. For coins struck nearly 80 years ago, these prices are quite low, yet they are high for one-cent coins.
Those with red-brown tones cost a little more, so budget between $0.35 to $55 to get one. For extremely collectible red-toning pennies, the situation is different. The prices of lower-quality items range from $0.55 to $32.40.
But the best-looking ones are expensive. The rarest, highest-ranking pennies are the most costly, with MS 67 graded coins valued at roughly $260. If you are looking for individuals in MS 68 grade, you should budget between $5,000 and $6,000.
FAQ regarding the Wheat Penny of 1945
Why is the 1945 Wheat Penny so uncommon?
Although 1945 pennies are not very uncommon, it is probably harder to get ones bearing the D or S mint marks. In addition, DDO-error pieces are rare and fetch more than $1,000 at auction.
Which 1945 Wheat Penny is highly valuable?
- In 2022, the 1945 red wheat cent in MS 67+ grade sold for $20,400 at auction.
- In 2019, the highest auction price of $14,400 was achieved by the 1945 D red Wheat cent in MS 68 grade.
- In 2020, the 1945 D Genuine Wheat cent (brown) sold for $5,000 at auction.
- In 2015, the 1945 S red wheat cent in MS 67+ grade sold for $2,174 at auction.
- In 2017, the top auction price of $1,410 was achieved by the 1945 Wheat cent (brown DDO) in MS 64 grade.
- In 2020, the highest auction price for the 1945 Genuine Wheat cent (brown) was $1,000.
- In 2007, the 1945 S brown Wheat cent in XF 45 grade sold for $748 at auction.
- In 2011, the highest auction price of $575 was achieved by the 1945 red-brown Wheat cent in MS 67 grade.
- In 2019, the highest auction price of $395 was achieved by the 1945 Wheat cent (red DDO) in MS 64 grade.
- In 2020, the highest auction price of $243 was achieved by the 1945 D red-brown Wheat cent in MS 64 grade.
- In 2018, the 1945 S red-brown Wheat cent in MS 67 grade sold for $225 at auction.
What is the value of the 1945 Wheat Penny without the mint mark?
The majority of 1945 Wheat cents made in Philadelphia are inexpensive and range in value from $0.25 to $55. However, with the exception of rare and priceless MS 68-ranking pieces, highly-graded red examples frequently get between $180 and $220. They are projected to cost between $5,000 and $6,000.