1944 Steel Penny Value

$75,000 – $1,000,000

The 1944 Steel Penny was minted at the Philadelphia Mint. Values range from $75,000 in lower grades to $1,000,000 in top condition. This is a key date, making it especially sought-after by collectors.

1944 | Philadelphia | Mintage: Unknown

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Market Activity

SoldHigh BidFor SaleLast Asking PriceMoving Average

Avg: $283,889 High: $1,000,000 Low: $75,000 9 total data points

CoinValueDB Price Guide by Grade

CoinValueDB Price Guide by Grade
Grade	Value
Good (G-4) Major design elements visible but heavily worn	$75,000
Very Good (VG-8) Design clear, moderate to heavy wear	$95,000
Fine (F-12) Even wear on high points, all lettering visible	$110,000
Very Fine (VF-20) Light to moderate wear on high points	$125,000
Extremely Fine (EF-40) Light wear on highest points only	$150,000
About Uncirculated (AU-50) Traces of wear on highest points	$200,000
Mint State (MS-60) No wear, may have marks or reduced luster	$300,000
Choice (MS-63) Moderate marks, good eye appeal	$500,000
Gem (MS-65) Best Value Strong luster, light marks in non-focal areas	$1,000,000

Under $100 $100 - $1,000 Over $1,000

Coin Specifications

Year

1944

Mint

Philadelphia

Mintage

Unknown

Composition

Zinc-coated steel (steel planchet error)

Weight

2.70 grams

Diameter

19 mm

Edge

Plain

Designer

Victor D. Brenner

Series

Lincoln Wheat Error (1909-1958)

PCGS #

82727

Historical Notes

The reverse of the 1943 copper penny error. When the mint switched back to copper planchets in 1944, some leftover steel planchets were struck, creating one of the rarest US error coins.

Varieties

Steel Planchet Error

Struck on a leftover 1943 zinc-coated steel planchet instead of the copper planchets resumed in 1944 after wartime steel production ended.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 1944 Steel Penny worth? +

A 1944 Steel Penny is worth between $75,000 and $1,000,000 depending on condition. Coins in higher grades (MS-65 and above) command significant premiums.

How many 1944 Lincoln Wheat Error coins were made? +

The Philadelphia Mint produced Unknown 1944 Lincoln Wheat Error coins. Lower mintage numbers generally correlate with higher collector value.

Is the 1944 Steel Penny a key date? +

Yes, the 1944 Steel Penny is considered a key date in the Lincoln Wheat Error series. Key dates are coins with low mintage, high collector demand, or both, making them among the most valuable in the series.

How much is a 1944 steel penny worth? +

Genuine 1944 steel pennies are rare and typically sell for thousands of dollars depending on their condition. A certified example in decent shape often brings between $50,000 and $100,000 at auction.

Is a 1944 steel penny rare? +

Yes, it is a key date error coin. Only a small number of these steel planchet errors exist compared to the billions of copper pennies minted that year.