1942 Wheat Penny Value Checker: Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

1942 Wheat Penny value starts at just $0.01 face value and tops out at $17,625. That record-setter was a PR67 Cameo proof that crossed the block at Heritage Auctions in February 2014. What’s yours worth? Upload a photo of your coin below and get a quick value range. Then scroll down to see what 1942 Wheat Pennies are going for on eBay right now.

 

1942 Wheat Penny Value By Variety

Condition is everything with these coins. The jump from a worn pocket piece to a gem-grade example is massive.

If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Modern Pennies Worth Money (1959 – Present)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1942 Wheat Penny Worth Money

The king of 1942 pennies is a Proof graded PR67 Cameo — frosted devices floating over deep mirror fields. It hammered for $17,625 at Heritage Auctions on February 3, 2014. That kind of contrast on a pre-war proof is almost impossible to find, and bidders knew it.

Both the 1942-D and 1942-S in MS68 Red hit $12,650 at Heritage Auctions. Same price, different mints, same message: at the very top of the grading scale, preservation matters more than where the coin was struck. Meanwhile, a certified MS-66 Red Philadelphia penny has sold for around $120, and a PR-65 proof has reached $1,350. Even “common” 1942 dates pay off if the coin is nice enough.

Also Read: Lincoln Wheat Penny Value (1909-1958)

 

History of The 1942 Wheat Penny

Pearl Harbor changed everything — including what went into America’s pocket change. By 1942, copper was critical for shell casings, wiring, and military hardware. The Mint kept striking normal bronze pennies that year, but behind the scenes, engineers were already planning the famous 1943 steel cent.

Here’s a detail most people miss: tin was mostly left out of 1942 cent production because wartime rationing had already choked off the supply. You can’t tell by looking at the coins, but it shows just how deeply the war reached into everyday Mint operations.

San Francisco had only recently resumed cent production after sitting out most of 1941. Output there stopped by mid-year as copper restrictions tightened, which partly explains why 1942-S cents are tougher in high grades than their mintage alone would suggest.

Three mints were running: Philadelphia cranked out the lion’s share (1942 was actually the sixth-highest production year ever for Philly wheat cents), Denver added a solid run, and San Francisco struck the fewest. Proof coinage came exclusively from Philadelphia — and these were the last proof sets before an eight-year wartime suspension.

The 1942 penny kept its bronze composition — 95% copper with a small amount of tin and zinc — making it the final wheat cent struck in the original alloy before the historic switch. That timing alone gives every 1942 penny a little extra historical weight.

Also Read: Top 100 Rarest Pennies Worth Money (1787 – Present)

 

Is Your 1942 Wheat Penny Rare?

The survival numbers tell a counterintuitive story. Philadelphia had the biggest mintage by far — 657.8 million — yet its survival rate is the lowest of the three mints. San Francisco, with the smallest mintage, actually has the highest business-strike survival rate. And the Cameo Proofs? They’re in a completely different kind of rare — only a tiny fraction of the 32,600 proofs struck show true cameo contrast.

For accurate identification and valuation of your specific 1942 penny variety, our Coin Identifier and Value App can help you determine exactly what you’re holding and its current market worth.

 

Key Features of The 1942 Wheat Penny

Victor David Brenner designed the wheat penny — a Lithuanian-American sculptor that President Theodore Roosevelt personally chose based on a Lincoln plaque Brenner had made. By 1942, Brenner’s initials “VDB” sat at Lincoln’s shoulder cut-off. Look for them when you’re checking authenticity.

The Obverse Of The 1942 Wheat Penny

The front shows Lincoln facing right. You’ll find “IN GOD WE TRUST” above, “LIBERTY” behind his head, the date “1942” in front of his chest, and the mint mark — “D” for Denver, “S” for San Francisco, or nothing for Philadelphia.

When you’re grading, focus on Lincoln’s temple area above the ear. That high point wears first and tells you more about the coin’s grade than anything else on the obverse.

The Reverse Of The 1942 Wheat Penny

Flip it over and you’ll see two wheat stalks framing “ONE CENT,” with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” below and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” arching across the top. That’s where the “Wheat Penny” nickname comes from.

Check the tips of the wheat stalks for wear — that’s the reverse equivalent of Lincoln’s temple. Wear shows up there first.

Other Features Of The 1942 Wheat Penny

The 1942 Wheat Cent was struck in a bronze alloy of 95% copper, with the remaining 5% being a combination of tin and zinc. (Note: tin was largely omitted from 1942 production due to wartime shortages, making most 1942 cents effectively 95% copper and 5% zinc.) The coin measures 19.05 mm in diameter (about 0.75 inches) and weighs 3.11 grams, with a smooth, unreeded edge.

Three mints produced these coins: Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (“D” mint mark), and San Francisco (“S” mint mark). Look below the date on the obverse for the mint mark.

Also Read: 100 Most Valuable Wheat Pennies Worth Money (1909 to 1958)

 

1942 Wheat Penny Mintage & Survival Data

Philadelphia pumped out 657.8 million pennies in 1942, yet only 0.0018% survive in collectible condition. That’s roughly 12,000 coins out of over half a billion. Denver’s 206.7 million coins did slightly better at 0.0073%, with about 15,000 preserved.

San Francisco struck the fewest at 85.6 million but has the best business-strike survival rate: 0.0187%, or around 16,000 coins. Fewer made, more saved — probably because collectors were already paying attention to that low mintage.

The proofs are a different world entirely. Out of 32,600 struck, about 16,000 survive — a 49.08% survival rate. Collectors tucked these away from day one, which is why nearly half of them are still around.

Also Read: 100 Most Valuable Indian Head Penny Coins Worth Money (1859 – 1909)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1942 Wheat Penny Value

Start by checking the mint mark below the date, then look at Lincoln’s temple for wear. Even small bag marks can knock a coin down a grade or two at the top end of the scale.

For a fast and reliable estimate of your penny’s worth, the Coin Identifier and Value App provides instant evaluation and error detection based on your coin’s specific variety and condition.

 

1942 Wheat Penny Value Guides

Three mints, plus proofs and rare Cameo proofs — here’s what each variety is worth.

1942 Wheat Penny Varieties:

• 1942 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
• 1942-D (Denver)
• 1942-S (San Francisco)
• 1942 Proof (Philadelphia)
• 1942 CAM (Cameo Proof)

San Francisco coins are the scarcest regular issue, and Cameo Proofs sit at the top of the food chain for 1942 penny collectors.

Also Read: Value Of Old Pennies By Year (1959-Present)

 

1942 No Mint Mark Wheat Penny Value

657,796,000 struck. That’s the sixth-highest production year for wheat cents at Philadelphia — ever. Circulated examples are everywhere, but finding a true gem-grade Red coin? That’s a different story.

Color designation matters here: Red (RD), Red-Brown (RB), and Brown (BN). Red commands the biggest premiums. At MS67+, only 68 PCGS-certified specimens exist, worth roughly $150–$3,760 depending on the sale.

The current record holder is an MS68 RD that brought $3,960 at Heritage Auctions on December 19, 2021. Before that, a Jerald L. Martin Collection specimen at MS67+ hit $3,760 at Heritage in 2016 — but the same coin type sold for just $840 in 2019. Even top-pop common dates can be volatile.

Here’s the full auction breakdown by grade.

The chart below gives you a visual snapshot of market activity.

 

1942-D Wheat Penny Value

How can a coin with 206.7 million struck have only four examples graded MS68 Red by PCGS? That’s the 1942-D for you. Fewer original rolls were saved compared to Philly issues, and the Denver coins often lack that vivid red pop collectors chase.

One of those four MS68 RD coins sold for $11,500 at Heritage Auctions in 2006, then the record climbed to $12,650 at Heritage in 2008. Demand at the top hasn’t let up.

At MS67+, prices bounced between $180 and $264 in 2019, then jumped to a $264–$600 range in 2020. I think this makes the 1942-D a great cherrypicking target — sharply struck examples with full red luster punch well above their weight.

Full auction history and collector interest by grade level below.

 

1942-S Wheat Penny Value

Only 85.6 million struck — compare that to Philadelphia’s 657 million. The 1942-S is the key date of the year if you’re building a complete set.

San Francisco had just restarted penny production after sitting out most of 1941, and output dried up again as copper restrictions tightened mid-year. Many surviving examples show a more muted red compared to Philly coins from the same year. Full blazing red is genuinely tough on these.

PCGS has certified just 5 specimens at MS68 Red, with 87 more at MS67+ Red. The auction record for an MS68 RD hit $12,650 at Heritage Auctions in 2006. That same coin later sold for $9,775 in 2008 and $7,800 in 2019 — a gradual slide at the top. A different MS68 RD brought $7,200 in 2020. Still serious money for a wartime penny.

Auction results across multiple decades below.

The monthly chart below tracks collector attention to the 1942-S wheat penny.

 

1942 Proof Wheat Penny Value

Most collectors don’t realize this was the last proof penny before an eight-year gap. Philadelphia struck just 32,600 proof specimens in 1942, then proof production shut down until 1950 because of the war. That makes every 1942 proof the final chapter of pre-war proof coinage.

These coins were struck on polished planchets with specially prepared dies, giving them that classic mirror finish you won’t see on business strikes. Proofs use the “PR” (or “PF”) prefix instead of “MS” on the grading scale. A PR-65 example has recently sold for around $1,350 — a solid entry point if you want a piece of the last pre-war proof set.

Auction results across different proof grades below.

Market activity over the past year for these proofs.

 

1942 CAM Wheat Penny Value

Picture frosted white devices sitting on top of jet-black mirror fields. That’s what a true cameo looks like, and it’s why collectors go crazy for them. CAM (Cameo) is the designation PCGS and NGC assign to proof coins with strong contrast between frosted raised areas and reflective backgrounds.

Here’s the catch: only the first 50 to 100 strikes from a fresh die pair had enough frost to earn the cameo designation. After that, the dies polished smooth and the effect disappeared. So out of 32,600 proofs struck, only a tiny fraction qualify.

Be careful with attribution. Genuine cameos show consistent, even frosting. Natural toning on regular proofs can sometimes fake the look. Always buy slabbed if you’re paying cameo money.

The numbers back up the hype: a PR67 CAM specimen hit $17,625 at Heritage Auctions on February 3, 2014 — the all-time record for any 1942 penny. A PCGS-graded PR67 CAM sold for $14,688 in 2017, and other PR67 CAM pieces have traded in the $2,820–$4,700 range. We think these are among the most underappreciated pre-war proof coins out there.

Auction benchmarks for this variety below.

The chart below tracks market performance for these Cameo Proof pieces.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Modern Pennies Worth Money (1959 – Present)

 

Rare 1942 Wheat Penny Error List

Wartime production pressure plus 1940s quality control equals some fantastic error coins. Here are the varieties you should be hunting for.

1. 1942 DDO Errors (FS-101 To FS-104)

With 657.8 million Philly cents struck in 1942, a few misaligned hub impressions were bound to happen. A Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) means the design got impressed twice with a slight shift — you’ll see doubling or shadowing on the front of the coin.

Four varieties are cataloged: FS-101, FS-102, FS-103, and FS-104. FS-103 is the one you’re most likely to spot, showing modest doubling on “IN GOD WE TRUST.” These aren’t as dramatic as the famous 1955 DDO, but they still carry real premiums. An MS-65 RB example sold for $1,200 in 2022, while an MS-65 RD fetched $475 in 2023. Color designation matters on errors just like it does on regular strikes.

2. 1942-D/D RPM Errors (FS-502 And FS-504)

Don’t confuse these with doubled dies — Repunched Mintmarks (RPMs) are a completely different animal. Back then, mint workers hand-punched each mintmark onto the working die. Miss your mark slightly, and you get overlapping impressions.

FS-502 shows the “D” repunched directly north — look for a ghost “D” sitting right above the primary one. FS-504 has the secondary “D” shifted west, creating a visible offset to the left. Standard RPM varieties for the 1942-D typically sell in the $10–$150 range, while the rare D/D error in MS67 Red has reached $700 at auction.

Get these slabbed by PCGS or NGC before paying up. Genuine RPMs need to be separated from post-mint damage and circulation hits that can look similar.

3. 1942-S/S RPM FS-512 Errors

This one’s a sleeper. The FS-512 shows an overlapping S/S pattern from San Francisco — different from the directional repunching you see on Denver cents.

What really sets FS-512 apart is how rare it is at the top. PCGS has certified only two Red examples in MS67, each valued around $1,800. The auction record hit $1,763 for a Red MS67 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions in 2020. Between San Francisco’s already low mintage and the scarcity of this specific die, finding one raw is a real cherrypicking prize.

4. 1942-S/S/S DDO & RPM Errors (FS-101 And FS-301)

Two errors on one die. That’s what makes the FS-101/301 special — it’s got a Doubled Die Obverse and a triple repunched mintmark on the same coin. Look for doubling on “God” in IN GOD WE TRUST and on the “9” of the date, plus an “S/S/S” pattern where the mintmark was punched three times.

PCGS has registered only three examples at MS67. An MS67 Red sold for $2,350 on eBay in 2019. If you ever find one raw in a junk box, you’ve had a very good day.

5. Additional 1942 Wheat Penny Errors

Beyond the named varieties, 1942 pennies turn up with several other error types worth knowing about.

Off-Center Strikes happen when the planchet isn’t seated properly between the dies, leaving part of the design missing. Values range from $20–$60 for modest 5–10% off-center strikes to over $400 for dramatic examples. The key: the date must be readable. No date, no premium.

Die Cracks and Cuds formed because wartime production kept dies in service way longer than normal. Minor die cracks add $5–$25 in value. Dramatic cuds — those raised blobs where the die actually broke away — near Lincoln’s portrait or the date can bring $50–$75 or more.

Struck-Through Errors happened when grease, cloth fibers, or wire fragments landed on the planchet during striking. These sell for $50–$485+ depending on how dramatic the impression is.

Wrong-Planchet Errors are the holy grail of 1942 errors. One famous example is a 1942 penny struck on a brass planchet meant for Ecuador’s 20-centavo coin — brought to light by the family of former U.S. Mint employee Albert Michael Pratt. The Ecuador planchet weighs approximately 4 grams versus the normal 3.11 grams, so weight is your first authentication tool. NGC has certified a small group of four 1942 and 1943 Lincoln Cents struck on wrong planchets. Wrong-planchet 1942 cents sell for $100 to over $1,600 depending on condition, with an MS-62 Brown thick-planchet example exceeding $1,600 at auction.

Also Read: 42 Rare Penny Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

 

Where To Sell Your 1942 Wheat Penny?

Where you sell matters just as much as what you’re selling.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

 

1942 Wheat Penny Market Trend

*Market Trend Chart showing the number of people paying attention to this coin.

 

FAQ About The 1942 Wheat Penny Value

1. How much is a 1942 Wheat Penny worth?

It depends on condition, mint mark, color, and errors. A well-worn example runs about 10 to 25 cents. Average circulated coins bring 30 to 35 cents.

Uncirculated examples range from roughly $1–$5 in lower Mint State grades up to several thousand at the top. The all-time record is $17,625 for a PR67 Cameo Proof sold at Heritage Auctions in 2014. The top MS68 Red business strike has hit $12,650.

2. What makes a 1942 Wheat Penny valuable?

Three things: mint mark, condition, and color designation. San Francisco (“S”) coins are scarcer than Philadelphia or Denver. Red (RD) examples — meaning 95% or more original copper luster — bring the strongest premiums.

The 1942 also carries extra weight as the last wheat cent struck in original bronze before the 1943 steel switch. Proof strikes and documented errors add even more collectibility.

3. What errors should I look for in 1942 Wheat Pennies?

The big ones are the Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) varieties FS-101 through FS-104 from Philadelphia — look for doubling in “IN GOD WE TRUST.” An MS-65 RB DDO example sold for $1,200 in 2022.

Repunched Mintmark (RPM) errors exist for Denver (FS-502, FS-504) and San Francisco (FS-512). You’ll also find off-center strikes ($20–$400+), die cracks and cuds ($5–$75+), struck-through errors ($50–$485+), and rare wrong-planchet errors exceeding $1,600 for high-grade examples.

4. Should I clean my 1942 Wheat Penny before selling it?

Never. Cleaning scratches the surface, kills the original luster, and permanently tanks the coin’s value. PCGS and NGC will note cleaning on the slab, dragging down both the grade and resale price. Collectors want original surfaces — even brown, toned ones.

5. How do I find and read the mint mark on my 1942 Wheat Penny?

Look on the front of the coin, directly below the date “1942.” A small “D” means Denver. An “S” means San Francisco. No letter at all? That’s Philadelphia — they didn’t use a mint mark back then.

The “S” is the most valuable of the three, followed by “D,” with Philadelphia being the most common.

6. Is a 1942 Wheat Penny magnetic? How can I tell if it’s steel?

No. A real 1942 penny is bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) and won’t stick to a magnet. Steel pennies were only made in 1943.

If your “1942” penny is magnetic, it’s not genuine. It’s either a 1943 steel cent with an altered date, a copper-plated steel coin, or a fake. Always do the magnet test first.

7. What does the RD, RB, or BN designation mean on my certified 1942 Wheat Penny?

These describe how much original copper-red color remains. RD (Red) means 95%+ original color — the most valuable. RB (Red-Brown) means 5% to 95% remains. BN (Brown) means less than 5% of the original red survives.

The price gap is huge: an MS-65 RD can sell for three to five times more than an MS-65 BN of the same variety. At MS-67, PCGS has certified only 224 Philadelphia examples as Red — full original luster after 80+ years is genuinely rare.

8. How many 1942 Proof Wheat Pennies exist, and what are they worth?

Philadelphia struck 32,600 proof pennies in 1942. About 16,000 survive — a 49% survival rate, since collectors saved them from the start.

Values range from roughly $32 for a PR-60 up to $17,625 for the top PR67 Cameo Proof (Heritage Auctions, February 2014). A PR-65 has recently sold for around $1,350 — a solid entry point for the last pre-war proof set.

9. What is the rarest variety of the 1942 Wheat Penny?

By certified population, it’s the 1942-S/S/S DDO & RPM (FS-101/FS-301) — a coin with both a tripled repunched mintmark and a doubled die obverse. PCGS has only three at MS67, and an MS67 Red sold for $2,350 in 2019.

Other extreme rarities include the FS-512 from San Francisco (only two PCGS-certified MS67 Red examples, auction record of $1,763 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions in 2020) and wrong-planchet errors struck on foreign coin blanks. NGC has certified a group of just four 1942 and 1943 wrong-planchet Lincoln Cents combined.

10. How should I store my 1942 Wheat Penny to preserve its value?

Humidity, air, and reactive materials are your enemies. Use inert, PVC-free holders — Mylar flips, archival-safe albums, or hard plastic slabs from grading services.

Stay away from soft PVC flips. They leach chemicals that cause green corrosion on copper over time. Keep your coins in a stable, climate-controlled space — temperature swings speed up oxidation that turns red copper brown, permanently dropping the color designation and the value.