{"id":6672,"date":"2026-04-07T22:44:28","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T22:44:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/?p=6672"},"modified":"2026-04-07T22:55:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T22:55:31","slug":"1942-penny-value-guide-wheat-penny-worth-pricing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/1942-penny-value-guide-wheat-penny-worth-pricing\/","title":{"rendered":"1942 Penny Value Guide: Wheat Penny Worth &amp; Pricing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The 1942 penny represents a pivotal moment in United States numismatic history. As the final year of the standard copper composition that had been minted since 1864, 1942 wheat pennies hold both historical and collector significance. With over 949 million coins produced across three mint facilities, 1942 pennies remain relatively accessible to collectors while certain varieties and high grades command premium prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">At a Glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Year:<\/strong> 1942<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Type:<\/strong> Lincoln Wheat Penny<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Composition:<\/strong> 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Total Mintage:<\/strong> 949,084,000 (P: 657.8M | D: 206.7M | S: 85.6M)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mint Marks:<\/strong> P (Philadelphia), D (Denver), S (San Francisco)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rarity Level:<\/strong> Common in circulated grades; valuable specimens in high grades<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key Varieties:<\/strong> 1942-S\/S\/S Doubled Die Obverse (ultra-rare); 1942-S Doubled Die Reverse<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Historical Significance:<\/strong> Last standard copper composition before 1943 steel penny emergency<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Average Circulated Value:<\/strong> $0.03 to $0.36 depending on mint mark and grade<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>High-Grade Premium:<\/strong> 1942-P MS-68 RD can exceed $3,000; 1942-S MS-68 RD historically $12,000+<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1942 Penny Values by Grade and Mint Mark<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The following table reflects current market values for 1942 wheat pennies across different grades. Values vary based on collector demand, market conditions, and certification status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Mint Mark<\/th><th>Good (G-4)<\/th><th>Fine (F-12)<\/th><th>EF-40<\/th><th>AU-50<\/th><th>MS-60<\/th><th>MS-63<\/th><th>MS-65<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>1942-P<\/td><td>$0.03<\/td><td>$0.06<\/td><td>$0.16<\/td><td>$0.40<\/td><td>$1.68<\/td><td>$4.50<\/td><td>$12.00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1942-D<\/td><td>$0.03<\/td><td>$0.09<\/td><td>$0.27<\/td><td>$0.60<\/td><td>$2.40<\/td><td>$6.00<\/td><td>$16.00<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>1942-S<\/td><td>$0.03<\/td><td>$0.11<\/td><td>$0.36<\/td><td>$0.75<\/td><td>$6.90<\/td><td>$12.00<\/td><td>$32.00<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Note:<\/strong> Values shown are approximate market prices based on major grading services (PCGS, NGC) and dealer networks. Actual prices vary based on specific certification, eye appeal, and market dynamics. Rare varieties and error coins command significantly higher premiums.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Historical Significance: The Final Year of Standard Copper<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The End of an Era<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The 1942 penny marks a crucial transition point in American coinage. For nearly eight decades\u2014from 1864 through 1942\u2014the United States Mint had struck pennies using a consistent 95% copper composition with 5% tin and zinc. This formula produced the characteristic reddish-brown color and durability that made copper the preferred cent metal for three generations of Americans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The year 1942 carried additional historical weight beyond its numismatic profile. On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, and the United States entered World War II. As the nation mobilized for total war, copper became a critical strategic material needed for ammunition, electrical wiring, and military equipment. By December 1942, the U.S. government recognized that copper supplies would be stretched dangerously thin, and a dramatic decision was made.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The 1943 Steel Penny Emergency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Starting in 1943, the Mint discontinued the copper composition entirely and switched to zinc-coated steel\u2014a composition that would persist through 1944 and earn the nickname &#8220;steel pennies.&#8221; This emergency change reflected the reality of wartime production priorities. While the steel pennies of 1943-1944 are well-known to modern collectors, fewer people realize that 1942 was the last year of the traditional copper penny formula.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This historical context elevates 1942 as the &#8220;last of an era,&#8221; making it particularly attractive to collectors interested in numismatic history, World War II history, and the evolution of American coinage. Among serious collectors, 1942 pennies carry an almost nostalgic quality\u2014they represent the final coins of pre-war production before the material composition was forever changed by military necessity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Identify Your 1942 Penny<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Basic Design Elements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>All 1942 wheat pennies share the same obverse and reverse designs that had been standard since 1909:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Obverse (Front):<\/strong> The profile of President Abraham Lincoln facing left, with the inscription &#8220;LIBERTY&#8221; above and the date &#8220;1942&#8221; below. The designer&#8217;s initials &#8220;VDB&#8221; appear on the lower right.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Reverse (Back):<\/strong> Two wheat stalks flanking a shield bearing the denomination &#8220;ONE CENT,&#8221; with the inscriptions &#8220;UNITED STATES OF AMERICA&#8221; and &#8220;E PLURIBUS UNUM&#8221; surrounding the central design.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Metal Content Check<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>1942 pennies will display the reddish-brown color characteristic of copper-containing coins when uncirculated or lightly circulated. The metal composition remains 95% copper with 5% tin and zinc throughout the entire mintage of 1942, making this the most consistent year in terms of composition across all three mint facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mint Marks: Location and Mintage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>All United States Mint facilities operated during 1942, producing wheat pennies for circulation and collector sets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mint Mark Location<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The mint mark\u2014if present\u2014appears on the obverse (front) of the coin, located directly below the date &#8220;1942,&#8221; positioned between the final &#8220;2&#8221; and the right-hand wheat stalk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>P (Philadelphia):<\/strong> No mint mark visible; identified by absence of letter<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>D (Denver):<\/strong> Clearly marked with a small &#8220;D&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>S (San Francisco):<\/strong> Marked with a small &#8220;S&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1942 Mintage by Facility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Mint<\/th><th>Quantity Minted<\/th><th>Percentage of Total<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Philadelphia (P)<\/td><td>657,796,000<\/td><td>69.3%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Denver (D)<\/td><td>206,698,000<\/td><td>21.8%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>San Francisco (S)<\/td><td>85,590,000<\/td><td>9.0%<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Total<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>949,084,000<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>100%<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The Philadelphia facility produced nearly 70% of all 1942 pennies, making 1942-P coins the most common by a significant margin. However, all three varieties remain relatively affordable in circulated grades. The San Francisco production (1942-S) is notably the lowest, giving it a slight scarcity premium compared to Philadelphia and Denver varieties in higher grades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Known Errors and Varieties<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While 1942 pennies are generally straightforward in terms of major production varieties, several notable errors and doubled dies have been documented and catalogued by error specialists and advanced collectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1942-S\/S\/S Doubled Die Obverse (Ultra-Rare)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The 1942-S\/S\/S Doubled Die Obverse is among the rarest error coins ever minted at the San Francisco facility. This variety features a dramatic tripled mint mark (&#8220;S\/S\/S&#8221; stacked vertically) combined with a light doubled die on the obverse, creating a distinctive diagnostic appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Rarity:<\/strong> Extraordinarily rare; fewer than five specimens known to exist in numismatic records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Estimated Value:<\/strong> A specimen graded MS-67 RD (Red) realized approximately $2,350 at auction, establishing this as one of the most valuable 1942 penny varieties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How to Identify:<\/strong> Look for three distinct &#8220;S&#8221; mint marks stacked vertically below the date, along with evidence of doubling on Lincoln&#8217;s profile. This error typically appears only in San Francisco coinage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1942-S Doubled Die (Reverse)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The 1942-S Doubled Die features a distinctive doubling of Lincoln&#8217;s eyelid on the obverse, a characteristic that can be readily identified with a magnifying glass or loupe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Rarity:<\/strong> Scarce but more common than the S\/S\/S variety; documented in several collections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Estimated Values:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>AU-53: Approximately $150<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>MS-63: Approximately $500<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Higher grades: Significantly more<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Significance:<\/strong> This variety demonstrates the die-preparation challenges faced during 1942 production runs at the San Francisco facility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Repunched Mint Marks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Repunched mint marks (RPM varieties) occur when a die-striking error required additional punching of the mint mark, creating an impression where two mint marks partially overlap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Rarity Level:<\/strong> Scarce but available to dedicated error collectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Estimated Value Range:<\/strong> $10 to $50 depending on the specific variety and grade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Examples:<\/strong> Several distinct repunched mint mark varieties have been catalogued on 1942-D and 1942-S specimens, though these are highly specialized collecting areas requiring expertly graded reference materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">High-Grade Specimens and Premium Values<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Rarity of Gem-Grade 1942 Pennies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Finding 1942 pennies in pristine, uncirculated condition becomes increasingly difficult as grades climb above MS-65. Most 1942 pennies entered circulation shortly after minting and experienced decades of use in commerce. Coins that escaped circulation entirely are genuinely scarce, particularly in grades MS-67 and above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Notable High-Grade Sales<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1942-P MS-68 RD (Red):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Heritage Auctions sale, 2021<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Realized Price: $3,960<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Significance: One of the highest prices achieved for a common-date 1942-P penny, demonstrating strong collector demand for pristine specimens.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>1942-S MS-68 RD (Red):<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Historical sales data, early 2000s<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Realized Price: $12,000+<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Significance: The San Francisco variety commands a substantial premium in the highest grades due to lower mintage and scarcity of gem-grade specimens.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why High-Grade Premiums Matter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The jump in value from MS-65 to MS-68 can be exponential. A 1942-S penny worth $32 in MS-65 condition may be worth $500+ in MS-67, and $5,000+ in MS-68 Red. This reflects the exponential rarity of coins that have survived without a single bag mark, nick, or spot of oxidation for over 80 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Collectors pursuing high-grade examples should work with reputable grading services (PCGS or NGC) and dealers specializing in vintage pennies, as certification accuracy directly impacts value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Grading Guide: Understanding 1942 Penny Conditions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Understanding the Sheldon grading scale is essential for assessing penny value. The following guide describes key characteristics for common 1942 penny grades:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Circulated Grades<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Good (G-4):<\/strong> Heavy wear on all design elements. Lincoln&#8217;s profile is flat and nearly unrecognizable. Legends may be partially worn away. Mint mark, if present, is visible but may be weakly struck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Fine (F-12):<\/strong> Moderate to heavy wear. Lincoln&#8217;s major features are visible but lack sharp detail. The hair and beard show significant wear. Mint mark is clearly visible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Very Fine (VF-20 to VF-35):<\/strong> Light to moderate wear. Lincoln&#8217;s profile remains distinct, with some retained detail in the hair. Wheat stalks show moderate definition. Date is bold and clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Extremely Fine (EF-40):<\/strong> Light wear on the highest points\u2014primarily Lincoln&#8217;s cheekbone and the tops of the wheat stalks. Most design details are sharp. Luster may be present in protected areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About Uncirculated (AU-50):<\/strong> Minimal wear visible only on the very highest points. Nearly full lustre remains. This grade represents coins that circulated very briefly or spent most of their life in rolls or collections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Uncirculated Grades<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>MS-60 (Mint State):<\/strong> No wear visible, but significant bag marks, scratches, and handling marks are evident. Lustre may be dull or uneven due to storage. This is the threshold of true uncirculated condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>MS-63 (Choice Uncirculated):<\/strong> Attractive appearance with only light bag marks and handling marks evident. Lustre is generally lustrous and well-distributed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>MS-65 (Gem Uncirculated):<\/strong> Few and very light bag marks. Lustre is strong and even across the coin. Eye appeal is excellent. This is the level at which serious collectors aim for 1942 pennies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>MS-67 and Above:<\/strong> Virtually absent of marks visible to the naked eye. Exceptional lustre and eye appeal. These coins represent the finest examples known.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">RD, RB, and BN Designations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>RD (Red):<\/strong> Retains original copper-red color. Most desirable and valuable. Only possible for coins that have never been exposed to moisture or reactive environments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>RB (Red-Brown):<\/strong> Mixed copper-red and brown toning. Intermediate value.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>BN (Brown):<\/strong> Predominantly brown oxidized patina. Least valuable of the uncirculated grades, though still above the lower graded coins.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions About 1942 Pennies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: How much is my 1942 penny worth?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: Value depends on mint mark, grade, and condition. A circulated 1942-P in average condition may be worth $0.03 to $0.40. A 1942-S in MS-65 condition could be worth $32 or more. For accurate valuation, have high-grade specimens professionally graded by PCGS or NGC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: What mint mark should I look for to find the rarest 1942 penny?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: The 1942-S (San Francisco) is the lowest mintage with 85.6 million coins produced, compared to 657.8 million for 1942-P. In high grades, 1942-S specimens command premium prices. However, certain error varieties like the 1942-S\/S\/S Doubled Die Obverse are vastly rarer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: Is my 1942 penny made of copper?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: Yes. All 1942 pennies are composed of 95% copper with 5% tin and zinc. This was the standard composition used since 1864. The 1943 penny switched to zinc-coated steel due to wartime copper shortages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: Where is the mint mark located on a 1942 penny?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: The mint mark appears on the obverse (front) directly below the date, between the final &#8220;2&#8221; in &#8220;1942&#8221; and the right wheat stalk. Philadelphia pennies have no mint mark; Denver pennies display a &#8220;D&#8221;; San Francisco pennies show an &#8220;S.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: Should I clean my 1942 penny?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: No. Cleaning reduces collector value and can damage the coin&#8217;s surface. Even professional conservation should only be considered for extremely rare specimens. Most collectors and dealers prefer original patina as-is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: What makes a 1942 penny valuable in the collector market?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: High grades are most valuable. Coins in MS-65 or better condition command premiums. Additionally, historical significance as the last year of standard copper composition before the 1943 steel penny transition adds appeal. Error varieties and doubled dies dramatically increase value for rare examples.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Q: How do I get my 1942 penny graded?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A: Submit your coin to PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) or NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company) through authorized dealers or directly via their websites. Grading typically takes 2-4 weeks. Graded coins are encapsulated in tamper-evident holders that enhance both protection and marketability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related Guides in the 1940s Penny Series<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Expand your knowledge of Depression-era and World War II-era wheat pennies through our complete 1940s guide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/1940s-penny-values-guide\/\">1940s Penny Values Guide<\/a> \u2014 Comprehensive pillar article covering all years in the decade<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/1941-penny-value\/\">1941 Penny Value<\/a> \u2014 Final pre-war production; exceptional high-grade premiums<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/1943-penny-value\/\">1943 Penny Value<\/a> \u2014 Steel penny emergency production; magnetic properties<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/1944-penny-value\/\">1944 Penny Value<\/a> \u2014 Final year of steel composition; rare 1944-S steel varieties<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"\/blog\/1945-penny-value\/\">1945 Penny Value<\/a> \u2014 Resumption of copper composition after V-E Day<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sources and References<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Valuation data and historical information in this guide draw from authoritative numismatic sources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pcgs.com\/prices\">PCGS Price Guide<\/a> \u2014 Certified coin valuation data<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ngccoin.com\/ngcexplorer\">NGC Coin Explorer<\/a> \u2014 Grading and pricing information<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/coins.ha.com\/\">Heritage Auctions Rare Coin Prices<\/a> \u2014 Historical auction results<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.usacoinbook.com\/coins\/262-penny-wheat-1942.html\">USA Coin Book &#8211; 1942 Penny Values<\/a> \u2014 Retail pricing data<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>United States Mint Official Records \u2014 Mintage figures and historical production data<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Last updated:<\/strong> April 7, 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>This article represents current market values and grading standards as of the publication date. Prices fluctuate based on collector demand, market conditions, and availability. For definitive valuation of rare or high-grade specimens, consult multiple sources and consider professional certification through PCGS or NGC.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Complete 1942 penny value guide including wheat penny prices by grade, mint marks, rare varieties, and collector information.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2510,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1211,1228,1507],"tags":[1501,1499,1232],"class_list":["post-6672","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-coin-values","category-lincoln-pennies","category-penny-values","tag-coin-values-by-year","tag-lincoln-cent","tag-wheat-penny"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.13 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>1942 Penny Value Guide - Wheat Penny Worth &amp; Price Charts<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Complete 1942 penny value guide including wheat penny prices by grade, mint marks, rare varieties, and collector information.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/1942-penny-value-guide-wheat-penny-worth-pricing\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"1942 Penny Value Guide - Wheat Penny Worth &amp; Price Charts\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Complete 1942 penny value guide including wheat penny prices by grade, mint marks, rare varieties, and collector information.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/1942-penny-value-guide-wheat-penny-worth-pricing\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"FindBullionPrices.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FindBullionPrices\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FindBullionPrices\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-04-07T22:44:28+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-07T22:55:31+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/piles-of-pre-1982-copper-pennies.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"533\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"FindBullionPrices.com\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@FindBullion\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@FindBullion\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"FindBullionPrices.com\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"10 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/1942-penny-value-guide-wheat-penny-worth-pricing\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/1942-penny-value-guide-wheat-penny-worth-pricing\/\",\"name\":\"1942 Penny Value Guide - Wheat Penny Worth & Price Charts\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-07T22:44:28+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-07T22:55:31+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/62601ec17232f3e5f3d320f5e29f17e7\"},\"description\":\"Complete 1942 penny value guide including wheat penny prices by grade, mint marks, rare varieties, and collector information.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/1942-penny-value-guide-wheat-penny-worth-pricing\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/1942-penny-value-guide-wheat-penny-worth-pricing\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/1942-penny-value-guide-wheat-penny-worth-pricing\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"1942 Penny Value Guide: Wheat Penny Worth &amp; Pricing\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"FindBullionPrices.com\",\"description\":\"Compare the best prices on silver and gold bullion\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/62601ec17232f3e5f3d320f5e29f17e7\",\"name\":\"FindBullionPrices.com\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e5b7041d05f8af78705c194da9e5c1f1?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e5b7041d05f8af78705c194da9e5c1f1?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"FindBullionPrices.com\"},\"description\":\"Our mission is to be a valuable resource for bullion enthusiasts to be able to get up to date pricing, availability and information about bullion investment and collectible products from as many sources as possible. Whether you're buying silver bullion rounds or bars, or government bullion like American Silver Eagles or Canadian Maple Leafs our site will help you make better buying decisions with up to date pricing and information and special offers from reputable dealers.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\",\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FindBullionPrices\/\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/findbullionprices\/?hl=en\",\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/27132268\/admin\/dashboard\/\",\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FindBullion\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@findbullionprices\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/author\/admin\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"1942 Penny Value Guide - Wheat Penny Worth & Price Charts","description":"Complete 1942 penny value guide including wheat penny prices by grade, mint marks, rare varieties, and collector information.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/1942-penny-value-guide-wheat-penny-worth-pricing\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"1942 Penny Value Guide - Wheat Penny Worth & Price Charts","og_description":"Complete 1942 penny value guide including wheat penny prices by grade, mint marks, rare varieties, and collector information.","og_url":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/1942-penny-value-guide-wheat-penny-worth-pricing\/","og_site_name":"FindBullionPrices.com","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FindBullionPrices\/","article_author":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FindBullionPrices\/","article_published_time":"2026-04-07T22:44:28+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-04-07T22:55:31+00:00","og_image":[{"width":800,"height":533,"url":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/piles-of-pre-1982-copper-pennies.jpeg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"FindBullionPrices.com","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@FindBullion","twitter_site":"@FindBullion","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"FindBullionPrices.com","Est. reading time":"10 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/1942-penny-value-guide-wheat-penny-worth-pricing\/","url":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/1942-penny-value-guide-wheat-penny-worth-pricing\/","name":"1942 Penny Value Guide - Wheat Penny Worth & Price Charts","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-04-07T22:44:28+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-07T22:55:31+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/62601ec17232f3e5f3d320f5e29f17e7"},"description":"Complete 1942 penny value guide including wheat penny prices by grade, mint marks, rare varieties, and collector information.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/1942-penny-value-guide-wheat-penny-worth-pricing\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/1942-penny-value-guide-wheat-penny-worth-pricing\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/1942-penny-value-guide-wheat-penny-worth-pricing\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"1942 Penny Value Guide: Wheat Penny Worth &amp; Pricing"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/","name":"FindBullionPrices.com","description":"Compare the best prices on silver and gold bullion","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/62601ec17232f3e5f3d320f5e29f17e7","name":"FindBullionPrices.com","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e5b7041d05f8af78705c194da9e5c1f1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/e5b7041d05f8af78705c194da9e5c1f1?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"FindBullionPrices.com"},"description":"Our mission is to be a valuable resource for bullion enthusiasts to be able to get up to date pricing, availability and information about bullion investment and collectible products from as many sources as possible. Whether you're buying silver bullion rounds or bars, or government bullion like American Silver Eagles or Canadian Maple Leafs our site will help you make better buying decisions with up to date pricing and information and special offers from reputable dealers.","sameAs":["https:\/\/findbullionprices.com","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/FindBullionPrices\/","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/findbullionprices\/?hl=en","https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/27132268\/admin\/dashboard\/","https:\/\/twitter.com\/FindBullion","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@findbullionprices"],"url":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/author\/admin\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6672","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6672"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6672\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6673,"href":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6672\/revisions\/6673"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2510"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6672"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6672"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/findbullionprices.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6672"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}