What is a 1944 wheat penny?

The Philadelphia 1944 wheat penny accounts for over half of the record-breaking number of cents produced that year. It is the first time any coin topped the 1 Billion mark. 1,435,400,000 wheat pennies struck at the Philadelphia mint. With the highest number coined in all the wheat design series, 1944 cents are Abundant on a rarity scale.

Are 1944 steel pennies rare?

During the circulation of the 1944 Wheat Cent, a rare variation, the 1944 Steel Pennies became popular as a striking error coin. It so happened that while minting 1944 wheat pennies, the makers at all three mints somehow stuffed the leftover zinc-coated steel planchets from the 1942 war cent series. And the result was a rare 1944 Steel Wheat Penny.

What color is a 1944 Penny?

On this example 1944-D penny bright luster remains over the majority of the surface. Normal deepening of color is found in the higher areas of design, notably Lincoln's coat. Colors of Mint State Grade Wheat Penny Color of a newly minted wheat penny - a bright red-gold - changes over time.