Quick Summary

Yes, there are fake wheat pennies out there, especially for rare dates (like the 1909-S VDB or 1914-D). You absolutely should care if you collect, buy, or sell wheat pennies. I'll show you practical steps to spot counterfeits, what mistakes I've seen (and even made), and how experts and laws view the problem. There's even a comparison of how different countries define and enforce "verified" coin trade.

Wheat Pennies: Why Would Anyone Fake Them?

If you’re new to coin collecting, “wheat penny” refers to US one-cent pieces minted between 1909 and 1958, with two stalks of wheat on the reverse. Most of these are worth pocket change—but a handful (like the 1909-S VDB) can fetch thousands of dollars.

And where there’s money, there are fakes. According to US Secret Service reports, counterfeiting rare coins is a real and growing issue. Some fakes are so good that even seasoned dealers get fooled. But for common wheat pennies? Not worth the counterfeiter’s time.

Step-by-Step: How To Spot a Counterfeit Wheat Penny

Let’s get into the weeds (pun intended): here’s my actual process, including a couple of blunders and a few screenshots from forums where people have posted their own horror stories.

1. Know Which Dates Are Faked Most Often

If you see a 1909-S VDB, 1914-D, or 1922 plain (no mint mark), raise your eyebrows. According to PCGS (one of the top coin grading services), these are the most counterfeited wheat pennies. The same goes for any penny supposedly worth more than $100.

2. Weight and Size: The “Kitchen Scale” Test

Real wheat pennies (1909–1942) should weigh about 3.11 grams, and later ones (1943 steel) about 2.7 grams. I grabbed my own cheap kitchen scale—highly scientific, I know—and checked a supposed 1914-D I bought at a flea market. It weighed 2.9 grams. That’s a red flag: it’s either worn down (plausible), or it’s a fake.

Screenshot from my kitchen scale test—notice the digital readout. If your penny is way off, something’s up.

3. Magnification: Looking for Tool Marks

Counterfeiters will often alter common-date pennies to add a rare mintmark. Under 10x magnification, you can sometimes see tool marks or evidence that the “S” or “D” was glued or punched on. I learned the hard way: I bought a 1914-D from an online seller, and under my $8 Amazon loupe, you could see a faint outline where the “D” was added. Rookie mistake, but at least it didn’t cost me much.

A collector’s forum user posted this: under magnification, the “S” looks suspiciously added. Source: Coin Community Forum.

4. Compare With Verified Photos

Sites like PCGS CoinFacts and NGC Coin Explorer have huge databases of genuine coin images. When I was stumped by a 1922 penny, I lined it up next to high-res images from PCGS. The lettering and spacing were off—another giveaway.

5. Get a Second Opinion (or a Third)

If you suspect a fake, ask a reputable coin dealer—ideally one who’s a member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA). I once brought a suspicious penny to three different shops. The first two shrugged, but the third pulled out a microscope and confirmed it was a clever fake. Lesson: not all “experts” are equal.

What the Law Says: Official Stance on Counterfeit Coins

Counterfeiting US coins is a federal crime. According to 18 U.S. Code § 485, producing or passing fake coinage is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. The US Secret Service investigates, and major grading companies cooperate on detection. Internationally, the World Customs Organization also tracks and intercepts counterfeit coin shipments.

Trade Standards: How “Verification” Differs by Country

Now, here’s where it gets weird. Not every country treats “verified trade” the same way. I put together a quick table, based on data from the OECD Handbook on the Detection of Fake Goods and WTO documents.

Country	Verification Standard	Legal Basis	Enforcing Body
USA	Third-party grading required for high-value coin trade	18 U.S. Code § 485	US Secret Service, Customs, Grading Companies
EU	CE marking and import/export lab testing	Regulation (EU) 608/2013	Customs, Police, National Mints
China	State-run authentication for export and auction	Anti-Unfair Competition Law	China Customs, Ministry of Public Security
UK	Royal Mint authentication, import controls	Forgery and Counterfeiting Act 1981	Royal Mint, Border Force

Sources: WTO, OECD, US Code

Case Study: A Tale of Two Pennies

Let me share a real forum story. In 2021, a collector named “Ken” posted on Coin Community about a 1909-S VDB penny he bought on eBay for $1,200. It looked perfect, but when he sent it for grading at PCGS, they flagged it as “altered.” Turns out, the “S” had been carefully added to a regular 1909 VDB penny—a classic fake. Ken was lucky: eBay’s buyer protection policy saved him, but not everyone is so fortunate.

On the flip side, I once bought a 1922 penny that looked off. The color was weird, and the details felt “soft.” After checking with a dealer, turns out it was a real 1922 “No D”—just heavily worn. So, sometimes a “fake” is just a coin with a tough life.

Expert Take: Why It’s Getting Harder to Spot Fakes

I chatted (virtually) with Michael Fahey, a senior grader at ANACS (America’s oldest coin grading service). Here’s a paraphrase:

“We see new counterfeiting methods every year—laser engraving, high-res 3D printing, you name it. Even experienced collectors get fooled. The best defense is third-party certification, or at least comparing your coin against high-quality reference images.”

He also pointed out that FBI reports estimate the global market in fraudulent collectibles exceeds $6 billion annually. Coins are a small slice, but for rare wheat pennies, the risk is real.

Conclusions & What To Do Next

Yes, fake wheat pennies exist. If you’re hunting for rare dates, be cautious—especially on online marketplaces and at flea markets. Use a scale, a magnifier, and reference photos. Don’t hesitate to get a second (or third) opinion. If you’re buying anything worth over $100, insist on third-party certification from PCGS, NGC, or ANACS.

If you’re just collecting for fun, and not spending big, relax. Most fakes target high-value coins. But it’s still worth learning the basics—nothing stings like realizing you paid too much for a clever fake.

My final tip: join a collector’s forum, or visit a local coin club. You’ll learn from others’ mistakes (and trust me, there are plenty). If you want to dig deeper, check out the ANA’s guide to counterfeit coins and the PCGS warning list.