What is a 1945 copper penny?

A 1945 copper penny carries the design of the Lincoln wheat penny and is made out of 95 percent copper. The U.S. Mint produced Lincoln wheat pennies from 1909 to 1958.

As of 2014, a 1945 copper Lincoln wheat penny is worth an average of $4.00, although coins in poor condition may be worth only a couple cents more than their face value. Pennies in extremely fine condition or those that were not circulated are the most valuable. Collectors grade condition based on the amount of wear on a coin and the sharpness of its engravings. The U.S. Mint created 1.04 million copper pennies for circulation in 1945.