It's all supply and demand. When wheat cents (and many other coins, for that matter) were struck Philadelphia was the largest mint and in most years made the largest number of coins. The branch mints made fewer coins, so they were scarcer and more highly sought by collectors. For example, in 1909 Philadelphia made about 100 million cents but San Francisco struck about 2.3 million. That seems like a lot but it's only about 2% of the total output, so the S-mint cents from that year are worth many times more than Philadelphia coins. However there are some years when the Philadelphia mint produced fewer coins than one of the branch mints - 1932 cents and 1928 dollars are just two cases where the Philadelphia coins are less expensive than the branch mint issues.
According to a 2014 coin price chart, there is no wheat penny that is worth $12,500. There is, however, a 1922 (no mint mark) wheat penny worth about $500 in circulated condition and $20,000 in mint condition. The highest price penny like this is a 1944 Steel penny that is worth $100,000 in mint condition and $4,000 in circulated condition.
1929 Wheat Penny; With no mint mark, in good condition is worth $0.15, uncirculated is worth $13.00. With D mint mark, in good condition is worth $0.15, uncirculated is worth $32.00. With S mint mark, in good condition is worth $0.15, uncirculated is worth $18.00. More specifics are at the Related Link
a penny
The value depends on the date, mint mark, and condition. For a specific value, ask about a specific coin.
The value of a 1929 D wheat penny depends upon the condition that the penny is in. A 1929 D wheat penny that is not in good condition is worth about $4.00, a 1929 D penny in pristine mint condition is worth $446.
According to a 2014 coin price chart, there is no wheat penny that is worth $12,500. There is, however, a 1922 (no mint mark) wheat penny worth about $500 in circulated condition and $20,000 in mint condition. The highest price penny like this is a 1944 Steel penny that is worth $100,000 in mint condition and $4,000 in circulated condition.
The mint mark does not determine the value of a coin. If you have a penny and want to know what it is worth, please submit a new question and include the date on your penny as well as the mint mark.
Yes. $1.25 if there is no mint mark, $7.75 if it has a D mint mark, and $132.50 if it has a S mint mark.
1950 Wheat Penny; With no mint mark, in very fine condition is worth $0.10, uncirculated is worth $1.50, proof is worth $45.00. With D mint mark, in very fine condition is worth $0.10, uncirculated is worth $1.00. With S mint mark, in very fine condition is worth $0.10, uncirculated is worth $1.25.
1951 Wheat penny: With no mint mark, in very fine condition is worth $0.10, uncirculated is worth $1.50, proof is worth $35.00. With D mint mark, in very fine condition is worth $0.10, uncirculated is worth $0.60. With S mint mark, in very fine condition is worth $0.10, uncirculated is worth $2.00.
1930 Wheat penny: with no mint mark, in good condition is worth $0.10, uncirculated is worth $10.00. With D mint mark, in good condition is worth $0.15, uncirculated is worth 25.00. With S mint mark, in good condition is worth $0.15, uncirculated is worth $13.00.
1939 Lincoln, Wheat Ears Reverse (Wheat Penny): With no mint mark, in very good condition is worth $0.05, uncirculated is worth $3.00, proof is worth $35.00. With D mint mark, in very good condition is worth $0.45, uncirculated is worth $11.00. With S mint mark, in very good condition is worth $0.15, uncirculated is worth $8.00.
$2 to $60,000 depending upon the mint mark and the condition of the coin.
1929 Wheat Penny; With no mint mark, in good condition is worth $0.15, uncirculated is worth $13.00. With D mint mark, in good condition is worth $0.15, uncirculated is worth $32.00. With S mint mark, in good condition is worth $0.15, uncirculated is worth $18.00. More specifics are at the Related Link
1929 Wheat Penny; With no mint mark, in good condition is worth $0.15, uncirculated is worth $13.00. With D mint mark, in good condition is worth $0.15, uncirculated is worth $32.00. With S mint mark, in good condition is worth $0.15, uncirculated is worth $18.00. More specifics are at the Related Link
1936 Wheat Penny: With no mint mark, in very good condition is worth $0.10, uncirculated is worth $5.00, proof is worth $135.00. With D mint mark, in very good condition is worth $0.10, uncirculated is worth $8.00. With S mint mark, in very good condition is worth $0.10, uncirculated is worth $8.00.
Depending on condition, it's worth 3-10 cents.