1911 Wheat Penny Value: How Much Is It Worth Today?

Welcome back again to our coin review page, where every penny counts. One particular penny that has captured the attention of collectors is the 1911 Wheat Penny value. This iconic coin featuring President Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and a design of wheat stalks on the reverse was minted in 1911.

On this page, we have compiled a comprehensive guide that includes the value chart of the 1911 wheat penny and its features, varieties, and errors. Let’s start!

1911 Lincoln Penny Wheat Reverse Value Chart
Mint Mark	MS61	MS62	MS63	MS64	MS65
1911 No Mint Mark Wheat Penny Value	$25.92	$30.78	$35.64	$65	$156
1911 D Wheat Penny Value	$130	$144	$172	$335	$507
1911 S Wheat Penny Value	$281	$317	$390	$429	$1,230
1911 Proof Lincoln Penny Wheat Reverse
	PR63	PR64	PR65	PR66	PR67
1911 Proof Wheat Penny Value	$819	$874	$1,110	$1,530	$7,500

1911 No Mint Mark Wheat Penny Value

The 1911 wheat penny is a 1-cent coin denominated as 1 cent ($0.01). This particular coin was minted in Philadelphia with a total mintage of 101,177,787, making it a relatively common coin in its production numbers. The penny itself has an interesting history, originating from the British Empire and referred to as pence. However, Americans and Australians commonly refer to it as cents.

The 1911 Wheat Pennies composition is 95% copper, with the remaining 5% of zinc and tin. It weighs 3.11 grams and has a diameter of 19 mm, with a round shape and a business strike type. The designer of this coin was Victor D. Brenner, and his design features a bust of Abraham Lincoln framed by the words “IN GOD WE TRUST” on the top periphery. The word LIBERTY is located to the left of the portrait, while the date 1911 is positioned on the right side.

On the reverse side of the coin, wheat ears are flanking the words “ONE CENT” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM can be found on the top perimeter. From 1909 to 1958, the tail side featured a design known as the Wheat Penny. The term penny originates from the British Empire, and although the correct plural form is pence, Americans and Australians refer to them as cents.

The first U.S. coins were designed to be simple and cost-effective, featuring symbolic images of freedom instead of images of leaders. In 1904, President Theodore Roosevelt recognized the need to redesign the nation’s coins to emulate the artistic coins of the past. To achieve this, he enlisted the help of prominent sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens.

Although Saint-Gaudens passed away in 1907, his artistic legacy continued through his assistants and students. The new design for the penny and other coins featured more detailed and intricate artwork, raising the bar for coin design and elevating coins to the level of art. The original design was later changed to feature Abraham Lincoln, making him the first recognizable figure in US currency. Brenner, the artist who took on the task, faced challenges getting formal approval for his designs.

Now, talking about its value, in the table you provided by the Greysheet website, the 1911 Wheat Penny value is broken down by the condition of the coin using the Sheldon grading scale, which ranges from 1 to 70. But above, we only listed the mint state from MS61 to Ms65.

A 1911 Wheat Penny valued in MS65 (Mint State 65) condition is worth $156.00. On the other hand, a 1911 wheat penny in AG3 (About Good 3) condition, which is the lowest grade for this coin, is only worth $0.35 to $0.39.

The grading companies like PCGS and NGC have certified and graded thousands of 1911 pennies, but only a few have been graded as MS66 and above. In June 2017, an MS66 BN 1911 was sold at Legend Rare Coin Auctions for $875. The BN designation stands for Brown, meaning that the coin has some original mint luster but has started to develop a brownish patina over time. This is a common condition for copper coins circulating for a long time.

On December 27, 2022, another of its kind was sold at Heritage Auctions for $169. This coin was graded as MS65 by NGC, which is a slightly lower grade than the PCGS MS66 BN coin sold in 2017. However, it is still a high-grade coin, and it has been certified by one of the leading grading companies in the world.

1911 D Wheat Penny Value

The 1911 wheat penny minted in Denver is much more valuable than the ones from Philadelphia due to the presence of a D mint mark on the obverse side, just below the date 1911. It is also part of the wheat penny series produced by the United States Mint with a mintage of 12,672,000.

The same case with the MS65 graded no mint mark 1911 wheat penny from Philadelphia; the grade MS65 refers to a 1911 D Wheat Penny in uncirculated condition, with no signs of wear and tear. This is considered the highest grade for a coin, and as such, it commands the highest value, which is $507.

If the 1911 Wheat Penny has a reddish-brown (RB) color, it is likely in a higher grade and may be worth between $156.00 and $1,250. This grade indicates that the penny has maintained much of its original color and has only slight wear and tear.

If the penny has a red (RD) color, it is in even better condition and can be worth significantly more, ranging from $364 to $80,600. This grade indicates that the penny has retained most of its original mint luster and has only minimal wear and tear.

On the other hand, if the penny has a brownish color without much red or mint luster, it may be in a lower grade and be worth between $3.71 and $507. In this case, the penny may have significant wear and tear, making it less valuable than those in better condition.

The 1911 D Wheat Penny value sold in the auctions in recent years is all mostly in Mint State 65 Brown (MS65 BN) condition, which indicates a well-preserved coin with some original mint luster but also showing signs of light toning.

The last auction of the 1911 D Wheat Penny was held on March 26, 2018, by Stack’s Bowers. The coin was sold for $336 and was graded MS65 BN by PCGS. This coin is another example of the 1911 D Wheat Penny scarcity in this condition, with only thirteen coins graded MS65 BN by PCGS at that time.

1911 S Wheat Penny Value

The 1911 S Lincoln Penny is a difficult semi-key coin in the series, although not as rare as other Lincoln coins. The S mint mark indicates that it was minted at the San Francisco Mint, and they produced 4,026,000 of them. They are usually well-struck and visually appealing, but finding an uncirculated 1911 S Lincoln penny in higher grades can be challenging.

As with all coins, the 1911 Wheat Penny value from San Francisco varies based on its condition, rarity, and other factors. Generally, the value of a 1911 S wheat penny ranges from $16.20 to $1,230, depending on the coin’s grade and other unique features.

For collectors looking to invest in higher-quality coins, the 1911 S RB (red-brown) wheat penny is worth a bit more, ranging from $312 to $4,500. This particular coin features a more vibrant color due to the copper content of the penny. Alternatively, the 1911 S RD (red) wheat penny, which is rare and in higher demand, is worth even more, ranging from $325 to $19,200.

In 2007, one 1911 S (MS66 Brown NGC) coin was auctioned by Heritage Auctions for $2,760. The auction house is a well-known and respected name in the industry, and its auctions regularly feature rare and valuable coins.

And recently, in 2022, David Lawrence Rare Coins sold another 1911 S wheat penny at auction for $1,060. This coin was graded by PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) as MS65 BN, which indicates that it is also in uncirculated condition and has a brown color.

Notice that the NGC-graded coin sold for a higher price than the PCGS-graded coin, despite being one grade higher. This is likely due to other factors, such as eye appeal and the rarity of the 1911 Wheat Penny value.

1911 Proof Wheat Penny Value

The 1911 Proof Wheat Penny is a special edition coin produced by the Philadelphia Mint in the early 20th century with only a 1,725 mintage. The Lincoln Wheat Proof Cents were minted from 1909 to 1958, with each year’s coin having unique characteristics.

The 1911 Proof Wheat Penny is considered early proof, and as such, it has a matte finish that sets it apart from the business strikes of the time. The matte finish gives the coin a unique texture and appearance, making it easily distinguishable from other coins in circulation.

In contrast, the modern proofs produced after 1936 have a more mirror-like surface, except for satin-finished coins. The bright surface reflects light and creates a shiny appearance, while the satin finish is smoother and less polished.

Production of the proof wheat penny was halted during World War II but resumed in 1950, with many proofs having beautiful cameo contrast. The cameo effect is created by the contrast between the raised design elements of the coin and the field or background, resulting in a stunning visual effect.

So let us list the three highest-selling 1911 Proof Wheat Pennies in auctions. All of them received the highest grade available for this coin which is a PR70 indicating they are all in excellent condition and have proof, mirror-like surfaces.

The first highest 1911 Wheat Penny value was sold at Heritage Auctions on October 15, 2020, for $7,200. The second highest-selling 1911 Wheat Penny value was sold at Legend Rare Coin Auctions in 2022 for $6,756.

The third highest-selling 1911 Proof Wheat Penny at the Heritage Auctions was sold at Heritage Auctions in 2020 for $5,280. This coin was graded by NGC, and its PR67 grade and brown coloration are similar to the first coin. The 1911 Proof Wheat Pennies’ lower sale price can be attributed to its rate from a different grading agency and its slightly less appealing eye appeal than the other two coins.

1911 Wheat Penny Grading

To grade a 1911 Wheat Penny value, inspect its obverse and reverse like these coins from the video below. For instance, examine the highest point of the jaw on the obverse. If there’s slight wear, it’s AU-55, and slightly more wear with some mint luster, AU-50. For noticeable wear but some detail and XF-40 or XF-45, mint luster starts fading.

With significant wear and visible details, it’s VF-20 or VF-30, with minimal mint luster. As wear increases, the coin is graded as F-12 or F-15, and eventually VG-8 or VG-10, with little mint luster. If the design is partially worn away, with weak legends and dates, it’s graded as AG-3.

Rare 1911 Wheat Penny Error Lists  

1. 1911 Wheat Penny Repunched Mint Marks Error

Repunched Mint Marks (RPM) is an error that can occur in the minting process of coins. In the case of the 1911 Wheat Penny, RPMs are most commonly found on coins from the Denver and San Francisco mints. RPM errors occur when the mint worker punches the mint mark onto the die more than once, resulting in multiple impressions of the mint mark on the coin.

Two types of RPM errors can be found on 1911 Wheat Pennies. The first is the S over S RPM, which occurs when the mint worker punches the mint mark onto the die twice, resulting in a ghost image of the mint mark appearing slightly to the side of the original. The second type is the D over D RPM, which occurs when the mint worker punches the mint mark onto the die multiple times in the exact location, resulting in a stacked or doubled mint mark.

2. 1911 Wheat Penny Lamination Error

A lamination error occurs when a layer of the coin’s surface material separates from the rest due to a flaw or imperfection in the metal during the minting process. In the case of the 1911-S Lincoln Cent, a lamination error caused part of the coin’s surface to separate and peel away, leaving a raised area or “bump” on the coin’s surface.

This particular 1911 Wheat Penny value is worth $140. Watch this video to spot more rare 1911 Wheat Pennies.

1911 Wheat Penny FAQ

How much is a 1911 penny worth today?

The value of a 1911 Wheat Penny is determined by its mint mark and condition. The three mint marks are no marks, “D” for Denver, and “S” for San Francisco. An RB (Red-Brown) 1911 penny without a mint mark could be worth between $40.50 and $520, while an RD (Red) one could be between $135 and $120,000. A 1911 penny with a “D” mint mark could be worth between $156 and $1,250 in RB condition and between $364 and $80,600 in RD condition. A

An RB 1911 Wheat Penny value with an “S” mint mark could be between $312 and $4,500, while an RD one could be between $325 and $19,200. Additionally, there were 1911 proof pennies made, which could be worth anywhere from $429 to $12,000, depending on their condition and type. BN means Brown, RB means Red-Brown, and RD means Red.