1919 Wheat Penny Value: How Much is it Worth Today?

Do you want to know how much your 1919 wheat penny is worth? For more than a century, collectors have been enthralled by this diminutive yet mighty currency’s fascinating history and distinctive design.

This article will take you back in time as we discuss the history of the 1919 wheat penny and its current market value. We’ll cover everything you need to know about the value of this unique coin, from its creation to its current status as a highly prized collector’s item.

So, get ready to uncover your 1919 Wheat Penny value and learn the mysteries behind this popular American coin!

1919 Wheat Penny Value Chart
Mint Mark	Good	Fine	Extremely Fine	Uncirculated
1919 No Mint Mark Wheat Penny Value	$0.22	$0.40	$3	$5.50+
1919 “D” Wheat Penny Value	$0.35	$3.25	$18	$30+
1919 “S” Wheat Penny Value	$0.35	$2	$10.50	$22+

1919 No Mint Mark Wheat Penny Value

The 1919 Wheat Penny without a Mint Mark is a timeless example of American numismatic history. The United States Mint created the 1919 wheat penny as a part of the Lincoln cent series.

This series was made to mark Lincoln’s 100th birthday in 1909. Designed by a famous American artist and sculptor, Victor D. Brenner, his image of Abraham Lincoln was the first time an actual person appeared on a United States coin.

This represented a significant shift from the common use of allegorical images and heraldic patterns on American coins. The 1919 wheat penny without a mint mark was minted in Philadelphia, which served as the primary mint of the United States at the time.

The design of the 1919 wheat penny without a mint mark is simple yet classy. The obverse depicts Abraham Lincoln, with the inscription “In God We Trust” over his head and the date “1919” underneath.

The phrases “One Cent” and “United States of America” are written at the top and bottom of a picture of two wheat stalks on the back. The coin is 19mm in diameter and weighs 3.11 grams. It is made up of 5% tin and zinc and 95% copper.

The 1919 wheat penny without a mint mark is unexpectedly uncommon and expensive in modern times, despite being one of the Lincoln cent series’ most produced pieces.

This is not because of its mintage of 392,021,000 but because many pieces were melted down to help with the war effort during World War I.

As a result, collectors and numismatists greatly value the remaining pieces of the 1919 wheat penny without a mint mark.

However, you should know that the 1919 wheat penny without a mint mark was not always intended to be a rare collector’s item. It was merely produced to be used as a currency. The historical and numismatic value of the coin wasn’t fully understood by collectors until much later.

The coin reminds people of the influence that major international events may have on the hobby of coin collecting and how they may affect the rarity and value of even the most regular coins.

A 1919 wheat penny without a mint mark can be worth more or less depending on its rarity, state, and collector interest. Excellent uncirculated or mint state coins can sell for more than $5.50, with some specimens costing thousands of dollars.

For instance, in 2019, an auction demanded $12,000 for a 1919 wheat penny without a mint mark graded MS68 RD.

Note: When copper coins are created, they often possess a unique red shine that eventually fades over time, typically transforming into a rich brown-colored patina.

To illustrate these changes, the terms RD, RB, and BN are used after the numeric grading to specify the amount of red and brown visible on the coin’s surfaces. RD stands for “red,” RB stands for “red brown,” and BN stands for “brown.”

1919 “D” Wheat Penny Value

The 1919 “D” Wheat Penny is a rare variation of the 1919 wheat penny series, and its value is considerably higher than the standard coin. Abraham Lincoln is depicted on the front of this copper penny, and the words “One Cent” are flanked by two wheat stalks on the back.

The currency was minted at the Denver Mint, as indicated by the “D” in its designation. After the Philadelphia Mint’s 392 million pieces, the Denver Mint produced little over 57 million of these coins in 1919, making it relatively rare compared to other coins in the same series.

Nonetheless, the 1919 “D” Wheat Penny is regarded as uncommon and is highly valued by collectors despite having a very high mintage. The 1919 “D” Wheat Penny is naturally rarer than its counterpart because the Denver Mint produced less coinage than the Philadelphia Mint.

The poor survival rate of the 1919 “D” Wheat Penny is one of the elements that add to its rarity. Due to circulation, corrosion, or smelting for their copper composition, many of these coins were stolen or melted down throughout time.

The 1919-D Wheat Penny’s condition is essential to its value. The coin’s value is based on its grade, or condition, on a scale of 70 points, much like all other coins. Uncirculated coins have a minimum market value of $30.

The 1919 “D” Wheat Penny’s aesthetic attractiveness is another element that may affect its worth. Coins with an eye-catching tone, shine, or other distinguishing features may fetch a higher price than those with ordinary appearances.

It’s interesting that the 1919 “D” Wheat Penny was minted at a time when American history was undergoing significant transformation. The start of Prohibition and the advent of the “Roaring Twenties” signaled the beginning of the twentieth century in 1919 as the nation was rebuilding from the ravages of World War I.

1919 “S” Wheat Penny Value

The 1919 “S” Wheat Penny is an intriguing and highly sought-after coin among US coin collectors. The “S” mint mark on this specific penny indicates that it was produced in San Francisco. The coin is another example of the high-quality coins that the San Francisco Mint was famous for striking.

The 1919 “S” Wheat Penny, like its other versions, has Abraham Lincoln’s image on the obverse and wheat ears surrounded by the phrases “ONE CENT” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” on the reverse.

With a mintage of a little under 140 million, the 1919 “S” Wheat Penny is the second-largest mintage of the series. Yet what really distinguishes this coin is how uncommon it is in high-grade condition.

Finding a 1919 “S” Wheat Penny in excellent condition is like finding a needle in a haystack, uncommon because most of them are in poor shape. Just like other coins, the 1919 “S” Wheat Penny’s worth also varies according to its condition.

A coin’s value can range from a few pennies to a few dollars, depending on its state. However, a coin in uncirculated condition can be worth at least $22.

A 1919 “S” Wheat Penny in excellent condition fetched $31,050 at auction in 2007. The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) rated this piece MS-65, the absolute highest grade for a 1919 “S” Wheat Penny.

But why do collectors place such a great value on the 1919 “S” Wheat Penny? For starters, it symbolizes a tangible and collectible piece of American heritage.

The Lincoln Wheat Cent series is one of the most well-known and extensively collected currency series in US history, and many collectors strive to complete a set of these pieces.

Also, here’s an interesting fact about the 1919 “S” Wheat Penny: The 1919 “S” Wheat Penny was a coin representing a time of revolution for the US Mint when the significant conventional letter mint mark was being replaced by a smaller one.

This year’s coins were struck with the old, larger “S” mint mark on some and the new, smaller “S” mint mark on others. A notable feature of the 1919 “S” Wheat Penny is the shift in the size of the mint mark.

Coins with the larger “S” mint mark are more desirable to collectors since they are more uncommon than those with the smaller “S” mint mark. This is because the switch to the smaller size resulted in fewer coins being made with, the larger mint mark.

Thus, collectors think the larger “S” mint mark coins are more precious and, subsequently, more desirable!

1919 Wheat Penny Grading

Grading the 1919 Wheat Penny is crucial to determining its value and desirability among collectors. The coin’s condition can range from poor to excellent, with each grade level having a different impact on the coin’s worth.

A grading scale from 1 to 70 is commonly used, with 1 being a heavily damaged coin and 70 being a flawless, uncirculated coin. When grading a 1919 Wheat Penny, factors such as surface wear, luster, and strike quality are all taken into account.

A higher-grade 1919 Wheat Penny will be more valuable to collectors and investors, making grading an essential part of the coin collecting process. You can watch this video to get a better understanding of how a 1919 Wheat Penny is graded!

Rare 1919 Wheat Penny Error List

1919 Wheat Penny Double Die Error

One of the notable anomalies and errors in the 1919 Wheat Penny is the double die error. The doubled E PLURIBUS UNUM and wheat stalks on this particular sort of coin make it very desirable to collectors.

A mistake in the minting process causes the coin to be blasted with the dye twice, producing the twofold effect. The condition and rarity of a 1919 Wheat Penny with a double die error can greatly impact its price.

While some have a value of only $100, others might sell for thousands of dollars. The coin’s rarity also influences its worth, with uncommon coins being valued a lot more.

1919 Wheat Penny Off-Centre Strike Error

A frequent error of the 1919 Wheat Penny is an off-center penny. These coins have an apparent off-center strike as a result of the planchet being misplaced or placed incorrectly during the minting process.

The amount of off-centering might vary from a minor shift to a noticeable departure from the coin’s middle. The extent of off-centering and the coin’s condition both affect how much 1919 Wheat Pennies with an off-center strike are worth.

Little off-centering on coins, which can range from 15% to 20%, is rather frequent and has a value of about $50.

Coins with a more significant deviation, such as those that are 50% off-center, can be worth several hundred dollars, especially if the date and essential components of the Lincoln figure are still present.

For instance, a 10% off-center 1919 “D” Wheat Penny in MS-65 grade was sold for $1,001.10 at an auction in 2017.

1919 Wheat Penny Re-Punched Mint Mark Error

The mint marks were separately hand-punched into a functioning die in 1919. However, the mint mark was occasionally struck more than once, either from different angles or even from distinct places. The outcome was a particular error called the re-punched mint mark.

The degree of the inaccuracy and the coin’s condition affects the value of a 1919 cent with a re-punched mint mark. The value of these errors can range from $5 to $25, and occasionally even more, and they are often particularly prized by enthusiasts.

1919 Wheat Penny FAQs

How rare is a 1919 s wheat penny?

Compared to other Wheat Penny coins, the 1919-S Wheat Penny is regarded as being relatively uncommon.

Although the precise number of 1919-S Wheat Pennies currently in existence is uncertain, it is estimated that only a small portion of the whole original mintage remains. Because of its rarity and historical significance, collectors now highly prize this coin.

How much is a 1919 wheat penny worth today?

A 1919 Wheat Penny’s worth can vary significantly based on a number of variables, including its condition, mint mark, and any distinctive deviations or faults.

A common 1919 Wheat Penny in circulated condition without a mint mark often sells for between a few cents and a few dollars. On the other hand, the value of the same coin might range from $5 to $50 or more if it is in an uncirculated state.

What is the error on a 1919 penny?

While there are no specific errors for the 1919 Wheat Penny, the most common errors on the coin were: off-center strike, re-punched mint mark, and the double die error. These errors can significantly boost the value of a 1919 Wheat Penny.