1935 Wheat Penny Value: How Much Is It Worth Today?

The 1935 wheat cent is a wonderful piece of American history that depicts the struggles and victories of a changing country. This simple coin has endured the test of time, changing owners countless times and amassing its tales in the process. We shall explore the significance of the 1935 wheat penny and what it might reveal about our shared history in this article. Come along on a journey of discovery as we investigate the lasting significance of this little but mighty coin, and what is its value in the present.

1935 Wheat Penny Value

Mint Mark	Good	Fine	Extremely Fine	Uncirculated
1935 No Mint Mark Wheat Penny Value	$0.15	$0.50	$3.00	$6.00
1935 Denver Mint Mark Wheat Penny Value	$0.20	$2.00	$10.00	$20.00
1935 San Francisco Mint Mark Wheat Penny Value	$0.17	$0.50	$5.00	$10.00

1935 No Mint Mark Wheat Penny Value

A unique penny went into circulation in 1935. The mint mark, a little letter that designates which U.S. Mint plant created the piece, was absent from this 1935 wheat penny. This currency was produced in Philadelphia, one of the earliest mints in the United States, which did not utilize mint stamps on its coins, hence there was no mint mark present.

Produced at the height of the Great Depression, the 1935 Lincoln Wheat Penny was designed by renowned sculptor Victor David Brenner, who also created the original portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the coin’s obverse. The reverse of the penny features two stalks of wheat, which symbolize the bounty of America’s agricultural heritage.

The 1935 Lincoln Wheat Penny is mainly made of copper, with 5% of tin and zinc and a composition of 95% copper. All Lincoln Wheat Pennies made from 1909 to 1982 had the same composition. The coin weighs 3.11 grams and measures 19 millimeters in diameter, making this one of the smaller series of coins.

Although this coin is rather common, there have been a few occasions where it has sold at auction for a sizable sum of money.

A 1935 Wheat Penny without a mint mark that was rated MS66 by PCGS, a reputable coin grading service, sold for 55,812.50 in 2021 at an auction hosted by LEGEND RARE COIN AUCTIONS. This is one of the highest values ever paid at auction for a 1935 Wheat Penny without the mint mark.

1935 Denver Mint Mark Wheat Penny Value

To mark the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, the United States Mint began issuing Lincoln Wheat pennies in 1909. On the obverse side of the coin is a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, while on the back are two stalks of wheat. The Lincoln Memorial penny replaced the wheat penny in 1958 when it was still in production.

The Denver Mint, which opened its doors in 1906, created the 1935-D Wheat Penny. The Denver Mint was established to handle the gold and silver extracted from Western American mines. The factory also made circulation coins, notably the well-known Wheat Penny.

The Denver Mint’s 1935 Mark Wheat Penny is noteworthy for several reasons. It was the last Wheat Penny made at the Denver Mint, to start with. In 1958, when the Lincoln Memorial Cent was released, the factory ceased producing Wheat Pennies.

Second, compared to other Wheat Pennies, the mintage of the 1935 Denver Mint Mark Wheat Penny is quite small. When compared to the 300,000,000 Wheat Pennies that the Philadelphia Mint produced in 1935, the Denver Mint’s production of 40 million Wheat Pennies was small.

Finally, excellent grade examples of the 1935 Denver Mint Mark Wheat Penny are uncommon. The majority of coins exhibit evidence of use and wear from circulation. Uncirculated 1935 Denver Mint Mark Wheat Pennies are extremely difficult to come by and are highly prized by collectors.

1935 San Francisco Mint Mark Wheat Penny Value

To handle the gold extracted during the California Gold Rush, the San Francisco Mint was founded in 1854. Moreover, the facility created circulation coins, notably the well-known Wheat Penny. The 1935 Wheat Penny bears the San Francisco ‘S’ Mint Mark, proving that it was made in that city.

Compared to other Wheat Pennies, the 1935 San Francisco Mint Mark Wheat Penny has a comparatively small mintage. Comparatively speaking, the Philadelphia Mint produced 300,000,000 Wheat Pennies in 1935, while the San Francisco Mint only produced 1,476,000 of them.

The 1935 San Francisco Mint Mark Wheat Penny is made of copper and has a composition of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc. It has a weight of 3.11 grams and a diameter of 19.05 millimeters.

In uncirculated condition, the 1935 San Francisco Mint Mark Wheat Penny can be quite valuable. In 2007, an example of the coin in uncirculated condition sold at auction for $23,000.00, a complete record for this type of coin.

1935 Wheat Penny Grading

The 1935 wheat penny is a beloved copper coin that featured a picture of Abraham Lincoln. Yet not all 1935 coins were made equally. The state of these coins varied drastically over the years. Some had significant wear and scratches, while others were still in excellent shape. Collectors used the skill of grading to estimate a 1935 wheat penny’s worth.

An in-depth inspection of a coin’s surface, edges, and overall condition was necessary for grading. A coin that had been handled frequently and had wear and tear would be graded lower than one that had been kept in good condition.

1935 Wheat Penny Errors

Off-Center Strikes

When a coin is misaligned with the die during the striking process, the result is a crooked or incomplete design, which is known as an off-center strike. On 1935 wheat pennies, this occurrence is rather typical, and it can have a sizable effect on the coin’s value.

The amount of deviation from the coin’s center is a key factor in evaluating its worth. A coin’s value may not be considerably impacted by a little off-center strike, but a significant deviation from the center might turn a common coin into a desirable collectible.

Die Breaks

In the world of coin collecting, die breaks happen frequently and can significantly affect a coin’s value. When the die used to strike the penny starts to crack or separate, it is known as a die break. This flaw results in raised lumps or missing design elements on the coin’s surface.

Die fractures have been relatively common on wheat pennies from 1935. The coin’s value can be greatly impacted by the magnitude and position of the mistake. The value of a coin may only be slightly reduced by a tiny die break, but a massive die break that significantly alters the design may elevate the coin to the status of a highly prized rarity.

Double Die

When a coin receives a second imprint from the die, creating a duplicated image, it is referred to as a double die, which is a rare yet fascinating error that happens during the minting process. With the pattern appearing slightly off-center and occasionally even giving the impression of being in three dimensions, this anomaly can produce a distinctive and striking appearance.

With 1935 wheat pennies, double die faults are uncommon but do happen. The coin’s worth can be significantly influenced by the size and clarity of the double, with a larger and more glaring doubling translating into a greater value.

Repunched Mint Mark

You should also watch out for repunched mint marks. When the mint mark is stamped onto the coin’s surface more than once, the result is a doubled or tripled image, a repunched mint mark. The clarity and placement of the mint mark can have an impact on the value of 1935 wheat pennies due to this inaccuracy, which is expected.

The value of a coin can be increased by a distinct and strategically placed repunched mint mark, as opposed to a mark that is ill-defined or off-center, which may not have as much of an effect. As a result of a production error that results in a one-of-a-kind and extremely rare variant of a specific coin, these variations are highly sought after by collectors.

Lamination Errors

These antique coins might have additional layers of mystery due to lamination mistakes. When a layer of the coin’s surface separates from the other layers due to a metal fault, this is known as a lamination mistake. This may leave the coin’s surface with raised bumps or missing design details.

1935 wheat pennies may contain lamination defects, and the magnitude and placement of the error may have an impact on the coin’s value. A coin with a tiny lamination error that just slightly changes the design may only slightly decrease in value, whereas a coin with a major lamination error significantly increases the value of the coin.

Older coins frequently include lamination defects since newer ones may be less likely to have them due to changes in the metal alloy composition and production processes.

1935 Wheat Penny FAQ

How much is a 1935 penny worth?

Depending on its condition and any special features or flaws it could have, a 1935 penny’s value might vary significantly. The value of a normal 1935 penny in average circulated condition may be a few cents, although a well-preserved, uncirculated example could bring up to a few dollars. However, any uncommon flaws or variants, such as a double die or a repunched mint mark, could greatly boost the coin’s value.

Is a 1935 penny rare?

Cleaning an antique coin—like a wheat penny from 1935—can harm the coin and lower its value, therefore it is typically not advised. The best course of action, if the coin is especially corroded or unclean, is to seek the advice of a professional coin restorer or conservator who can clean the piece effectively and safely without inflicting more harm.

How do you clean a 1935 penny?

The condition of a 1935 penny, any unusual variances or faults, and the demand in the market are only a few of the variables that affect its worth. In normal circulated conditions, a common 1935 penny can be worth anywhere from a few cents to a dollar, while an uncirculated coin may be worth several dollars.

A double die or a repunched mint mark, however, are unusual deviations or faults that could considerably raise the coin’s value to hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

How much is the 1935 no mint mark penny worth?

Since the Philadelphia Mint produced more coins in 1935 than the Washington Mint, a 1935 penny without a mint stamp may be valued a little less than those with a mint mark. The condition of the coin and any special qualities or flaws it could have will still affect its worth, though. A 1935 penny without a mint mark in the typical circulated condition is typically only worth a few cents, but a well-preserved, uncirculated example can sell for up to a few dollars.