Of all the coins in circulation today, the Lincoln series wheat pennies are among the most in demand due to their sentimental and monetary value.
While most of the coins you see today most of them are only worth their face value, yet, 1919 wheat pennies can fetch a few hundred or even thousands of dollars in pristine condition. Penny with special mistakes also tend to bring in lots of money.
Among all Wheat penny collectors, especially, mint conditions of the 1919 Lincoln Wheat pennies are highly sought after. To determine the 1919 penny value, one would have to take into account a few determining factors. A number of factors come into play that may determine the retail price of a 1919 Wheat penny, including but not limited to colors, defects, mint population, and manufacturing faults.
Three basic factors which would define the 1919 penny value include the condition of the coin, mint mark, and mintage.
As of the year 2024, if it were in average circulated condition, a 1919 cent could be assessed in a value between $0.10 and $10.00. In higher grades of condition, values may start at a range of $10.00 to $20.00 for conditions like uncirculated or mint state.
The far more valuable red variety 1919 Wheat Penny may sell for as much as $18,000 in the highest grade Mint State condition, while brown varieties are significantly less valuable. Compared to a number of other coins throughout the series, these prices are rather low. For collectors looking to complete a set at a more reasonable level, the Wheat Penny series is still a good choice.
? Mintage: 139,760,000
? Value Range: Depending on circulation, it may be worth a few pennies to roughly $50. Uncirculated copies can sell for $100 to $600, with exceptional pieces selling for even more, especially if they have a high grade (MS-65 and above).
? Mintage: 57,154,000
? Value Range: Circulated 1919-D pennies are rather common and may be worth a few cents to $50, much like 1919-S coins. High-quality uncirculated coins can fetch values ranging from $100 to more than $500, contingent upon their grade and visual appeal.
Mintage: Over 392 million
Value Range: Even in higher grades, the 1919 Wheat Penny produced in Philadelphia is rather common because of its enormous mintage. Money in circulation ranges from a few cents to over $2. Coins of MS-67 or better grades can fetch premiums, with uncirculated examples costing anywhere from $10 to $100+.
The mint mark and degree of preservation affect the penny's value. Coins that have survived for more than a century and are still in use usually have low values. From a sales perspective, it is essential to navigate by taking each of these elements into account.
Let's now explore the special qualities of the 1919 wheat penny in more detail. Finding a wheat penny worth money might be made easier if you know what to look for.
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, is depicted with his right eye on the obverse of the 1919 wheat cent.
Along the top ring of the coin is the national motto: IN GOD WE TRUST. The year 1919 is written on the right, and behind Lincoln's back, on the left, is the word LIBERTY.
If you look closely, you can see Lincoln's shoulder is cut off by the rim, revealing the initials VDB. 1918 wheat pennies with these initials restored also have these initials on the 1919 coins.
The 1919 wheat penny's reverse has two wheat ears on either side of the piece. The moniker "wheat penny" originates from these two recognizable wheat ears.
The word E PLURIBUS ENUM is written along the rim at the top. In the center of the coin, nestled between the wheat ears, are the words "ONE CENT" and the name of the nation.
The 1919 Lincoln wheat cent is made of an alloy of 5% zinc and tin and 95% copper. Its diameter is 19.00 millimeters, and it weighs 3.11 grams.
Victor David Brenner created the coin's obverse and reverse designs. The coin's obverse bears the mint markings D or S, which indicate that it was struck in Denver or San Francisco, respectively, in addition to the VDB initials.
1919 saw the Philadelphia Mint produce wheat pennies as well; however, these coins lack a mint mark.
Wheat pennies were made from 190,9 to 1958, and If your coin has a date outside of that range, it is not a legitimate wheat penny.
Coins with errors, such as a double die or missing lettering, can be worth more than their ordinary counterparts.
Handle your penny by the edges; never touch the surface, for this may leave a fingerprint or oils coming from body parts that may harm or corrode the coin over time.
If you are going to be handling your penny on a constant basis, the wearing of cotton or latex gloves will keep it safe from grime and oils.
Keep your penny in a cool and dry place, as dampness may cause it to tarnish. Humidity is the enemy of old coins.
Coin holders, such as plastic flips or cases, protect the penny from dust, air, and scratches. This should be made from acid-free materials to avoid any chemical reactions.
Handle the penny as little as possible or move it, so that it remains in the best condition.
For example, scrubbing the penny is not advisable since there can be scratches on its surface. As a matter of fact, most collectors would like to leave it as it is, since cleaning it decreases the value of the coin.
If cleaning is called for, soak the coin in distilled water or a solution of water and mild soap. It should then be removed and gently patted dry on a soft cloth-never rubbed.
You can store your penny for quite some time using archival-quality materials. These are made not to cause any sort of chemical damage to the coin.
Never clean or polish the penny with some kind of chemical for cleaning or polishing. Such chemicals will remove the natural patina of the penny and lower its value.
When collecting 1919 Lincoln pennies, you can consider the coin's grade, strike, and errors:
The condition of a 1919 Lincoln penny is extremely important to collectors. The grade not only indicates the kind of condition the coin is in, but it also provides collectors with an idea of how much a particular piece is worth. The various coin grades are listed below, along with an explanation of each grade in relation to a 1919 penny.
A coin that has not been traded on the open market is graded as uncirculated. These pennies were not subject to the same wear and tear as regular coins because they were never exchanged. Because of this, every aspect of the coin—even the smallest details—has held up remarkably well over time.
A coin will have spent most of its existence in safekeeping if it is worthy of an Extremely Fine grade. The majority of the coin's features will, therefore, remain intact. These coins might not seem all that different from uncirculated coins to the untrained eye, but upon closer examination, a few minor flaws will be noted and taken into account.
1919 Lincoln pennies that were in circulation for a while but did not exhibit severe deterioration are graded as Fine. Together with some chipping and/or scratches, you will see some smoothing along the penny's exterior edges. Major elements like the date inscription and Lincoln's likeness will still mostly be present.
Coins that have undoubtedly seen better days are assigned this grade. There will be a lot of wear and tear on these coins. Occasionally, these coins will sustain so much damage that some of the finer details may have completely been lost. These coins are still rather valuable, nevertheless.
Full Red (RD) Designation: "Red" or "RD" pennies, which still have their original copper shine, are extremely desirable. Red (RD), Red-Brown (RB), and Brown (BN) are among the designations on the grading scale; "Red" coins are the most valuable.
Your wheat cent may gain value if you make mistakes. However, not all errors are created equal; some are more valuable than others, so it's helpful to know which ones to focus on.
The following 1919 wheat pennies are valuable:
There are two mistakes on this coin. The L on LIBERTY on the obverse is struck above the rim rather than on the coin's surface in the first mistake.
The error that is second is a doubled-die. You can see the doubling in 1919 and LIBERTY. This mistake happens when the die hits the letters more than once at various angles, creating an overlapping effect.
The 1919 wheat penny with the L on rim doubled-die obverse mistake is valued as up to $265 by collectors.
A partially rotated design may occasionally be imprinted on a coin due to an off-angle or misaligned die used to strike the design.
Depending on the die misalignment, the design can be rotated at an angle of 30, 60, 90, 180, or, in extreme circumstances, 360 degrees.
An obvious misaligned die wheat cent defect from 1919 can sell for as much as $200. In mint condition, examples can add even more.
When tiny metal fragments fall off the surface of a coin or planchet, it is known as a lamination mistake. Impurities lead the metal to flake off along the coin's weak areas, which is what causes this.
A 1919 wheat cent with a lamination fracture on the obverse, for instance, can go for around $110, though the price may go up or down based on the condition and severity of the crack.
When the coin is struck by the punching die outside of its collar, a broadstrike mistake happens. Throughout the punching operation, the collar helps to hold the coin in place and preserve its diameter.
The broadstrike gives the impression that the coin is wider than usual. This kind of uncentered error happens when the pattern is struck away from the center and outside of the collar.
Collectors will pay up to $235 for a 1919 wheat penny with an unentered broadstrike error.
In conclusion, the 1919 Lincoln Wheat Penny is a fascinating coin for both collectors and history enthusiasts. Its value depends largely on its condition, mint mark, and any unique errors it may possess. While common pennies may only fetch a few cents, rare and well-preserved examples can be worth significant sums. Whether you're looking to add to your collection or simply curious about its worth, this coin offers a blend of historical significance and potential financial value. With proper care and attention, your 1919 wheat penny could be a prized possession for years to come.
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