On the obverse is a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln, and on the reverse are two stalks of wheat. As part of the Wheat Cent series, which was issued from 1909 to 1958, it has historical significance.
The 1941 penny is even more intriguing historically since it represents the beginning of the Lincoln Cent's shift into the World War II era.
In 1941, more than one billion cents were produced to meet the demand for little coins. It is the first time a coin has ever been produced in such quantities in US history. The total for all three varieties was 1,108,178,000.
No Mintmark Under Date: Philadelphia Mint Struck the Coin The sixth-highest mintage from the Philadelphia Mint is 1941. Strung 887,093,100 wheat cents. On the rarity scale, these are abundant since the first manufacturer put a large quantity into circulation.
Turn your gaze to the other side of the coin when seeking out greater value. The amount of detail that is still visible in parallel lines at the upper ends of the wheat ears serves as a condition indicator.
"D" Mintmark Under Date: Denver Mint Struck the Coin On a scale of rarity, the Denver mint's abundant coinage numbers classify this variant as abundant. To a young collector, a well-looking penny free of distracting markings is a desirable and reasonably priced piece of currency.
Whitman and HE Harris' coin folders divided the Wheat series, with a second album released beginning in 1941. In an accumulation of wheat cents, the year takes on significant importance.
"S" Mintmark Under Date: San Francisco Mint Struck the Coin San Francisco cent values are generally greater than other varieties. Collectors can obtain quantities that are rated as Abundant on the rarity scale. What distinguishes them is their popularity and any good shape that they find.
Coin collectors find coins with good eye appeal appealing. Examples with fields and devices devoid of big marks are preferred. Examine the rim as well; side damage is frequently difficult to spot but should be considered when examining coins.
In 1941, the mint in Philadelphia assumed control of the production of the greatest quantity of struck pennies—1,118,099,100. In addition to the nearly 900 million coins from ordinary strikes, proof coins were also present. This year's mintages for the other two mints were noticeably lower.
Philadelphia produced 887,018,000 pennies in 1941, a record-breaking amount of coinage. Their moderate worth on the market can be attributed to this factor. Coins with brown surfaces, for example, range in price from $0.05 to $3.60, indicating a correlation between appearance and value. However, reddish-brown portions always cost extra; they might cost anywhere from $2 to $15.
It is to be assumed that examples with exquisite red toning are the most valued. There are differences in price since well-preserved pennies with this attribute are available in different grades. Be ready to dedicate approximately:
It's interesting to note that this mint produced pieces of the highest grade pennies in the set, MS 68. They are so uncommon that you may receive at least $3,500 for each one.
| Color | Grade | Value Range | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown | All | $0.05 - $3.60 | Common, lower value compared to other colors |
| Reddish-Brown | All | $2 - $15 | Slightly higher value than brown-toned coins |
| Red | MS63 | $3 - $3.60 | Entry-level uncirculated condition |
| Red | MS64 | $4 - $4.80 | Higher grade, increasing in value |
| Red | MS65 | $8 - $10 | Well-preserved, moderately valuable |
| Red | MS66 | $25 - $30 | Significant value increase at this grade |
| Red | MS67 | $115 - $138 | High-grade red coins with notable value |
| Red | MS68 | $3,500+ | Extremely rare, most expensive grade |
In addition to standard cents devoid of the mint mark, 1941 proofs were produced at the Philadelphia Mint. Due to their limited mintage of 21,100 pieces, these coins can command a premium price, especially for the finest grades.
Brown pennies have the lowest price range, ranging from $18 to $150, depending on quality, since they are the least sought-after by collectors. The reddish-brown varieties cost slightly more, so budget between $25 and $180 for one. But the 1941 cent, which has a PR 67 score and an average price between $2,000 and $2,400, can catch you off guard. Even more expensive are red specimens.
For example, the cost of these items is:
The coins with a PR 67 grade are undoubtedly the most valuable. Usually, they are valued between $3,500 and $4,500.
| Color | Grade | Value Range | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown | All | $18 - $150 | Least desirable among proof coins |
| Reddish-Brown | All | $25 - $180 | Medium-value proof coins |
| Red | PR61 | $48 - $50 | Entry-level proof condition |
| Red | PR62 | $50 - $60 | Higher grade, slightly increasing in value |
| Red | PR63 | $60 - $72 | Moderate value for this grade |
| Red | PR64 | $70 - $85 | Higher-grade proof coins |
| Red | PR65 | $130 - $156 | Significant jump in value |
| Red | PR66 | $360 - $432 | High-value, top-grade proof coins |
| Red | PR67 | $3,500 - $4,500 | Rare, highest value in this category |
The 1941 D pennies had a mintage of 128,700,000. One of the factors contributing to their current mediocre worth is their high number. Therefore, a brown penny struck this year will cost you between $1.75 and $3.60, while a penny with reddish-brown toning will cost you between $2 and $15.
Red 1941 cents are slightly more expensive, so budget between $3 and $120 to obtain one. Some pieces, nevertheless, truly surprise you. One owner, for example, sold his MS 68-rating penny struck in 2023 for $6,600.
| Color | Grade | Value Range | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown | All | $1.75 - $3.60 | Lower value compared to other colors |
| Reddish-Brown | All | $2 - $15 | Medium-value pennies |
| Red | All | $3 - $120 | High-value coins depending on grade |
| Red | MS68 | $6,600 | Highest price sold at auction in 2023 |
In 1941, the San Francisco mint produced the fewest pennies—just 92,360,000 coins. That doesn't, however, significantly impact their costs, as you can easily get pieces with brown tones for $2 to $5. Reddish-brown samples can cost anywhere from $3 to $15, so that's a bit pricy.
The most valuable red coins are the ones with the highest grades. MS 63 to MS 66 grade coins are valued at $4 to $40, and MS 67 grade coins can fetch $140 to $170 at auction.
| Color | Grade | Value Range | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown | All | $2 - $5 | Common for brown-toned coins |
| Reddish-Brown | All | $3 - $15 | Medium-value coins |
| Red | MS63 | $4 | Entry-level condition |
| Red | MS64 | $10 | Slightly higher value |
| Red | MS65 | $25 | Moderate value |
| Red | MS66 | $40 | High-value for well-preserved coins |
| Red | MS67 | $140 - $170 | Top-grade coins with significant value |
Having the 1941 Lincoln penny is insufficient for collectors. Only well-preserved coins will be sought after by collectors, who will only accept pennies that have been graded by an expert organization. The various coin classes are listed here, along with a brief explanation of what each grade truly entails.
The production of wheat cents was rising annually in the middle of the 1930s. By 1941, enormous amounts of pennies had been minted.
Although this quantity of coinage was enormous, quality control managed to keep the amount of incorrect coins to a very small percentage of the total created. It's interesting how many of these subpar coins got around unnoticed.
Error coin collectors are becoming more and more popular. Off-center strike wheat cents are scarce and highly valued. There is a visible off-center strike on the 1952 Denver Cent. The 1936 inaccuracy is known as a "broadstrike" because the holding collar was missing, which caused the coin to expand outward when striking. This makes the error visually unique. Due to their extended circulation, these coins have wear.
Among the most well-known and prized mistake coins in the Lincoln Wheat Penny series is the 1941 Double Die Obverse Lincoln Wheat Penny. On the coin's obverse, it doubles the date and text like "In God We Trust." The die was struck twice as a result of a misalignment that occurred during the minting process.
Depending on the state, a 1941 Double Die Obverse Lincoln Wheat cent in circulated condition may be worth $1,000 to $1,500, while uncirculated pennies may be valued as much as $10,000.
The 1944 cent with the "clipped planchet" is a small mistake. It is evident, albeit less often, and this case shows two clips. The 1918 pennies exhibit a flaw in the annealing and alloy mixing procedures that were used to get the metal ready for striking. There's a noticeable huge lamination split.
This coin has been in circulation long enough to receive an excellent grade. In an extensively circulated copy, lamination defects offer intrigue, although they also detract from a high grade 1918.
Coinage dies are prone to breaking in certain places. When letters are broken on the die, little details inside the letters add extra metal to the final coins. While some of these filled die faults are highly valued and interesting, others are not.
The letters "BIE" are inserted into the word "LIBERTY," making it appear as though a typo occurred. The 1956 displays the "extra" letter's visual outcome. Circulation findings frequently have no additional value. Die breaks are interesting and educational, but there is no present premium. They fill the "B" in Liberty of the 1957-D and portions of the date.
It is possible to assign the 1941 wheat penny value if you evaluate several distinct aspects. Of course, the coin's condition is quite important. You also need to consider its type after that.
Three Lincoln pennies of the same grade could have three different values since there were up to three different varieties of Lincoln pennies manufactured in a given year. You can use the chart below to determine the kind and grade of a 1941 Lincoln penny and its worth.
To summarize, the 1941 wheat penny is a significant and valuable part of US coin history, especially for collectors. Its different types, mint locations, and conditions greatly impact its value, ranging from a few cents to thousands of dollars for rare, well-preserved pieces.
Whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting, understanding the factors that affect the 1941 wheat penny value can help you make informed decisions when buying or selling this historic coin.
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