Mint State (MS) Lincoln Wheat Cent

Lincoln Wheat Values By Date

A Lincoln Wheat Cent value is dependent on the rarity of the date and mint since most are common and worth around three cents or melt value. Lincoln Wheat Cents dated in the 1930’s, 40’s, and 50’s are common dates and mints with the exception of the 1931-S which is a key date worth at least $50 in the lower grade of G4.

Lincoln Wheat Cent Value Facts:

You have a few better dates and mints in the early 1930’s that can be worth a few cents to a dollar, like the 1931-D or 1932-D, in average circulated grades but these are exceptions. The 1920’s Lincoln Wheat Cents begin to increase in value by a few cents but still not extremely rare, although the 1924-D is a good date to obtain and the key dates in this decade are the 1922-D No D and the 1922-D is a semi-key date.

The teen dates, 1909-1919, are more valuable than any other Wheat Cent decade but coins dated 1916-1919 tend to be common in circulated grades but coins with S or D mint marks from 1915 and earlier are worth a few dollars and more. However the key date of the entire series is the 1909-S VDB and it’s value is $500 and up. You also have the 1909-S and the 1914-D that are valuable in most grades.

(Note: The 1943-S,P,D are the most desirable 1940’s dates and mints since they’re the only year that Lincoln Wheat Cents were minted with a composition of zinc plated steel planchets.)

Grade – Condition:

The exception to the values listed above is grade, since higher grade Lincoln Wheat Cent examples will bring higher premiums. The common dates Wheat Cents don’t have much of a premium until they’re about uncirculated (AU) and most must be mint state (MS) before they’re valuable.

Gem grade examples (MS65) and up will be extremely valuable for most dates from 1936 and earlier, but it must be MS67 or higher with coins 1936-58 with the exception of the key dates or better dates. (Better dates tend to be lower mintage dates and mints when compared to other dates and mints.)

G4 Lincoln Wheat Cent

Varieties:

It seems just about every Lincoln Wheat Cent date and mint have examples of RPM (repunched Mint mark) or doubled dies, but most are only worth a few dollars. The 1955 doubled die is one of the most valuable but there’s other doubled dies that hold a premium. You should consult reputable variety publications or experts before determining the value of a variety since there might be several doubled die varieties for the same date and mint and only one will be valuable.

Precious Metal Content:

A Lincoln Wheat Cent is always worth it’s weight in melt value since they’re 95% copper and collectors tend to hoard these as the poor man’s “silver”.

Mint State (MS) Original Lincoln Steel Cent

Summary

Article Name

Lincoln Wheat Cent Value

Description

Lincoln Wheat Cent value is determined by mintage, grade, condition and melt value.

Author

CoinHELP!