Updated Jan 29, 2025

1919 Wheat Penny Value and Significance in American History

Lincoln Wheat penny series coin is considered rare and collectible memorabilia, claiming to be cost in millions. One such collection is the 1919 edition, whose wheat penny value could potentially be around thousands. 

The 1919 wheat penny value is determined by various factors such as condition, minting place, and whether the coin was in circulation or not. 

Let’s briefly get into the history of one cent 1919 US coin and determine its true value. 

What is a Wheat Penny?

Wheat Penny

The wheat penny is a series of one-cent coins minted in the US between 1909 and 1958 featuring the portrait of 16th US President Abraham Lincoln. At the rim of the coin is pressed with the phrase “IN GOD WE TRUST” with the lettering “LIBERTY” on the left of the figure. On the back side of the coin, we have the engraved wheat vine design, giving it the name of wheat penny. 

It was introduced to mark the 100th anniversary of Lincoln, the coin went through several redesigns and minting locations. Victor David Brenner was the artist behind the design of the wheat penny, who collaborated with Charles Barber, a US Mint Chief Engraver. 

Such a highly valued coin that comprises America’s significant history engraved all over it would surely cost tens of dollars. There are a lot of assumptions made by collectors around the internet, claiming these coins cost millions. 

However, not all coins are worth that much, as there are several variants of wheat pennies. After digging deep, we have determined the actual value of the 1919 wheat penny and all the factors influencing its intrinsic worth. 

What is the 1919 Wheat Penny Value?

1919 Wheat Penny

The coin is made up of 95% copper and a 5% Tin and Zinc alloy, weighing around 3.11 grams. Depending on the condition, a single penny may easily cost around $18,000 that to if uncirculated. 

There are three versions of the 1919 wheat coin, S, D, and no mark, each representing the minting location. S represents coins minted in San Francisco, D represents Denver, and no marks are those coins that are issued in Philadelphia. 

Here is the tentative value of the 1919 wheat penny based on the mark.

CoinVery FineExtremely FineAbout Uncirculated Uncirculated
1919 no mark$0.29$0.41$3.79$29
1919 S mark$0.59$1.82$7.05$135
1919 D mark$1.20$2.41$12$149

These are ungraded 1919 wheat penny value today, and the true value after grading from the association can greatly vary. As per the data on the auctioneer platform, PCGS the 1919 wheat penny value goes around:

DescriptionPrice
Mint State 65 Red Brown S-Mark$810
Mint State 64 Red S-Mark$610
Mint State 66 Red D-Mark$5,280
Mint State 65 Red Brown D-Mark$810
Mint State 64 Red Brown No Mark$215
Mint State 64 Brown No Mark$36
Mint State 65 Brown No Mark$70
Mint State 64 Red S-Mark$600
Mint State 63 Red S-Mark$417

Several external factors to a great extent influence the value of the 1919 wheat penny. Let’s take a look at the factors contributing to the worth of the coin.

How is 1919 Wheat Penny Value Determined? 

The value of the 1919 wheat coin is highly determined by its physical condition. Red coins are rare and marked as valuable, whereas brown coins are common and termed less valuable. Moreover, whether the coin was in circulation or not also reinstates its value. 

Here are certain factors that define the 1919 wheat penny value: 

  • Evidence of Circulation: If the coin tends to have no dents, scratches, or wear of engraving, it is placed under uncirculated condition. These pennies are expensive and demanded in thousands of dollars in auctions. 
  • Mintage Population: 1919 wheat penny was minted in three locations, San Francisco, Denver, and Philadelphia. Among the three, the rarest coin was minted in Denver, which has a D mark under the year. 
  • Minting Error: Engraving mistakes in letters and misaligned impressions on coins are deemed rare, making the penny more valuable. 
  • VDB Initials: When the coins were first issued in 1909 the portrait of Abraham Lincoln had the initials VDB (Victor David Brenner). It was seen as quite controversial at that time and quickly removed within a few days of the issuance. Those initials are quite rare and only limited to 1909 coins. 

All these factors collaboratively influence one cent 1919 penny value, as the years go by the survival of these coins subtly affects the price. However, the history behind the coin makes it valuable, bestowing the entire story of the emergence of America as a nation.

Significant History Behind Wheat Penny

Wheat penny has gone through various substantial changes throughout its journey. In the year 1943, the World War II outbreak caused huge financial losses to the government, forcing them to mint coins in steel with silver tint. 

The rarest coin in the series is the 1914 D mark, as it was minted in quite low quantities. If we compare the 1944 wheat penny value with the 1919 one cent wheat penny, the 1944 penny would obviously cost more due to historical impact. During that period, the coins were made out of used gun shells between 1944 and 1946.

With time, the press in the US started using more zinc in the coins due to the copper crisis.  

Conclusion

There is a huge margin between what collectors are asking for their 1919 wheat penny and its actual value. The Wheat Penny series is endearingly significant to Americans, and many are ready to pay thousands of dollars for it.

If you are one of the collectors and want to know the real 1919 one cent penny value thoroughly, glance through our price chart rather than believing eBay price tags. If you would like to learn more about these pennies like 1943 wheat penny value or 1944. Then, you can check out our other write ups. 

Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I sell my 1919 wheat penny?

There are several platforms where you can list your 1919 wheat penny for sale. eBay, Etsy, and Walmart are some of the places, Moreover, you can also visit local pawn shops to get the right value for your coin. 

Is 1919 penny worth in millions?

No, the 1919 wheat penny isn’t worth millions, mint condition coins are usually valued around $20-$30. If the coin was uncirculated, it would easily cost around $100. 

Which year of wheat penny is worth the most?

Coins minted in 1909, 1914, 1922, 1931, and 1943 cost way more compared to others.

Are wheat pennies still in circulation and accepted as legal tender?

Yes, Lincoln wheat pennies are accepted even after the stoppage of its production.

How many wheat pennies are there?

The wheat pennies were minted between the duration of 1909 to 1958, overall there are total 49 versions of pennies. As of now, these pennies are no longer in circulation and cannot be accepted as legal tender. 

Sources

Lincoln Wheat Penny 1919 – PCGS

Author - Suprabha Bhosale
Suprabha Bhosale

Finance Writer

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