At Pennyverse.info, we’ve analyzed the most valuable 1919 Lincoln wheat pennies — including rare mintmark varieties that can fetch $50,000+ at auction. If you have old wheat cents sitting in a jar, here’s how to check if one could be a hidden treasure.
💰 1919 Wheat Penny Value Breakdown
| Variety | Circulated Value | MS-63 (Mint State) | MS-67+ (Gem Red) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1919 (No Mintmark, Philadelphia) | $0.50 – $5 | $50 – $200 | $5,000 – $18,000 |
| 1919-D (Denver) | $1 – $10 | $100 – $500 | $10,000 – $50,000 |
| 1919-S (San Francisco) | $2 – $20 | $200 – $1,000 | $15,000 – $55,000 |
⚡ Top Tip: The 1919-S in Gem Red condition is the king of the series, with auction prices soaring above $55,000!
🔑 Key Factors That Affect Value
1️⃣ Mintmark Rarity
- 1919 (Philadelphia, no mintmark): 392,021,000 struck
- 1919-D: 57,154,000 struck
- 1919-S: 139,760,000 struck
👉 Even though the San Francisco mintage was higher than Denver’s, fewer survived in gem condition, making the 1919-S more valuable.
2️⃣ Condition & Color (The Big Price Driver)
- RD (Red): Full mint luster = 💎 highest value
- RB (Red-Brown): Loses 30–50% of top value
- BN (Brown): Loses 80–90% of top value
3️⃣ Notable Error Varieties
- 🔁 Doubled Dies: $500 – $5,000+
- 🔨 Repunched Mintmarks (RPM): $300 – $3,000
- ↔ Off-Center Strikes: $100 – $1,000
🧭 How to Grade Your 1919 Wheat Penny
- Locate Mintmark: Found just below the wheat stalks on the reverse.
- Check Wear: Look at Lincoln’s cheek & jawline; wheat ears on reverse.
- Assess Color: Use natural light to distinguish RD, RB, or BN.
- Magnify for Errors: A 10x loupe helps spot doubled dies or RPMs.
📍 Where to Find 1919 Wheat Pennies
- Old coin rolls (especially bank-wrapped or customer-wrapped)
- Estate sales with unsearched coin jars
- Inherited collections (commonly overlooked)
💼 Best Places to Sell
- ✅ Top-Grade Coins: Heritage Auctions (best for gems)
- ✅ Mid-Tier Coins: eBay (certified only)
- ✅ Circulated Grades: Local coin shops
⚠️ Avoid: Pawn shops or “cash for coins” kiosks — they pay far below market value.
🛡️ Preservation Tips
- Handle coins by the edges (use cotton gloves)
- Store in archival-quality holders
- ❌ Avoid PVC flips (they damage coins)
- Keep in stable humidity & temperature
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is the 1919-S the most valuable?
👉 Because very few high-grade examples survived despite its higher mintage.
Q: How rare are full red (RD) coins?
👉 Extremely rare — most 1919 wheat pennies have toned to brown over the past century.
Q: Where’s the mintmark located?
👉 Just below the wheat stalks on the reverse side.
🌟 Why Collectors Love the 1919 Wheat Penny
- Historic post-WWI coinage
- Last year of the high-relief design
- Extremely tough to find in full red gem condition
If you have a 1919 wheat penny, don’t overlook it — it could be worth far more than you think!
👉 Want to dive deeper? Explore our Complete Wheat Penny Value Guide at Pennyverse.info.
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