🪙 Don’t Ignore Your 1919 Wheat Penny — It Could Be a Hidden Treasure
If you have a jar of old Lincoln Wheat Pennies, one date deserves special attention: 1919.
While many examples are common, high-grade and rare mint varieties have sold for tens of thousands of dollars at auction. 💰
At PennyVerse.info, we’ve reviewed every mintmark, condition level, and error type to help you determine whether your 1919 wheat penny is ordinary—or extraordinary.
💵 Step 1: 1919 Wheat Penny Value Chart (2025)
| Variety | Circulated Value | MS-63 (Mint State) | MS-67+ (Gem Red) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1919 (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 |
👑 Collector’s Insight: The 1919-S in full Red (RD) condition is the undisputed king of the series, with auction prices exceeding $55,000.
🔑 Step 2: What Determines the Value of a 1919 Wheat Penny?
1️⃣ Mintmark Rarity
| Mint | Mintage |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia (No Mintmark) | 392,021,000 |
| Denver (D) | 57,154,000 |
| San Francisco (S) | 139,760,000 |
📌 While more 1919-S coins were minted than Denver issues, far fewer survived in high-grade red condition, making them significantly more valuable.
2️⃣ Condition & Color (The Biggest Price Factor)
- 🔴 RD (Red): Full mint luster — 💎 highest value
- 🟤 RB (Red-Brown): Loses ~30–50% of peak value
- ⚫ BN (Brown): Can lose up to 90% of top value
✨ The redder the coin, the rarer—and more expensive—it becomes.
3️⃣ Valuable Error Varieties to Watch For
Some 1919 wheat pennies gain value from mint errors:
- 🔁 Doubled Dies: $500 – $5,000+
- 🔨 Repunched Mintmarks (RPM): $300 – $3,000
- ↔ Off-Center Strikes: $100 – $1,000
🔎 Even a small error can multiply your coin’s value dramatically.
🧭 Step 3: How to Grade Your 1919 Wheat Penny
Follow these steps carefully:
✔️ Find the mintmark — below the wheat stalks on the reverse
✔️ Check wear points — Lincoln’s cheek, jawline, and wheat ears
✔️ Assess color — use natural light to determine RD, RB, or BN
✔️ Inspect for errors — a 10× loupe works best
Proper grading is essential before selling.
📍 Step 4: Where 1919 Wheat Pennies Are Still Found
You may still encounter these coins in:
- 🔹 Bank-wrapped or customer coin rolls
- 🔹 Estate sales and flea markets
- 🔹 Inherited family coin jars (often overlooked)
🍀 Many valuable pennies are discovered by accident.
💼 Step 5: Best Places to Sell a 1919 Wheat Penny
- ✅ High-End Coins: Heritage Auctions (certified only)
- ✅ Mid-Grade Coins: eBay (PCGS or NGC recommended)
- ✅ Circulated Coins: Local coin shops
⚠️ Avoid pawn shops and “cash-for-coins” kiosks—they typically pay far below market value.
🛡️ Step 6: Preservation & Storage Tips
- Handle by the edges only (cotton gloves recommended)
- Store in archival-safe holders
- ❌ Avoid PVC flips (they cause chemical damage)
- Keep coins in a cool, dry environment
Proper storage protects long-term value.
❓ Step 7: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why is the 1919-S the most valuable?
👉 Because very few examples survived in high-grade red condition.
Q: Are full Red (RD) coins rare?
👉 Extremely rare—most have toned brown after 100+ years.
Q: Where is the mintmark located?
👉 Below the wheat stalks on the reverse side.
🌟 Why Collectors Love the 1919 Wheat Penny
- ❤️ Struck during post–World War I America
- 🪙 Final year of the early Lincoln wheat design era
- 💎 Exceptionally rare in gem red condition
🚀 Final Thoughts
Before you dismiss that 1919 Wheat Penny, take a closer look—it could be worth up to $55,000. 🏆
📌 Always verify mintmark, condition, and color—and get professional grading before selling.
Every coin tells a story, and some stories are worth a fortune.
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