1919-S Lincoln Wheat Penny Value Guide

The 1919-S Lincoln Wheat Penny is a significant San Francisco Mint issue struck during the post-WWI economic boom. Designed by Victor David Brenner, it represents an era of high mintage that remains a staple for collectors building complete Lincoln Cent sets.

What Is 1919-S Lincoln Wheat Penny Worth?

The typical price range for 1919-S Lincoln Wheat Penny is $1 - $1 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Surface preservation and the presence of original red luster significantly increase value over the $1.10 baseline.
• The clarity of the 'S' mint mark and the sharpness of Lincoln's hair details.
• Overall strike quality, as San Francisco strikes from this era can sometimes show die wear.
• The absence of environmental damage, corrosion, or cleaning which is common in early copper coins.

How to Identify 1919-S Lincoln Wheat Penny?

• Locate the 'S' mint mark positioned directly below the date on the obverse side.
• Verify the composition of 95% copper with a mixture of tin and zinc.
• Check for the designer Victor David Brenner's initials 'VDB' which were removed from the reverse but may appear on the shoulder truncation in later years.
• Confirm the reverse features two stalks of wheat flanking the words 'ONE CENT'.

History of 1919-S Lincoln Wheat Penny

Designed by Victor David Brenner, the Lincoln Cent was first issued in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. It was the first widely circulated US coin to feature a portrait of a president. The 1919-S was struck at the San Francisco Mint during a post-WWI era of high economic activity, resulting in a relatively high mintage for the period, though surviving specimens in high grades remain desirable to collectors.