1920 Lincoln Wheat Penny Value Guide

The 1920 Lincoln Wheat Penny is a staple of early 20th-century American numismatics, representing the era when Victor David Brenner's iconic design was still relatively new. As the first circulating U.S. coin to feature a real person, this bronze cent is highly collectible for its historical significance and the distinctive wheat stalks on the reverse.

What affects the value of 1920 Lincoln Wheat Penny?

• Mint mark location: Coins from the San Francisco (S) and Denver (D) mints often carry a premium over Philadelphia strikes.
• Color designation: Collectors value 'Red' (RD) coins more than 'Red-Brown' (RB) or 'Brown' (BN) specimens.
• Overall strike quality: Sharpness of the wheat lines on the reverse and Lincoln's hair details significantly impacts the $1-$2 baseline.
• Surface preservation: The absence of heavy scratches, cleaning marks, or corrosion is vital for maintaining value.

How to Identify 1920 Lincoln Wheat Penny?

• Look for the '1920' date clearly struck on the obverse side to the right of Lincoln's bust.
• Verify the reverse features two stalks of wheat framing the words 'ONE CENT' and 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.'
• Confirm the material is a copper-based bronze alloy, which typically displays a reddish-brown or chocolate patina.
• Check for the mint mark (D for Denver or S for San Francisco) below the date, or no mark for Philadelphia.

History of 1920 Lincoln Wheat Penny

The Lincoln Cent was first introduced in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. Designed by Victor David Brenner, it was the first circulating U.S. coin to feature a real person. The 'Wheat Penny' design, with its distinctive wheat stalks on the reverse, was produced from 1909 to 1958, after which it was replaced by the Lincoln Memorial design.