1935 Lincoln Wheat Penny Value Guide

The 1935 Lincoln Wheat Penny is a significant artifact from the Great Depression, representing a period of economic hardship in the United States. Designed by Victor David Brenner, this coin is highly collectible as part of the first series to feature a real historical figure rather than an allegorical representation.

What affects the value of 1935 Lincoln Wheat Penny?

• The overall grade and wear of the coin, with uncirculated examples fetching the highest prices.
• The presence of original mint luster or 'red' color versus brown oxidation.
• The specific minting location, as coins from San Francisco (S) or Denver (D) may have different rarity levels.
• The absence of scratches, cleaning marks, or significant environmental damage.

How to Identify 1935 Lincoln Wheat Penny?

• Look for the bust of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and two distinct stalks of wheat on the reverse.
• Verify the 1935 date located on the right side of the obverse below the 'In God We Trust' motto.
• Check for a composition of copper, tin, and zinc, which gives the coin its characteristic reddish-brown patina.
• Examine the coin for a mint mark (S or D) below the date, though many were minted in Philadelphia with no mark.

History of 1935 Lincoln Wheat Penny

The Lincoln Wheat Cent, designed by Victor David Brenner, was first issued in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. It was the first widely circulated American coin to feature a real person rather than an allegorical figure. The wheat ears on the reverse symbolized national prosperity. This particular coin, from 1935, was minted during the Great Depression, a period of significant economic hardship in the United States.