1939-D Lincoln Wheat Penny Value Guide

The 1939-D Lincoln Wheat Penny is a sought-after copper-alloy cent produced at the Denver Mint. It stands out to collectors due to its relatively low mintage of 15.2 million coins, which is significantly lower than the Philadelphia Mint's production for that same year.

What affects the value of 1939-D Lincoln Wheat Penny?

• The presence of original mint luster, which can elevate the price above the standard $2.50-$2.75 range.
• The sharpness of the wheat lines on the reverse, as these are often the first details to wear down.
• The color classification, with 'Red' (RD) specimens commanding higher premiums than 'Red-Brown' (RB) or 'Brown' (BN) examples.
• The overall strike quality from the Denver Mint, which can vary and impact the coin's eye appeal for high-grade collectors.

How to Identify 1939-D Lincoln Wheat Penny?

• Locate the 'D' mint mark positioned directly below the 1939 date on the obverse side.
• Verify the composition of copper, tin, and zinc, which gives the coin its distinct reddish-brown or chocolate patina.
• Check for Victor David Brenner's 'VDB' initials, which are found on the truncation of Lincoln's shoulder in this era.
• Examine the reverse for the two distinct stalks of wheat flanking the words 'ONE CENT' and 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'.

History of 1939-D Lincoln Wheat Penny

Minted at the Denver Mint, the 1939-D is a notable date in the Lincoln Wheat series due to its lower mintage of 15.2 million compared to the Philadelphia mint's output. The series began in 1909 to commemorate the centennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth, making it the first US coin to feature a real person rather than a personification of Liberty.