1942 S Lincoln Wheat Penny Value Guide

The 1942 S Lincoln Wheat Penny is a significant wartime issue struck at the San Francisco Mint just before the transition to steel compositions. Collectors prize this bronze cent as the final full year of copper production before the 1943 emergency measures diverted copper to the war effort.

What affects the value of 1942 S Lincoln Wheat Penny?

• Mint State (MS) grade significantly increases value, especially for coins with original 'Red' (RD) luster.
• The presence of the 'S' mint mark, as San Francisco typically had lower mintage numbers than Philadelphia.
• Surface preservation, including the absence of carbon spots or heavy wear on the wheat lines and Lincoln's cheek.
• The specific copper-tin-zinc alloy ratio, which was altered the following year for the war.

How to Identify 1942 S Lincoln Wheat Penny?

• Locate the 'S' mint mark positioned directly below the 1942 date on the obverse side.
• Verify the bronze composition, which should display a reddish-brown patina unlike the zinc-coated steel of 1943.
• Check for Victor David Brenner's initials (VDB) which are located on the base of Lincoln's shoulder truncation.
• Examine the reverse for the two distinct wheat stalks flanking the words 'ONE CENT' and 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA'.

History of 1942 S Lincoln Wheat Penny

The Lincoln Wheat Cent was minted from 1909 to 1958, designed by Victor David Brenner. The obverse features a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, making it the first American coin to depict a real person rather than an allegorical figure. The reverse, known as the 'wheat ears' or 'wheat penny' design, shows two stalks of wheat symbolizing national prosperity. This particular coin, minted in 1942, was produced during World War II when copper was a critical war material. Although copper pennies were still made in 1942, the following year saw steel cents due to the copper shortage. The 'S' mint mark indicates it was produced at the San Francisco Mint.