The Lincoln penny is still used today, but the 1919 version looks slightly different than the newer ones. What makes the 1919 Lincoln penny special is its age, historical background, and how few of them are left. Because of this, coin collectors are always looking for these old pennies.
Many people are willing to pay a good amount of money to add one to their collection because they know how rare and valuable these coins have become over time.
Front Design of the 1919 Lincoln Penny
The front side, or obverse, of the 1919 Lincoln penny shows a profile of President Abraham Lincoln. His image takes up most of the coin’s surface. To Lincoln’s left, you’ll see the word “Liberty,” and to his right is the year 1919.
Above his head, on the outer rim of the coin, is the phrase “In God We Trust.” This design has stayed mostly the same over the years, which makes it easy to recognize as part of the Lincoln penny series.
Back Design of the 1919 Lincoln Penny
The back side, or reverse, of the 1919 penny features two wheat stalks—one on each side of the coin. Between them, you’ll see the phrases “United States of America” and “One Cent.” Over the top of those words is the Latin phrase “E Pluribus Unum,” which means “Out of many, one.”
This wheat design was used for many years before being replaced with the Lincoln Memorial in later versions of the penny, making the wheat penny very popular among collectors.
Understanding the Grade of a 1919 Penny
When it comes to collecting the 1919 Lincoln penny, the grade is very important. A coin’s grade tells you about its condition and helps determine how valuable it is. Collectors use this grading system to compare different coins and figure out which ones are worth more.
Below, we’ll explain what the most common grades mean and what kind of wear or damage might be seen on a penny from 1919, depending on how it was handled over time.
Uncirculated Grade Details
If a coin is graded as Uncirculated, it means it never got used in everyday life. These coins never passed from person to person and didn’t get worn down over the years. As a result, the surface of the coin will still show every small detail, like it did the day it was made.
Collectors love these coins because they look new and are harder to find. This makes them more valuable than other pennies from the same year with lower grades.
Extremely Fine Grade Details
A coin with an Extremely Fine grade has been handled very carefully through the years. It might have been passed around a little, but not much. To most people, these coins might look brand new, but if you look closely, you’ll notice tiny signs of wear.
Small details on the coin may be just slightly worn down. Still, these coins are in great shape and are very appealing to collectors who want older coins in almost perfect condition.
Fine Grade Description
Coins that are graded as Fine have been used more often. They spent some time in circulation, so you can expect some small signs of wear. The edges of the coin might be smooth, and you could see some small scratches or chips.
Still, the important parts like Lincoln’s face and the date will be easy to see. These coins aren’t perfect, but they still have historical value and are worth collecting, especially if you’re just starting out.
Good Grade Description
A Good grade is given to coins that were used a lot and show heavy wear. The designs on these pennies might be hard to see, and some parts could be faded or missing. These coins have clearly been through many hands over the years.
Even though they don’t look new, collectors still want them, especially if they are from rare years like 1919. Their worn look tells a story about where they’ve been and how old they really are.
Value of the 1919 Lincoln Penny
How much a 1919 Lincoln penny is worth depends on its condition and type. In that year, the penny was made in three mints: Philadelphia (no mintmark), Denver (marked with a D), and San Francisco (marked with an S).
Each version has a different value based on how rare it is and what grade it’s in. The table below shows typical prices for each type of 1919 penny, depending on whether it’s in Good, Fine, Extremely Fine, or Uncirculated condition.
Lincoln Penny Values by Type and Grade
| DATE | GOOD | FINE | EXTREMELY FINE | UNCIRCULATED |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1919 Lincoln Penny | $0.20 | $0.40 | $3.25 | $5 |
| 1919 Lincoln Penny (D) | $0.50 | $1 | $10 | $32 |
| 1919 Lincoln Penny (S) | $0.20 | $1 | $6 | $18 |
FAQs
What does the “D” and “S” on a 1919 penny mean?
The letters “D” and “S” are mint marks that show where the coin was made. “D” means it was made in Denver, and “S” means it was made in San Francisco.
Are 1919 Lincoln pennies made of pure copper?
Yes, 1919 Lincoln pennies were made of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc, which was the standard metal mix for pennies during that time.
Can a 1919 penny still be used today as money?
Yes, it is still considered legal money, but its collector value is usually higher than its face value, so people keep it rather than spend it.
Is it worth getting a 1919 penny professionally graded?
If your 1919 penny looks like it’s in great shape or might be rare, getting it graded by a professional could help you find out its real value.