1911 Wheat Penny Coin Value: How Much Is It Worth?
A 1911 Wheat penny ranges from about $0.61 in well-worn Good-4 condition up to around $438 at MS63, depending on which mint struck your coin. Those anchors cover the three business-strike branches; the San Francisco issue commands the top end.
Proofs, major varieties, and error coins are priced separately. Original surfaces, wear level, and color all affect what a buyer will actually pay.
Fast Way to Identify Your 1911 Wheat Penny
The quickest way to start figuring out what you have is to upload clear photos of both the front and back of your coin. Our identifier can give you a preliminary read on the mint, design type, and general condition.
Good lighting at a slight angle helps capture detail on the high points and any mintmark below the date.
1911 Wheat Penny Value
Upload both sides of your 1911 Wheat Penny.
Front Obverse
Upload photo
Back Reverse
Upload photo
Which 1911 Wheat Penny Versions Are Worth Money?
- The 1911-S carries the highest ordinary guide values of the business strikes, with about $38 at G4 and $438 at MS63, reflecting its lower survival rate from the San Francisco Mint.
- The 1911-D is the first Lincoln cent ever struck at Denver, giving it historical significance and guide values of roughly $7.29 in G4 and $178 in MS63.
- The 1911 matte proof, struck only at Philadelphia, lists around $825 at PR63 and is a distinct manufacturing type with squared rims and prepared surfaces.
- Branch-mint coins (D or S) with a confirmed repunched mintmark can carry additional collector premium; individual assessment by a grading service determines the specific value.
Step 1: Identify Your 1911 Wheat Penny Mint Mark and Version
Flip your coin over to the obverse and look just below the date. If there is no small letter, you have a Philadelphia strike.
A tiny "D" means Denver, and an "S" means San Francisco. This distinction matters a lot for value.
All three mints produced business strikes in 1911, and Philadelphia also made a small number of matte proof cents. The standard composition is 95% copper with 5% tin and zinc, weighing about 3.11 grams with a plain edge.
The reverse shows two wheat ears framing "ONE CENT."
1911 is a notable date because it was the very first year the Denver Mint struck Lincoln cents. That historical first gives the D-mint coin extra collector interest beyond its already respectable scarcity.
Do not confuse proof status with condition. A matte proof has specific manufacturing traits like squared rims and prepared surfaces.
A well-struck, lustrous circulation coin is not a proof just because it looks sharp. Color, whether red, red-brown, or brown, is a separate value factor from the wear grade and does not by itself prove a coin is uncirculated or proof.
Step 2: Check Your 1911 Wheat Penny Grade
Start by examining Lincoln's cheekbone, jawline, and the fine hair detail above the ear. These are the first areas to lose sharpness as a coin circulates.
A coin in Good-4 will show a flat profile with the outline intact but little interior detail.
On the reverse, check the individual wheat grains and the horizontal lines between the stalks. Mint-state coins retain full luster and sharp separation of these elements.
Compare your coin to the grading image to see where your example falls on the wear spectrum.
Keep in mind that a weak original strike can leave soft detail even without wear. If the highest points are mushy but protected areas also lack crispness, suspect a strike issue rather than circulation loss.
Finally, judge color, spots, corrosion, and any signs of cleaning as separate factors. A cleaned coin or one with green corrosion will bring less than a problem-free example at the same wear grade.
The guide prices cited here do not specify a color designation, so do not assume they reflect certified red prices.
Step 3: Check 1911 Wheat Penny Value by Mint and Version
1911 Wheat Penny
The 1911 Philadelphia cent has no mintmark below the date. It is the most available of the three business strikes for this year, with guide values running about $0.61 in G4 and $61 at MS63.
Even in lower grades this is a solid early-date Lincoln cent, produced only two years into the series.
Look for original brown or red-brown surfaces without cleaning. A coin with full original luster and sharp cheek and hair detail will grade well above the circulated anchor.
The guide prices here do not specify color, so a certified red example could trade differently from a brown one at the same numeric grade.
| Range | Grade | Price | Auction Records | Appraisal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | PO 1 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| FR | FR 2 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| AG | AG 3 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| G | G 4 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| G 6 | Coin Identifier | |||
| VG | VG 8 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| VG 10 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| F | F 12 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| F 15 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| VF | VF 20 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| VF 25 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| VF 30 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| VF 35 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| XF | XF 40 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| XF 45 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| AU | AU 50 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| AU 53 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| AU 55 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| AU 58 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS | MS 60 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| MS 61 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS 62 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 63 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 64 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 65 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 66 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 67 | — | — | — | |
| MS 68 | — | — | — | |
| MS 69 | — | — | — | |
| MS 70 | — | — | — |
1911 Wheat Penny — D
This is the coin that started it all for Denver. 1911 was the very first year the Denver Mint produced Lincoln cents, and collectors treat the 1911-D accordingly.
Guide values sit around $7.29 in G4 and $178 at MS63.
Look for the small "D" mintmark below the date on the obverse. Genuine examples show a cleanly punched letter consistent with early Denver cent production.
Because this is a first-year Denver issue, even well-circulated pieces attract attention. Mint-state survivors with original surfaces are considerably scarcer and command a meaningful step up from the circulated price.
Coin Value Lookup is a good starting point if you want to compare this date with other early Lincoln cents or different denominations from the same era.
| Range | Grade | Price | Auction Records | Appraisal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | PO 1 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| FR | FR 2 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| AG | AG 3 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| G | G 4 | Coin Identifier | ||
| G 6 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| VG | VG 8 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| VG 10 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| F | F 12 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| F 15 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| VF | VF 20 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| VF 25 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| VF 30 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| VF 35 | Coin Identifier | |||
| XF | XF 40 | Coin Identifier | ||
| XF 45 | Coin Identifier | |||
| AU | AU 50 | Coin Identifier | ||
| AU 53 | Coin Identifier | |||
| AU 55 | Coin Identifier | |||
| AU 58 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS | MS 60 | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS 61 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 62 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 63 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 64 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 65 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 66 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 67 | — | — | — | |
| MS 68 | — | — | — | |
| MS 69 | — | — | — | |
| MS 70 | — | — | — |
1911 Wheat Penny — S
The 1911-S is the key business strike of the year. San Francisco production was lower, and fewer coins survived in collectible condition.
Guide values reflect that scarcity: roughly $38 in G4 and $438 at MS63.
Identify it by the small "S" mintmark below the date. In worn grades the letter can be faint, so use magnification and good lighting.
Even a heavily circulated 1911-S is worth checking carefully because the gap between this and the Philadelphia issue is substantial at every grade level. Mint-state examples with original surfaces are genuinely scarce and tend to bring strong prices when they surface.
| Range | Grade | Price | Auction Records | Appraisal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | PO 1 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| FR | FR 2 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| AG | AG 3 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| G | G 4 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| G 6 | Coin Identifier | |||
| VG | VG 8 | Coin Identifier | ||
| VG 10 | Coin Identifier | |||
| F | F 12 | Coin Identifier | ||
| F 15 | Coin Identifier | |||
| VF | VF 20 | Coin Identifier | ||
| VF 25 | Coin Identifier | |||
| VF 30 | Coin Identifier | |||
| VF 35 | Coin Identifier | |||
| XF | XF 40 | Coin Identifier | ||
| XF 45 | Coin Identifier | |||
| AU | AU 50 | Coin Identifier | ||
| AU 53 | Coin Identifier | |||
| AU 55 | Coin Identifier | |||
| AU 58 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS | MS 60 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| MS 61 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 62 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 63 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 64 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 65 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 66 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 67 | — | — | — | |
| MS 68 | — | — | — | |
| MS 69 | — | — | — | |
| MS 70 | — | — | — |
1911 Wheat Penny — PR
Philadelphia struck a limited number of matte proof Lincoln cents in 1911 as part of a proof program that ran from 1909 through 1916. These are not the mirror-finish proofs most people picture.
Instead, matte proofs have a granular, prepared surface with a distinctive satin texture.
The key diagnostics are squared, sharp rims and exceptionally precise detail on both the portrait and the wheat ears. An ordinary well-struck business coin will still show slightly rounded rims and a different luster pattern.
The guide value at PR63 is about $825.
Because matte proofs lack the obvious mirror fields of later proof issues, they are sometimes mistaken for high-grade business strikes. Authentication by a major grading service is the standard way to confirm proof status for this era.
Do not assume a sharp Philadelphia cent is a proof without that confirmation.
| Range | Grade | Price | Auction Records | Appraisal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PR | PR 1 | — | Coin Identifier | |
| PR 2 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 3 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 4 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 6 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 8 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 10 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 12 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 15 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 20 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 25 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 30 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 35 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 40 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 45 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 50 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 53 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 55 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 58 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 60 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 61 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| PR 62 | Coin Identifier | |||
| PR 63 | Coin Identifier | |||
| PR 64 | Coin Identifier | |||
| PR 65 | Coin Identifier | |||
| PR 66 | Coin Identifier | |||
| PR 67 | Coin Identifier | |||
| PR 68 | — | — | — | |
| PR 69 | — | — | — | |
| PR 70 | — | — | — |
1911 Wheat Penny Error List
1. 1911 Wheat Penny — Repunched Mintmark
A repunched mintmark occurs when the mintmark punch was applied more than once in slightly different positions on the working die. On a 1911 Wheat cent this applies only to the D and S mint issues, since Philadelphia coins carry no mintmark to repunch.
Under magnification, look for traces of a second letter overlapping or offset from the primary mintmark. The remnant may appear as a shadow, partial serif, or notch that does not match normal letter geometry.
Compare your coin's mintmark to a known normal example at the same magnification to spot the difference.
Machine doubling, die chips, or simple corrosion around the letter can mimic an RPM to the untrained eye. A genuine RPM will show consistent, die-struck detail rather than flat shelf-like doubling.
Value depends on the specific variety, its visual strength, and the coin's overall condition, so individual assessment by an authenticated service is the reliable path to pricing.
2. 1911 Wheat Penny — Lamination / Split Planchet
A lamination error shows up as peeling, flaking, or separated metal on the coin's surface. It results from an impurity or void within the planchet that splits apart under striking pressure or later handling.
On a 1911 cent, look for a raised flap of metal or a distinct layer pulling away from the body of the coin.
Photograph both the affected face and the edge together so the separation is clearly visible. The edge view often reveals whether the split runs through the interior of the planchet or is only superficial.
Do not confuse a lamination with post-mint scraping, corrosion pitting, or a coin that has been deliberately cut or gouged. Genuine laminations follow the contour of the planchet and show original metal texture on the exposed surfaces.
Pricing depends on severity, size, and the coin's condition; individual assessment through a grading service is the standard approach.
3. 1911 Wheat Penny — Broadstrike
A broadstrike happens when a coin is struck without the retaining collar that normally constrains the blank and forms the rim. The result is a slightly wider-than-normal coin with design elements that spread outward toward a flat or irregular edge.
The full design is still present, just expanded.
On a 1911 Wheat cent, check the rim profile and overall diameter. A broadstruck coin will have a noticeably weak or absent raised rim and the lettering near the edge may appear stretched.
The edge itself often looks smooth or uneven rather than showing the normal plain-edge profile.
Do not confuse a broadstrike with an off-center strike, which shifts the design and leaves a blank crescent, or with a coin flattened by post-mint damage such as being run over. Broadstrikes retain a centered, complete design.
Value is assessed individually based on how dramatic the spread is and the coin's overall condition.
4. 1911 Wheat Penny — Clashed Dies
Clashed dies occur when the obverse and reverse dies strike each other without a planchet between them. The impact transfers traces of each die's design onto the opposite die, and those ghost impressions then appear on subsequently struck coins.
On a 1911 Wheat cent, look for faint outlines of wheat ears or lettering in the open fields of the obverse, or traces of Lincoln's portrait ghosted onto the reverse. These impressions will align with the expected position of the opposing design, which helps distinguish them from random marks.
Scratches, raised lines from a damaged die, or brockage errors can look similar at a glance. A true die clash produces symmetrical, repeating impressions on every coin struck by that die pair, not random or one-off marks.
Pricing for clashed-die cents depends on the strength and visibility of the transferred design as well as overall coin condition, so individual professional assessment is recommended.
