1917 Wheat Penny Coin Value: How Much Is It Worth?
A 1917 Wheat Penny can be worth anywhere from about $0.61 in well-worn Good-4 condition up to around $207 at the MS63 uncirculated level, depending on which mint struck your coin. Those figures cover the three regular business-strike branches — Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco — but not the major Doubled Die Obverse variety or mint errors, which are priced separately.
Original surfaces, color and the degree of wear all affect what a buyer will actually pay.
Fast Way to Identify Your 1917 Wheat Penny
The quickest way to start figuring out what you have is to snap clear photos of both sides of your coin and upload them here for a preliminary identification. Good lighting and a close-up of the date area and mintmark location help the most.
This step can point you toward the right branch and flag anything unusual, though it is not a substitute for professional authentication or certified grading.
1917 Wheat Penny Value
Upload both sides of your 1917 Wheat Penny.
Front Obverse
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Back Reverse
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Which 1917 Wheat Penny Versions Are Worth Money?
- The 1917 Doubled Die Obverse (Philadelphia) shows clear doubling on the date and motto, with guide values of roughly $186 in G4 and $8,586 in MS63 — far above the normal Philadelphia issue.
- The 1917-S in uncirculated condition carries the highest regular-branch guide value at about $207 in MS63, making mint-state San Francisco coins worth a careful look.
- The 1917-D in MS63 condition lists around $178 in guide estimates, close behind the San Francisco issue and well above its circulated value of about $1.24 in G4.
- Any 1917 Wheat cent with a confirmed mint error — such as a significant off-center strike or a die break — can carry a premium that depends on the specific error, its severity and the coin's overall condition.
Step 1: Identify Your 1917 Wheat Penny Mint Mark and Version
Start by flipping the coin to the reverse — you should see two wheat stalks framing the words ONE CENT, confirming it is the Wheat Reverse design. The coin is struck in 95% copper with 5% tin and zinc, weighs about 3.11 grams, and has a plain (smooth) edge.
Now look at the obverse, just below the date. If there is no small letter there, your coin was struck at Philadelphia.
A tiny "D" means Denver, and an "S" means San Francisco.
There was no regular proof issue for 1917, so every example you encounter should be a business strike. Do not confuse a well-preserved uncirculated coin with a proof — proofs are a specific manufacturing process, not simply a higher grade.
The one major variety to watch for is the 1917 Doubled Die Obverse from Philadelphia. On that coin, the date numerals and the motto IN GOD WE TRUST show clear doubling — a second, slightly offset impression of the letters and numbers.
A normal 1917 Philadelphia cent will have crisp, single impressions in those areas. If you think you see doubling, compare your coin closely to a known normal example under good magnification before jumping to conclusions.
Step 2: Check Your 1917 Wheat Penny Grade
Focus first on Lincoln's cheek, jawline and the hair above his ear — these are the highest relief points and the first places where friction shows. A coin grading around Good-4 will have a smooth, flat portrait with only an outline remaining, while a Fine-12 will show moderate detail in the hair and a distinct jawline.
On the reverse, check the individual wheat grains and the horizontal lines between the stalks. As a coin wears, those fine lines merge and the grains lose separation.
Luster matters a lot once you get into higher grades. An original mint-state coin should have unbroken cartwheel luster across both sides when you tilt it under a light.
A coin that has been cleaned will often show a dull, washed-out sheen or fine hairlines instead.
Color on copper cents — red, red-brown or brown — is a separate factor from the wear grade. A brown coin and a full red coin can share the same technical grade but sell for very different prices.
The guide values referenced here do not specify color, so treat them as general starting points rather than quotes for any particular color designation.
Use the comparison image to match your coin's wear pattern step by step. Remember that a weakly struck coin can look worn even if it never circulated, so check for luster before downgrading.
Step 3: Check 1917 Wheat Penny Value by Mint and Version
1917 Wheat Penny
The 1917 Philadelphia cent has no mintmark below the date. It is the most common branch for this year.
In lower circulated grades like Good-4, guide estimates place it around $0.61 — basically a common-date Wheat cent. Jump to MS63 uncirculated and the guide figure rises to about $38, a decent step up but still modest compared to the other 1917 mints at the same level.
Look for original brown or red-brown surfaces without cleaning or corrosion. A pleasant, original example will always outperform a harshly cleaned one, even if the cleaned coin looks "shinier" at first glance.
| 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 | — | — | — |
1917 Wheat Penny — DDO
This is the one that makes 1917 collectors sit up straight. The 1917 Doubled Die Obverse was struck at Philadelphia, so it carries no mintmark — just like the normal issue.
The difference is visible doubling on the date digits and the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. Under magnification, you can see a second, slightly shifted impression of those elements.
Guide estimates run about $186 in G4 and climb steeply to roughly $8,586 at MS63. That enormous premium over the normal Philadelphia cent reflects genuine scarcity and strong collector demand.
Coin Value Lookup is a good starting point if you want to compare this variety's value against other dates in the Wheat cent series.
To confirm the variety, compare your coin's date and motto area side by side with a known normal 1917 cent. The doubling should be consistent and affect the same design elements across the coin — not random or flat-looking, which would suggest machine doubling instead.
| 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 | — | — | — | |
| MS 66 | — | — | — | |
| MS 67 | — | — | — | |
| MS 68 | — | — | — | |
| MS 69 | — | — | — | |
| MS 70 | — | — | — |
1917 Wheat Penny — D
Look for the small "D" mintmark below the date. The 1917-D was struck at the Denver Mint and trades at a slight premium over the Philadelphia issue in circulated grades.
Guide values start around $1.24 in Good-4 and reach about $178 at MS63.
In worn condition these are affordable and easy to find. The real jump comes in uncirculated grades, where original surfaces and strong strikes make a meaningful difference.
A soft strike — common on early Denver cents — can leave the hair detail mushy even on an otherwise unworn coin, so check luster before assuming heavy wear.
| 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 | — | — | — |
1917 Wheat Penny — S
The "S" mintmark below the date identifies this as a San Francisco issue. At the MS63 level, guide estimates put the 1917-S at roughly $207, the highest among the three regular business-strike branches for this date.
In circulated Good-4 condition, expect about $1.24 — the same ballpark as the Denver issue.
San Francisco cents from this era sometimes show softer strikes on Lincoln's hair detail. That does not automatically mean the coin is worn.
Tilt it under a light and look for unbroken luster before you assign a grade. Original surfaces, even with brown toning, are far more desirable than a cleaned example.
| 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 | — | — | — |
1917 Wheat Penny Error List
1. 1917 Wheat Penny — Doubled Die Obverse
The 1917 Doubled Die Obverse is a recognized Philadelphia variety where the date and the motto IN GOD WE TRUST show clear, consistent doubling from a misaligned hub impression. To check your coin, examine the date numerals and motto letters under at least 5x magnification.
You should see a second, slightly offset set of impressions — not a flat shelf or a mushy spread, which would point to machine doubling instead.
Machine doubling is the most common lookalike. It tends to produce a flat, shelf-like distortion on one side of the lettering, and it does not carry the same premium.
Reflected light or worn die contours can also mimic doubling to the naked eye.
No specific price range is adopted here because value depends heavily on the authenticated identity of the variety and the coin's individual condition and surfaces. Professional authentication is the standard path for confirming this variety.
2. 1917 Wheat Penny — Repunched Mintmark
A Repunched Mintmark occurs when the mintmark punch was applied more than once in slightly different positions, leaving traces of the earlier placement. This error applies only to the Denver and San Francisco branches — Philadelphia cents had no mintmark to repunch.
Inspect the "D" or "S" below the date under magnification. Look for a second, partially visible impression of the same letter, often slightly offset or tilted compared to the final position.
The remnant should be consistent with a punch, not random.
Die chips, corrosion around the mintmark, and machine doubling can all create marks that resemble a repunched mintmark. A die chip will appear as a small raised blob without the clear outline of a letter.
Corrosion tends to be rough and irregular. Value depends on the specific repunch, its visibility and the coin's overall grade, so individual assessment applies.
3. 1917 Wheat Penny — Off-Center Strike
An off-center strike happens when the coin blank is not seated properly in the press, producing a design that is shifted to one side with a crescent-shaped blank area where no design was impressed. On a 1917 Wheat cent, this can occur on coins from any mint.
The key collecting factor is how much of the design is off center and whether the full date remains visible. A coin with, say, 10–20% displacement that still shows the complete date is far more collectible than one where the date is clipped away.
Do not confuse an off-center strike with a clipped planchet (which removes a curved bite from the edge), a misaligned die (which shifts the design but still covers the full planchet), or post-mint damage like a vice squeeze. Value is assessed individually based on the percentage of displacement, date visibility, and overall condition.
4. 1917 Wheat Penny — Die Crack / Die Chip
Die cracks appear as thin raised lines on the coin's surface, formed when the steel die develops a fracture from repeated use. On a 1917 Wheat cent, these can show up on either side and may run in any direction.
A die chip is a related error — a small raised blob where a piece of the die surface broke away.
To identify a die crack, look for a raised line that follows no part of the normal design. It should stand above the field, not be incised into it.
An incuse scratch, corrosion track, or foreign material sitting on the surface can mimic a crack but will feel or look different under magnification — scratches cut into the metal rather than rising above it.
Interior die chips that do not connect to the rim are distinguished from cuds, which do reach the rim. Value depends on the size, location and visual impact of the crack, so each coin is assessed individually.
5. 1917 Wheat Penny — Die Break / Cud
A cud is a raised, featureless lump that connects to the rim of the coin. It forms when a piece of the die breaks away completely near the edge, leaving nothing to impress the design in that area.
The result is a flat or slightly rounded blob of metal attached to the rim, often obscuring part of the lettering or design.
On a 1917 Wheat cent, cuds can appear on either side from any mint. Look for a smooth, raised area at the rim that has no design detail — it should look like a blank patch of metal fused to the edge.
Common lookalikes include rim dents from post-mint damage (which are usually depressed, not raised), corrosion buildup near the edge, and interior die chips that do not reach the rim. A true cud always connects to the rim boundary.
Pricing depends on the size, location and the coin's overall condition, so individual assessment is the standard approach.
