1935 Wheat Penny Coin Value: How Much Is It Worth?
The 1935 Wheat Penny spans three mint branches — Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco — with guide values running from about $0.18 in well-worn Good-4 condition up to around $21 at the uncirculated MS63 level, depending on the specific mint. Those anchors cover ordinary circulation strikes; proofs were not produced this year.
Major varieties, recognized errors, original surfaces, and color all affect what a given coin is actually worth.
Fast Way to Identify Your 1935 Wheat Penny
The quickest way to start figuring out what your 1935 Wheat Penny is worth is to upload clear photos of both the front and back of the coin. Our identification tool can give you a preliminary read on which mint branch you have and its general condition.
Snap the photos in even lighting, and try to keep the coin flat and in focus so the mintmark area is legible.
1935 Wheat Penny Value
Upload both sides of your 1935 Wheat Penny.
Front Obverse
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Back Reverse
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Which 1935 Wheat Penny Versions Are Worth Money?
- The 1935-S carries the highest guide value among the three mints, reaching about $21 at MS63, because San Francisco was resuming cent production after a break.
- The 1935 Philadelphia and 1935-D trade close together in circulated grades at around $0.18 in G4, but diverge slightly in uncirculated condition.
- Recognized error types — doubled dies, repunched mintmarks, off-center strikes — can carry premiums assessed individually by authenticated identity, condition, and severity.
Step 1: Identify Your 1935 Wheat Penny Mint Mark and Version
Flip the 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. All three mints produced cents in 1935 — this was the year San Francisco resumed cent production after a hiatus.
Every 1935 cent is a standard Lincoln Wheat design: Victor David Brenner's Lincoln portrait on the front, two wheat ears framing ONE CENT on the back. The composition is 95% copper with 5% tin and zinc, weighing approximately 3.11 grams on a plain-edge planchet.
There are no proof issues for 1935, so every example you encounter is a business strike. Color descriptions like red, red-brown, or brown refer to the copper's surface tone, not the coin's grade or manufacturing method.
A bright red coin can still be heavily bagmarked.
Step 2: Check Your 1935 Wheat Penny Grade
Start with Lincoln's cheekbone and jawline — these are the highest points and the first places to show wear. On a coin grading around Good-4, the portrait is heavily worn with major details flattened, though the outline remains clear.
Fine-12 will show more hair detail and a sharper jaw.
On the reverse, check the individual wheat grains and the horizontal lines between the stalks. A mint-state coin will have full separation there plus unbroken cartwheel luster across the fields.
Weak strikes exist on 1935 cents. Soft detail on a high point does not always mean wear — compare the surrounding luster and field condition.
If the fields are still reflective and undisturbed, you may have a strike issue rather than circulation wear.
Use the comparison image to match your coin's wear pattern. Separately evaluate surface problems: cleaning removes original luster and leaves a washed-out appearance, while corrosion or spots diminish eye appeal regardless of the technical grade.
Step 3: Check 1935 Wheat Penny Value by Mint and Version
1935 Wheat Penny
The 1935 Philadelphia cent has no mintmark below the date. It is a business strike on a 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc planchet weighing about 3.11 grams.
Guide estimates place this branch at roughly $0.18 in Good-4 and around $6.25 at MS63.
Philadelphia struck a large quantity of cents this year, so finding one in lower circulated grades is straightforward. The challenge is locating problem-free uncirculated examples with strong original luster.
Color is not specified in these guide figures, so treat them as a general starting point rather than quotes for certified red specimens.
| 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 | — | — | — |
1935 Wheat Penny — D
Look for a small "D" mintmark below the date to confirm a Denver strike. Same alloy, same weight, same design — the only difference is origin.
Guide values sit at about $0.18 in Good-4 and roughly $7.29 at MS63, just a hair above the Philadelphia issue in uncirculated condition.
Coin Value Lookup is a handy place to look up guides for other dates and mints in the Lincoln Wheat series while you are sorting through a batch. Two minutes of checking can save you from spending a nice coin at face value.
Denver cents of this era can come softly struck, so examine the hair detail and wheat lines carefully 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 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 68 | — | Coin Identifier | ||
| MS 69 | — | — | — | |
| MS 70 | — | — | — |
1935 Wheat Penny — S
The 1935-S is the one to watch. San Francisco had stopped making cents for several years and came back to production in 1935, which gives this branch a distinct collecting identity.
A small "S" below the date confirms it.
Guide values run from about $0.18 in Good-4 up to approximately $21 at the MS63 level — notably higher than the Philadelphia or Denver branches in uncirculated grades. That premium reflects both the resumption story and generally lower survival rates in top condition.
As with the other mints, these guide figures do not specify a color designation, so do not assume the MS63 anchor is a certified red price. Original surfaces with minimal spots or toning will always bring stronger offers than cleaned or corroded examples of the same technical 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 | Coin Identifier | |||
| MS 68 | — | — | — | |
| MS 69 | — | — | — | |
| MS 70 | — | — | — |
1935 Wheat Penny Error List
1. 1935 Wheat Penny — Doubled Die Obverse
A Doubled Die Obverse on a 1935 Wheat cent shows consistent doubling on the obverse lettering or design elements. Under magnification, look for separation or notching on letters in LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, or the date digits.
The doubling should appear uniform across the affected area, not random.
The key distinction is between a true doubled die and machine doubling. Machine doubling tends to produce a flat, shelf-like appearance on one side of the letters, while a genuine doubled die creates raised, rounded secondary images.
Lighting angle matters — rotate the coin under a single light source to see if the effect is consistent.
No specific price range is supported for this category. Value depends on the authenticated identity of the particular die, the severity of the doubling, and the coin's overall condition.
Professional authentication is recommended before assuming a premium.
2. 1935 Wheat Penny — Doubled Die Reverse
A Doubled Die Reverse affects the back of the coin — look at ONE CENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and the wheat stalk details for consistent secondary impressions. Compare your coin side-by-side with a normal 1935 reverse under the same magnification and lighting.
Machine doubling on the reverse is common and adds little to no value. It usually appears as a flat, smeared shelf rather than the crisp, separated doubling of a true die variety.
Random contact marks or damage can also mimic doubling, especially on well-circulated coins where the letters are already soft.
No supported price range exists for this error on the 1935 date. Each coin's value depends on which specific die is involved, how pronounced the doubling is, and the coin's authenticated grade and surface quality.
3. 1935 Wheat Penny — Repunched Mintmark
A Repunched Mintmark is possible only on the 1935-D and 1935-S — Philadelphia coins have no mintmark to repunch. Look below the date at the mintmark itself.
Under magnification, you may see traces of a second or shifted punch position: a partial outline of the letter offset from the primary strike.
Do not confuse a repunched mintmark with machine doubling of the mintmark area, die chips filling part of the letter, or simple corrosion that distorts the shape. A true RPM shows a distinct remnant of a separately positioned punch, not just a blurry edge.
No specific price range is adopted for 1935 RPM varieties. Value is assessed individually based on the authenticated die variety, how visible the repunching is, and the coin's overall condition.
4. 1935 Wheat Penny — Off-Center Strike
An off-center strike happens when the planchet is not seated properly in the collar before the dies come together. The result is a displaced design with an unstruck crescent of blank metal along one edge.
On a 1935 cent, the key factor for collectibility is whether the date remains fully visible — no date, much less demand.
Do not confuse an off-center strike with a clipped planchet, which has a curved bite out of the edge but a centered design. Post-mint flattening from a vise or similar damage can also shift the appearance of the design, but it will not leave a genuine unstruck crescent.
No supported price range is available for this error. The percentage off-center, date visibility, and the coin's overall condition all influence individual value.
Professional assessment is the safest route for significant off-center pieces.
5. 1935 Wheat Penny — BIE Die Break
A BIE die break is a raised vertical line or blob of metal between the letters B and E in LIBERTY on the obverse. It is caused by a crack or chip in the die that fills with metal during striking.
These are minor die breaks, but they have a dedicated collector following in the Wheat cent series.
Check the LIBERTY lettering under magnification. The raised bridge should be part of the coin's surface, not sitting on top of it.
Dirt, a fine scratch, or a bit of foreign material stuck to the coin can look similar — try gently tilting the coin to see if the feature casts a shadow consistent with a raised element.
No numerical price range is supported for 1935 BIE varieties. Each example is evaluated by the clarity and size of the break and the coin's condition.
6. 1935 Wheat Penny — Double / Multiple Strike
A double or multiple strike occurs when a coin is struck more than once by the dies, with the planchet shifting or rotating between impacts. The result is two or more distinct impressions of the design, visibly displaced from each other.
On a 1935 cent, look for a clearly separated second image of Lincoln's portrait or the reverse lettering.
This is different from a doubled die, which is a single strike from a die that was made with doubled features. A doubled die affects every coin struck by that die in the same way, while a double strike is unique to the individual planchet.
Post-mint alterations — like hammering a coin against another surface — can also create misleading secondary impressions.
No supported price range exists. Value depends on how dramatic the displacement is, whether the date is readable, and the coin's authenticated condition.
7. 1935 Wheat Penny — Die Crack / Die Chip
Die cracks appear as thin raised lines running across the coin's surface, while die chips show up as small raised blobs. Both are caused by damage to the steel die itself — as a die wears out, stress fractures develop and transfer to every coin struck afterward.
On a 1935 Wheat cent, check both sides for raised lines that connect design elements or run from the rim inward. A crack that reaches the rim and produces a larger raised area is sometimes called a cud, which tends to draw more collector attention than a fine interior crack.
Do not confuse die cracks with incuse scratches, which are pressed into the surface rather than raised above it. Corrosion lines and foreign material can also mimic small cracks.
Under magnification, a genuine die crack will be raised and follow a path consistent with metal fatigue in the die.
No numerical price range is adopted for this category. Value depends on the size, location, and visual impact of the crack or chip, along with the coin's overall grade.
