If you found this 110-year-old penny in your attic and wondered whether it’s a treasure or trash, you’re about to discover how much is a 1910s penny.
The value of any antique coin depends on several factors. Here are some of the most important ones that considerably influence what a coin might cost on the resale market:
Coins that are over 100 years old are hard to find in mint condition. Thus, such items are rare. In a numismatic world, the condition of the coin is defined by grading from PCGS.
Some coins are scarce and, thus, more precious.
There’s no recipe as to whether a particular coin will be in frantic demand among collectors.
Furthermore, there were several types of pennies minted during the 1910s, and the value of each type varies.
The most common type of penny minted in the 1910s was the Lincoln Wheat Cent, which was first introduced in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. The Lincoln Wheat cent continued to be minted until 1958, however, it’s the pennies minted in the 1910s that are of particular interest to collectors.
Collectors pay close attention to both the date and importantly the mint that struck 1910 cents. Values differ depending on the rarity. One of the most valuable coins are San Francisco mint pieces that are rarely seen. However, to learn how much you can sell a coin for, you need to recognize the exact variation of the 1910s penny.
There are two variations of the 1910s penny. Below is the difference between them.
If there is no mintmark under the date, it means that the coin was struck by the Philadelphia mint. From the rarity standpoint, there are a lot of such coins in circulation and most of them are available in well-circulated condition. However, if your piece is in pristine condition, it quickly jumps in value.
If there is a little ‘S’ under the date, such a coin was struck by the San Francisco mint.
1910-S penny is much more valuable than regular pennies from that era. Keep in mind that better the condition, the more the coin is worth. In addition, if Lincoln’s portrait is sharp in detail with distinct waves to his hair and beard it is a valued find.
The most expensive coin from that era is the 1914-D Lincoln Wheat cent. It’s a rare and highly sought-after coin, with only 1.2 million produced, and also it’s a perfect illustration of how the rarity of a 1910s penny can also impact its value. For example, a 1914-D penny in uncirculated condition can be worth upwards of $1,000, while a penny in circulated condition may still be worth a few hundred dollars.
Even though it’s not the most coveted coin, some collectors may be interested in acquiring a complete set of Lincoln Wheat cents from the 1910s. Therefore, a 1911-S penny in uncirculated condition can be worth upwards of $150, due to its low mintage and high demand among collectors. Other collectors might be looking for specific years or mint marks.
Below are the prices valid for 2023.
The value of a 1910s Lincoln Wheat penny depends on its condition, with uncirculated coins being the most valuable. A 1910s penny in uncirculated condition can be worth anywhere from $10 to $20, depending on its grade. To define the condition, the grades are used. A grade of MS-60 or lower indicates that the coin has been circulated and shows signs of wear and tear. A grade of MS-63 or higher indicates that the coin is in uncirculated condition and has no visible signs of wear.
The most expensive coin from that era is the 1914-D Lincoln Wheat cent, which was struck by Denver mint. It’s a rare and highly sought-after coin, with only 1.2 million produced, and also it’s a perfect illustration of how the rarity of a 1910s penny can also impact its value. For example, a 1914-D penny in uncirculated condition can be worth upwards of $1,000, while a penny in circulated condition may still be worth a few hundred dollars.
The 1910 S-coin is much more valuable. Even though it’s not the most coveted coin, some collectors may be interested in acquiring a complete set of Lincoln Wheat cents from the 1910s. Therefore, a 1911-S penny in uncirculated condition can be worth anything from $70 to $150, due to its low mintage and high demand among collectors.
It’s worth noting that the 1910 S/S Lincoln penny had several editions, some of which have proved to be much more valuable. For instance, one of the editions had a repunchment mark with the prominent secondary S. It’s a valuable find for collectors, and in 2016 such coin was sold for $517.
It is important to note that there are many counterfeit 1910s pennies on the market, so it is essential to be cautious when purchasing a coin. It is always best to buy from a reputable dealer and to have the coin authenticated by a third-party grading service, such as the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) or the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC).
In addition to the Lincoln Wheat cent, there were other types of pennies minted in the 1910s that are of interest to collectors. For example, the Indian Head penny was minted from 1859 to 1909, and some examples from the 1910s are still in circulation. A 1910 Indian Head penny in the circulated condition is worth around $2, while an uncirculated example can be worth upwards of $150.
The Flying Eagle penny was another type of penny that was minted in the 1910s, although it was only produced for a short time from 1856 to 1858. A Flying Eagle penny in uncirculated condition can be worth thousands of dollars, while a circulated example may still be worth a few hundred dollars.
Overall, the value of a 1910s penny depends on several factors, including its condition, rarity, and demand among collectors. While some examples can be worth several thousand dollars, most 1910s pennies are only worth less than $30.
If you are interested in collecting pennies from this era, it is essential to do your research and work with reputable dealers and grading services to ensure that you are purchasing authentic and valuable coins. Vintagestic connects reputable antique dealers and vintage stores from all over the world so that you could enjoy things with a story.