Is Your 1912 Penny Worth $500? Find Out Here

Want to know the value of your 1912 wheat cent?

Some 1912 wheat pennies are worth hundreds of dollars, while others are only worth 20 to 30 cents.

If you’re curious about how much your 1912 wheat penny is worth, keep reading!

We will cover the following questions about 1912 Lincoln cents:

• How much is a 1912 penny worth?
• Are there any 1912 wheat penny errors to look for?
• How many 1912 wheat pennies were made?
• How can you tell if you have a rare 1912 Lincoln cent?
• What are some interesting facts about 1912 pennies?

Today’s 1912 Penny Value

If you’ve been searching for old wheat pennies in your pocket change, you may have found a 1912 wheat penny or two. If you did, you’re in luck because these old coins are worth far more than their face value!

So, how much more are 1912 pennies worth?

In general, 1912 wheat cents range in value from around 20 cents to over $500. The coin’s value is determined by its condition, whether it has a mintmark, and other factors like varieties and errors (more on that below).

What’s a mintmark?

Mintmarks tell you which U.S. Mint facility struck the coin. On older Lincoln pennies, mintmarks are found under the date on the front (heads side). A 1912 Lincoln cent without a mintmark was struck at the Philadelphia Mint.

Here’s how much 1912 wheat pennies are worth:

• A 1912 penny from the Philadelphia Mint is worth between 20 cents in worn condition and about $35 in average uncirculated condition.
• A 1912-D penny (from the Denver Mint) is rarer than the Philadelphia Mint version. These pennies range in value from about $4 in worn grades to more than $150 if uncirculated.
• A 1912-S penny is the rarest of the regular production Lincoln cents made for circulation. It’s worth approximately $10 in worn grades and can go for over $200 in uncirculated condition.
• 1912 proof pennies, which were struck at the Philadelphia Mint for collectors, have sharp strikes and a matte finish. These can be worth around $300 or more.

Note: These values apply to 1912 Lincoln cents without any damage, such as cleanings, holes, bends, or heavy nicks.

IMPORTANT: What is the grade of your 1912 penny?

To accurately determine your 1912 wheat penny’s value, you need to know its grade (condition). Use a magnifying glass and a copy of the U.S. Coin Grading Standards book to assess its grade. You can also watch videos on how to grade coins yourself.

How Much Are Rare 1912 Wheat Penny Errors Worth?

Some 1912 Lincoln cents can be worth a lot, especially if they have errors or unique die varieties!

Many collectors are searching for 1912 doubled die pennies. While it’s possible that some rare 1912 doubled die pennies exist, no major varieties have been officially cataloged yet. However, keep an eye out for these rare errors!

Other error types and varieties to look for on 1912 pennies:

• Repunched Mintmark Error: Some 1912 pennies feature a doubled “S” mintmark. Only a few have been found, and pricing is hard to determine, but similar repunched mintmarks have sold for between $5 and $25.
• Off-center pennies: Some 1912 pennies were struck off-center, creating small blank spaces or larger portions of the coin missing its design. These can range from $5 to $10 for minor off-center coins to hundreds of dollars for coins that miss 50% or more of the design but still have the date visible.
• Die cracks and die cuds: As coin dies wear out, cracks or pits may appear, leaving raised lines or odd mounds on the coin. The value of these varies, with major die cuds potentially worth over $100, while smaller cracks may add only a small premium of $1 to $2.

There are many other types of errors to look for on 1912 pennies, including die caps and brockages.

The best way to spot an error coin is to carefully inspect all of your 1912 Lincoln cents for unusual features and share your findings with others.

Interesting 1912 Wheat Penny Facts

1912 pennies have some intriguing history!

Here are a few fun facts:

• The 1912 Lincoln cent was designed by Victor David Brenner, who also designed the 1909 Lincoln penny. Some 1909 pennies featured Brenner’s initials, “VDB,” on the reverse, but these were removed shortly after the first coins were minted because they were considered too large. In 1918, Brenner’s initials were restored to a spot just below Lincoln’s shoulder on the front of the coin.
• The total number of 1912 wheat pennies made was significant, with tens of millions produced. Specifically, 82,997,205 were struck at three U.S. Mint facilities:
  • 1912 (Philadelphia Mint): 68,153,060 minted
  • 1912-D (Denver Mint): 10,411,000
  • 1912-S (San Francisco Mint): 4,431,000
  • 1912 Proof (Philadelphia): 2,145
• The wheat stalks on the 1912 penny represent national prosperity. The design featuring wheat was used on Lincoln pennies from 1909 through 1958, after which they were replaced by the Lincoln Memorial pennies in 1959.

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