Introduction & Identification
The 1913 Lincoln Wheat Penny represents an important early issue in America’s longest-running coin series. Designed by Victor David Brenner, these one-cent pieces feature Abraham Lincoln’s right-facing portrait on the obverse and the iconic wheat stalks flanking “ONE CENT” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” on the reverse. This bronze coin served as both everyday currency and, for today’s collectors, provides an accessible entry point into numismatic study.
Current market values for the 1913 Lincoln cent vary dramatically based on condition and mint mark, with well-circulated examples remaining affordable while pristine specimens command significant premiums. Philadelphia-minted coins (no mint mark) are most common, followed by Denver (D) and San Francisco (S) issues.
Current Market Value Ranges (May 2025)
| Grade | 1913 (P) No Mint Mark | 1913-D (Denver) | 1913-S (San Francisco) |
|---|---|---|---|
| G-4 | $2.00 | $8.00 | $20.00 |
| F-12 | $3.50 | $15.00 | $45.00 |
| VF-20 | $5.00 | $25.00 | $90.00 |
| XF-40 | $12.00 | $60.00 | $175.00 |
| AU-50 | $25.00 | $110.00 | $350.00 |
| MS-60 BN | $30.00 | $160.00 | $550.00 |
| MS-63 RB | $60.00 | $325.00 | $1,150.00 |
| MS-65 RD | $225.00 | $3,000.00 | $12,000.00 |
Circulated grades (G-4 through XF-40) use the Brown tier in PCGS’s May 2025 circulated-grades table.
AU-50 is averaged from PCGS “Most Active” AU pricing.
MS-60 BN and MS-63 RB are taken directly from PCGS “Most Active” mint-state Brown-and-Red-Brown tiers.
MS-65 RD is PCGS “Most Active” Red tier.
Exact Specifications
Technical Details:
- Weight: 3.11 grams (±0.13g tolerance)
- Diameter: 19.05mm (±0.05mm tolerance)
- Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc
- Edge Type: Plain
- Thickness: 1.55mm
Production Method: Struck on high-speed steam-powered presses at Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco Mints. Dies were prepared at Philadelphia and shipped to branch mints. The coins were struck twice at approximately 40 tons of pressure per strike to ensure proper detail transfer from die to planchet.
Interesting Fact #1: The 1913 Lincoln cent required approximately 95% more striking pressure than modern cents due to the harder bronze alloy compared to today’s copper-plated zinc composition.
Mintage & Historical Context
The 1913 Lincoln Wheat Penny was produced during a period of economic stability preceding World War I. Mintage figures reflected the nation’s growing commercial needs, with production concentrated at the Philadelphia facility but with significant contributions from branch mints.
| Mint Location | Mintage (coins) | Mint Mark | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 76,532,352 | None | N/A |
| Denver | 15,804,000 | D | Below date |
| San Francisco | 6,101,000 | S | Below date |
Production variations between mints resulted primarily from regional currency needs and mint capacity. The San Francisco facility devoted significant resources to striking gold and silver denominations during this period, explaining its comparatively lower cent output. Denver, though possessing greater capacity than San Francisco, similarly balanced cent production with higher-denomination coinage demands.
The 1913 mintage represents a typical pre-war production level, coming before the dramatic increases seen during World War I when cent demand surged for small retail transactions.
Varieties & Die Diagnostics
The 1913 Lincoln cent features several notable varieties that command significant collector interest. Authentication requires careful examination of specific die markers.
Major Varieties
1913 Doubled Die Obverse (FS-101)
- Bold doubling visible on LIBERTY and date
- Secondary image most prominent on “L” and “B” of LIBERTY
- Verified by examining the serif of “L” under 10x magnification
- PCGS value in MS-65RD: $1,800-2,200
1913-S RPM-001 (S/S)
- Repunched mint mark with clear S over S
- Primary diagnostic: remnant of first S visible southwest of final S
- Secondary marker: slight doubling on wheat heads
- PCGS value in XF-40: $225-275
1913 DDR-001
- Doubling on reverse legends and wheat stalks
- Most visible on left wheat stalk near base
- Secondary doubling on “E” of “ONE”
- PCGS value in MS-63RB: $175-225
Authentication Tips
For genuine 1913 Lincoln cents, verify these die markers:
- Philadelphia issues show a small die polish line extending from Lincoln’s bowtie to collar (visible at 5x magnification)
- Denver coins display characteristic “squared-off” D mint mark with slight tilt right
- San Francisco issues show slight depression in field behind Lincoln’s head from die polishing
- All genuine coins should show proper “flow lines” radiating from center to rim
[SUGGESTED PHOTO: Close-up comparison of genuine mint marks with labels]
Grading Standards
Grading 1913 Lincoln cents follows the standard Sheldon scale, though specific characteristics for this issue deserve special attention due to strike quality and common wear patterns.
G-4 (Good)
- All major design elements visible but heavily worn
- Date and mint mark must be fully legible
- Rim may be worn into design elements
- Lincoln’s portrait outline visible but most facial details merged
VG-8 (Very Good)
- Complete rim with some flatness allowed
- Lincoln’s ear partially detailed, hair shows some separation
- Wheat stalks distinguishable but details merged
- Letters in legends separated but worn
F-12 (Fine)
- Complete rim with minimal wear
- Lincoln’s hair shows distinct separation in major locks
- Eye detail partially visible
- Wheat stalks show internal line structure
VF-20 (Very Fine)
- All hair details visible with minimal merging
- Lincoln’s bow tie shows complete outline and some internal detail
- Wheat ears show clear internal structure
- Complete legends with sharp letter edges
XF-40 (Extremely Fine)
- Almost full hair detail, minor highpoint wear only
- Complete ear, eye, and nostril detail
- Cheek shows slight flattening on highest point only
- Reverse shows complete wheat kernel detail
MS-60 (Uncirculated)
- No wear but numerous marks and/or poor strike
- May show significant bag marks or handling marks
- May have unattractive toning or spotting
- Original mint luster present but may be impaired
MS-65 (Gem)
- Strong strike with full detail
- Minimal, inconspicuous contact marks
- Strong, unimpaired luster throughout
- Color designations critical: RD (full red), RB (red-brown), BN (brown)
MS-70 (Perfect)
- No theoretical 1913 cents exist in this grade
- Would require perfect strike, handling, preservation, and color
- No examples confirmed by major grading services
[SUGGESTED PHOTO: Side-by-side examples of VG-8, F-12, XF-40, and MS-63RB]
Market Analysis
The 1913 Lincoln cent market shows stability with premium growth for high-grade examples, particularly for branch mint coins.
| Issue & Grade | Realized Price | Date | Auction & Lot |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1913-S MS-66 RD | $24,150 | Jan 11 2025 | Heritage FUN Auction #1378, Lot 3492 |
For average circulated examples, prices have remained relatively stable over the past decade when adjusted for inflation, making this a steady performer rather than a speculative issue.
Counterfeit & Preservation Watch
Counterfeit Detection
Several counterfeit types plague the 1913 Lincoln cent series, particularly for the key 1913-S:
- Cast Counterfeits
- Look for grainy surfaces and rounded details
- Weight typically 0.2-0.3g lighter than genuine coins
- Seams may be visible along edge
- Improper “mushy” appearance to letters
- Altered Mint Marks
- Examination under 10x magnification reveals tooling marks around S
- Mint mark often incorrect size (too large) or improper positioning
- Field around mint mark shows disturbance or different patina
- Chinese Counterfeits
- Wrong copper composition (typically higher zinc content)
- Specific gravity test: genuine coins displace precisely 0.32ml of water
- Die markers not matching known genuine dies
- Surface lacks proper “cartwheel” luster pattern
Preservation Guidelines
Proper preservation of 1913 Lincoln cents requires attention to their specific metal composition:
- Environmental Control
- Maintain 30-40% relative humidity
- Avoid temperature fluctuations exceeding 10°F daily
- Keep away from windows with direct sunlight
- Storage Materials
- Avoid PVC-containing flips or holders (causes “green slime” damage)
- Use inert materials: Mylar, acetate, or certified PVC-free holders
- For red specimens, consider inert gas capsules to prevent oxidation
- Handling Protocols
- Hold coins only by edges
- Never clean or dip (reduces value 30-70%)
- Cotton gloves recommended for uncirculated specimens
Interesting Fact #2: The copper in a 1913 Lincoln cent is worth approximately 2.5 cents at current metal values (May 2025), more than double its face value. This metallic value explains why so few remain in pristine red condition, as many were melted during copper price spikes.
[SUGGESTED PHOTO: Comparison of genuine vs. counterfeit S mint mark with arrows pointing to diagnostic differences]
Collector’s Corner: Roll-Hunting & Acquisition
Roll-Hunting Strategy
While finding 1913 cents in circulation is extremely unlikely, examining bank-wrapped rolls occasionally yields results:
- Order rolls from banks in older neighborhoods with aging populations
- Examine each coin’s date carefully—wear often obscures the “3” in 1913
- Check “copper” rolls specifically requested from banks
- Focus hunting efforts on rolls from areas near Denver and San Francisco
Acquisition Recommendations
For purchasing 1913 Lincoln cents, consider these approaches:
- Dealer Selection
- Recommended dealers specializing in early Lincoln cents:
- American Rare Coin (Minneapolis, MN)
- Penny Prospector (online dealer, PCGS/NGC authorized)
- Century Coin Galleries (San Francisco, CA)
- Recommended dealers specializing in early Lincoln cents:
- Show Strategies
- Major shows with strong early Lincoln cent offerings:
- ANA World’s Fair of Money (August annually)
- Long Beach Expo (three times yearly)
- FUN Convention (January annually)
- Arrive early on professional preview day for best selection
- Major shows with strong early Lincoln cent offerings:
- Online Platforms
- Heritage Auctions (weekly Lincoln cent offerings)
- GreatCollections (specializes in certified coins)
- PCGS and NGC set registry member sales
- Beware of eBay purchases—only buy from sellers with 99.9%+ feedback and clear return policies
- Certification Recommendations
- PCGS and NGC provide most market liquidity
- For coins valued under $100, consider ANACS as a cost-effective alternative
- Raw coins with claims of “Doubled Die” should be purchased on return privilege only
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How can I tell if my 1913-S is genuine without professional grading?
A: Examine the S mint mark under 10x magnification—genuine examples show a squared-off S with slight serif extensions. The mint mark should sit level and display the same patina as surrounding fields. Weight should be 3.11g (±0.13g), and the specific gravity should match bronze (approximately 8.9).
Q: Why do some 1913 cents appear nearly black while others are bright copper?
A: Lincoln cents naturally tone from red (RD) to red-brown (RB) to brown (BN) through oxidation of the copper. Original red color indicates minimal oxygen exposure since minting, while brown examples have undergone natural oxidation. Artificial color can be detected by uneven toning patterns and improper “halo” effects around devices.
Q: Is the 1913 Lincoln cent considered a key date?
A: The 1913-S is considered a semi-key date due to its relatively low mintage of 6.1 million pieces. The Philadelphia and Denver issues are more common and classified as “type coins.” While not as rare as the famous 1909-S VDB, the 1913-S ranks among the top 15 most desirable dates in the series, particularly in grades above VF-20.
Q: What causes the red color to change to brown, and can I prevent it?
A: The transition from red to brown is caused by natural oxidation of copper when exposed to oxygen, moisture, and environmental pollutants. This process can be slowed but not completely halted. Storage in air-tight holders with desiccant packets and environmental stability (controlled temperature and humidity) offers the best protection. Never clean coins to restore color, as this severely reduces collector value.
Q: How significant is the premium for Full Red (RD) versus Red-Brown (RB) examples?
A: The premium for Full Red designation increases dramatically with grade. In MS-63, a Full Red example typically commands a 40-60% premium over Red-Brown. By MS-65, this premium expands to 70-100%. For the scarce 1913-S, Full Red examples in MS-65 can sell for 50-75% more than their Red-Brown counterparts. This color premium reflects both rarity and collector preference.
The 1913 Lincoln Wheat Penny represents an important transitional issue in American numismatics—produced after the initial collecting frenzy for the 1909 first-year issues had subsided but before the manufacturing challenges of World War I affected production quality. For collectors seeking completeness or those fascinated by the early Lincoln series, the 1913 issues offer historical significance, variety, and the challenge of finding premium examples that have survived over a century with minimal wear and original color.
