A single 1913-S Lincoln cent sold for $63,250 at Heritage Auctions — yet the same coin might have passed through your hands as pocket change. Meanwhile, even a worn Philadelphia example is worth far more than its one-cent face value. Whether you're holding a common Philadelphia issue or wondering if that small "S" below the date changes everything, this guide gives you the real numbers.
Check My 1913 Wheat Penny Value →Use the table below for a fast scan of values across all three mint marks and all major condition grades. For a deeper identification walkthrough covering the full 1913 Lincoln cent series, the step-by-step 1913 penny identification guide at CoinValueApp is one of the most detailed references available. Rows highlighted in gold mark the signature 1913-S variety; the Matte Proof row is highlighted as the rarest specialty issue.
| Variety | Worn (G–VG) | Circulated (F–VF) | Uncirculated (MS60–63) | Gem (MS64–66) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1913 Philadelphia (no mark) | $1 – $3 | $3 – $30 | $50 – $95 | $135 – $1,680+ |
| 1913-D (Denver) | $3 – $10 | $10 – $45 | $150 – $350 | $400 – $4,000+ |
| 🌟 1913-S (San Francisco) | $10 – $25 | $25 – $200 | $200 – $600 | $1,220 – $63,250 |
| 1913 Matte Proof (Philadelphia) | — (N/A) | — (N/A) | $300 – $750 | $850 – $2,400+ |
| Off-Center Strike Error | $10 – $40 | $40 – $170+ | $100 – $300+ | $300+ |
Values reflect Brown (BN) and Red-Brown (RB) color for uncirculated/gem columns. Full Red (RD) examples command a significant premium — up to 3× – 5× the Brown price at the same MS grade. Values are market estimates; always verify with current PCGS or NGC price guides.
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While the 1913 Lincoln cent doesn't carry a single dramatic doubled-die like the famous 1955, it does offer a compelling set of collectible errors and specialty varieties. Each card below covers what the error is, how to identify it under magnification, and what premium collectors are currently paying. Conditions matter — the more severe the error and the higher the grade, the greater the collector premium over a standard coin.
The 1913-S Lincoln cent is the crown jewel of the 1913 issue. With only 6,101,000 struck at the San Francisco Mint, it has the lowest business-strike mintage of the three 1913 varieties by a wide margin. The Denver mint produced 2.6 times as many coins, and Philadelphia struck more than 12 times as many.
Identifying this variety is straightforward: look for a small "S" mintmark on the obverse below the date at the right side. On worn examples, the mint mark may be weak or partially merged with the surrounding copper. Under a 10× loupe, the S's curves should be distinguishable even on G-4 coins. Beware of altered mint marks — a Philadelphia coin with an added "S" is a known counterfeit type for this date.
The 1913-S holds the all-time record for the most valuable 1913 Lincoln cent ever sold at public auction: $63,250 for an MS66 RD specimen at Heritage Auctions in January 2006. Even lower grades command strong premiums — a well-worn Good example is worth $10 or more, and a Fine coin brings $15 to $30. The combination of genuine scarcity, age, and the Lincoln cent collector community's deep interest makes every 1913-S a meaningful find.
Off-center strikes occur when the planchet sits outside its proper centered position inside the collar at the moment the dies come together. The result is a coin with the design shifted to one side, leaving a blank, unstruck crescent of copper on the opposite edge. This error happened randomly throughout production runs — no single die or press session caused it.
The degree of misalignment is measured as a percentage of the coin's diameter. A 5–10% off-center 1913 cent shows a narrow blank rim on one side but retains all major design elements. More dramatic examples — 25% or more — are visually arresting and highly collectible. Collectors prize examples where the date (and mint mark, if present) remains fully visible despite the shift, because provenance is otherwise impossible to establish.
Value climbs sharply with both the degree of off-center shift and the presence of a visible date. A Heritage Auctions sale in January 2022 recorded a 1913-D off-center (approximately 10%) in F-12 grade selling for $169 — roughly 50 times the standard value for a typical 1913-D in that condition. Larger off-center examples have traded for several hundred dollars when the date and mint mark are intact.
Die cud errors form when a section of the working die breaks away entirely along the rim. When this chunk of die steel is lost, the corresponding area of the coin is not struck with any design detail — instead, the planchet metal flows freely into the void, creating a raised, blob-like protrusion at the rim. The resulting coin shows a smooth, raised area merging seamlessly into the rim, exactly mirroring the shape of the missing die fragment.
On 1913 Lincoln cents, die cud locations vary. Cuds near Lincoln's portrait or in the date area are the most desirable because they interact visually with the primary design elements. Rim cuds in relatively "empty" areas of the coin are more common but still command premium prices over a normal example. Die cracks (raised hairline fissures radiating from design elements) are related but less dramatic — and worth proportionally less.
A 1913 wheat penny with a prominent die cud is worth $100 to $200 or more depending on the size and location. Die crack examples bring $3 to $5 for small breaks near the rim, scaling up to $100 or more for large prominent cracks that cut across Lincoln's portrait or the date. Collectors value these as die-state documentation — each cud-stage coin records a moment in the die's life cycle.
Repunched mint mark errors occurred when the mint mark punch — a separate hand tool in the early twentieth century — was applied to the working die more than once at slightly different angles or positions. The result is a doubled or shadowed mint mark that shows a secondary impression partially offset from the primary. In the early Lincoln cent era, each mint mark was individually punched by hand into every working die, making small positioning errors relatively common.
On 1913 Denver and San Francisco cents, collectors look for a secondary "D" or "S" impression that is partially visible to the north, south, east, or west of the primary mint mark. The separation between the two impressions ranges from barely perceptible — detectable only under high magnification — to clearly visible with the naked eye. The more dramatic the displacement and separation, the higher the collector premium and the easier the attribution.
A clearly attributable 1913-S RPM typically sells for $100 to $150 or more when the doubling is strong and the coin is otherwise problem-free. The 1913-D RPM examples are more frequently encountered but still add a meaningful premium of $25 to $75 above normal value. Attribution via the Cherrypickers' Guide or CONECA's RPM database helps confirm the variety and justifies the asking price.
Struck-through grease errors occur when lubricant, die polish residue, or other debris accumulates in the recesses of a working die. When the die strikes the planchet, the foreign material prevents the copper from fully flowing into the die cavity, resulting in areas of the design that appear soft, shallow, or entirely absent. The error is invisible until the strike is made — quality-control inspectors sometimes missed them during high-speed production runs.
On 1913 Lincoln cents, the most collectible struck-through errors are those affecting prominent design elements: the date, the word LIBERTY, Lincoln's portrait, or the mint mark. A coin where the "1913" is partially filled and the date appears weak or incomplete is particularly sought after. Grease fill-in on less prominent areas — the wheat stalk tips on the reverse, for example — is less dramatic and commands a smaller premium.
A strong 1913-D struck-through grease example, showing a distorted mint mark and soft lettering in LIBERTY, is valued starting around $115 by specialist price guides. Philadelphia examples with partial date fill are similarly priced. The key to value is the severity and location of the missing detail — a coin with an obviously missing letter or nearly invisible date segment commands the best prices among error specialists.
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| Mint | Mint Mark | Business Strike Mintage | Special Strike | Survival Rarity Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | None (no mark) | 76,532,352 | ~2,848 Matte Proofs | Common in worn grades; ~500 estimated survivors in MS Red |
| Denver | D | 15,804,000 | None | Moderately scarce; weak strikes common; gem RD very rare |
| San Francisco | S | 6,101,000 | None | Scarcest business strike; key semi-key date; beware altered marks |
| Total | — | 98,437,352 | ~2,848 | — |
Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc. Weight: 3.11 grams. Diameter: 19.0 mm. Designer: Victor David Brenner. Edge: Plain. Despite the large total mintage, over 110 years of circulation and attrition mean that high-grade survivors — especially with original Red color — are genuinely scarce across all three mints.
Heavy wear flattens Lincoln's portrait — the cheek, jaw, and hair above the ear merge into a smooth surface. The wheat stalks on the reverse show only faint outlines. LIBERTY is readable but shallow. Typical worth: $1–$3 (Philadelphia), $3–$10 (Denver), $10–$25 (San Francisco).
Lincoln's hair shows most strands, with visible flatness on the cheek and jaw only. Wheat stalk grains are mostly complete. In EF-40, only the highest points — cheek and top of wheat — show slight flatness, and some original luster may remain on protected surfaces.
No wear, but contact marks in the fields (from bag abrasion in Mint storage) reduce the grade. MS63 shows scattered moderate marks on Lincoln's face or the fields. Original copper luster is present but may be dulled by oxidation to red-brown or full brown — color designation (BN/RB/RD) matters significantly here.
Few contact marks, strong luster, and sharp strike define the gem grades. MS65 and higher require outstanding eye appeal. Full Red (RD) color — at least 85% original copper-orange — commands the top premiums. MS66 RD examples of the 1913-S are genuinely rare, with PCGS reporting fewer than 85 certified at that level.
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The 1913-S is the most searched and most valuable regular-issue 1913 cent. Use this checklist to assess whether your coin might be a genuine 1913-S — or a Philadelphia coin with an added or altered mint mark (a known counterfeit type).
No letter appears below the date. The field is smooth and blank. Worth $1–$30 depending on condition. Still a genuine 110-year-old coin worth collecting — just not the scarce variety.
A small "S" appears below the rightmost digit of the date. The S has rounded curves (not the angular shape of a "D"). The mint mark is integrated into the coin's surface — not sitting "proud" above it. Worth $10 to over $60,000 depending on grade and color.
Got a result? Now find out exactly what your 1913 penny is worth — plug in the mint mark, condition, and any errors.
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If you're not yet sure which mint mark or condition grade applies to your coin, there's a 1913 Penny Coin Value Checker free tool where you can upload a photo and get an AI-assisted identification before returning here with those details.
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The right venue depends on your coin's grade and value. Here are the four best options for 1913 Lincoln cent sellers.
The top option for high-grade or error 1913 pennies worth $500 or more. Heritage has sold the record 1913-S specimens and reaches the most serious collector bidders. Consignment typically takes weeks to months. Best for MS64+ or certified rarities where competitive bidding can push prices well above retail. Bring PCGS or NGC certification before consigning.
Ideal for mid-range 1913 pennies worth $5 to $500. Review the recently sold prices for 1913 wheat pennies on CoinHix to set a realistic asking price before listing. Raw (uncertified) coins sell fine here; certified coins attract more bidders and safer pricing. Use "Buy It Now" for common worn examples and auctions for nicer uncirculated pieces.
Good for quick cash on circulated examples worth under $50. Dealers offer 50–70% of retail value for common grades — expect $1 to $15 for worn Philadelphia coins. Bring multiple coins if possible to incentivize a bulk offer. Local shops can be excellent for getting a quick free opinion on whether your coin is worth submitting for grading.
The collector-to-collector marketplace for 1913 pennies in the $10–$200 range. Prices are often better than eBay because there's no seller fee, but you handle all shipping and verification yourself. Build positive feedback history first. The community can also help authenticate errors before you decide to sell. Best for problem-free coins that don't justify auction house fees.
A 1913 wheat penny with no mint mark (Philadelphia) is worth about $1 to $3 in worn condition and $50 to $75 in typical uncirculated grade. The 1913-D ranges from $3 to $10 worn and $150 or more uncirculated. The 1913-S is the most valuable, worth $10 to $25 worn and over $200 in uncirculated condition. Gem red (RD) specimens in the highest grades can command thousands.
The top auction record for a 1913 Lincoln cent belongs to the 1913-S variety. A PCGS-graded MS66 Red example sold for $63,250 at Heritage Auctions on January 5, 2006. The Philadelphia issue holds its own record: a 1913 MS67 Red specimen sold for $47,150 at Bowers & Merena in June 2008. Denver's best stands at $36,000 for an MS67 RD example sold in January 2025.
Three mints struck 1913 Lincoln cents. Philadelphia produced approximately 76,532,352 business-strike coins plus about 2,848 matte proof coins. Denver struck 15,804,000 pieces. San Francisco produced just 6,101,000, making the 1913-S the scarcest of the three business-strike issues. The combined business-strike total is roughly 98.4 million coins.
The small 'S' mint mark on a 1913 penny indicates it was struck at the San Francisco Mint in California. With only about 6.1 million produced, the 1913-S is the rarest of the three business-strike varieties from that year. Look for the mint mark on the obverse, just below the date toward the right side. The 1913-S commands substantial premiums over Philadelphia and Denver examples at all grade levels.
The 1913 Philadelphia penny (no mint mark) is not considered rare — nearly 76.5 million were struck. However, it is genuinely scarce in high uncirculated grades, especially with full original Red color. The 1913-D is moderately scarce, and the 1913-S is the key semi-key date of the year. All three issues are over 110 years old, so surviving high-grade examples are far fewer than the original mintage suggests.
Several error types boost value on 1913 Lincoln cents. Off-center strikes (especially 20%+ off-center with the date visible) can sell for hundreds of dollars. Die cud errors with a raised blank lump at the rim command $100 to $200 or more. Repunched mint marks (RPMs) on the 1913-D or 1913-S can add $25 to $150 depending on attribution clarity. Struck-through grease errors and lamination flaws also attract specialist collectors.
Look on the obverse (front) of the coin, directly below the date '1913' toward the right side. A small 'D' means Denver and a small 'S' means San Francisco. No letter means Philadelphia. The mint mark is very small and may be obscured by wear on heavily circulated coins. Use a 10× loupe under good lighting to check. On heavily worn examples, the absence of a mark doesn't rule out it having been rubbed away.
The 1913 matte proof pennies were struck at Philadelphia for coin collectors — only about 2,848 were produced. Unlike modern mirror-finish proofs, these have a fine, sandblast-like matte surface with sharp design detail. In PR64 grade, PCGS values range from about $750 to over $1,000. PR65 Red examples command $1,200 or more. These are genuinely rare collectibles and require professional authentication to confirm.
For circulated coins, the key grades are Good (G-4), Fine (F-12), Very Fine (VF-20), and Extremely Fine (EF-40). Moving from Good to Fine can more than double the price on scarcer issues like the 1913-S. For uncirculated coins, MS63 through MS66 are the target grades, and color designation (Brown, Red-Brown, Red) matters enormously. A Red example can be worth 3× to 5× a same-grade Brown coin.
No — never clean a 1913 wheat penny or any collectible coin. Cleaning removes original surface patina and luster, which permanently destroys collector value. A cleaned coin will be identified by any experienced numismatist and will grade lower or receive a 'details' designation from PCGS or NGC, making it worth a fraction of its original value. Even light polishing with a cloth causes irreversible microscopic damage to the coin's surfaces.
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