1911 Wheat Penny Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

The 1911 Lincoln cent presents a compelling collecting opportunity across all mint marks, with values ranging dramatically based on condition and scarcity. While common Philadelphia mint examples in good condition start around $2.74, the real excitement lies in the semi-key date branch mint issues: the 1911-D commands $10.67 even in good condition, while the scarcer 1911-S starts at $17.53.

What makes these coins particularly attractive is their exponential value growth in higher grades. A 1911-S that’s worth under $18 in good condition can reach over $800 in mint state, while even the common Philadelphia issue jumps from under $3 to over $1,600 for pristine examples. The 1911 proof, exclusively graded in proof condition, represents the pinnacle at $1,104.

 

1911 Penny Value By Variety

The following value chart reveals the dramatic price differences across 1911 penny varieties and conditions. If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Modern Pennies Worth Money (1959 – Present)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1911 Penny Worth Money

Auction records reveal dramatic value stratification among 1911 pennies, with the 1911-D MS67 commanding $66,000—nearly triple the next highest specimen. This hierarchy demonstrates exponential premium curves beginning at MS65, where values jump from four-digit to five-digit territory. Denver and San Francisco issues dominate top positions, while Philadelphia specimens appear only in premium MS66+ grades, reflecting superior survival rates but requiring color-dependent premiums.

Collectors should target MS64-MS65 specimens for optimal positioning, as MS66+ grades represent exponential increases with limited liquidity. The 1911-D consistently outperforms across all grades despite striking issues, making it the premier investment choice. Prioritize full red preservation over grade inflation, as color designation drives substantial premiums within each tier. The 21:1 ratio between top and bottom specimens illustrates the critical importance of precise grading and authentication.

Also Read: Lincoln Wheat Penny Value (1909-1958)

 

History of the 1911 Penny

The year 1911 marked a pivotal moment in American numismatic history, representing the third year of Lincoln cent production during President William Howard Taft’s tumultuous administration. As the third year of the Lincoln series, 1911 pennies embodied America’s continued acceptance of depicting a genuine historical figure on national coinage—a practice initially considered too European and monarchical by Washington’s standards.

The economic and political landscape of 1911 proved challenging, with Taft facing the dissolution of Standard Oil Company by the Supreme Court, and growing Progressive Republican insurgency that would ultimately split the party.

Most significantly for numismatics, 1911 witnessed the Denver Mint’s first-ever Lincoln cent production, as the facility began striking pennies with the “D” mintmark for the first time in its history. This expansion reflected America’s growing industrial capacity during a period of trust-busting legislation and economic transformation.

The 1911 penny thus captures a nation in transition, caught between Progressive Era reforms and conservative resistance, ultimately producing coins that would become semi-key dates due to both their historical timing and production challenges.

Also Read: Top 100 Rarest Pennies Worth Money (1787 – Present)

 

Is your 1911 Penny Rare?

You can instantly check any coin’s current rarity assessment using our CoinValueChecker APP to make informed collecting decisions.

 

Key Features of the 1911 Penny

Victor Brenner was responsible for the first American-circulated coins’ look, including putting a genuine person on the obverse. Thanks to two stalks of wheat, these Lincoln cents got a popular nickname – Wheat pennies. The US Mint produced them from 1909 to 1958 when their reverse side was re-designed.

The Obverse of the 1911 Penny

Like every Lincoln cent ever mint, those from 1911 have this President’s profile on the obverse. It is vertically placed in the coin center, reaching the lower rim.

Since Congress passed an act about required mottos on the US coinage in 1865, each cent design included recognizable inscriptions after then, including: IN GOD, WE TRUST – It shows that the political and economic prosperity of this great nation comes from God. LIBERTY – This word symbolizes a mythical American goddess that lights the path to freedom and democracy.

1911 – It is a year of minting, and you can also see the corresponding letter below it, except on coins from Philadelphia. There are no VDB initials on the President’s shoulder on coins between 1909 and 1918.

The Reverse of the 1911 Penny

This coin side features two wheat ears along the rims with an inscription positioned on the top: E PLURIBUS UNUM – This Latin phrase affirms the ability to create a great nation out of numerous States where people of various backgrounds, races, and beliefs can live together.

The central part is fulfilled with the following: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, the official State name. ONE CENT, coin denomination.

Other Features of the 1911 Penny

While Philadelphia produced over 101 million pieces, catastrophically low survival rates create genuine scarcity across all varieties. The 1911-S emerges as the series standout, combining minimal original production with the highest survival rate among business strikes, cementing its series significance as a cornerstone date.

Collecting difficulty varies dramatically—common grades remain accessible for beginners, yet pristine examples demand serious commitment and resources. The investment potential appears robust, particularly for Denver and San Francisco issues, where microscopic survival populations suggest continued appreciation as collector awareness grows.

Strategic recommendations favor experienced collectors pursuing higher grades, while newcomers should target affordable circulated examples to establish positions. The proof variant, despite representing less than 0.15% of total production, offers exceptional upgrade opportunities for advanced portfolios.

Also Read: 100 Most Valuable Indian Head Penny Coins Worth Money (1859 – 1909)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1911 Penny Value

Professional condition assessment proves challenging, as 1911-D specimens frequently exhibit deficient strikes from worn dies, requiring expert evaluation of overall surface quality rather than design completeness alone. Third-party certification becomes crucial for valuable specimens, providing guaranteed authentication and precise Sheldon Scale grading that significantly impacts market value. 

When uncertain about authenticity or grade, utilize our CoinValueChecker APP for instant professional evaluation and market positioning.

 

1911 Penny Value Guides

1911 Wheat Penny Varieties:

• 1911 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
• 1911-D (Denver)
• 1911-S (San Francisco)
• 1911 Proof

The 1911 wheat penny series encompasses four distinct varieties produced across three mints, each with dramatically different mintages and current values. While Philadelphia’s massive production dominates availability, the Denver and San Francisco issues represent coveted semi-key dates, with proof specimens standing as the ultimate prize for advanced collectors seeking pristine examples of this early Lincoln cent era.

Also Read: Value Of Old Pennies By Year (1959-Present)

 

1911 No Mint Mark Penny Value

The 1911 Philadelphia penny represents the most accessible entry point into early Lincoln cent collecting, yet harbors extraordinary potential for astute collectors.

While circulated examples remain affordable across all three color designations—Brown (BN), Red-Brown (RB), and Red (RD)—the pricing divergence becomes astronomical in premium grades. The color premium is particularly pronounced: Red MS68 specimens can command over $110,000, while Red-Brown examples peak around $500, and Brown coins remain under $500 even in top grades. This dramatic 230:1 price ratio between Red and Brown in MS68 condition is unique among the 1911 varieties, making Philadelphia pennies the most color-sensitive investment in the series.

The charts reveal that Red specimens experience exponential price acceleration beyond MS65, creating unparalleled upside potential for preservation-focused collectors.

This auction records table shows recent sales performance for 1911 wheat pennies across different platforms and grades.

The market activity chart displays monthly collector engagement levels throughout the past year.

 

1911-D Penny Value

The 1911-D penny holds the historic distinction of being Denver Mint’s inaugural Lincoln cent production, marking a pivotal moment when the facility first began striking pennies after never producing Indian Head cents. With only 12,672,000 minted compared to Philadelphia’s massive 101 million output, Denver specimens suffer from characteristically soft strikes that significantly impact eye appeal even in higher grades, yet command substantial premiums.

The price charts reveal striking disparities—Red specimens reach $55,200 in MS68, while Red-Brown peaks at $1,280 and Brown tops at $1,190. 

Bidding wars frequently emerge when collectors discover well-struck examples.

Market activity spikes whenever quality specimens surface at major houses.

 

1911-S Penny Value

The 1911-S penny stands as “one of the most expensive regular-issue semi-key Lincoln pennies” in the entire series, distinguished by its remarkably low 4,026,000 mintage that ranks among the sixth lowest of all wheat pennies. This scarcity becomes staggering when contrasted against later years where some mint marks exceed a billion coins, making the 1911-S truly exceptional.

Unlike its Denver counterpart’s striking problems, San Francisco specimens generally exhibit superior technical quality, yet their extreme rarity in red preservation makes pristine examples exceptionally challenging to locate, creating intense competition among advanced collectors.

Premium specimens consistently attract fierce competition among major collectors.

Interest has surged dramatically since early 2025, reflecting broader wheat penny market momentum.

 

1911 Proof Penny Value

The 1911 proof penny represents a fascinating intersection of early 20th-century minting artistry and collector exclusivity, produced solely at Philadelphia with an extremely limited mintage of approximately 1,733 to 2,411 pieces (sources vary on the exact figure).

Unlike modern mirror-like proofs, these specimens feature a distinctive matte finish with subtle satiny qualities that Bowers categorized into two unofficial varieties based on their degree of satin appearance. The proof coins possess characteristically sharper strikes and squarer-shaped rims that immediately distinguish them from business strikes, creating a unique aesthetic.

After more than a century, genuine red examples have become extraordinarily rare, with Heritage Auctions noting only five PR-67 specimens known—four brown-toned and one red-brown. Recent auction records demonstrate their elite status: a PR-67 RD specimen achieved $6,600 in July 2023, while even brown examples in PR-66+ reach $5,760, reflecting their position as the ultimate 1911 wheat penny acquisition.

Elite specimens command substantial premiums, with top-grade examples reaching five figures.

Collector enthusiasm peaked dramatically in early 2025 before moderating through summer months.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Modern Pennies Worth Money (1959 – Present)

 

Rare 1911 Penny Error List

Beyond standard production varieties, 1911 wheat pennies feature several documented minting errors that significantly enhance their numismatic value and collector appeal.

Also Read: 42 Rare Penny Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

1. 1911-D/D RPM Error (FS-501 To FS-504)

The 1911-D/D RPM represents one of at least four documented repunched mintmark varieties from Denver’s inaugural Lincoln cent production, with catalog numbers FS-501 through FS-504, when mint workers struggled with the manual die-punching process that predated 1990’s automated systems. 

This variety is recognized as a distinct cataloged error, with specimens graded in Brown, Red-Brown, and Red designations, though auction records remain limited due to the variety’s scarcity. These RPM specimens combine the inherent rarity of the semi-key date with additional error premium, making them particularly challenging for collectors seeking well-defined examples where both the original and repunched “D” mintmarks are clearly visible.

2. 1911-S/S RPM FS-501 Error

The 1911-S/S RPM FS-501 stands among the scarcest repunched mintmark varieties in the early Lincoln series, with only 13 examples spanning MS62+ through MS65 grades. This error originated when San Francisco Mint workers manually punched an “S” mintmark incorrectly, then repositioned and struck it again in the proper location, creating distinctive overlapping impressions visible under magnification.

Auction performance demonstrates strong collector interest, with MS64 specimens (7 known) realizing $800-$875 and MS65 examples (only 2 certified) commanding $960-$1,320—substantial premiums reflecting both the variety’s technical rarity and the base 1911-S semi-key status. Collectors should target MS64 grade for optimal value positioning, as the limited MS65+ population creates exponential pricing while MS64 offers reasonable acquisition opportunities.

Authentication requires careful examination under 10x magnification for clear evidence of the underlying “S” impression’s characteristic die-punching signature, distinguishing genuine varieties from altered dates or added mint marks that lack this specific formation pattern.

 

Where to Sell Your 1911 Penny?

The 1911 wheat penny series offers collectors a unique blend of historical significance and investment potential across all budget levels. Online platforms offer convenience and competitive prices, but each has its quirks.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

 

1911 Penny Market Trend

*Market Trend Chart showing the number of people paying attention to this coin.

 

FAQ about 1911 Penny

1. What makes a 1911 Wheat Penny rare?

The 1911-S has the sixth-lowest mintage in the entire wheat series at only 4,026,000 coins, while the 1911-D represents Denver’s first-ever Lincoln cent production with 12.6 million struck. High-grade examples are exceptionally scarce due to weak strikes from worn dies, particularly at Denver, and poor survival rates after 110+ years. Color preservation creates dramatic rarity—full red specimens can be worth 50-100 times more than brown examples in identical grades.

Additionally, both branch mints produced documented repunched mintmark varieties, adding error rarity to base scarcity. The combination of low mintages, technical production problems, and strong collector demand for early Lincoln cents drives significant rarity premiums.

2. How much is the 1911 No Mint mark Wheat Penny worth?

The 1911 Wheat cent value depends on its grade, but the color has a crucial significance when determining each piece’s value. The least attractive brown pennies in circulated condition produced in Philadelphia cost up to $13, while even the most expensive specimens rarely exceeded $120.

Red-brown pennies minted this year are typically worth $30 to $400, depending on quality, while red pieces can be surprisingly costly. Most perfectly preserved coins are worth $100 to $6,600, but those in the highest MS 68 grade are rare and estimated at dizzyingly high $75,000 to $100,000.

3. What penny is the costliest in the Wheat series?

The costliest penny Type 1 with Wheat reverse is the one minted in 1944 in San Francisco. Thanks to its uniqueness, MS 66 grade, and steel compound, it reached $408,000 in 2021.

However, the coin Type 2 produced in Denver in 1943 was even more expensive. This bronze, MS 64-ranked brown penny reached $840,000 at Heritage Auctions in 2021. The next in line is the 1909 penny proof Type 1 with VDB and in PR 67+ grade. It changed hands for $258,500 at an auction held in 2014.