1913 Penny Coin Value (Errors List, “D”, “S”, “P” & No Mint Mark Worth)

Did you come across a 1913 penny and wondered if this old coin is worth any money? If you are curious about whether 1913 pennies are worth collecting, you’ve come to the right place! Our 1913 penny value guide will walk you through everything you need to know about this historic Lincoln wheat coin!

The 1913 penny is relatively rare and can be worth hundreds and even thousands depending on the coin’s condition. Let’s jump in and discover more about the 1913 penny value and just how much this old coin is worth today.

1913 Penny Value Chart
Mint Mark	Good	Fine	Extremely Fine	Uncirculated
1913-No Mint Mark  Penny Value	$0.75	$2.50	$25	$575
1913-D Penny Value	$3.50	$10	$55	$1000
1913-S Penny Value	$12.50	$27.50	$70	$3500
1913-P Proof Penny Value	–	–	–	$330

 

History of 1913 Penny

The 1913 penny is part of the Lincoln Wheat Penny series, which the United States Mint struck from 1909-1958. The Lincoln penny itself, also known as the Lincoln cent holds a special place in our country’s history as it was the first U.S. coin to feature a president’s portrait.

In 1905, the Mint commissioned artist and coin designer August Saint-Gaudens to redesign the cent and three other gold coins. Unfortunately, Saint-Gaudens passed away in 1907 before completing the redesign for the cent. As a result, the Mint brought in Victor David Brenner, who took over the project.

Eventually, the Mint released the newly designed Lincoln Wheat Penny in 1909 to commemorate Abraham Lincoln’s centennial birthday. Brenner’s penny featured Lincoln’s portrait on the obverse and two wheat stalks on the reverse, thus the name “Wheat Penny” or “Wheatie.”

In 1913, the facilities at Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco minted the Lincoln wheat penny. The Philadelphia mint had the highest production of regular strike pennies and also produced matte proof pennies specifically for collectors. The Denver mint had the second highest production followed by San Francisco, which had a significantly low output, making the rare 1913-S penny a semi-key date that’s highly desirable for collectors.

All in all, 1913 pennies are not particularly rare, but some errors or die variations can make a difference in terms of the coin’s value. This year has very few significant errors but the ones that do exist can be worth a premium. Other factors such as the condition and mint mark also influence the value of a 1913 Lincoln penny.

Also read: 12 Most Valuable Lincoln Penny Worth Money

 

Features of 1913 Penny

In this section, we’ll explore the physical features of a 1913 penny. By familiarizing yourself with these features, you will know what to look for when grading a Lincoln wheat penny.

If you’ve got a 1913 penny, here’s what to look for:

The Obverse of 1913 Penny

The obverse of the 1913 penny features Abraham Lincoln’s right-facing portrait. The inscription LIBERTY appears on the left while the date, 1913 is inscribed to the right of Lincoln’s profile. The motto, IN GOD WE TRUST, is arched at the top along the coin’s edge.

The Reverse of 1913 Penny

When turned over, the 1913 penny spots two bold wheat leaves on the left and right sides of the coin, thus the name Lincoln Wheat Pennies or Wheaties. The denomination, ONE CENT, is also boldly inscribed at the center of the coin followed by the inscriptions UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.  The Latin-language motto, E-PLURIBUS UNUM is arched at the top along the coin’s edge.

Other Features of the 1913 Penny

The 1913 penny comprises 95% Copper and a mix of 5% Tin and Zinc. This coin weighs 3.11 grams, measures 19.00 millimeters in diameter, and comes with a plain edge.

In circulated condition, a 1913 penny will have a brownish tone to it while an uncirculated gem will have a shiny, reddish luster. The 1913 pennies minted in Denver and San Francisco spot the mint marks D and S respectively on the obverse just below the date.

The 1913-S penny is considered a semi-key date and examples can be worth thousands, especially in uncirculated condition. 

Also read: 13 Most Valuable Wheat Penny Worth Money

 

1913 Penny Grading

With older coins, it’s easy to tell when it’s a high grade because it looks so shiny and new! And with pennies, in addition to their Sheldon Scale grade – which goes from 1 to 70 – the coins are color-coded from red (RD) at the top to brown (BN or BRN) at the bottom. The middle grade is RB for reddish-brown. You should also check for any nicks or scratches.

#	Grade
1	Basal State-1
2	Fair
3	Very Fair
4, 5, 6	Good
7, 8, 10	Very Good
12, 15	Fine
20, 30	Very Fine
40	Extremely Fine
50	About Uncirculated
60	Mint State
65	Mint State
70	Mint State

Please check our grading guides to know your coin scale, It’s the necessary step to know the exact value of your coin.

Check out now: How to Grade Lincoln Wheat Penny?

 

1913 Penny Value Guides

So, just how much is a penny from 1913 worth? Well, the value of a 1913 Lincoln penny will depend on factors such as the coin’s condition, mint mark, and color. Other factors such as rarity and minting errors also play a role in determining how much a 1913 one penny is worth.

In 1913, the United States Mint produced Lincoln pennies at the Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco mints. There are four varieties of the 1913 penny: three business strike coins and one proof penny. Each of these has a different value based on the factors we’ve mentioned.

The four varieties include:

• 1913 No-Mint Mark Penny
• 1913 -D Penny
• 1913-S Penny
• 1913-P Matte Proof Penny

Let’s break down each variety and explore how much you can expect your 1913 Lincoln cent to be worth.

1913 No-Mint Mark Penny Value

In 1913, the Mint produced about 76.50 million pennies at the Philadelphia facility. As was the tradition, these coins did not have a mint mark, and are aptly known as “no-mint mark” pennies.

With so many in circulation, 1913 pennies from Philly are not rare and are mostly only worth their face value. Uncirculated or Mint State pieces are equally plentiful and gem-quality pieces are more available than pennies from 1911 and 1912.

A unique feature of the 1913 no-mint mark penny is the number 3 on the date, which has a different pattern or style from the one initially designed by David Brenner. While the original “3” had a long tail, the one on the 1913 penny has a noticeably shorter tail.

Generally, a circulated 1913 penny has a face value of $0.50 while one graded Fine (F) will fetch about $2.50. If you are lucky enough to come across a 1913 penny graded as Extremely Fine (XF) you might get about $25 for it.

Uncirculated, Mint State 1913 pennies from Philly are more common than in the two previous years, which means they might not bring in a huge premium. For example, a 1913-no mint mark penny graded MS58 is worth about $37.50. But, a full-red penny in gem condition could reach as much as $175 — though such examples are extremely rare.

According to the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), in 2008, Bower & Marena auctioned a full-red 1913 penny graded MS67 for an eye-watering $47,150, making it one of the most expensive Lincoln pennies in the series.

1913-D Penny Value

Now, let’s take a look at the 1913-D penny, which was produced at the Denver Mint. The Mint significantly reduced production of these pennies, minting only about 15.8 million 1913 pennies at Denver.

While the 1913-D penny is relatively scarce in circulated condition, there’s a surprising number of coins in Mint State and fully red gem condition. Even in circulated condition, 1913-D pennies are generally in good shape, and you’ll rarely come across examples with heavily worn dies.

Because of its relative scarcity, the 1913-D penny is typically more valuable than its no-mint mark counterpart. For example, a 1913-D penny graded as “Good” (G) is worth around $3.50, while one graded Extra Fine (EF) can fetch as much as $55.

Even in lower Mint State, 1913 Lincoln cents will fetch good money. For example, a piece graded MS55 will bring you up to $100 while an uncirculated gem graded MS66 can earn as much as $1000.

In 2017, Stack’s Bowers auctioned a 1913-D fully red penny graded MS66 for a whopping $23,500, according to PCGS records. This shows just how much a well-preserved 1913-D penny can be worth!

1913-S Penny Value

The 1913-S penny, produced at the San Francisco Mint, is even rarer than the others in the series. Only about 6.1 million of these pennies were minted, making them scarce in both circulated and uncirculated conditions.

Most 1913-S pennies have a weak obverse and reverse strike and show signs of environmental damage. Fully struck red gems in this series are extremely rare—if you do come across such an example, we recommend having it checked by a trusted grading service. Most 1913-S pennies are actually brassier than those from Philly and Denver so you should treat a full red 1913-S penny with great caution.

That said, Because of their rarity, 1913-S pennies are generally more valuable than their Philadelphia and Denver counterparts. For example, a 1913-S penny graded Good (G) is worth around $12.50, while one graded Extremely Fine (EF) can fetch up to $70.

Even in lower Mint States, a 1913 penny from San Francisco can bring in some solid returns. For example, a piece graded MS50 is worth as much as $105 while one graded MS55 can bring in up to $160. Gem examples are much more valuable with coins graded MS66 bringing in as much as $3500.

In 2006, Heritage Auctions auctioned a 1913-S penny graded MS66 for a record-breaking $63,250, making this the most expensive 1913 penny from San Francisco.

1913-P Proof Penny Value

Finally, we come to the 1913-P penny, a matte/satin proof coin minted at the Philadelphia mint. Although, the mint produced about 2,900 pieces, the 1913-P proof penny is considered a high-mintage proof coin.

Unlike proofs from the two previous years, the 1913-S has a relatively high survival rate of fully-red gems. As a result, red proof pennies tend to be worth more than brown ones of the same grade. For example, a brown 1913-P proof penny graded MS60 is worth about $330 while a full red gem will bring in double the amount at about $675.

At grade MS67, the price difference becomes even more significant. For example a full red 1913-P proof penny graded MS67 will fetch up to $11,500 while a brown example is worth as much as $2150.

According to the PCGS, in 2009, Bowers & Merena sold a red 1913-P penny graded MS67 for a whopping $32,200, making this the most expensive piece in the series.

Also read: 17 Most Valuable Indian Head Penny Worth Money

 

Rare 1913 Penny Errors List

Although 1913 pennies are generally only worth their face value, some rare error coins can be worth tens or even hundreds of dollars, making them a great addition to any collection. However, there aren’t many error varieties in the 1913 penny series. Below, we’ll highlight the few existing examples that you should be on the lookout for.

1913-D Penny Struck-Thorough Error

An error that comes up in the 1913-D penny series is the struck-through, which occurs when a foreign object such as a speck of wood, piece of cloth, or grease is struck between the die and planchet, leaving its impression on the coin’s surface.

Some struck-through errors can be quite dramatic and tend to fetch good money. For example, a collector on eBay paid $50 for a 1913-D penny with a struck-through error, making this a nice addition to your collection.

1913-S Lincoln Penny Missing Error Coin Missing L in Liberty

Another valuable error in the 1913 penny series involves a missing letter. As the name suggests, this is an error in which a letter is missing from the inscriptions on the coin’s obverse or reverse.

In this case, the letter L is missing from the word LIBERTY, resulting in a unique coin with incomplete inscriptions. One such coin was sold for an impressive $497, another error worth looking for.

1913 No-Mint Mark Penny with UNUM on the Rim

Die misalignment errors can displace the coin’s design, causing the dies to strike some of the design elements away from the center.

For example, some 1913 pennies feature a die misalignment error in which the words UNUM from the Latin motto on the reverse are struck so close to the rim they almost disappear.

One such 1913 no-mint mark penny was auctioned for a whopping $1,800, making this one of the most expensive error coins in the series. Keep an eye out for this rare mistake—it could be a game-changer for your collection!

Also read: 17 Most Valuable Indian Head Penny Worth Money

 

Where to Sell Your 1912 penny ?

Now that you know the value of your coins, do you know where to sell those coins online easily? Don’t worry, I’ve compiled a list of these sites, including their introduction, pros, and cons. 

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

 

FAQS

Are 1913 pennies rare?

The 1913 pennies can be hard to find these days only because they are such an old currency. But, these coins are not necessarily rare—you can still come across a few examples in circulated condition and in Mint State. After all, the Mint produced close to 100 million of these Wheaties, with the 1913-S penny being the scarcest of them all due to its low mintage.

How much is a 1913 one penny worth today?

At face value, a 1913 penny is worth about $0.25 but the value can increase depending on the coin’s condition, mint mark and rarity. You can expect as much as $50 for a penny in lower Mint State grades. Coins in higher grades or those with special features can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

How many 1913 pennies were minted?

The Mint produced close to 100 million Lincoln pennies in 1913, with the Philadelphia mint having the highest mintage followed by Denver and San Francisco. The 1913-S penny is the rarest of them due to its significantly lower mintage compared to the other two varieties.