1915 Wheat Penny Coin Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

Are you working on your Lincoln collection and wondering how much is a 1915 penny worth? You’re in the right place! Our 1915 penny value guide will break down everything you need to know about this old coin.

Generally, circulated Lincoln pennies are only worth their face value. But, a 1915 Wheatie is no ordinary penny—this old coin comes with plenty of history and its age and rarity give it great value. Over the years, collectors have paid impressive sums for well-preserved examples of 1915 pennies.

In this guide we’ll explore everything from the 1915 penny’s unique history, physical features, common errors that could increase its value, and of course, what it’s worth in today’s market.

So, let’s dive in and uncover just how much a 1915 penny is worth. 

1915 Penny Value Chart

Mint Mark Good Fine Extremely Fine Uncirculated
1915-No Mint Mark Penny Value $5 $10 $50 $600
1915-D Penny Value $2.50 $7.50 $30 $1750
1915-S Penny Value $17.50 $27.50 $75 $3750
1915-P Proof Penny Value $17500

 

1915 Penny Grading

With the grading of the Wheat Penny, there are three things you need to consider. These are the type, grade, and color. The type is denoted by either ‘MS’ for circulated coins that have been kept in ‘Mint State’ or ‘PR,’ which are coins made for collectors or archiving.

The grade is on a scale from 1 to 70, with 70 being perfect condition. Then you have the colors. ‘BN’ is for brown coins, ‘BR’ is for brown-red, and the most sought-after coins are ‘RD’ red coins.

# 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

When grading a 1915 penny, here are some of the things you should pay close attention to:

  • Signs of wear on high points: Use a magnifying loupe to examine high points such as Lincoln’s cheek and jawline. On the reverse, pay attention to the wheat ears. Higher grade coins have sharper details and minimal flattening or smoothening.
  • Luster: Higher grade pennies have a shiny, reflective surface but beware of coins with an unnatural glow as they might be artificially cleaned.
  • Rims and fields: Pennies of a higher grade have a smooth, dent-free rim while the coin’s surface will be free of stains, nicks or scratches.
  • Date and mint mark: The date and mint mark (D or S) is strong and clear on higher grade pennies. Pay attention to signs of tampering on the date and mintmark on your 1915 penny as this coin is prone to counterfeiting.
  • Toning: Copper coins with a natural red or red-brown toning are typically more appealing and might be more valuable.

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?

 

History of the 1915 Penny

The 1915 penny continues the legacy of the Lincoln Wheat Cent, first issued by the United States Mint in 1909 to commemorate President Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birth anniversary.

Designed by Victor David Brenner, the Lincoln cent became the first U.S. coin to feature a real person’s image as opposed to a metaphorical figure as was the tradition up until then.

The 1915 issue bears a similar design to the early cent with the obverse featuring Lincoln’s right-facing profile while the reverse displays two wheat stalks, giving the Lincoln cent the nickname “Wheatie.”

Unlike 1914 pennies, known for their low mintage and scarcity, especially those that were minted in Denver and San Francisco, 1915 pennies are plentiful across all grades. But, well preserved 1915 pennies often fetch premium prices.

Like others in the series, the Lincoln pennies minted in 1915 were struck in 95% copper and 5% zinc and tin alloy. These coins are not only a reminder of President Lincoln’s legacy but also a reflection of the industrial era revolution in the U.S. that began around this time.

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Also read13 Most Valuable Wheat Penny Worth Money

 

Features of the 1915 Penny

We’ll now explore the physical attributes of the 1915 Lincoln cent. Knowing a coin’s features will can help you identify high-value Wheat Penny errors, assess coins worth a premium, and determine authenticity. It is worth noting that being a key-date, the 1915 penny is highly targeted by counterfeiters, making it super important to familiarize yourself with your coin’s features.

Here’s what to look out for:

Obverse of the 1915 Penny

Obverse of the 1915 Penny

On the obverse of the 1915 penny is a prominent display of Abraham Lincoln’s right-facing profile.

The inscriptions “IN GOD WE TRUST” are arched along the top edge just above Lincoln’s head while LIBERTY is inscribed on the left side and the date, 1915 appears on the right.

Reverse of the 1915 Penny

Reverse of the 1915 Penny

On the reverse, there are two wheat stalks on either side of the coin displayed along the left and right edges. The denomination, OEN CENT, appears boldly at the center followed by the inscriptions, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.”

The the Latin motto, E PLURIBUS UNUM, is etched along the top edge, a nod to Lincoln’s vision of a united country under a single federal government.

Other Features of the 1915 Penny

Additional features of the 1915 penny are as follows:

  • Weight:11 grams
  • Diameter:00 millimeters
  • Edge: Plain
  • Metal Composition: 95% copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
  • Mint Mark: Philadelphia (no mint-mark), Denver (D), San Francisco (S)

Also read: 17 Most Valuable Indian Head Penny Worth Money

 

1915 Penny Value Guides

So, how much is a 1915 penny worth? The value of your 1915 Lincoln cent depends on factors such as mintage, mint mark, coin’s condition, and the presence of unique errors.

In 1915, Lincoln pennies were minted at Philadelphia, Denver and San Francisco, each registering varying mintages. These differences play a huge role in determining the value of these Wheaties.

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The four varieties of the 1915 penny are:

  • 1915-No Mint Mark Penny
  • 1915-D Penny
  • 1915-S Penny
  • 1915 Proof Penny

Let’s explore each penny further and discover their value.

1915 – No Mint Mark Penny Value

1915 - No Mint Mark Penny Value

The Philadelphia mint had the highest mintage, releasing an estimated 29 million pennies in 1915. These coins do not bear any identifying mint mark.

Despite their high mintage, fully red gem-quality survivors of the 1915 penny from Philadelphia are rare. While one would expect a poor strike due to the high mintage, the Philadelphia pennies are actually very well struck due to frequent die changes that year.

Here’s what to expect for a 1915 no-mint mark penny:

  • Circulated Examples: Pennies graded as Average or Poor will fetch about $2.5. Examples that are a few grade points higher, graded Extra Fine, will bring in as much as $50, while a penny graded About Uncirculated will command up to $85.
  • Uncirculated Mint State Brown: A brown 1915-P penny that is uncirculated and ranked MS66 can bring in as much as $1050.
  • Gem Quality Red: Fully red 1915 Lincoln pennies are truly scarce and only few examples are known to exist. Lower Mint State examples graded MS60 will fetch up to $95 while the rare pieces graded MS67 will rake in as much as $600.

1915-D Penny Value

1915-D Penny Value

Next, well look at the 1915-D penny with a mintage of 22 million coins, the second highest in the seroes.

Collectors didn’t get a chance to hoard uncirculated coins in large scale, leaving a small surviving population.  Most circulated examples have significant loss of detail due to the Denver Mint’s use of worn dies in 1915.

So, how much can you expect from a 1915-D penny?

  • Circulated Examples: Pennies graded Poor or Average will fetch about $1. Coins graded as Fine will bring in up to $7.50 while those graded Extremely Fine (XF) can be worth $30.
  • Uncirculated Mint State Brown: Brown pennies in Mint State are scarce in the 1915-D series and will fetch a premium. For example, one graded MS60 will bring in $90 while an MS67 can command up to $1750, making these some of the most sought-after pennies in the entire Lincoln Wheat Cent series.
  • Uncirculated Mint State Red: Gem quality 1915-D pennies that have retained their full red luster are extremely rare. Specimens graded MS63 will fetch up to $385 while those graded MS67 can bring in $45,000.

1915-S Penny Value

1915-S Penny Value

The San Francisco Mint released about 4.8 million pennies in 1915. These Lincoln cents are identifiable by the “S” mint mark on the obverse.

Although circulated 1915-S coins are scarce, the real prize is in uncirculated Mint State pieces. Fully red gems are extremely scarce and fetch premium prices.

How’s how much to expect from these coins:

  • Circulated Examples: Even in circulated condition, a 1915-S penny holds significant value. A piece graded Good (G) can be worth as much as $12.50 while one graded Extremely Fine will fetch up to $75.
  • Uncirculated Mint State Brown: Toned uncirculated 1915-S cents graded MS60 to MS70 are particularly appealing. For example, a piece graded MS60 will bring in as much as $300 while one graded MS64 will fetch up to $1075. For the rarest specimen, such an MS66, the value skyrockets to $3750.
  • Uncirculated Mint State Red: Fully red pennies in this series are true, rare gems. Collectors are willing to pay as much as $22,500 for pieces graded MS66.

1915 Proof Penny Value  

1915 Proof Penny Value

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The mint at Philadelphia also struck proof coins for collectors, delivering only about 1,150 pennies. Proof pennies boast a sharp strike, intricate detail, attractive luster and overall amazing eye-appeal. These coins are produced in smaller quantities for collectors to add to their collection.

While most proof coins have toned to a brown hue, a few have retained their original gem color, making them even more valuable and desirable to collectors.

  • Brown examples: Toned 1915 proof pennies will bring up to $425 at PR60 but the value rises drastically for higher grades. For example, a PR67 proof can command up to $11500. In a notable sale, a 1915 penny graded PR67was sold for an impressive $12,400 at a Heritage Auctions sale in 2009, according to the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS).
  • Red example: Red proof pennies are rarer and will fetch top dollar. For example, a piece graded PR68 can easily be worth $17,500 and in 2008 Heritage Auctions sold one for a record-breaking $20, 500.

Also read12 Most Valuable Lincoln Penny Worth Money

 

Rare 1915 Penny Errors List

Most 1915 Lincoln pennies from all three mints were well-struck so error coins are relatively scarce. However, those that do exist are highly collectible and can boost your coin’s value.

Here are some noteworthy minting errors to look out for:

1. 1915 Penny Missing Clad Layer Error

A missing clad layer error is a type of lamination error common in clad coins such as the Lincoln penny. This error occurs when the coin’s upper layer lifts or peels off, exposing the inner copper core on one or both sides of the coin. This can happen due to impurities that can weaken the metal alloy, causing the upper layers to separate from the copper core. Circulated 1915 pennies with a missing clad layer error can fetch as much as $450.

2. 1915 Penny Struck Through Grease Error

Another error that comes up in the series is the struck-through, which occurs when a foreign object is struck between the die and planchet, eventually leaving its impression on the coin’s surface. Anything from grease, hair strands, strings, metal chaffs and debris can come between the die and planchet during striking. Grease struck-through errors are particularly common and circulated examples can fetch as much $350.

3. 1915 Penny Die Crack Error

When collecting 1915 pennies, you might come across examples with a die crack error. As the name implies, this error occurs when a crack develops on the die’s surface—this can happen due to damage or natural wear and tear. As the die continues to be put to use, tiny metal chaffs fill the crack, which is eventually impressed on the coin’s surface where it appears like a raised crack. The larger or more peculiar the crack, the more valuable the error tends to be, with some 1915 pennies with die crack errors fetching up to $400.

Also read: 11 Most Valuable Wheat Penny Errors

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Where to Sell Your 1915 Wheat 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

1. How to tell a fake 1915-D Penny?

An important element to pay close attention to is the shape and position of the mintmark. The “D” on counterfeits usually has the wrong font style and might be positioned slightly off compared to genuine examples. Also pay attention to the date where counterfeits will have a larger gap between 9 and the second 1.

2. How many 1915 pennies are there?

Between the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints, about 55 million Lincoln pennies were released in 1915. Compared to previous years, except for 1909, the 1915 pennies registered one of the lowest mintages in the Lincoln Wheat Penny series.

3. What makes a 1915 penny rare?

The 1915 penny is rare due to its low mintage. Although it is not a key date in the series, 1915 pennies are still sought after especially in higher grades. Most of these coins were circulated and only a few high-grade uncirculated survivors exist today, making them highly valuable and prized among collectors.

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