1925 Penny Value Checker: Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

1925 Penny value ranges from $0.01 face value to $74,750. That record was set by a Grade 66 example sold through Heritage Auctions in September 2009. Upload a photo of yours below and we’ll give you a quick value range. You can also scroll down to check recent eBay sales and see what collectors are paying today.

 

1925 Wheat Penny Value By Variety

This chart shows how dramatically value shifts depending on mint mark and condition for the 1925 penny. A worn Philadelphia example might be worth less than a dollar, while a pristine San Francisco coin in red color can reach tens of thousands.

If you already know the grade of your coin, jump straight to the Value Guides section below.

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

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1925 Wheat Penny Worth Money

This chart reflects actual auction records from 2008 to the present. The 1925-D MS66RD leads at $74,750 (Heritage Auctions, 2009), followed by the 1925-S MS65RD at $54,625 (2005), showing how mint mark and grade combine to drive value.

The steep price gaps between grade levels are striking — the 1925-S drops from $54,625 at MS65 to $18,213 at MS64, a difference of more than $36,000 for a single grade point. That’s a vivid reminder of how much condition matters with this series.

The 1925-S/S RPM FS-501 MS64RD appears in the top 10 at $1,920, demonstrating that certified error varieties carry real premiums even at lower Mint State grades.

 

History Of The 1925 Wheat Penny

The 1925 penny was struck during America’s “Roaring Twenties,” a decade defined by jazz, economic optimism, and sweeping social change. On March 4, 1925, President Calvin Coolidge was inaugurated for his full term — a ceremony that made history as the first presidential inauguration ever broadcast live by radio.

That same year saw the Scopes Trial grip the nation, when biology teacher John Scopes was arrested on May 5 for teaching evolution in Tennessee. Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan faced off in what became one of the most sensational courtrooms of the century.

By 1925, designer Victor David Brenner’s wheat cent had been in circulation for sixteen years, replacing the Indian Head penny in 1909. The coin design featured Lincoln’s portrait on the obverse — the first time a real historical figure had appeared on a circulating U.S. coin.

Radio broadcasting was transforming American communication, motion pictures were becoming the nation’s favorite entertainment, and consumer credit was fueling a buying boom that would ultimately contribute to the 1929 stock market crash. The 1925 penny is a tiny copper snapshot of that optimistic, restless era.

The Mint’s production pace in 1925 was beginning to moderate after years of post-World War I surges. That moderation — especially at the branch mints — is a key reason why high-grade 1925-D and 1925-S cents are genuinely difficult to find today.

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

 

Is Your 1925 Wheat Penny Rare?

For instant rarity assessment of your wheat pennies across all years and mint marks, the Coin Identifier and Value App provides comprehensive rarity rankings and current market valuations.

 

Key Features Of The 1925 Wheat Penny

The Obverse Of The 1925 Wheat Penny

The obverse shows Abraham Lincoln’s portrait in profile, facing right, as designed by sculptor Victor David Brenner. The phrase “IN GOD WE TRUST” arches above Lincoln’s head, with “LIBERTY” to his left and the date to his right.

Brenner’s initials — “VDB” — appear in small letters along the bottom of Lincoln’s portrait. They were originally placed on the reverse in 1909, removed that same year for being too prominent, and then reinstated on the obverse in 1918.

If your coin has a small “D” below the date, it was struck at the Denver Mint. A small “S” means San Francisco. No letter at all means Philadelphia.

One interesting die characteristic specific to 1925 Philadelphia cents: numismatic researcher Q. David Bowers noted that most are well-struck, but they belong to the ODV-010 die type (called “Flat Foot to G of GOD”). The numeral “5” in the date has an unusually short tail — a design quirk that wasn’t corrected until 1950.

The Reverse Of The 1925 Wheat Penny

The reverse was also designed by Victor David Brenner. Two stylized ears of durum wheat flank the edges, framing the large “ONE CENT” inscription in the center and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” below it.

At the top, the Latin motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” — meaning “From the many, one” — arches parallel to the coin’s upper edge. When examining condition, pay close attention to the fine parallel lines inside each wheat stalk: sharper lines indicate less wear and a higher grade.

Other Features Of The 1925 Wheat Penny

The 1925 wheat penny measures exactly 19.00 millimeters in diameter and weighs 3.11 grams. Its composition is 95% copper with the remaining 5% split between tin and zinc.

That high copper content is why color designation matters so much for value. A coin holding 95% or more of its original red surface is graded RD (Red) and commands the highest premiums. Coins with 5–95% red remaining are graded RB (Red-Brown), and coins that have turned mostly brown are designated BN (Brown). The coin has a plain, smooth edge with no reeding.

Also Read: 100 Most Valuable Wheat Pennies Worth Money (1909 to 1958)

 

1925 Wheat Penny Mintage & Survival Data

Philadelphia dominated production with nearly 140 million coins, while Denver struck 22.6 million and San Francisco produced 26.4 million. Philadelphia’s output was roughly three times the combined output of the two branch mints.

Current survival estimates reveal some surprising patterns. Despite having the highest mintage, Philadelphia has only about 5,500 high-grade survivors. Denver, with the smallest mintage, maintains an estimated 1,750 high-grade examples — roughly double Philadelphia’s survival rate of 0.0039%.

San Francisco fares worst of all, with only approximately 450 high-grade coins surviving — a survival rate of just 0.0017%. This reflects the heavy daily use coins endured in the rural western regions the San Francisco Mint primarily served.

It’s worth noting that the U.S. Mint did not produce proof cents between 1916 and 1936, so no proof 1925 pennies exist. Every 1925 cent you’ll encounter is a business strike from regular production.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1925 Wheat Penny Value

While knowing mint marks and condition grades is a great start, getting an accurate valuation requires expert knowledge. The Coin Value Checker APP simplifies this process with instant, professional assessments based on current market data.

Simply photograph your 1925 wheat penny, and the app analyzes its condition, mint mark, and rarity to deliver a reliable value estimate. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just discovered an old coin in a drawer, CoinValueChecker provides expert guidance without the guesswork.

 

1925 Wheat Penny Value Guides

The 1925 wheat penny comes in three distinct varieties, each identified by the mint mark (or absence of one) below the date.

• 1925 No Mint Mark Wheat Penny Value — Philadelphia Mint production
• 1925 D Wheat Penny Value — Denver Mint production
• 1925 S Wheat Penny Value — San Francisco Mint production

Philadelphia coins bear no mint mark and represent the highest mintage at roughly 140 million pieces. Denver coins show a small “D” with 22.6 million struck. San Francisco cents feature an “S” with 26.4 million produced.

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

 

1925 No Mint Mark Wheat Penny Value

The Philadelphia Mint struck 139,949,000 of these cents in 1925, making them easy to find in worn condition. However, PCGS has identified this date as the 10th-most-challenging Philadelphia issue to collect in top grade between 1909 and 1929 — meaning truly pristine examples are far scarcer than the big mintage implies.

Value for circulated examples is low: worn coins in Good or Fine grade typically sell for under $1. The real opportunity is in high Mint State grades, where color designation — Red (RD), Red-Brown (RB), or Brown (BN) — plays a critical role. About 24.28% of all PCGS- and NGC-certified 1925 Philadelphia cents have earned an MS65RD grade, keeping prices in the $230–$250 range at that level; it’s the coins graded MS67RD and above where serious money enters the picture.

PCGS population data (as of July 2025) shows just one coin graded MS68RD across their entire census, and NGC reports four examples at MS67+RD. The CAC (Certified Acceptance Corporation) has stickered 18 coins at the MS67RD level, indicating top-quality examples with exceptional eye appeal.

Notable auction results include the Stewart Blay “Red Copper Collection” MS67+RD CAC coin, which sold at GreatCollections in January 2023 for $15,172.88, and another MS67+RD from GreatCollections in June 2024 that realized $14,162.62. A Heritage Auctions “Whispering Pines Collection” example brought $6,300 in January 2024. Straight MS67RD examples regularly trade between $800 and $900, though one sold for $2,400 in August 2022.

These auction records demonstrate the coin’s performance across different market periods and collector demand.

Current market activity reflects sustained collector interest in high-grade examples, particularly those retaining original red surfaces.

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

 

1925-D Wheat Penny Value

The Denver Mint produced 22,580,000 1925-D wheat pennies — about 12% of that year’s total output. Survival estimates suggest roughly 1,750 high-grade examples remain today, giving this issue the best survival rate among the three 1925 varieties despite its low mintage.

In circulated condition, a 1925-D is affordable: average circulated examples sell for around $1–$2. But the jump to top Mint State grades is dramatic. The auction record of $74,750 was achieved in September 2009 by an MS66RD example at Heritage Auctions — and the catalog noted only two MS-66 RD examples were known to exist at that time.

The 1925-D also features known Repunched Mintmark (RPM) varieties (see the error section below). Several D/D varieties are known, with the mintmark displaced in different directions. Common 1925-D RPM examples in circulated grades typically bring $20–$50, while Mint State examples with sharp repunching can reach $200 or more.

These auction records chronicle the historical performance of the 1925-D Wheat Penny across major numismatic auction houses.

The market activity data reflects current trading volume and collector engagement levels for different 1925-D Wheat Penny varieties in today’s numismatic marketplace.

 

1925-S Wheat Penny Value

The San Francisco Mint struck 26,380,000 cents in 1925, but only an estimated 450 high-grade examples survive today — giving this issue the lowest survival rate of any 1925 variety at just 0.0017%. San Francisco coins circulated heavily in the rural western United States, where wear accumulated fast.

This issue also frequently suffers from weak minting, particularly in Lincoln’s cheek and the wheat ear details on the reverse. That combination of heavy use and weak strikes makes a well-preserved, fully struck 1925-S penny exceptionally rare. Coins graded MS65 and above appear at auction only rarely.

The record-breaking price for this variety was set in May 2005, when an MS65RD example sold for $54,625 — the highest-graded 1925-S penny known at that time, with only fourteen examples certified at that grade. An MS65RB coin sold for $6,463 in September 2015 at Heritage Auctions.

These auction records illustrate collector demand across different preservation levels.

The following figure is a market activity chart of this coin.

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

 

Rare 1925 Wheat Penny Error List

Beyond regular varieties, the 1925 series offers collectors several interesting mint errors. Two of the most sought-after are confirmed on the San Francisco issue, but errors can and do appear on all three mint marks. Here’s what to look for.

1. 1925-S DDO FS-101 (Doubled Die Obverse)

A Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) error happens during the die-making process, when the hub impresses the design onto a working die twice at slightly different angles. Every coin struck from that flawed die will show the same doubling — which is what separates a DDO variety from ordinary machine doubling.

On the 1925-S DDO FS-101, the doubling is most visible on Lincoln’s profile, the date, and the lettering in “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” One well-known example shows an extra eyelid above Lincoln’s eye — look for it under 10x or stronger magnification. The FS-101 designation comes from the Cherrypickers’ Guide, the standard reference for Lincoln cent varieties.

An MS65BN example sold for $1,116 at Heritage Auctions in June 2016, and an MS63RB example brought $1,150 on eBay in January 2023. Red examples remain extremely scarce and command strong premiums when they appear. Circulated examples with visible doubling typically sell for $50–$200.

2. 1925-S/S RPM FS-501 (Repunched Mintmark)

A Repunched Mintmark (RPM) error was created when a mint worker hand-punched the “S” mintmark into a working die, struck it slightly off-target, and then re-punched it in the correct position without fully removing the first impression. The result is a visible secondary “S” near the primary one — best seen under magnification.

Back in the 1920s, every mintmark was applied to each working die individually and by hand, making RPM errors common across the entire wheat cent series. The 1925-S/S FS-501 is the primary catalogued variety for this year and has enough known examples to maintain steady collector interest.

An MS64RD specimen sold for $1,920 at Stack’s Bowers in March 2018. An MS63RB example realized $900 at Stack’s Bowers in November 2017, and an MS64BN sold for $825 at David Lawrence Rare Coins in October 2022.

3. 1925-D RPM Varieties (Repunched Mintmark)

The Denver Mint also produced repunched mintmark varieties in 1925. Several distinct D/D configurations are known, with the secondary mintmark impression displaced to the north, south, east, or west of the primary “D.”

Common circulated examples bring $20–$50 depending on the clarity of the repunching. Stronger Mint State examples with sharp, clear doubling on the mintmark can command $200 or more. Always examine the “D” mintmark on any 1925-D penny under at least 5–10x magnification before spending it.

4. Off-Center Strikes

Off-center strikes occur when a planchet (the blank coin disk) is not properly centered in the coining press during striking, producing a coin where the design is shifted to one side with a blank crescent visible on the other.

Minor off-center errors of 5–10% on a 1925 penny are worth $5–$10. Dramatic examples where the strike is 50% or more off-center — and the date is still fully visible — can reach $200–$500 or more. The date must be visible for maximum value; collectors pay the highest premiums when all four digits of “1925” can still be read clearly.

5. Grease-Filled Die Errors

Grease-filled die errors occur when lubricating grease or debris partially fills a die cavity, preventing the metal from fully flowing into that area during striking. The result is a coin with smooth, blank spots where letters or design elements should appear — most often in the word “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” or the date itself.

Minor examples affecting small areas sell for $10–$30. More dramatic instances with multiple missing letters command $50–$100, and spectacular examples missing significant design elements can reach $150 or more. Always have a professional evaluate a 1925 cent with missing letters, since heavy wear can mimic this error type.

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

 

Where To Sell Your 1925 Wheat Penny?

Now that you understand your 1925 wheat penny’s value, choosing the right venue matters. I’ve researched the top platforms for selling wheat pennies, including their features, advantages, and limitations.

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

 

1925 Wheat Penny Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About The 1925 Wheat Penny

1. What is a 1925 penny worth in average circulated condition?

A 1925 Philadelphia (no mint mark) penny in average circulated condition is worth around $0.40–$0.50. A 1925-D in similar condition brings about $1.50–$2, and a 1925-S roughly $1.75–$2.50. None of the three is rare in circulated grades — the real value is in high Mint State examples.

2. What to look for in a 1925 penny?

Start by checking for a mint mark below the date — no letter means Philadelphia, “D” means Denver, “S” means San Francisco. Next, assess the color: does the coin still glow red-orange (Red / RD), show a mix of red and brown (Red-Brown / RB), or appear mostly dark (Brown / BN)? Red coins are worth the most. Then examine the coin under magnification for any doubled die features, repunched mintmark traces, or off-center strikes. Finally, avoid coins that have been cleaned or polished, as surface damage dramatically reduces collector value.

3. What is the PCGS population for the 1925 penny in top grades?

As of July 2025, PCGS reports just one coin at MS68RD — the single finest known example in their census. NGC reports four examples at MS67+RD. The CAC (Certified Acceptance Corporation, which applies stickers to coins it considers exceptional for their assigned grade) has approved 18 coins at the MS67RD level. These numbers illustrate just how rare truly top-grade 1925 Philadelphia cents are, despite the large original mintage.

4. What is the all-time auction record for a 1925 wheat penny?

The highest confirmed sale for any 1925 wheat penny is $74,750, achieved by a 1925-D MS66RD example at Heritage Auctions in September 2009. The catalog noted only two MS-66 RD examples were known to exist. For the Philadelphia variety, the record is $15,172.88 for a PCGS MS67+RD CAC coin from the “Stewart Blay Red Copper Collection,” sold at GreatCollections in January 2023. The 1925-S record stands at $54,625 for an MS65RD example in May 2005.

5. Why are 1925-S pennies harder to find in good condition than 1925-D pennies?

Two factors combine to make the 1925-S the toughest variety in high grades. First, San Francisco coins primarily circulated in rural western communities where they saw heavy daily use, wearing out faster than coins in the East. Second, the San Francisco Mint frequently produced weakly struck cents in this era — Lincoln’s cheek and the wheat ear details are often soft even on technically uncirculated examples. An estimated 450 high-grade 1925-S pennies survive today, compared to roughly 1,750 for the 1925-D.

6. How do I identify the 1925-S DDO FS-101 doubled die error?

The 1925-S DDO FS-101 — cataloged in the Cherrypickers’ Guide to Rare Die Varieties — shows doubling most clearly on Lincoln’s eye area (look for an extra eyelid), the date numerals, and the inscriptions “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” Use at least 10x magnification. True doubled die doubling appears as raised, shelf-like separation between the two impressions; it looks three-dimensional under a loupe. Machine doubling — which has no collector value — appears flat and shelf-less, like a smear. If you’re unsure, submit the coin to PCGS or NGC for authentication before assuming it’s the genuine variety.

7. Are there any additional 1925 penny errors beyond the DDO and RPM?

Yes, several other error types are known on 1925 cents. Off-center strikes range from $5–$10 for minor examples up to $200–$500 for dramatic 50%+ off-center coins with a visible date. Grease-filled die errors (coins with missing letters or design elements) bring $10–$150 depending on severity. Die cracks add $5–$50 in value, while die cuds (raised featureless blobs at the rim) can be worth $30–$150. Wrong-planchet errors — where a cent was accidentally struck on a dime planchet — are the rarest and most valuable, with estimates of $500–$1,000 for confirmed examples.

8. Does the 1925 ODV-010 die type affect value?

The ODV-010 die type, identified by the “Flat Foot to G of GOD” characteristic and the short-tailed “5” in the date, applies to all 1925 Philadelphia cents struck between 1923 and 1929. It does not directly create a premium by itself — it’s simply the standard die for the era. However, variety specialists and advanced Lincoln cent collectors use it for die attribution, and the short-tailed “5” is a distinguishing detail that confirms authenticity on high-grade certified coins.

9. What grade do I need for a 1925 penny to be worth serious money?

For Philadelphia (no mint mark) examples, value stays modest up to MS65 ($230–$250), then rises meaningfully at MS66RD ($400+), and climbs sharply at MS67RD ($800–$2,400) and above. For the 1925-D, MS66RD is where four-figure to five-figure values begin. For the 1925-S, even MS64RD commands strong prices in the $1,000–$18,000 range, with MS65RD examples having sold for over $54,000. Below MS60 (uncirculated), values across all three varieties remain low unless the coin carries a verified error variety.

10. What year is the most valuable penny ever sold at auction?

The all-time auction record for any U.S. penny belongs to a 1943 cent struck in error on a bronze planchet — a transitional error that occurred when leftover copper planchets from 1942 accidentally made it into the 1943 production run, which was supposed to use steel. One such coin sold in January 2021 for $840,000. In normal years, the rarest and most valuable pennies tend to be those in the finest certified condition regardless of mintage — but the 1943 bronze cent stands alone at the top of the market.