1935 Wheat Penny Coin Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

Most people walk past pennies on the street without a second thought. But what if that overlooked copper coin from 1935 sitting in your change jar could be worth more than your monthly coffee budget?

The year 1935 fell in the heart of the Great Depression, when even a single cent could buy everyday essentials. That economic backdrop shaped how these coins were produced and preserved, creating variations in rarity and value today.

The factors that separate worthless pocket change from valuable collectibles are more nuanced than you might expect. Mint marks, condition grades, and even subtle die variations can transform a penny from everyday currency into a collector’s prize. The 1935-D variety falls between the common Philadelphia issue and the scarcer San Francisco coins, with mint state examples achieving $30 (Philadelphia about $23.33 and San Francisco reaching $115.33).

Understanding these distinctions could mean the difference between spending a valuable coin at face value or discovering a small treasure hiding in plain sight.

 

1935 Wheat Penny Value By Variety

Most people assume all old pennies are worth the same – a few cents at best. But this 1935 wheat penny value chart reveals that mint marks and condition can turn pocket change into serious money. 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 1935 Wheat Penny Worth Money

The top 10 chart reveals how grade quality and mint mark combinations create dramatic value differences within the same year’s production.

The apex specimen, a 1935 MS68 Philadelphia penny, commanded an unprecedented $84,000 at auction, demonstrating the astronomical premiums that flawless preservation can generate. This record-setting transaction established new benchmarks for Depression-era copper coinage in pristine condition. The second-tier achievement belongs to a 1935-S MS67 example that realized $23,000.

These elite valuations illustrate the dramatic escalation that occurs at the highest preservation levels, where each incremental grade improvement can multiply values exponentially. The concentration of premium results within MS66-MS68 ranges highlights the critical importance of surface quality and original luster retention for serious collectors.

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

 

History of The 1935 Wheat Penny

The wheat penny, also known as the Lincoln cent, was first struck in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth and continued until 1958, when the reverse design was changed to the Lincoln Memorial.

Wheat pennies get their name from the reverse design, which features two wheat stalks symbolizing America’s agricultural prosperity.

By 1935, these pennies were being minted during one of America’s most challenging periods – the Great Depression. The year marked a pivotal phase in Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal programs, which aimed to bring relief, recovery, and reform to a struggling nation.

Despite the economic hardship, penny production remained robust because these coins held significant purchasing power when everyday items from candy to newspapers cost just a penny.

Originally composed of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc, the 1935 production saw 245 million coins from Philadelphia, 47 million from Denver, and 38 million from San Francisco, creating the mintage differences that affect values today.

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

 

Is Your 1935 Wheat Penny Rare?

Whether you have a common date or a rare variety, our CoinValueChecker App can provide instant assessment and current market valuations for your specific coin.

 

Key Features of The 1935 Wheat Penny

We’ll now look at the features of the 1936 wheat penny. Whether you are a new collector or a veteran, knowing your coin’s attributes will help you know what to look for when grading your 1935 wheat pennies.

The Obverse Of The 1935 Wheat Penny

The obverse of the 1935 wheat penny features Abraham Lincoln’s right-facing portrait picture in which we see him adorned in a suit and a bow tie.

The words IN GOD WE TRUST appear at the top above the president’s head, making a bold statement. You will also see the word LIBERTY on the left side and the year date, 1935, on the right.

The Reverse Of The 1935 Wheat Penny

The reverse of the 1935 Lincoln wheat penny is as simple as the obverse. Here, two wheat ears appear on either side of the penny, giving this coin its distinctive name.

The motto, E PLURIBUS UNUM, is shown at the top of the coin around the inner rim. At the coin’s center, nestled between the two wheat stalks, you will see the coin’s denomination, ONE CENT, underscored by the country’s name, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Other Features Of The 1935 Wheat Penny

The 1935 wheat penny measures 19.00 millimeters in diameter and is 3.11 grams heavy. It is made of 95% Copper and 5% Tin and Zinc and comes with a plain edge.

These coins were minted in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. The Denver and San Francisco wheat pennies bear mint marks D and S on the obverse below the year date. Those minted in Philly do not have a mint mark on the obverse or reverse.

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

 

1935 Wheat Penny Mintage & Survival Data

The 1935 wheat penny mintage figures reveal significant disparities across the three active mints. Philadelphia struck 245,388,000 coins, representing the overwhelming majority of that year’s total mintage.

Despite Philadelphia’s massive mintage, only approximately 12,500 examples survive in collectible condition today, yielding a survival rate of just 0.0051%. The Denver facility shows better preservation rates with roughly 6,400 specimens remaining. 

San Francisco pennies demonstrate the most interesting survival pattern – though 38.7 million were originally minted, merely 4,200 coins persist in collectible grades, creating a 0.0109% survival rate.

The dramatic difference between original mintage and current availability explains why certain varieties command higher premiums. Additionally, these preservation statistics become crucial factors in understanding collector preferences and market dynamics within Depression-era wheat penny categories.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1935 Wheat Penny Value

Knowing the value of a 1935 penny is easier when you focus on condition and detail. Key areas for grading include Lincoln’s hair, jawline, and the wheat stalks on the reverse. Coins range from Good (G-4), with heavy wear and flattened features, to Extremely Fine (EF-40), where most original details remain. Certain 1935-D and 1935-S pennies often have weaker strikes, affecting their grade.

For a quick and accurate check, the CoinValueChecker App identifies value and potential errors in seconds.

 

1935 Wheat Penny Value Guides

The 1935 Lincoln wheat penny was minted at three different facilities, each producing distinct varieties identifiable by their mint marks located on the obverse below the date.

Despite being nearly 90 years old, these coins remain relatively common in circulated conditions, though uncirculated examples command significant premiums based on their mint of origin. Understanding these varieties becomes essential for collectors seeking to build comprehensive sets or identify potentially valuable specimens.

1935 Wheat Penny Varieties:

• 1935 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia) – highest production volume
• 1935-D (Denver) – moderate scarcity
• 1935-S (San Francisco) – lowest production making it most desirable

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

 

1935 No Mint Mark Wheat Penny Value

In 1935, the Philadelphia Mint struck over 245 million pennies as relief programs poured more than a million dollars monthly to 105,000 families. With businesses struggling and workers organizing at major employers, this surge of small change became vital to a cash-driven economy.

What distinguishes the 1935 Philadelphia penny is its superior strike quality – by the mid-1930s, minting techniques had evolved beyond earlier soft strike issues, producing coins with exceptional detail clarity.

Despite the enormous mintage making circulated examples widely available for around 20 cents, pristine uncirculated specimens command significant premiums, with the record-holding MS68+ Red example selling for $84,000.

Auction records show sustained collector interest in these Depression-era artifacts.

The accompanying market activity chart validates this variety’s enduring appeal among numismatists.

 

1935-D Wheat Penny Value

The Denver Mint struck 47,000,000 pennies in 1935, creating a moderate mintage that places this variety between Philadelphia’s massive production and San Francisco’s limited output. This middle-tier scarcity appeals to collectors seeking affordable yet desirable Depression-era specimens.

Many 1935-D wheat pennies exhibit weaker strikes due to the mint using old working dies during production, making well-struck examples particularly valuable for discerning collectors who prioritize sharp details and full design elements.

Auction records show the brown (BN) variety achieved $4,320 in MS67+ condition in 2025, while the red-brown (RB) variety reached $138 in MS66 condition in 2014.

The documented auction performance demonstrates common collector interest across all preservation levels.

To better understand how collector interest has shifted, the following chart illustrates the monthly market activity for the 1935-D wheat penny over the past year.

 

1935-S Wheat Penny Value

The 1928-S wheat penny represents the lowest mintage variety of the 1928 Lincoln cent series, with only 17.3 million coins struck at the San Francisco Mint.

This variety is considered more challenging to find in higher grades compared to Philadelphia issues, though it receives less attention than some other wheat penny varieties.

Most 1928-S pennies encountered today are found in well-worn condition, typically worth between 75 cents and $2 in circulated grades. The combination of lower original production numbers and typical circulation wear makes quality examples particularly sought after by collectors completing date and mintmark sets.

Auction records tell the story of how collectors pursue this variety across different grade levels.

For collectors and investors alike, the chart below highlights how demand for this penny has played out in the market over the last twelve months.

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

 

Rare 1935 Wheat Penny Error List

Depression-era minting conditions created unique opportunities for valuable errors that collectors actively seek today. Among these varieties, the doubled die obverse (DDO) errors stand out as particularly significant and valuable specimens from this challenging period.

1935 DDO FS-101 Errors

During the 1930s, less automated machinery increased the potential for doubled dies to occur when the hub impressed designs on dies at two slightly different angles, creating doubled images that transferred to every coin struck by that die.

The 1935 doubled die penny shows inscriptions and Lincoln’s eye noticeably duplicated on Philadelphia cents. The doubling appears as a shadow or secondary image offset from the primary design elements rather than simple mechanical damage.

Proper authentication requires magnification to distinguish genuine varieties from mechanical damage. Authentic 1935 DDO varieties display complete, raised secondary impressions rather than flat shelving that characterizes post-mint damage.

Similar doubled die error coins range in value from $50 to $100 or more, though few appear in the marketplace and remain relatively unknown to casual collectors.

The rarity and Depression-era origins of 1935 DDO errors position these varieties as solid long-term holdings for error coin collectors, combining both numismatic and historical value that continues to attract serious collectors seeking authenticated specimens from this pivotal American period.

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

 

Where To Sell Your 1935 Wheat Penny?

Remember that proper documentation, accurate grading assessment, and timing your sale during periods of high collector interest can significantly impact the final price you receive for your 1935 wheat penny.

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

 

1935 Wheat Penny Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About The 1935 Wheat Penny

1. What makes a 1935 wheat penny valuable?

A 1935 wheat penny in circulated condition is generally worth its face value. However, it might be very valuable if you find an uncirculated, full red gem. Such unscathed specimens are not impossible to find, but they are extremely rare and will likely fetch a lot. So, full luster and a red patina can make a 1935 wheat penny valuable.

2. Are 1935 pennies rare?

No. 1935 wheat pennies are abundant on the rarity scale. The mints at Philadelphia, Denver, and Francisco produced more than 300 million wheat pennies in 1935. These coins are not rare and can still be found in circulation. That said, specimens graded MS68 can be extremely hard to find, making these examples quite valuable.

3. What were pennies made of in 1935?

Wheat pennies were largely made of copper (95%) and a combination of tin and zinc (5%). Contrary to some collectors’ opinions, smelting copper coins for their bullion value is not as profitable given the relatively low and unstable price of copper metal.