1917-S Wheat Penny
The 1917-S Wheat Penny has a total mintage of just over 32.6 million from the San Francisco Mint. Even though the 1917-S Wheat Penny has a higher mintage than some of the previous years, it is still somewhat difficult to find in uncirculated grades, and sometimes even in circulated grades. This holds true for many of the Wheat Penny coins produced at the San Francisco Mint in the teens and twenties.
History of the 1917-S Wheat Penny
The 1917-S Wheat Penny is often considered a semi-key date due to being more difficult to find in circulated and uncirculated grades. If you come across this one, it is well worth the addition to any Wheat Penny series collection, adding value and beauty. The Wheat Penny was designed by Victor David Brenner. President Theodore Roosevelt wanted to prepare new coin designs that had more artistic merit. He chose Brenner based on a plaque he created with Lincoln’s profile. The Wheat Penny depicts a bust and profile of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse, with the S mint mark under the date. The reverse features two stalks of durum wheat.
1917-S Wheat Penny Worth
The 1917-S Wheat Penny value ranges to upwards of $8,000 for higher Mint State grades of the brown variety. The prices can reach as high as $31,000 or more for red varieties in higher grades, although the highest grades are very difficult to find and will most likely drive the prices up even higher if located. This is a valuable coin that is well worth the effort to find.
Type of coin: Penny
Year: 1917-S Wheat Penny
Wheat Penny Mint Mark: San Francisco
Total mintage: 32,620,000
Metal content: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Face value: 1 cent
Weight: 3.11 grams
Edge: Plain
Designer: Victor David Brenner
Diameter: 19.00 millimeters