1931-D Wheat Penny
The 1931-D Wheat Penny had a total mintage just over 4.4 million from the Denver Mint. This was a very small mintage, especially for the Denver Mint. Although it is considered one of the most difficult to find in Mint State out of the entire series, it’s still very affordable compared to others that are also scarce and rare in higher grades. The Denver Mint was notorious for a weak strike with the Wheat Penny, so cherrypicking is advised to ensure sharp details, a solid strike, and attractive surfaces.
History of the 1931-D Wheat Penny
The 1931-D Wheat Penny had a low mintage, yet is an affordable coin to add to your Wheat Penny series collection. Colors of the Wheat Penny can range from brown to brown-red to full red varieties. 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 D mint mark under the date. The reverse features two stalks of durum wheat.
1931-D Wheat Penny Worth
The 1931-D Wheat Penny value ranges from just under a thousand dollars to around ten thousand dollars for uncirculated Mint State coins in brown and reds. This is a difficult coin to find in higher grades, so collectors may have to lower their expectations for what kind of 1931-D Lincoln Cent they’d like to have in their collection.
Type of coin: Penny
Year: 1931-D Wheat Penny
Wheat Penny Mint Mark: Denver
Total mintage: 4,480,000
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