1949-S Wheat Penny

The 1949-S Wheat Penny had a total mintage of over 64 million coins from the San Francisco Mint. The San Francisco Mint typically had lower mintages than the Philadelphia and Denver Mint. This coin is possible to find in most circulated and uncirculated grades, and would make a great addition to any Lincoln Cent series collection. When searching for that ideal 1949-S Wheat Penny, look for one with a sharp strike and attractive surfaces. 

 

History of the 1949-S Wheat Penny

The 1949-S Wheat Penny is relatively available up to some of the higher Mint State grades, but can be more difficult to find in the highest grades. The Wheat Penny was designed by Victor David Brenner. At the time, 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.

 

1949-S Wheat Penny Worth

The 1949-S Wheat Penny value ranges from a few cents to less than one hundred dollars to upwards of around three thousand dollars for some of the highest grade coins available on the market. The Wheat Penny series comes in colors ranging from brown to brown-red to red, with the full red versions typically commanding a higher price than some of the other colors. The Wheat Penny series is an affordable series for those looking to build a circulated grade coin collection for only a few hundred dollars.

 

Type of coin: Penny

Year: 1949-S Wheat Penny

Wheat Penny Mint Mark: San Francisco

Total mintage: 64,290,000

Metal content: 95% Copper, 5% Zinc and Tin

Face value: 1 cent

Weight: 3.11 grams

Edge: Plain

Designer: Victor David Brenner

Diameter: 19.00 millimeters