1950-S Wheat Penny

The 1950-S Wheat Penny had a total mintage of over 118 million coins struck at the San Francisco Mint. This is a higher mintage where many coins went out into circulation. It is relatively easy to find circulated and uncirculated grades of the 1950-S Wheat Penny, but it appears that the coin can be more scarce in some of the highest Mint State grades. 

 

History of the 1950-S Wheat Penny

The 1950-S Wheat Penny is a beautiful coin that would make a great addition to any Lincoln Cent series collection. Cherrypicking is advised to ensure a sharp strike and attractive surfaces. 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.

 

1950-S Wheat Penny Worth

The 1950-S Wheat Penny value ranges from a few cents to a few hundred dollars to upwards of ten thousand dollars depending on the grade and the coloring of the coin. The Wheat Penny comes in colors ranging from brown to brown-red to red, with the full red versions typically commanding higher prices than the other colors under most circumstances. 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: 1950-S Wheat Penny

Wheat Penny Mint Mark: San Francisco

Total mintage: 118,505,000

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