1950 Penny Value – The Lincoln penny is one of the most well-known coins in the United States, having been minted for almost 100 years. Collectors prefer the 1950 Lincoln penny. The coins are also valuable because of their scarcity, which is inherent to such an old currency. Second, the number of well-preserved pieces being lost is increasing, so collectors must acquire them as soon as possible.
The precise picture of Abraham Lincoln is seen in the center of the coin on its obverse. An inscription that says “Liberty” is placed to the left of the President’s picture, which is elevated off the surface of the coin. The obverse is topped by the phrase “In God We Trust.”
Two inscriptions may be seen in the center of the 1950 Lincoln on the reverse side. The “United States of America” inscription is one of the raised inscriptions, and it indicates the “One Cent” face value.
The coin got its “Wheat Penny” moniker from two single wheat stalks that curve around the left and right outer margins of the reverse. Finally, the phrase “E Pluribus Unum” hangs over the Latin text.
History Of The 1950 Wheat Penny Value
In 1950, pennies were struck in three different mints: San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Denver. Denver the most: 334,950,000. San Francisco struck 118,505,000 quarters, which was almost double the amount hit by this city. Philadelphia, on the other hand, produced 272,686,386 pennies.
The US Mint started switching around 1950, with the one producing the most Wheat Pennies being switched first. Prior to 1950, Philadelphia produced the majority of pennies, with Denver producing a smaller quantity.
Pennies were produced in Denver after 1950, but only a small amount was made in Philadelphia. The quantity of pennies produced at each site in 1950 reflects this change.
1950 Lincoln Wheat Penny: Types
1950 Lincoln Wheat Penny With No Mint Mark
The Lincoln penny, like the rest of the currency, entered its sixth and final period of production at the start of 1950. Only that year, more than 270 million coins were minted. As a result, these coins can be found all around, and it only comes down to how well-preserved and appealing they are to collectors.
After a seven-year hiatus, this is also the first time proof version coins have been seen.
Because of the high mintage of 1950 Lincoln pennies, they are typically quite easy to find and don’t cost much. As a result, you may locate and purchase certain of the circulated devices for around 10 cents each.
You may get a gorgeous and comprehensive Lincoln penny set with a high grade if you decide to spend $5 more.
A 1950-proof Lincoln penny, on the other hand, costs between $50 and $75. Since they have no value, it is vital to try to avoid damaged or stained units.
Just a few of the millions of 1950-proof Lincoln cents are in superb shape, and you’ll need to spend $100 for one. It’s always best to purchase the finest Lincoln penny you can afford, according to common advice. Over time, it will definitely pay off.
1950 D Lincoln Penny
Collectors prize 1950 D Lincoln pennies, which can be obtained with little effort. The Denver mint produced these coins, and this was a record-breaking year for the mint with 335 million coined coins produced.
The Philadelphia mint wasn’t the most productive in that year, marking the first time.
From the mint state to other circulated grades, you can currently buy a plethora of 1950 D Lincoln pennies on the market. As a result, each collector seeks out the finest possible item, and coin color may sometimes boost or decrease its worth.
1950 S Lincoln Penny
The San Francisco mint state is represented by the mint mark S below the production year etched on the coin. Collectors prefer uncirculated coins because they are rarer, whereas circulated coins are much more common.
Only 120 million Lincoln pennies were minted in 1950, which was less than usual for the San Francisco mint. As a result, 1950 S Lincoln pennies have retained their value and are still popular.
Coins with little damage and signs of wear are the most common types collected. According to the general belief, a coin with clear markings on its surface is the optimum selection.
1950 Lincoln Wheat Penny Value: Grading
The state of a coin is defined by its grade. The amount of wear is assessed and compared to the grade standard for each particular characteristic. Surface quality is assessed in key areas.
When judging a wheat cent for condition, the photographs below can be used to illustrate these differences. A copper coin’s eye appeal is important and collectible. Fine detail is often lost on overly dark surfaces.
– Uncirculated Grade: By the 1950s, an uncirculated – mint state-grade coin is the most common collector grade. These are placed in the plentiful category due to their large mintage numbers and low cost at the time. No wear to the surface is an important element in determining mint state conditions.
– Extremely Fine Grade: A wheat cent in Extremely Fine grade has moderate wear that is evenly distributed across the surface. The penny shown in 1950-D is still very crisp and bold. There isn’t much wear if any.
From Lincoln’s collar to the shoulder, a small degree of smoothing can be seen. The coat’s fabric is depicted by a lapel and creases that remain. Recognizing any wear, such as that seen on the coin’s rounded profile rising from the field, is vital to avoid “flatness” in a rounded coat.
The tones on an attractive collectible coin are soft and even across the surface. The absence of distracting marks and significant areas of discoloration set this coin apart. The series’ entry-level, pleasing, somewhat worn wheat cent, is a big hit. Separate these from the rest by placing them in a separate section.
– Average Circulated Condition: The series ended in 1958, but the practice of saving wheat cents from circulation continued. Several of the later saves are in poor to terrible condition. Much of the quantity available today is made up of these.
The flat regions across many features of the coin indicate moderate condition wheat cents. The surroundings have flattened Lincoln’s cheek, jaw, and hair. The coins shown have a worn appearance that is typical.
The wheat cent condition is average in both the series’ base value and condition. This category is dominated by dates from the 1950s and subsequent 1940s.
– Uncirculated Grade Wheat Penny: Copper color changes are a normal occurrence, and the Uncirculated Grade Wheat Penny has changed color. When a coin is exposed to air, this toning starts to develop. It doesn’t indicate wear in any way. The top surfaces of most objects are often lightly toned, giving them a subdued appearance.
The texture of luster “underneath” any toning is important to a mint state coin. The surface of a coin may be examined for wear indications using a magnifying glass and tilting it at a steep angle.
With luster, the 1950 wheat cent is absolutely brilliant. Starting to tone the edge is another example. A mint state coin with an almost complete soft brown toning is shown at the end. The values of these toned coins follow the same patterns as collectibles. A fully bright wheat cent is in the greatest demand.
How Much is a 1950 Wheat Penny Worth?
For those who are unfamiliar with collecting, this part is a little more in-depth. One in top condition (MS+) might sell for as much as $13 at auction if it’s in Average Circulated (AC) condition. There is no standard coin grading scale referenced in this price.
When we say Average Circulated, we’re talking about a coin in the same state as other coins from 1950, and mint state means it’s graded MS+ by one of the top coin grading firms.
1950 Proof Wheat Penny Value
In 1950, the Philadelphia Mint produced tens of thousands of unique proof 1950 pennies for coin collectors, while the US Mint produced hundreds of millions of pennies for use in circulation. Specially prepared dies strike-proof coins on polished coin blanks (called planchets). Their surfaces are usually mirror-like.
Coin collectors bought these rare 1950 pennies in proof sets. Most of the surviving 1950-proof pennies exist in coin collections, despite the fact that it is possible that a few were spent over time.
1950-proof pennies are usually worth $25 or more when they’re in good condition. $1,000 or more is worth exceptional 1950 cameo-proof pennies with deep-mirrored surfaces and frosted designs and lettering.
Circulated 1950 Wheat Penny Values
Depending on their condition, all 1950 pennies are worth different amounts. Knowing whether your 1950 penny is circulated or uncirculated is therefore crucial.
Your 1950 wheat penny will have some degree of wear if it was found in pocket change. As a result, it is regarded as being circulated.
Pocket change collectors may find it difficult to locate 1950 pennies, but they aren’t uncommon. There are millions of them around, even though we don’t see them in circulation very often because they’re stored away in coin collections.
Looking for More Information About Coins? Check Other Years From This Lincoln ( Wheat ) Penny Series:
1909 1910 1911 1912
1913 1914 1915 1916
1917 1918 1919 1920
1921 1922 1923 1924
1925 1926 1927 1928
1929 1930 1931 1932
1933 1934 1935 1936
1937 1938 1939 1940
1941 1942 1943 1944
1945 1946 1947 1948
1949 1950 1951 1952
1953 1954 1955 1956
1957 1958
Here is a summary of how many 1950 pennies were produced and how many circulated wheat pennies were in 1950, at each of the United States Mint facilities:
- 1950 penny with no mintmark (Philadelphia): 272,686,386 minted; Value: 3 to 15+ cents
- 1950-D penny (Denver): 334,950,000 minted; Value: 3 to 15+ cents
- 1950-S penny (San Francisco): 118,505,000 minted; Value: 5 to 25+ cents
In general, a 1950 Wheat Penny in certified mint state (MS+) might sell for as much as $13*, depending on the condition.
This coin’s value, in average condition, may be calculated to be roughly $0.15. Whenever it concerns value coins like the wheat penny, we always recommend that they be valued by a reputable coin dealer or service.
* There is no established coin grading scale mentioned in this estimate. Therefore, when we use the words “average” or “mint state,” we are referring to a coin that has been graded MS+ by one of the top coin grading firms in a comparable condition to other coins produced in 1950.
Related:
1958 Penny Value
1951 Penny Value
1943 Steel Penny Value 2021
1953 Penny Value