1951 Penny Value – The Lincoln penny has been in circulation for almost 200 years and continues to be manufactured today. Older versions of the penny, such as the 1951 Lincoln Penny, are highly sought after by collectors of all types, despite the fact that current versions do not excite too many people. Something that demonstrates the reason why now is as good a time as ever to get your hands on one of these coins is their increasing scarcity.
The portrait of none other than Abraham Lincoln dominates the central portion of the Lincoln penny’s obverse. A raised inscription reading “Liberty” will immediately to the left of the President’s picture be minted in 1951. An inscription reading “In God We Trust” arches overtop of the obverse.
The reverse of the coin has two raised inscriptions rather than an image in the center. The first inscription identifies the United States of America, and the second indicates that the coin has a face value of one cent. The penny got its “Wheat Penny” moniker from two single wheat stalks running along the left and right outer edges.
The Latin phrase “E Pluribus Unum” is finally arched overtop of the reverse.
The 1951 wheat penny, as well as the 1951 D and S wheat pennies, were produced by the United States Mint. On the obverse side of the coin beneath the date, a mint mark may be seen if present.
What Is The 1951 Lincoln Wheat Penny?
The 1951 penny, one of the one-cent coins created by sculptor Victor Benner in 1909, is part of the Lincoln wheat penny series. After its official release in 1951, the 1951 Lincoln wheat penny was available for circulation.
Because they feature two wheat stalks on the reverse face, they’re sometimes referred to as “wheat pennies.”
History Of The 1951 Wheat Penny
When then-President Theodore Roosevelt expressed concern that the coins in use lacked artistic appeal in the early 1900s, the Lincoln wheat series was born. There was no existing congressional prohibition on novel coin designs at the time. As a consequence, the quarter, half, double, and eagle gold coins were redesigned by a private sculptor hired by the US mint through the treasury.
The cent coins suffered the same fate, and sculptor Victor Brenner was given the chance to create the Lincoln wheat cents. His designs were authorized for public distribution after a successful design by the treasury.
The United States faced a cash shortage in the mid-1930s as a result of massive financial investment in the First World War. As a result, the nation needed greater financial resources to support its rising population.
The increase in the number of Lincoln pennies produced as a result of the cash crunch was dramatic. As a result, in 1951, the record 1.05 billion wheat pennies known as the 1951 Lincoln Wheat Penny were produced by all US mints.
How to Identify Of 1951 Penny Value
In 1951, the 10th highest amount of wheat pennies were produced (1,055,941,000). The San Francisco mint, which has a long history of striking the fewest, continued its trend. The “S” mint cents have a little more premium due to their date and mintmark.
1951 Lincoln Penny No Mint Mark
This variation is abundant on the rarity scale due to regular mint output from Philadelphia. A 1951 penny in average condition has been in circulation for a few years. Wheat series collectibles are in high demand because of their popularity and the fact that they may be collected from every date and mint combination.
Collectors favor higher-quality coins, and the value of their collections follows. Consider a high profile in Lincoln’s picture and depth of lettering on the reverse when inspecting both sides of your coin.
A bold ONE CENT is preferable, and there should be a lot of detail showing Lincoln’s coat and lapel being separated.
- Year: 1951
- Mint Mark: No mint mark
- Type: Wheat Penny
- Price: 15 cents-$18.00
- Face Value: 0.01 USD
- Produced: 284,576,000
- Silver Content: 0%
1951-S Lincoln Penny
A special quality is required to set a coin apart in value, and 136,010,000 is produced to contribute to abundant supplies. The overall look of Lincoln has the potential to be examined carefully and noted for well-defined characteristics.
The faces of both Lincoln and his wife are filled with significant and minor detail. A higher-condition penny has a fully detached bow tie that displays all edges and a defined knot.
- Year: 1951
- Mint Mark: S
- Type: Wheat Penny
- Price: 15 cents-$4.00
- Face Value: 0.01 USD
- Produced: 136,010,000
- Silver Content: 0%
1951-D Lincoln Penny
More Lincoln pennies are produced each year at the Denver mint than at other mints. On the rarity scale, these are considered Abundant because of large supplies and surviving numbers.
Collectors should look for eye-pleasing examples when they have a plethora of choices.
If just worn and crisp in the definition, a circulated 1951-D penny is above average. A bright original reddish copper coloring and minimal contact marks are desired in a mint state example.
- Year: 1951
- Mint Mark: D
- Type: Wheat Penny
- Price: 15 cents-$10.00
- Face Value: 0.01 USD
- Produced: 625,355,000
- Silver Content: 0%
Determine The Value Of The 1951 Lincoln Wheat Penny
The condition of a coin adds to its value. Devices, legends, and fields are all looked at to make sure they’re in good shape. The profile of Lincoln’s picture is high, and it is starting to fade. Wear stages are identified, as well as a grade.
Handle the coin with care, avoiding contact with the surface at all costs. Most elements react with copper. To maintain the coin’s future condition, a few measures are required.
– Uncirculated Grade: Mint state coins are a cornerstone of a wheat penny collection, and they are uncirculated. These coins are as fresh as they get from the mint. Many 1950s examples still retain their original hue and are extremely bright. Recognizing that the surface is not worn and the original texture is intact is critical.
Lincoln’s cheek and jaw serve as a focal point for both receiving wear and high profile. There must be no smoothing of the surface in these two regions. The cheek and jaw, however, are commonly covered in marks and abrasions from other coins, which is not considered wear.
The mint state 1951 penny image still has a bright luster. The high regions are also covered by luster. A nice texture reveals an unworked surface when you tilt the coin to the light at an angle.
– Colors of Mint State Grade Wheat Penny: Viewing the line of pennies reveals the various hues and toning a mint state penny develops, as well as the gradation of Mint State Grade Wheat Penny. The depth of toning is determined by time and degree of protection. Toning does not imply wear-metal removal.
The 1951 cent has a brilliant luster and has only had limited toning. At the highest points of the second example, moderate toning is starting to develop. On the far-right coin, the mostly brown color is shown. Lincoln’s jawline and cheek are free of wear, as can be seen in all examples.
Uncirculated cents come in a variety of tints and are found in Mint State. Eye appeal, in terms of color and level of toning, is highly important to collectors. Toning adds or detracts from the brilliance of a gem’s luster. The even distribution of colors on the center coin is noteworthy. The value of an uncirculated wheat cent-toned brown is usually lower.
– Very Fine: The 1951 penny’s highest quality has discernible scratches and wears on both sides. In the president’s picture, both his cheeks and jawbone seem exhausted. This kind of coin sells for roughly $0.05 in cash.
– Circulated Pennies Worn Below the Extremely Fine Grade: Beginning in the mid-1940s and concluding with the wheat series in 1958, circulated pennies worn below extreme fine grade are considered typical circulated quality. They are plentiful, and they serve as the basis for all wheat cents.
The flat and level surface currently visible near the jaw and cheek is a good indication of moderate wear. These regions were formerly smooth and high relief. This confirms an average-quality coin since Lincoln’s temple region has been flattened and linked with his hair.
Distracting marks and dark, uneven colors are two more base value cents that separate them. It’s preferable to have a warm brown surface with few marks.
1951 Penny Error List: Collectible Error
If your 1951 wheat cent series appears to be different from others of the same quality and type, it may be an error coin. Missing dates, visible lamination breaks, and double strikes are among the errors.
On the 1951 Lincoln Penny Mistake, here are some error coins:
- 1951 D pre-punched (pre-punched mintmark): valued at $3-5+
- 1951 D double die (Obverse): valued at $10-25+
- 1951 double die (Obverse): valued at $10-25+
- 1951 S (Over mint mark): valued at $15-30+
Extremely Fine Grade: After a coin is in use for a brief period, a little quantity of metal is eroded away, resulting in an extremely fine-grade wheat cent. The grade is indicated by light wear on the tops of design components.
The details of Lincoln’s face and jaw are still visible. They both remain strong. Flatness is restricted to just the uppermost areas, demonstrating a clear separation from the ear.
Collectors seek extremely high-grade wheat pennies, which are a great value collection. The mark-free surfaces in this example are particularly noteworthy. The coin has a clean appearance due to the absence of heavy nicks.
How Much Is A 1951 Wheat Penny Worth?
For newcomers to the hobby, this part is more of a layman’s FAQ. In the Typical Circulated (AC) state, it’s worth roughly 15 cents, while in the Certified Mint State (MS+) state, it might sell for $18 at auction. There is no standard coin grading scale referenced in this price.
In 1951, the average circulated coin was equivalent to other coins in circulation, and it was mint state certified by one of the top coin grading firms.
Are 1951 Pennies Worth Collecting?
Yes, definitely! Wheat cents from 1951 are especially valuable, as are old pennies. Old wheat penny sets spanning the years 1909 through 1958 are among the many hobbyists who add 1951 pennies to their Lincoln cent collections. A coin dealer can sell you 1951 pennies. You may, however, find a valuable 1951 wheat penny for face value if you look hard enough through pocket change or coin rolls.
FAQs
Is A 1952 Wheat Cent Rare?
Wheat pennies aren’t uncommon. In 1952, three mints produced a combined total of 1 billion wheat cents. The 1951S, with 136,010,000 specimens produced, was the lowest. Wheat pennies from San Francisco, on the other hand, are plentiful in circulation and do not rare.
How Much Is A 1951 Penny Worth Today?
The 1951 penny is one of the most well-known and enduring collectible items. Due to its metal content, historical significance, and rarity, this silver coin is worth a lot of money. A mint-condition 1951 penny, for example, might sell for up to $1,600!
It’s important to remember that each individual has their own unique value system, even if not everyone is interested in collecting coins like this. One individual may find something valuable, while another finds it worthless.
By doing some research online or contacting collectors who specialize in determining values for collector items like this, you can discover what your specific interests are and determine how much money you think an item is worth.
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
What Is The Record Price For The 1951 Penny?
In 2006, the highest price paid for a 1951 Lincoln cent was $10,500. The mint’s fresh luster shone through on the coin, which had a reddish-orange color. The Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) graded it as mint state MS 68.
How Much Is A 1951 Lincoln Proof Coin?
The United States Mint released proof pennies for the second time in 1951. Just around 57,000 of the 1951 coinage are known to exist. If the condition of a 1951 Lincoln-proof coin is perfect, it is worth $80.
Why Is A 1951 D Wheat Penny Valuable?
The Denver Mint produced almost 625 million wheat pennies in 1951-D. This is a huge mintage for Denver, and many circulated and uncirculated grades are readily available.
Summary:
The 1951 penny is worth a lot of money, both mint-condition and uncirculated. It is important to do some research to determine what your interests are and value an item accordingly.
Related:
1950 Penny Value
1953 Penny Value
1958 Penny Value
1949 Penny Value