1916 Wheat Penny

Last updated: September, 18 2024
× Enlarged Image

CoinTrackers.com estimates the value of a 1916 Wheat Penny in average condition to be worth $3.00, while one in mint state could be valued around $285.00.


1916 Wheat Penny
Download the PDF
Add to Favorites


  • Year: 1916
  • Mint Mark: No mint mark
  • Type: Wheat Penny
  • Price: $3.00-$285.00+
  • Face Value: 0.01 USD
  • Produced: 131,833,000
  • Edge: Smooth






Notes: 1 thousand proofs issued here in 1916 and they are worth around $1300 each!

The 1916 penny is part of the Lincoln cent series, which began in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. The penny features a portrait of Lincoln on the obverse (front) and two wheat ears on the reverse (back).


Copper Penny Color Guide

Copper Penny Color Guide

Dimensions

  • Diameter: 19.05 mm (0.75 inches)
  • Thickness: 1.55 mm (0.061 inches)
  • Weight: 3.11 grams (0.11 ounces)

Mintage Numbers (see graph below)

  • 1916 Philadelphia (no mint mark): 131,833,000 minted
  • 1916 D Denver (no mint mark): 35,956,000 minted
  • 1916-S San Francisco: 22,510,000 minted

Mintages

Production Chart






How much is a 1916 Wheat Penny worth?

In Average Circulated (AC) condition it's worth around $3.00, one in certified mint state (MS+) condition could bring as much as $285 at auction. This price does not reference any standard coin grading scale. So when we say Average Circulated, we mean in a similar condition to other coins circulated in 1916, and mint state meaning it is certified MS+ by one of the top coin grading companies. *** [?].


What are your coins really worth?

Use the handy-dandy calculator below to find the real value of any wheat penny in your collection.


how much is your penny worth


Specs & Design

This coin has a total mass of 3.11 g, a diameter of 19.05 mm, and a thickness of 1.55 mm. It's edge is smooth, and the coins are composed of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc..


Designer: Victor D. Brenner


Front (Obverse): The front or obverse of this coin contains the bust of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States. If a mint mark is present it will be on the bottom right just under the year. If no mint mark is present the coin was minted in Philadelphia. With D standing for Denver, and S standing for San Francisco. The words IN GOD WE TRUST follow the top arch of the coin nicely framing Lincolns head, and the word LIBERTY sits just left of President Lincolns Colar.


Back (Reverse): The reverse of the Wheat Penny, also known as the Wheat Cent contains two wheat stalks, the words One Cent, and the Latin phrase E PLURIBUS UNUM which means Out of many, one. The reverse image would later change in 1959.


Most Valuable

The most valuable Wheat Penny's. Prices listed are for MS-65 certified. Visit the link to learn more about each coin.

Image Year Mint Worth
Wheat Penny Image 1924 S $12k
Wheat Penny Image 1922 D $6k
Wheat Penny Image 1914 D $5.6k
Wheat Penny Image 1914 S $3.2k
Wheat Penny Image 1913 S $2k
Wheat Penny Image 1918 S $2k
Wheat Penny Image 1924 D $2k
Wheat Penny Image 1925 S $1.8k
Wheat Penny Image 1912 S $1.5k
Wheat Penny Image 1913 D $1.5k
Register Free to see more.
Image Name Mint Worth

Want more? Click here to see the most valuable coins ever minted.

***Price subject to standard supply and demand laws, dealer premiums, and other market variations. Prices represent past values fetched at online auctions, estate sales, certified coins being sold by dealers, and user submitted values. While we wholeheartedly try to give honest price estimates there are many factors besides appearance, metal content, and rarity that help make up the coins overall value. Call or visit your local coin dealer for more information.

[Top]