1930 Wheat Penny

Notes:

Errors

Included below are the most common errors that you will find for the 1930 copper cent, along with a range of sales prices they have fetched over last decade or so.

1930 D/D Error $20-$800

The 1930 D/D d over d error, also called a repunch. Has historically sold for between $20 and $800, with higher end specimens as recently as November 2023 in MS64 Red selling for $1080.

1930 S/S Error $80-$2000

1930 S/S error has sold for as little as $80 in MS64 RB (low mint state, and worst color combo), and as much as $7,000 in MS67 Red (high mint state, and most coveted color.

Off Center Error $80-$800+

When the die strikes the planchet off center an off center error occurs, there is always a percentage attached to the error. Examples include 10% off center, all the way up to 90% off center.

In terms of how much these errors are worth there are 4 factors to consider. 1.) coin grade, 2.) percentage off center, 3.) minted location, 4.) color of coin.

So a 10% off center, denver minted, AU, BN (brown) penny might be worth just $80. On the other end of the spectrum a 50% off center, San Francisco minted RD in MS66 might be worth $1000 and possibly more.

1930 Penny Lamination Error

This error seems to be abundant for this year and because of this doesnt seem to sell for more than about $35 on average although individual sales may vary.

Key Facts to Remember

(Click to Enlarge Image)

Most 1930 Lincoln Cents from either P, D, or S mints are worth relatively the same. Previous years show major fluctuations in price between the mint locations. As always the Red (RD) flavors of this coin are worth the most.

Copper Penny Color Guide

As with other pennies RD is worth more than RB, and RB is worth more than BN

Price Chart

Rates listed here refer to professionally graded and slabbed coins. If new to collecting the prices below might not make sense.

Chart below for this coin in RD (red).

• Grade VG8 = $1-$1
• Grade F12 = $1-$1
• Grade VF20 = $2-$3
• Grade EF40 = $2-$4
• Grade AU50 = $5-$8
• Grade AU53 = $5-$9
• Grade AU55 = $8-$13
• Grade AU58 = $9-$15
• Grade MS60 = $17-$23
• Grade MS61 = $17-$28
• Grade MS62 = $29-$48
• Grade MS63 = $38-$63
• Grade MS64 = $60-$100
• Grade MS65 = $65-$109
• Grade MS66 = $83-$138
• Grade MS67 = $394-$656

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Value ranges below are for this coin in RB color.

• Grade VG8 = $1-$1
• Grade F12 = $1-$1
• Grade VF20 = $2-$3
• Grade EF40 = $2-$3
• Grade AU50 = $2-$4
• Grade AU53 = $3-$5
• Grade AU55 = $5-$8
• Grade AU58 = $5-$9
• Grade MS60 = $9-$13
• Grade MS61 = $9-$15
• Grade MS62 = $15-$25
• Grade MS63 = $23-$38
• Grade MS64 = $34-$56
• Grade MS65 = $40-$66
• Grade MS66 = $135-$225
• Grade MS67 = $263-$438

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Is the list above a little overwhelming? If so, take 5 minutes to learn all about Coin Grading.

It's also important to note...Prices are subject to the same supply and demand laws as everything else. Coins sold at the same auction house 10x, would fetch drastically different bids each session. To raise your chances of receiving top dollar read How to Get the Most for your Coins.

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How much is a 1930 Wheat Penny worth?

In Average Circulated (AC) condition it's worth around $1.50, one in certified mint state (MS+) condition could bring as much as $80 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 1930, 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.

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.