---

---

1935 overview

The 1935 Lincoln cent is a mid‑Depression issue struck at all three mints—Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco—with mintages back into the “hundreds of millions” range at Philadelphia. While not a key date, the branch‑mint coins (especially in higher grades) and a number of interesting errors and varieties give 1935 more depth than its common‑date reputation suggests.

For most collectors, 1935 is an easy year to fill in circulated grades and a moderate challenge in high‑grade red Mint State, particularly for the 1935‑S and some top‑end 1935‑D examples. It fits neatly into Depression‑era type sets as a representative “recovery period” cent with full three‑mint coverage.

---

Design and specifications

The 1935 Wheat cent continues Victor D. Brenner’s long‑running Lincoln obverse and Wheat reverse introduced in 1909.

Key specifications (all 1935 cents):

• Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc (bronze)
• Weight: 3.11 grams
• Diameter: 19.0 millimeters
• Edge: Plain
• Designer: Victor David Brenner
• Mintmarks: None (Philadelphia), D (Denver), S (San Francisco)

Strike quality ranges from average to good, with some 1935‑D and 1935‑S cents showing die wear or softness in the legends and wheat tips, while sharp Philadelphia strikes are relatively easy to locate.

---

Mintage and basic value ranges

Approximate mintages for 1935 Lincoln cents:

Because of these large outputs, 1935 cents are common in worn condition, but high‑end red Mint State and certain errors can be significantly more valuable.

Very general value impressions for typical, problem‑free coins (not precise price quotes):

• 1935 (no mintmark)
  • Circulated (Good–Fine): often worth between about 10 cents and a dollar depending on grade and market.
  • Extremely Fine–About Uncirculated: modest premiums over face, typically around a dollar or a few dollars.
  • Mint State: from roughly 10–50 dollars for attractive coins, with MS67 RD examples having reached the low five‑figure range in auction.
• 1935‑D
  • Circulated: commonly a bit more desirable than the no‑mintmark but still affordable, often about a dollar or less in low grades and several dollars in nicer circulated grades.
  • Mint State brown/red‑brown: steady collector demand; mid‑grade uncirculated often in the tens of dollars.
  • Mint State full red: high‑grade RD examples (MS66–67) are much scarcer; select coins have sold for several thousand dollars at auction.
• 1935‑S
  • Circulated: usually commands more than Philadelphia coins, with typical price guides starting in the fractional‑dollar range and climbing with grade.
  • Mint State: strong demand from date‑and‑mint collectors; MS67 RD examples have realized prices above 10,000 dollars at auction.

Actual realized prices vary with eye appeal, originality, and market timing, especially at the top end where a single standout specimen can set a record.​

---

Varieties and errors

1935 is a busy year for variety enthusiasts, with branch‑mint RPMs, minor doubled dies, and dramatic errors all reported.​

Representative 1935 varieties and errors:​

• Repunched mintmarks (RPMs):
  • Both 1935‑D and 1935‑S have known RPM varieties where the mintmark shows clear doubling or extra outlines under magnification.
• Doubled‑die obverse and reverse (minor):
  • Some coins show extra thickness or subtle separation in letters or digits; strong examples can bring substantial premiums in high grade.
• Off‑center strikes:
  • Off‑center 1935 cents with full dates and clear design elements are popular errors and can command values far above normal coins.
• Cuds and large die breaks:
  • Dramatic rim cuds or large internal die breaks, especially on the reverse, are highly collectible and often cataloged individually.
• Struck‑through errors:
  • Grease‑filled dies or foreign material on the die face can leave soft or missing details, appealing to error specialists.

While many minor varieties trade close to normal values, bold RPMs, doubled dies, and spectacular errors can be worth hundreds of dollars in the right grade.​

---

Collecting 1935 cents

Because all three mints struck cents in 1935, a simple P‑D‑S set is a natural project that can be built on almost any budget. The abundance of circulated coins makes it easy to fill album holes, while high‑grade and variety hunting offer deeper challenges.

Collecting tips:

• Start with a matched circulated trio:
  • VF–XF examples from all three mints make a good balance of affordability and eye appeal.
• For Mint State, focus on color and surfaces:
  • Look for original luster, minimal spots, and no obvious cleaning; red‑brown examples often offer the best value.
• Treat 1935‑S as the “quiet premium” coin:
  • Its lower mintage and strong West‑Coast demand make the S‑mint more desirable than the raw numbers sometimes suggest.
• Pay attention to die state:
  • Fresh‑die strikes (especially on 1935‑D) with crisp details and smooth fields stand out from weaker, late‑die coins.
• Consider grading for top‑end red examples:
  • Certified MS66–67 RD coins are the ones setting impressive auction records; grading makes sense once value is clearly above the cost of submission.

Many collectors also seek out a special variety or dramatic error to “headline” their 1935 page alongside a normal P‑D‑S run.​

---

6 fun facts about 1935 cents

---

6 common FAQs about the 1935 Lincoln cent

---

Quiz Time! Let’s Test Your 1935 Lincoln Cents Knowledge!

---

1935 Lincoln Cent – Takeaway

1935 is a workhorse Wheat cent year, common in pocket‑piece grades but surprisingly interesting once you factor in branch‑mint output, RPMs, doubled dies, and high‑end red Mint State coins that can bring four‑ and even five‑figure prices. For your album, it’s an easy P‑D‑S trio to complete; for advanced collectors and roll hunters, it’s a fertile year for chasing superb eye appeal and eye‑catching varieties hiding among the common copper.​

---

Continue Exploring Lincoln Wheat Cents..

1934 Lincoln Wheat Cents | 1936 Lincoln Wheat Cents

---