Lincoln Wheat Cent Series
1947 Lincoln Wheat Cent
History, varieties, and collector guide
1947 Overview
The 1947 Lincoln cent is an early post‑war bronze issue from all three mints, Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco, after the shell‑casing alloy years ended. Mintages are still high but lower than the wartime peaks, with about 190,555,000 from Philadelphia, 194,750,000 from Denver, and 99,000,000 from San Francisco.
In circulated grades these coins are common and inexpensive, yet the lower‑mintage 1947‑S and high‑grade red 1947‑D and 1947‑S pieces, plus multiple 1947‑D RPM varieties and occasional dramatic errors, add depth for specialists.
Design and specifications
After 1946, the Mint returned to standard bronze, but the design stayed the same Victor D. Brenner Lincoln obverse with Wheat reverse.
Key specifications (all 1947 cents),
- Composition, 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc (standard bronze).
- Weight, 3.11 grams.
- Diameter, 19 millimeters.
- Edge, plain.
- Designer, Victor D. Brenner.
- Mintmarks, none (Philadelphia), D (Denver), S (San Francisco).
- Right‑facing bust of Abraham Lincoln.
- “IN GOD WE TRUST” above, “LIBERTY” to the left, date “1947” to the right.
- Mintmark “D” or “S” under the date on branch‑mint issues.
- “ONE CENT” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” in the center.
- Wheat ears at left and right.
- “E PLURIBUS UNUM” across the top.
Strike quality is generally decent, with plenty of attractive Mint State coins surviving from all three mints.
Mintage and basic value ranges
Mintages for 1947 Wheat cents,
- 1947 (Philadelphia, no mintmark), 190,555,000.
- 1947‑D (Denver), 194,750,000.
- 1947‑S (San Francisco), 99,000,000.
These numbers make all three issues common in absolute terms, with 1947‑S the “better” branch‑mint by mintage and value in higher grades.
Approximate retail ranges from recent price tables (problem‑free coins),
- 1947 (no mintmark)
- Good to Fine, about 0.15 to 0.50 dollars.
- VF to AU, roughly 0.50 to 4 dollars.
- MS‑63 RB, about 8 to 15 dollars.
- MS‑65 RD, about 25 to 50 dollars.
- 1947‑D
- 1947‑S
Actual prices depend heavily on color (BN, RB, RD), surfaces, and whether the coin is a variety or error piece.
Varieties and errors
1947 is known for several 1947‑D repunched mintmarks and a wide mix of minor errors, which can raise values above normal price‑guide levels when well defined and in high grade.
Representative 1947 varieties and errors,
- 1947‑D RPMs,
- Variety Vista catalogs multiple RPMs, including D/D northeast (RPM‑001), D/D south (RPM‑002, RPM‑003, RPM‑004), and D/D/D rotated clockwise and counterclockwise (RPM‑005), each showing extra D impressions under magnification.
- Collectors pay premiums for clearly defined RPMs in Mint State, especially in red.
- Minor doubled‑die and die‑break varieties,
- Off‑center and striking errors,
Most RPMs and minor errors add modest value in circulated grades, but strong RPMs, doubled dies, large cuds, and choice off‑center strikes can be substantial finds in high Mint State.
Collecting 1947 cents
Because 1947 is common in most grades, it is a friendly date for beginners and a quiet hunting ground for RPM and condition specialists.
Collecting tips,
- Start with a simple P‑D‑S set, VF–XF 1947, 1947‑D, and 1947‑S are inexpensive and give a good snapshot of early post‑war Wheat cents.
- For Mint State, focus on color and surfaces, red‑brown coins often offer strong eye appeal at lower cost, while bright RD pieces with clean fields and strong luster deserve a premium.
- Treat 1947‑S as the “better” date, its 99‑million mintage and higher MS‑65 RD and MS‑67 RD price levels make it the standout of the trio.
- If you enjoy varieties, use the 1947‑D RPM listings as a checklist and inspect mintmarks closely, RPM‑001 through RPM‑008 and others give you specific targets to chase.
- Consider certification for 1947‑S coins that appear Gem red, as top‑graded MS‑67 RD examples have realized several thousand dollars at auction.
A strong 1947 write‑up on your site can show a P‑D‑S row, a short table of mintage and value ranges, an RPM callout for 1947‑D, and a highlight for a top‑end 1947‑S red coin.
6 fun facts about 1947 cents
- 1947 was the first full post‑war bronze cent year after the shell‑casing brass run ended in 1946, with the alloy returning to 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc.
- San Francisco’s 99‑million 1947‑S mintage is the lowest of the three mints that year, and high‑grade RD examples have sold for more than 5,000 dollars.
- Price tables for 1947‑S show a jump from about 2.44 dollars in MS‑60 to around 40–80 dollars in MS‑65 RD, illustrating how sharply value rises with grade and color.
- PCGS records for 1947‑D show the date as very common in MS‑66 RD, but far fewer coins in MS‑67 RD, so a single grade step can mean a sizable price jump.
- Variety lists show multiple 1947‑D RPMs, including D/D and D/D/D forms, giving roll hunters and magnifier‑users plenty to look for.
- Modern guides highlight that certain 1947 error cents, such as dramatic off‑center or strong doubled‑die coins, have sold for thousands of dollars, even though most 1947 pennies are worth only cents.
6 common FAQs about the 1947 Lincoln cent
- Are 1947 wheat pennies rare?
No, all three 1947 issues are common in circulated grades, though 1947‑S and high‑grade RD examples from any mint are scarcer and more valuable. - How much is a typical 1947 penny worth?
Many circulated 1947 cents bring about 0.15 to 0.50 dollars, while common Mint State pieces range from roughly 8 to 25 dollars, and MS‑65 RD coins can reach 25 to 80 dollars depending on mint. - Which 1947 cent is most desirable?
In top grades, 1947‑S usually leads, with MS‑65 and MS‑67 RD pieces commanding the highest prices, followed by particularly nice 1947‑D RD examples. - What varieties should I look for on 1947 pennies?
Collectors mainly chase 1947‑D RPMs (D/D and D/D/D types) and significant doubled‑die or die‑break errors, which can be worth from tens to thousands of dollars depending on grade. - Do 1947 pennies have any wartime metal content?
No, 1947 cents returned to standard bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc), unlike the shell‑casing brass used from 1944 to 1946. - Should I get my 1947 penny graded?
Grading makes sense mainly for high‑grade red 1947‑S or 1947‑D coins, or for dramatic errors and RPMs; common circulated pieces generally do not justify certification.
3 quiz questions about 1947 Lincoln cents
- Approximately how many 1947‑S cents did the San Francisco Mint strike?
A) 19,055,500
B) 99,000,000
C) 190,555,000
D) 194,750,000 - Which kind of variety is especially associated with 1947‑D cents?
A) Overdate 1947/46
B) D/S over‑mintmark
C) Multiple D/D and D/D/D repunched mintmarks
D) Wrong‑planchet steel strike - In MS‑65 RD, which 1947 issue generally commands the highest price ranges in current guides?
A) 1947 (no mintmark)
B) 1947‑D
C) 1947‑S
D) All three are identical
1947 Lincoln Cent, Takeaway
1947 is a reset year, marking the return to standard bronze after wartime alloys, with plenty of cheap, common coins for beginners but real upside in the lower‑mintage 1947‑S, high‑grade red pieces, and a cluster of 1947‑D RPM and error coins that reward close inspection. For your Lincoln series it bridges wartime production and the more stable late‑1940s issues, showing how even “ordinary” dates can hide meaningful variety and condition premiums.