Lincoln Wheat Cents · Great Depression Era

1917 Lincoln Wheat Cent

History, mintage, varieties, and collector value of the 1932 Lincoln Wheat cent

1917 Lincoln Wheat Cent — Quick Facts

Mints: Philadelphia (no mintmark), Denver (D), San Francisco (S)
Total mintage: ~196 million coins combined
Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc (bronze)
Weight: 3.11 grams
Diameter: 19.0 mm
Designer: Victor David Brenner
Notable notes: Heavy production during wartime demand
Collector focus: Eye appeal rather than scarcity

Why the 1917 Lincoln Wheat Cent Matters

The 1917 Lincoln Wheat Cent captures the moment when the United States moved from neutrality into full involvement in World War I, and the cent was produced in huge numbers to support an expanding wartime economy. Despite a large combined mintage, truly high-grade 1917 cents with strong luster and original red color are much tougher than raw numbers suggest. In circulated grades, 1917 is a very approachable date for collectors and coin roll hunters alike.

The result is a classic early Wheat cent: common and inexpensive in worn condition, but surprisingly elusive as a sharply struck, gem red Mint State coin.

Design and Specifications

No changes occurred to the Lincoln cent design in 1915. Victor David Brenner’s right-facing portrait of Abraham Lincoln and the familiar wheat-ears reverse continued unchanged, now six years into the series’ production.

By this point, the Lincoln Wheat cent had become a firmly established everyday coin in American commerce. The design details were well known to the public, and the Mint focused on production rather than experimentation or modification.

The V.D.B. initials remained absent from the reverse in 1915, as they would until their return on the obverse in 1918.

In addition to regular business strikes, matte proof cents were produced in very small quantities during this period. For 1915, surviving estimates suggest roughly 1,050 to 1,150 proof specimens, making them among the scarcer early Lincoln cent proofs and highly desirable to advanced collectors today.

Historical Context: America in 1917

In 1917, the United States formally entered World War I, declaring war on Germany in April. American factories, railroads, and shipyards shifted into high gear, and demand for small change increased as millions of workers were paid in cash and everyday commerce accelerated.

On the home front, Liberty Loan drives, rationing, and wartime propaganda became part of daily life. The Lincoln cent, already a familiar coin after eight years of circulation, quietly served as the workhorse of this expanding cash economy.

Mintages and Mint Marks

All three mints continued to produce Lincoln cents in 1917, with substantial output across the board.

Mint	Mint Mark	Mintage (approx.)	Relative Scarcity
Philadelphia	(none)	Tens of millions	Very common in lower grades
Denver	D	Tens of millions	Common, better in MS
San Francisco	S	Tens of millions	Common, better in MS

The mint mark, when present, appears just below the date on the obverse. For most collectors, the 1917-D and 1917-S are slightly tougher in attractive higher circulated and Mint State grades, but not true key dates.

Common Coins, Condition Rarities

1917 cents are plentiful in worn grades but become far scarcer when you start demanding sharp detail and strong eye appeal.

Why 1917 Cents Are Common

Large combined mintage across three mints.
Heavy circulation during and after the war.
No major contemporary hoarding like you see with later semi-keys.

Circulated examples are routine in dealer “wheat cent” boxes and multi-date lots, and 1917 shows up often in old collections and coin jars.

Why High-Grade 1917 Cents Are Rare

Bronze surfaces tone, spot, and corrode easily over time.
Many coins were struck from busy or worn dies, leaving softer details.
Very few rolls were set aside at the time, so gem red survivors are scarce.

Certified population reports show a steep drop-off above MS-65 Red, especially for the branch mints.

Major Variety: 1917 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)

Unlike 1916, the 1917 cent includes a major, widely recognized variety: the 1917 Doubled Die Obverse. This variety is one of the most popular error coins in the early Lincoln cent series.

Key diagnostics:

Strong doubling on the date, especially the 1, 9, and 7.
Clear doubling on LIBERTY and “IN GOD WE TRUST” on well-preserved examples.
In high grades, the doubling is bold and obvious even without magnification, while in mid-circulated grades you may see extra thickness rather than fully split serifs.

High-end certified pieces of the 1917 DDO have sold for five- and even six-figure prices in top Mint State red grades. Even well-circulated examples bring meaningful premiums over normal 1917 cents.

Other Varieties and Errors

Beyond the famous DDO, collectors also encounter:

Repunched mint marks (RPMs) on 1917-D and 1917-S cents.
Die cracks and minor die breaks, especially on heavily used dies.
Typical off-center strikes, lamination flaws, and other production errors that can add value depending on severity and eye appeal.

These secondary varieties appeal primarily to specialists and error collectors, but they make 1917 an engaging date to examine under magnification.

1917 Lincoln Wheat Cent Values

Here are approximate retail values for 1917 Lincoln cents:

1917 (no mint mark)

Good to Very Fine: modest premium over face value
Extremely Fine: noticeable but affordable premium
About Uncirculated: stronger demand from type and date set collectors
MS-60 to MS-63: moderate premiums, especially for brown/red-brown coins
MS-65 Red and finer: substantial premiums, conditionally scarce

1917-D

Good to Very Fine: slightly higher than Philadelphia
Extremely Fine to AU: popular with date-and-mint collectors
MS-60 to MS-63: solid premiums, better date in uncirculated
MS-65 Red: scarce and actively collected

1917-S

Good to Very Fine: modest but steady demand
Extremely Fine to AU: more difficult with strong detail
MS-60 to MS-63: premiums over common dates
MS-65 Red: condition rarity, especially attractive with good color

1917 Doubled Die Obverse

Lower circulated grades: significant premium over regular 1917 cents
Choice AU and low Mint State: strong collector demand
Gem red Mint State: trophy-level coins, with prices that can reach into the tens of thousands of dollars in top grades.

Market values vary. Certification, strike quality, and eye appeal all influence final pricing.

Market values change over time; current price guides and recent auction records are essential when evaluating better pieces.

Collecting Tips

For Type Collectors

Any problem-free circulated 1917 cent makes an excellent representative of a World War I–era Lincoln cent.
Prioritize originality, even color, and a clear date and legends.

For Date-and-Mint Collectors

All three mints are accessible in circulated grades, so building a 1917 set is very achievable.
In higher grades, focus on strong strikes and minimal spotting, especially for 1917-S.

For Condition and Variety Collectors

The 1917 DDO is the standout target and a centerpiece for an early Lincoln error set.
High-grade red 1917-D and 1917-S coins are condition rarities; buy certified examples from trusted grading services when possible.

Fun Facts About the 1917 Wheat Cent

Beyond dates and values, the 1917 Lincoln Wheat Cent has several interesting details that help explain its place in the early Wheat Cent series.

One of the First True Wartime Lincoln Cents

The 1917 Wheat Cent is among the earliest Lincoln cents struck during U.S. involvement in World War I, as the nation mobilized for wartime production.

Home to One of the Most Famous Wheat Cent Errors

The well-known 1917 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) is a “dream find” for roll hunters, dramatic, easily visible, and still occasionally discovered in old collections.

High Mintages Didn’t Guarantee High-Grade Survivors

Despite large production numbers, truly gem red 1917 cents from all mints remain surprisingly scarce compared to later high-mintage issues.

The 1917-D Is Tougher Than Its Numbers Suggest

Although not a key date, the 1917-D often proves harder to locate in high grades due to weaker strikes and heavy circulation.

A Popular Year for Error and Variety Collectors

Beyond the famous DDO, 1917 cents are known for assorted die cracks, minor doubling, and other collectible mint errors that add variety to the date.

A Bridge Between Early and Mid-Series Wheat Cents

The 1917 Wheat Cent sits at a transition point in the series, connecting the early, lower-mintage teens to the massive production runs of the late 1910s and 1920s.

FAQ — 1917 Lincoln Wheat Cent

Got a quick question about the 1917 Lincoln Wheat Cent? Here are the answers collectors ask most often.

Are 1917 wheat pennies worth anything?

Yes. Most circulated 1917 cents are worth more than face value, and high-grade or error varieties, especially the 1917 DDO, can be worth hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars.

How do I tell if I have the 1917 doubled die?

Look for strong, obvious doubling on the date, LIBERTY, and “IN GOD WE TRUST,” with extra thickness and split serifs visible on the numerals.

Which 1917 penny is most valuable?

In comparable condition, the 1917 Doubled Die Obverse is by far the most valuable, with top-graded red examples reaching very high auction prices.

Are 1917 pennies rare?

In lower grades they are plentiful, but well-struck, fully red Mint State coins and major varieties like the DDO are genuinely scarce and eagerly collected.

Are 1917 wheat pennies commonly counterfeited?

No, while the famous 1917 doubled die obverse is sometimes imitated, the date itself is not heavily counterfeited. Most issues encountered involve altered surfaces or misattributed doubling rather than outright fakes.

Does the 1917 doubled die affect all mint marks?

No, the well-known doubled die variety is associated with Philadelphia-minted cents only. Denver and San Francisco issues do not share this dramatic obverse doubling.

Still have more questions?

Drop your question in the comments.

Quiz: Test Your 1917 Lincoln Cent Knowledge

Why is the 1917 Lincoln cent considered historically significant?

Which famous error is associated with the 1917 Lincoln cent?

Which 1917 mint issue is typically tougher in high grade?

1917 Lincoln Wheat Cent — Takeaway

The 1917 Lincoln cent is a high-mintage wartime issue that favors collectors who prioritize aesthetics over rarity. While the date itself is common, well-struck coins with attractive color and minimal marks are far less so. It is an ideal year for collectors looking to upgrade quality without paying key-date premiums.

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