1939 Lincoln Wheat Cent (Penny): History, Varieties, and Collector Guide

Lincoln Wheat Cent Series

1939 Lincoln Wheat Cent

History, varieties, and collector guide

1939 overview

The 1939 Lincoln cent is a pre‑World War II issue from all three mints, Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. Philadelphia struck the bulk of the coins, over 316 million pieces, while Denver produced about 15,160,000 and San Francisco 52,070,000, giving the year a classic P‑D‑S spread with two “better” branch‑mint mintages.

In circulation grades 1939 cents are readily available, but high‑grade red Mint State examples, especially from Denver and San Francisco, become much scarcer and show strong price separation from common brown pieces. A modest proof mintage from Philadelphia and a healthy handful of RPM varieties add depth for more advanced collectors.

Design and specifications

The 1939 cents continue Victor D. Brenner’s Lincoln obverse and Wheat reverse, the same basic design used on all Wheat cents.

Key specifications (all 1939 cents),

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

Obverse design,

  • Right‑facing bust of Abraham Lincoln
  • “IN GOD WE TRUST” above, “LIBERTY” to the left, date “1939” to the right
  • Mintmark “D” or “S” under the date on branch‑mint coins

Reverse design,

  • “ONE CENT” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” in the center
  • Two wheat ears along the rim
  • “E PLURIBUS UNUM” at the top

Strike quality is generally good, with many sharp Philadelphia coins, while some Denver and San Francisco pieces show minor softness at the wheat tips or lettering from die wear.

Mintage and basic value ranges

Approximate 1939 mintages,

  • 1939 (Philadelphia, no mintmark), 316,466,000
  • 1939‑D (Denver), 15,160,000
  • 1939‑S (San Francisco), 52,070,000
  • 1939 proof (Philadelphia), 13,520 pieces

Because of these numbers, 1939 Philadelphia cents are widely available, while the low 1939‑D mintage in particular gives that issue a bit of scarcity in higher grade.

Very general retail impressions for problem‑free coins,

  • 1939 (no mintmark)
    • Circulated, price guides show roughly 0.10 to about 0.75 dollars through XF.
    • About Uncirculated to MS‑60s, often a dollar or a few dollars.
    • Mint State red, MS‑65 red can run around a few tens of dollars, and MS‑67 red pieces are listed up to about 14,000 dollars in top population examples.
  • 1939‑D
    • Circulated, commonly about 0.20 to 0.75 dollars depending on grade.
    • Better circulated and lower Mint State, several dollars into the teens.
    • High‑grade red, MS‑65 red ranges roughly in the 30 to 150 dollar band, and MS‑67 red has been listed up to 10,500 dollars for the finest certified coins.
  • 1939‑S
    • Circulated, often about 0.15 to 0.75 dollars, with slightly higher pricing than the no‑mintmark in upper circulated grades.
    • Mint State red, MS‑65 red is commonly quoted from around 24 to 150 dollars, and MS‑67 red examples are listed around the 11,500 dollar level for the very best survivors.
  • 1939 proof (Philadelphia)
    • With only 13,520 struck, proofs are much scarcer than business strikes.
    • PR‑65 coins often fall around the low hundreds, while PR‑67 and cameo‑designated proofs can reach into the thousands, with some price charts listing PR‑67 up to roughly 6,900 dollars.

Specific realized prices depend heavily on color, surfaces, and certification, so these bands should be read as rough guides rather than firm quotes.

Varieties and errors

1939 does not have a single “headline” doubled‑die on the level of some earlier years, but it is attractive to variety collectors for its repunched mintmarks and scattered minor doubled dies.

Representative 1939 varieties and errors,

  • 1939‑D RPMs,
    • Variety Vista and Wexler listings include multiple 1939‑D RPMs, for example RPM‑001 and RPM‑002, where a D over D north or in other positions can be seen under magnification.
  • 1939‑S RPMs,
    • Similar references catalog S/S repunched mintmarks for 1939‑S, giving west‑coast specialists additional targets.
  • Minor doubled‑die obverse and reverse,
    • Some 1939 cents show subtle extra thickness or slight doubling in letters and digits, which can bring premiums when clearly visible and in higher grades.​
  • Off‑center and striking errors,
    • Off‑center strikes, broadstrikes, and struck‑through grease or debris are all known, with well‑centered, fully dated off‑centers commanding the largest premiums.​

Most minor RPMs and weak doubled dies add modest value, but dramatic RPMs, strong doubled dies, and major off‑center errors can be worth many multiples of a normal 1939 cent, especially in Mint State.

Collecting 1939 cents

As a three‑mint year with a popular proof issue, 1939 works well for collectors at every level, from budget album fillers to high‑end registry sets.

Collecting tips,

  • Start with a P‑D‑S circulation trio, VF–XF sets are affordable and show the subtle differences between the three mints.
  • When moving into Mint State, pay close attention to color, red‑brown coins often deliver excellent value and eye appeal compared with full red pieces.
  • Recognize the 1939‑D as a better branch‑mint issue, its 15.16‑million mintage is the ninth‑lowest Denver Wheat‑cent output and supports premiums in higher grades.
  • For 1939‑S, look for clean surfaces and strong strike, high‑grade red pieces are condition rarities and can compete seriously in registry rankings.
  • Consider adding a certified 1939 proof if your budget allows, even mid‑grade proofs give an attractive contrast to business strikes and represent the low proof mintages of the late 1930s.

A nice year‑set layout for your site could show a circulated P‑D‑S row, a high‑grade red example, a proof slot, and one close‑up RPM or other variety as the “cherry‑pick of the year”.

6 fun facts about 1939 cents

  1. Philadelphia’s 316,466,000‑coin output makes 1939 one of the heavier‑mintage late‑Wheat years, yet the best red survivors are still highly prized condition rarities.
  2. The 1939‑D mintage of 15,160,000 is the ninth‑lowest for a Denver Wheat cent, giving the date extra interest in better grades.
  3. San Francisco’s 52,070,000‑coin mintage for 1939‑S has produced at least one red MS‑67 example with a five‑figure price tag in market references.
  4. Only 13,520 proof 1939 cents were minted, and proof price guides list PR‑67 pieces up to about 6,900 dollars, underscoring how proof supply constrains value.
  5. Variety references list several 1939‑D RPMs, including D/D north and other directions, giving roll hunters specific diagnostics to chase.
  6. Because copper darkens over time, far more 1939 cents survive as brown than as original red, which is why color designations make such a big difference in 1939 pricing tables.

6 common FAQs about the 1939 Lincoln cent

  1. Are 1939 pennies rare?
    No, most 1939 Wheat cents are common in circulated grades, but high‑grade red business strikes, especially 1939‑D and 1939‑S, plus proofs, are much scarcer and can be quite valuable.
  2. Which 1939 issue is the most desirable?
    In top grades, 1939‑D and 1939‑S red pieces and 1939 proofs usually lead, with MS‑67 and PR‑67 coins appearing in price charts at several thousand dollars or more.
  3. How much is a typical 1939 penny worth?
    In circulated condition most 1939 cents sell for about 0.10 to under 1 dollar, while uncirculated red examples can range from tens to hundreds of dollars, and the finest known pieces reach into the thousands.
  4. What key varieties should I look for on 1939 cents?
    Collectors focus on 1939‑D and 1939‑S RPMs, plus minor doubled‑die obverse or reverse coins, which require a loupe and variety references to confirm.
  5. Did the Mint strike proof cents in 1939?
    Yes, Philadelphia made 13,520 proof cents in 1939, and certified proof examples, especially in PR‑65 and better, command strong premiums over business strikes.
  6. Do 1939 cents have any special metal content?
    No, they are standard bronze Wheat cents, 95% copper with 5% tin and zinc, weighing 3.11 grams and measuring 19 millimeters, the same as other pre‑1943 Lincoln cents.

3 quiz questions about 1939 Lincoln cents

  1. Approximately how many 1939‑D cents did the Denver Mint strike?
    A) 5,160,000
    B) 15,160,000
    C) 52,070,000
    D) 316,466,000
  2. How many proof 1939 cents were minted at Philadelphia?
    A) 1,352
    B) 13,520
    C) 31,652
    D) 316,520
  3. Which variety type is especially associated with 1939‑D cents?
    A) Overdate 1939 over 1938
    B) D/S mintmark
    C) D/D repunched mintmarks, including D/D north
    D) Wrong‑planchet silver strikes

1939 Lincoln Cent, Takeaway

1939 is a bridge year into the 1940s, easy to find in worn condition yet full of opportunity in its lower‑mintage 1939‑D, solid 1939‑S, scarce proofs, and a suite of RPM varieties that reward patient cherry‑picking. For your series it nicely shows how even a “common” late‑Wheat date can support everything from budget album slots to four‑ and five‑figure certified trophies when grade, color, and variety all come together.

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