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The 1913-S Wheat Penny is worth anywhere from $15 in heavily worn condition to over $1,500 in high-grade mint state. Finding this San Francisco minted cent in your pocket change or an old jar is an exciting discovery because it is considered a semi-key date in the Lincoln Wheat Cents series.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Value (USD) |
|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | $15 – $20 |
| Fine (F-12) | $30 – $45 |
| Extremely Fine (EF-40) | $75 – $110 |
| Uncirculated (MS-63) | $350 – $600 |
| High Grade (MS-65 RD) | $1,500 – $3,500+ |
Why the 1913-S Lincoln Wheat Penny Is So Special
The 1913-S Wheat Penny holds a special place in the hearts of coin collectors due to its relatively low mintage numbers compared to its Philadelphia counterparts. In 1913, the San Francisco Mint struck only 6,132,000 of these pennies. While that might sound like a large number, it is quite small when you consider that the Philadelphia Mint produced over 76 million pennies that same year. If you are unsure if your coin is the rare San Francisco version, using a top coin identifier app can help you confirm the mint mark instantly.
Because so few were made, and even fewer survived in good condition, the 1913-S is a “semi-key date.” This means it is a coin required for a complete set that is noticeably harder to find than common years. For everyday Americans, finding one of these means you are holding a piece of early 20th-century history that has appreciated significantly in value over the last century.
When you use the CoinKnow app, you can quickly see how the “S” mint mark under the date changes the value from a few cents to twenty dollars or more. The “S” signifies it was made at the San Francisco Mint, which historically produced fewer coins than the main mint in Philadelphia. This scarcity is the primary driver behind the 1913-S Wheat Penny value.
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Understanding the 1913-S Penny Grading and Condition
The value of your 1913-S Wheat Penny is heavily dependent on its “grade,” which describes how much wear and tear the coin has sustained. A penny that has been rattling around in a cash register for months will look very different from one that was tucked away in a piggy bank shortly after being minted. Collectors use a 70-point scale to determine quality, but for beginners, we can simplify this into four main categories.
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A “Good” condition coin will have a worn-down design, but the date and mint mark must still be readable. A “Fine” coin will show some of the lines in Lincoln’s hair and the wheat stalks on the back. Once you reach “Uncirculated” levels, you are looking at a coin that looks brand new, possibly with its original red copper glow. Tracking the current market prices for MS65 Red 1913-S pennies shows that top-tier quality can fetch thousands of dollars at auction.
Many people find it difficult to distinguish between “Very Fine” and “Extremely Fine.” This is where CoinKnow becomes an invaluable tool, providing high-resolution image comparisons so you can accurately assess your coin’s surface. Small details, like the clarity of the words “LIBERTY” or the depth of the wheat lines, can mean a difference of $50 or more in the final selling price.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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| Grade Designation | Visual Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Good (G) | Heavily worn; rims are flat; date is readable. |
| Fine (F) | Lincoln’s cheek is worn; Wheat stalks show some detail. |
| Extra Fine (EF) | Light wear on high points; sharp details in hair. |
| Mint State (MS) | No wear; original luster; looks freshly minted. |
The Impact of Color on 1913-S Penny Value
Copper coins are unique because they change color as they react with oxygen in the air. Professional graders at companies like PCGS or NGC categorize Lincoln Cents into three color groups: Brown (BN), Red-Brown (RB), and Red (RD). For a 1913-S penny, the color can drastically change the price tag, especially for high-grade specimens.
A “Brown” coin is one that has lost all its original mint luster and turned a chocolatey color. Most 1913-S pennies found today are Brown. “Red-Brown” coins still have some of that copper orange glow, usually between 5% and 95%. “Red” coins are the holy grail for collectors; they look exactly like they did when they left the San Francisco Mint in 1913.
A “Red” 1913-S is incredibly rare because copper oxidizes so easily over 110 years. You can find detailed 1913 wheat penny value and color charts online to see how much a “Red” vs. a “Brown” coin sells for. In most cases, a Red version of this coin can be worth five to ten times more than a Brown version of the same grade.
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Comparing the 1913-S to the 1913-P and 1913-D
It is important to know that there were three different mints producing pennies in 1913: Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S). While the 1913-S is generally the most valuable in circulated grades, the 1913-D is also a collector favorite. The Philadelphia mint produced the most coins, making it the most common and least valuable in average condition.
The San Francisco Mint (S) was known for producing coins with a “weaker” strike during this era, meaning some of the details might look blurry even if the coin isn’t worn. Collectors often look for “bold S” versions where the mint mark is very clear. If you find a 1913 penny with no letter under the date, it is likely worth only $1 to $5 in average condition.
Using the CoinKnow app allows you to toggle between these different mint locations to see the price variations. It helps you avoid the common mistake of thinking a standard 1913 Philadelphia penny is worth the “S” price. Always look closely under the date for that tiny “S” to ensure you are looking at the correct value table.
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| Mint Mark | Mintage | Avg. Value (Circulated) |
|---|---|---|
| 1913-P (None) | 76,532,352 | $1 – $5 |
| 1913-D (Denver) | 15,804,000 | $4 – $15 |
| 1913-S (San Fran) | 6,132,000 | $15 – $45 |
Where to Sell Your 1913-S Wheat Penny
Once you’ve identified your coin as a genuine 1913-S and estimated its grade, you might want to turn that piece of copper into cash. For a coin worth $20 to $50, local coin shops are often the easiest route. However, if your CoinKnow research suggests your coin is in “Extremely Fine” or “Mint State” condition, you should consider professional grading.
Selling on platforms like eBay can get you a higher price, but you have to deal with shipping and fees. For high-value coins worth over $500, major auction houses like Heritage Auctions or GreatCollections are the best choice. These venues attract serious collectors who are willing to pay a premium for a verified 1913-S Wheat Penny.
Never clean your coin before selling! Beginners often think a shiny coin is worth more, but cleaning a vintage penny with chemicals or cloths will actually destroy its numismatic value. A cleaned “Uncirculated” coin might sell for 70% less than a dirty, natural-looking one. Collectors value “original skin” or the natural patina a coin has developed over the decades.
FAQ
Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1913-S Wheat Penny?
A: The “S” mint mark is located on the “heads” side (obverse) of the coin, directly underneath the date. If there is no letter there, the coin was minted in Philadelphia.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
Q: Is a 1913-S Wheat Penny rare?
A: It is considered a “semi-key” date. While not as rare as the famous 1909-S VDB, it is much harder to find than most Lincoln pennies from the 1940s or 50s and is highly sought after by collectors.
Q: Should I get my 1913-S penny graded by PCGS or NGC?
A: Professional grading is recommended if the coin appears to be in “About Uncirculated” or “Mint State” condition. If the coin is heavily worn and worth less than $50, the cost of grading might exceed the value of the coin.
Q: How can I tell if my 1913-S is fake?
A: Counterfeiters sometimes “glue” an ‘S’ onto a regular 1913 penny. Use a magnifying glass to check for any seams around the mint mark. If the mint mark looks suspicious or the “S” is a different color than the rest of the coin, it may be an altered common date.