1952 Wheat Penny Coin Value: How Much Is It Worth?

Sculptor Victor Brenner designed the unique new cent with a person who really existed for the first time in US coinage history. The first pieces appeared in 1909, and their minting lasted until 1959. That year, the coin reverse was replaced with the Lincoln Memorial.

The year 1952 was one of those full of important historical events, making Lincoln pennies collectible. Even though the 1952 wheat penny value is insignificant except for rare excellently-preserved ones, they are desirable as a part of the set.

1952 wheat penny value Chart
Condition	1952 No Mint mark penny	1952 D penny	1952 S penny
Fine	$0.05	$0.05	$0.08
Very fine	$0.10	$0.10	$0.17
Extra fine	$0.18	$0.18	$0.20
AU	$0.40	$0.30	$0.40
MS 60	$1.15	$0.85	$2.30
MS 63	$3.30	$2.30	$4.50
PR 63	$55	/	/

 

1952 Wheat Penny Value Guides

Three mints produced four Lincoln penny types in 1952. The total mintage was high, and 1,070,786,984 coins were released in circulation.

1952 No Mint mark Wheat penny Value

The Philadelphia mint produced No Mint mark 1952 Lincoln wheat pennies in high mintage of 186,775,000 pieces. Consequently, these coins are cheap on the current market, but you can still get more money per piece than its face value.

1952 No Mint mark Wheat penny value
Condition	1952 BN penny	1952 RB penny	1952 RD penny
Good	$0.05 to $0.06	/	/
Very good	$0.05 to $0.06	/	/
Fine	$0.08 to $0.09	/	/
Very fine	$0.10 to $0.12	/	/
Extra fine	$0.12 to $0.15	/	/
AU	$0.18 to $0.25	/	/
MS 60	$0.25 to $0.30	/	/
MS 61	$0.25 to $0.30	/	/
MS 62	$0.35 to $0.40	/	/
MS 63	$0.55 to $0.65	$0.65 to $0.8	$2 to $2.50
MS 64	$1 to $1.20	$1.20 to $1.45	$4 to $5
MS 65	$2.50 to $3	$3 to $3.50	$17 to $20
MS 66	$8 to $9.50	$10 to $15	$75 to $125
MS 67	$35 to $45	$45 to $55	$1,000 to $1,600

Circulated coins’ price range is about $0.05 to $0.25, but brown pieces that have never spent a day in circulation can cost up to $45. On the other hand, those with reddish toning can be pricey in an MS 67 grade, with an average price of $1,000 to $1,600.

However, one of these pennies is a real gem. In 2007, one collector bought the red 1952 MS 67 penny at David Lawrence RC for $9,775. That makes this coin the most expensive piece from regular strikes produced in Philadelphia that year.

1952 proof Wheat penny Value

Most of the 81,980 minted 1952 Lincoln proofs cost $3 to $90 on the current coin market. However, red-toned ones with a PR 68 rating can be costly, with an average price of $625 to $720.

1952 proof Wheat penny value
Condition	1952 BN penny	1952 RB penny	1952 RD penny	1952 RD CAM penny	1952 RD DCAM penny
PR 60	$3 to $4	$5 to $6	$9 to $10	/	/
PR 61	$5 to $6	$8 to $10	$12 to $15	/	/
PR 62	$8 to $9.50	$11 to $13	$16 to $19	/	/
PR 63	$11 to $13	$15 to $18	$20 to $24	/	/
PR 64	$15 to $18	$18 to $22	$25 to $30	$50 to $65	/
PR 65	$19 to $22	$22 to $30	$31 to $40	$100 to $120	$1,000 to $1,200
PR 66	$25 to $30	$35 to $45	$50 to $60	$275 to $325	$1,750 to $2,015
PR 67	$35 to $40	$50 to $60	$75 to $90	$630 to $725	$3,000 to $3,450
PR 68	/	/	$625 to $720	$1,500 to $1,725	$50,000

On the other hand, red DCAM pennies often reach $1,000 to $3,450, while you need to set aside about $50,000 for an ultimately beautiful coin in a PR 68 grade. Believe it or not, one DCAM 1952 PR 68 penny was sold in 2021 for a fantastic $64,625. 

1952 D wheat penny Value

With a price of $0.03 to $0.07, Lincoln pennies struck in Denver in 1952 are considered pretty cheap. Thanks to a high mintage of 746,130,000 pieces, even those in the mint state are affordable. In most cases, you can get highly-graded specimens for $45 to $55, depending on toning.

1952 D Wheat penny value
Condition	1952 D BN penny	1952 D RB penny	1952 D RD penny
Good	$0.03	/	/
Very good	$0.03	/	/
Fine	$0.04	/	/
Very fine	$0.04	/	/
Extra fine	$0.05 to $0.06	/	/
AU	$0.06 to $0.07	/	/
MS 60	$0.10 to $0.12	/	/
MS 61	$0.12 to $0.14	/	/
MS 62	$0.15 to $0.18	/	/
MS 63	$0.25 to $0.30	$0.35 to $0.40	$0.55 to $0.65
MS 64	$0.40 to $0.48	$0.50 to $0.60	$1.25 to $1.50
MS 65	$1.50 to $1.80	$3 to $3.50	$8 to $10
MS 66	$8 to $9.50	$10 to $15	$27 to $32.50
MS 67	$35 to $45	$45 to $55	$175 to $210

Only red specimens can be more expensive and cost about $175 to $210 on the open market. One of the rare exceptions was a red penny sold at Heritage Auctions in 2016 for an unusually high $2,233 for this coin type.

1952 S wheat penny value

Most of the surviving 137,800,004 pennies with the S mint mark are only slightly more expensive than those minted in the other two mints. Depending on the condition, you can get a piece for $0.05 to $47. However, some well-preserved coins with desirable reddish toning often reach $120 to $145.

1952 S Wheat penny value
Condition	1952 S BN penny	1952 S RB penny	1952 S RD penny
Good	$0.05 to $0.06	/	/
Very good	$0.05 to $0.06	/	/
Fine	$0.07 to $0.08	/	/
Very fine	$0.10 to $0.12	/	/
Extra fine	$0.12 to $0.15	/	/
AU	$0.20 to $0.25	/	/
MS 60	$0.25 to $0.30	/	/
MS 61	$0.25 to $0.30	/	/
MS 62	$0.35 to $0.42	/	/
MS 63	$0.50 to $0.65	$0.65 to $1	$0.85 to $0.95
MS 64	$1 to $1.20	$1.20 to $1.45	$1.25 to $1.50
MS 65	$2.50 to $3	$3 to $3.50	$8 to $10
MS 66	$10 to $11.50	$12 to $17	$35 to $42
MS 67	$37 to $47	$47 to $57	$120 to $144

On the other hand, you can always find some extraordinary specimens worth more money. For instance, one collector purchased the red Wheat penny of unique beauty with an MS 67+ rating for $4,113 in 2014.

Related Posts: 16 Most Valuable Wheat Penny Errors

1952 Wheat Penny Errors

The 1952 Wheat penny mass production implies unavoidable minting errors. Unlike some years, coins with the date 1952 came with only one valuable die error produced in Denver.

The 1952 D Lincoln penny with D/S re-punched mint mark has a slight remnant of a letter S underneath the regular D mint mark typical for coins produced in Denver. However, you can also find off-center and doubled die pennies, but their prices rarely exceed $10.

History of the 1952 Wheat Penny

Some collectors consider coins minted in the 1950s, including Lincoln pennies, among the best pieces to initiate collections. In those times, Americans discovered that coinage could be an excellent investment strategy and an amusing hobby.

Lincoln (wheat) pennies appeared in 1909 to commemorate this President’s birthday. They lasted until 1959 when the US Mint decided to change the reverse for the same reason. However, that was not the only change made over time.

1952 Lincoln wheat penny
Location	Year	Minted
Philadelphia	No Mint mark 1952 penny	186,775,000
Philadelphia	1952 penny (proofs)	81,980
Denver	1952 D penny	746,130,000
San Francisco	1952 S penny	137,800,004
Total	/	1,070,786,984

During their long history, these pennies came in different sizes and compositions, depending on historical circumstances. The newest variation has not only one but four reverse options, taking the look of this famous coin to an entirely different level.

Related Posts: 19 Most Valuable Lincoln Memorial Penny Worth Money

how to identify 1952 Wheat Penny?

The Lincoln cent is one of the rare American coins without an image in the reverse center. In fact, Victor D. Brenner made the entire design look pretty reduced without excessive details and decorations.

The obverse of the 1952 wheat penny

The 1952 Lincoln penny obverse depicts the 16th American President in a center, based the design on a desk plaque Brenner had previously made for one company. It includes stunning details on the bust, the DATE, and two inscriptions.

The words IN GOD WE TRUST framed the image, while the LIBERTY is struck behind Lincoln’s back.

The reverse of the 1952 wheat penny

The simple reverse includes two wheat stalks framing the denomination and the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The motto E*PLURIBUS*UNUM is placed along the top edge.

1952 Wheat penny
Face value	One cent ($0.01)
Shape	Round
Compound	An alloy of copper with some percentage of zinc or tin
Coin diameter	19.05 mm (1.75 inches)
Coin weight	3.11 g (0.10970 ounces)
Coin thickness	1 mm (0.03938 inches)
Edge	Plain

Other features of the 1952 wheat penny

The 1952 Wheat penny has standard dimensions for this coin type, including a diameter of 19.05 mm (1.75 inches) and thickness of 1 mm (0.03938 inches). This copper coin has a plain edge and weighs 3.11 g (0.10970 ounces).

Related Posts: 19 Most Valuable Wheat Penny Worth Money

What makes a 1952 Wheat penny rare?

Pennies struck this particular year are abundant and pretty cheap coins on the current market. However, you can find pieces with a relatively rare D/S re-punched mint mark error that are worth some cash.

Which 1952 Wheat penny is most valuable?

• 1952 PR 68 DCAM Lincoln penny is worth $64,625 (Legend Rare Coin Auctions in 2021)
• 1952 PR 69 RD Lincoln penny is worth $11,250 (eBay in 2019)
• 1952 MS 67 RD Lincoln penny is worth $9,775 (David Lawrence RC in 2007)
• 1952 S MS 67+ RD Lincoln penny is worth $4,113 (Heritage Auctions in 2014)
• 1952 PR 67 CAM Lincoln penny is worth $3,680 (Bowers & Merena in 2007)
• 1952 MS 63 BN Lincoln penny is worth $2,760 (Heritage Auctions in 2006)
• 1952 D MS 67+ RD Lincoln penny is worth $2,233 (Heritage Auctions in 2016)
• 1952 PR 68 Lincoln penny is worth $1,900 (eBay in 2021)
• 1952 D MS 63 BN Lincoln penny is worth $1,380 (Heritage Auctions in 2007)
• 1952 MS 62 RB Lincoln penny is worth $1,006 (Heritage Auctions in 2002)
• 1952 D D/S MS 66 OMM RD Lincoln penny is worth $650 (eBay in 2019)
• 1952 S XF 40 BN Lincoln penny is worth $431 (Heritage Auctions in 2000)
• 1952 S MS 67 RB Lincoln penny is worth $395 (eBay in 2019)
• 1952 D MS 64 RB Lincoln penny is worth $150 (eBay in 2021)
• 1952 D D/S AU 58 OMM BN Lincoln penny is worth $130 (David Lawrence RC in 2022)
• 1952 D D/S MS 64 OMM RB Lincoln penny is worth $65 (eBay in 2022)

How much is the 1952 Lincoln cent (No Mint mark) worth on the coin market?

Lincoln pennies struck in Philadelphia in 1952 are considered modern and inexpensive coins. Most pieces cost only $0.05 to $0.25, but those in uncirculated condition can reach $45 to $1,600, depending on grade and toning.

What are the most valuable Lincoln cents?

The unique bronze Lincoln penny from Denver, produced in 1943, is the most expensive coin on the list. One collector set aside $840,000 to get it.

A similar specimen struck in San Francisco the same year was sold for $504,000 in 2020. Finally, the 1943 bronze Lincoln cent from Philadelphia was paid $372,000 at an auction in 2021.

The most pricey 1944 S Lincoln penny made of steel reached $408,000 at an auction, while the DDO error Lincoln cent from 1958 won the auction record after one collector bought it for $336,000 in 2018.