Looking for a 1951 wheat penny...

1951 Wheat Penny Value + A List Of 1951 Penny Errors (Some 1951 Wheat Pennies Are Worth Over $10,000!)

by Joshua

Error Coins, Lincoln Cents, Pennies, Pocket Change, Rare Coins, Wheat Pennies

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Looking for a 1951 wheat penny...

Have a 1951 wheat penny and want to know how much it’s worth?

Old wheat pennies turn up in pocket change from time to time. They’re also found in coin jars, old coin collections, estates, and other places.

So, how can you tell whether you have a rare 1951 penny worth  thousands of dollars or a more ordinary worn 1951 penny worth only a few cents?

Here’s the rundown on 1951 wheat penny values, mintage numbers, and 1951 wheat penny errors that are quite valuable…

How Much Is A 1951 Penny Worth?

Most 1951 pennies that you’ll find in pocket change are worth a little more than face value. Worn 1951 wheat pennies are generally worth less than 25 cents.

However, uncirculated 1951 Lincoln cents and those struck as proofs are worth significantly more than face value.

Other rare and valuable 1951 pennies are those that contain errors and varieties, such as:

The record price for any 1951 penny was $10,350 paid in 2006 for a Mint State-67 “Red” specimen with original, freshly minted reddish-orange color.

How Many 1951 Pennies Were Made?

While you may not see many 1951 pennies in circulation today, nearly 1 billion were made.

Here are the different 1951 wheat penny issues, how many 1951 pennies were made, and what they’re worth in uncirculated and proof condition:

  • 1951 no mintmark penny (Philadelphia): 284,576,000 minted — 50+ cents
  • 1951-D penny (Denver): 625,355,000 minted — 40+ cents
  • 1951-S penny (San Francisco): 136,010,000 minted — 75+ cents
  • 1951 proof penny: 57,500 minted — $45+

IMPORTANT: What Is The Grade Of Your 1951 Penny?

To determine the true value of your 1951 wheat penny, you first need to know what condition (or grade) your coin is in.

Grab a coin magnifier and a copy of the U.S. Coin Grading Standards book. Then, watch this video to see how to grade coins yourself at home:


These are the best coin grading apps that make grading coins yourself much easier.

A List Of Rare 1951 Wheat Penny Errors… And Their Values

There are many 1951 pennies that were incorrectly struck. These are usually worth a significant premium.

Here are some of the 1951 wheat penny errors that collectors know about, and their approximate values:

  • 1951 doubled die obverse penny — $10 to $25+
  • 1951-D doubled die obverse penny — $10 to $25+
  • 1951-D repunched mintmark penny (D over D over D) — $3 to $5+
  • 1951-S, D over S overmintmark penny — $15 to $30+

While there are only a few 1951 wheat penny varieties and errors listed here, there are many more out there. Chances are, there are several other 1951 penny errors yet to be discovered by collectors.

Are 1951 Pennies Worth Collecting?

Absolutely! Old pennies are highly collectible, and 1951 wheat cents are no exception.

Many hobbyists add 1951 pennies to their Lincoln cent collections — such as old wheat penny sets spanning the years 1909 through 1958.

You can buy 1951 pennies from a coin dealer. However, with enough looking through pocket change or coin rolls, you may find a valuable 1951 wheat penny for face value… Yep, just one cent!

More Info About 1951 Pennies

In addition to the links I’ve included above, here are some of our other articles about wheat pennies, including the 1951 wheat penny:

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