1920-S Lincoln Wheat Cent Value
A 1920-S Lincoln Wheat Cent is worth roughly $0.10 to $38.00 depending on its condition, while the raw metal inside it is valued at $0.03 as of 2026-06-01 Exceptional, certified pieces regularly exceed the top of that range.
1920-S Lincoln Wheat Cent value by grade
| Grade | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| Melt value floor(metal content, 2026-06-01) | $0.03 |
| Good (G-4) | $0.10 to $0.15 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | $0.10 to $0.20 |
| Fine (F-12) | $0.20 to $0.35 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $0.40 to $0.70 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $0.80 to $1.35 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $1.60 to $2.70 |
| Mint State (MS-60) | $3.20 to $5.40 |
| Choice Unc (MS-63) | $7.20 to $12.00 |
| Gem Unc (MS-65) | $22.50 to $38.00 |
Estimated retail range, updated 2026-06-15. Estimates are modeled from mintage rarity and metal content, not auction records. Actual sale prices vary with certification, eye appeal and market timing.
How much is a 1920-S Lincoln Wheat Cent worth today?
Start with $0.10 for a heavily circulated 1920-S Lincoln Wheat Cent and work upward. Lightly circulated 1920 examples occupy the middle of the range, while true gems approach $38.00. If your coin has no wear on the high points, it deserves a closer look or a professional opinion.
1920-S Lincoln Wheat Cent specifications
- Series
- Lincoln Wheat Cent
- Year
- 1920
- Mint mark
- S
- Mintage
- 46,220,000
- Composition
- 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc (bronze); zinc-coated steel in 1943
- Weight
- 3.11 g
- Diameter
- 19.05 mm
- Edge
- Plain
- Designer
- Victor David Brenner
Mintage figure: US Mint reports (approximate).
Where to look for the mint mark
Identifying a 1920-S Lincoln Wheat Cent hinges on one small letter: the "S" of San Francisco. On the obverse, below the date on the right side of Lincoln's portrait Verify it before pricing the coin, because a 1920 from a different mint can be worth a very different amount.
Where this coin's value comes from
The 1955 doubled-die obverse, with its dramatically doubled date and lettering, is the most recognizable mint error ever to reach circulation. For the 1920-S Lincoln Wheat Cent, the enduring popularity of the series translates directly into buyers in every grade and every market cycle.
With 46,220,000 struck, the 1920-S Lincoln Wheat Cent is one of the more available dates of its series. Its value rests on metal content and condition rather than absolute rarity, which makes it an ideal type coin.
Summary: the 1920-S Lincoln Wheat Cent is valued between $0.10 and $38.00 as of 2026-06-15. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.