1950 D Wheat Penny

• 1950 D Wheat Penny Error
• 1950 D Wheat Penny Value
• 1950 D Wheat Penny Error
• 1958 D Wheat Penny
• 1950 D Wheat Penny Value Worth
• 1950 D Wheat Penny

Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 2/8/2021: Gold $1813 Silver $26.90

The Mystery Of The 1959-D Wheat Penny As most coin collectors know, Lincoln wheat pennies were struck from 1909 through 1958. Beginning in 1959, the reverse of the wheat cent was redesigned with the Lincoln Memorial motif to honor the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth in 1809. The 1950-D Wheat Penny is comprised of.950 (95%) copper and.050 (5%) tin and zinc with a diameter of 19mm and a mass of 3.1 grams. The 1950-D Wheat penny was desgined at the behest of President Theodore Roosevelt, who lamented the lack of artistic merit in U.S. Roosevelt originally chose sculptor Augustus Saint-Gaudens, a noted.

Follow these steps to 1950 penny value. Combining: Date Mint Marks Condition - locates its place on value chart.

1950 D Wheat Penny Error

Step one. Mint Marks: Small letters were used as part of the design identifying branch mint. Important to value.

Values range across the chart according to condition. Grading condition is detailed with images and descriptions. Matching your coin helps judge grade and place on the chart.

Steps Leading to Value:

• Step 1: Date and Mintmark Variety – Identify each date and its mintmark variety.
• Step 2: Grading Condition – Judge condition to determine grade. Refer to the images to correctly identify the variety of your coin.
• Step 3: Special Qualities – Certain elements either enhance or detract from value.

Begin evaluating your coin and finalizing value by confirming its Date: Dates of wheat pennies are a main focus in collecting. Each is unique in scarcity, popularity and desirability.

In 1950 three varieties of cents were produced, struck at the main mint and two branch mints. Mint marks identifying the branch mints further narrow value range.

Next: Complete a Judgement of Condition:

When viewing the chart. Notice condition plays an important role separating average 1950 pennies. Above average examples appeal to collectors. Images in the grading section are used to recognize a close match and complete a value process.

Step 1: Date and Mintmark Combination

1950 Date and Mint Mark

Three varieties struck, all interesting to collectors. Date and mint combinations are considered individually when placed into a collection of wheat pennies. An available date and popular as an entry to the hobby.

1950 Lincoln Penny

No Mintmark Under Date: Philadelphia Mint Struck the Coin

Philadelphia concentrated less on minor denominations in 1950 striking 272,686,386 cents. Adequate to place these as Abundant on a rarity scale. An increase in value and desirability is noted beginning with Extremely Fine condition examples.

A majority of these circulated just long enough to lose a moderated amount of detail to wear. Distinctive areas to inspect are Lincoln's hair and ear, both high in profile. Desirable is a clear, raised separation of his ear from hair.

1950-D Lincoln Penny

'D' Mintmark Under Date: Denver Mint Struck the Coin

Denver 1950 wheat pennies are Abundant on the rarity scale. 334,950,000 struck, placing 9th highest of all wheat years. Beginning a trend of out pacing the main Philadelphia mint.

In today's market quantities of 1950-D pennies are available. Both in mint state and circulated grades, all are inspected looking for standout examples. Even color is favored over mottled color on mint state examples. Slight wear and sharp definitions to design is sought in circulated pieces.

1950-S Lincoln Penny

'S' Mintmark Under Date: San Francisco Mint Struck the Coin

Abundant on the rarity scale, a circulated 1950-S penny enjoys a small premium. Historically San Francisco struck the least of yearly varieties. 118,505,000 in 1950 continued the trend of lowest of year production.

An awareness of low coinage numbers combined with overall popularity is a firm base to value. Interest of collectors is directed towards lightly circulated or finer examples. A pleasing coin is well defined overall. View the reverse, all grains of wheat distinct sets the coin apart.

Step 2: Judge Condition to Identify Grade

1950 Penny Value is Grade Specific

A 'grade' defines the condition of a coin. Specific qualities are inspected as to the amount of wear and compared to the standard for the grade. Key areas are used to judge surface quality. The following images help visualize these differences when judging a wheat cent for condition.

Eye appeal is important to a copper coin and value as a collectible. Overly dark surfaces tend to hide finer detail.

Uncirculated Grade: By the 1950's the dominate collector grade is an uncirculated - mint state grade coin. Large mintage numbers and large saving at the time places these in the abundant category. A key factor in recognizing the mint state condition is no wear to the surface.

Inspect closely the high ridge line at the back of Lincoln. Original fine grain texture causes luster and its delicate nature to wear quickly. Any smoothing of the surface along the shoulder and back indicates wear. Follow the line from Lincoln's collar down to the shoulder looking for a difference in texture.

Colors of Uncirculated Grade Wheat Penny: Changes in color of copper is a natural occurrence. This toning begins to develop as a coin is exposed to air. It is not an indication of wear. Often a slight toning lays on the top most surfaces giving a subdued appearance.

1950 D Wheat Penny Value

Important to a mint state coin is the texture of luster is 'underneath' any toning. A magnifying glass and tilting the coin at a sharp angle see to the surface allows to judge for evidence of wear.

The 1950 wheat cent is fully bright with luster. Next is an example starting to tone around the perimeter. At the end is a mint state coin with almost a complete coverage of soft brown toning. As collectibles; values follow these progressions to the toned coin. Highest in demand is a fully bright wheat cent

Extremely Fine Grade: Moderate wear, evenly distributed over the surface defines a wheat cent in Extremely Fine grade. The 1950-D penny imaged remains highly detailed, and bold. Only slight wear is evident.

A small degree of smoothing is evident along the coat from Lincoln's collar to the shoulder. Remaining is a distinct lapel and creases depicting the fabric of the coat. It is important to recognize any wear does not form a 'flatness' to a rounded profile of the coat rising from the field of the coin.

A nice collectible coin displays soft brown tones, even across the surface. This coin is notable as having no distracting marks and large areas of discoloration. A pleasing, slightly worn wheat cent is a popular, affordable entry to the series. Separate these lightly circulated examples from the rest.

Average Circulated Condition: Saving wheat cents from circulation continued long after the series ended in 1958. Many of the later saves are moderate to heavily worn in condition. These are a large part of the quantities available today.

Moderate condition wheat cents show wear forming flat areas across many features of the coin. Lincoln's cheek, jaw, and hair are flattened and merging with the surroundings. The coins imaged display a typical worn appearance.

An average condition wheat cent forms the base value and condition of the series. Dates in this category are predominate in the 1950's and later 1940's.

Video Grading Lincoln Wheat Pennies

Grading Lincoln Wheat Pennies covers additional points in greater detail when judging condition. Both the obverse and reverse of these wheat pennies have many areas to examine to help confirm and establish a grade. When grading is complete you are in a position to realize true market value.

Step 3: Special Qualities Enhancing Value

BIE Cent Popularity and Affordable Value

By the 1950's the Wheat series Lincoln penny was an established collectible. Early years were showing premiums in value and popularity was adding more collectors of the series. With extra eyes now scanning the millions of cents, noticed was the occasional die break within the lettering of 'Liberty'.

Small sections of the die that create the space between letters, chipped, breaking away. The void left by the broken space filled giving the impression of an extra 'I' within the lettering. Often occurring between the 'B' and 'E' letters, the coins became known as BIE Cents.

These resulting 'I's' vary in completeness and aesthetic appeal. The center example in a 1956 wheat cent with a nice representation of the die break. A partial filling and blotchy version are less stunning.

Publicity of BIE cents created a demand in these coins initially with an increase in value. The error was realized as fairly common, with a plentiful supply. Interest in BIE cents cooled and values settled down. Today in most cases they are worth a small premium.

BIE cents are a unique error to the Lincoln cent series only. Set aside any you find. They are a fascination to the series. Notable is the majority of these die breaks are found on coins dated in the 1950's.

US Mint. 1951 US Mint Annual Report https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/publisherdetail/51

Coin Values CoinStudy Articles

Date by Date
In Depth Lincoln Penny Value
Early Era 1909 to 1933

Date by Date
In Depth Lincoln Penny Value
Second Era 1934 to 1958

Value chart spans the Wheat design years 1909 through 1958 of Lincoln cents. From uncirculated coins collected by advances collectors to worn examples an affordable collection popular with young collectors. Identify date, mint and condition; a wide range of values is found and identified.

Rare pennies are identified in series from wheat cents back to the early years of the US Mint. These one-cent and half-cents coins first struck in 1793 have a number of stand-out issues.

★Coin Values Discovery finds 1950 Penny Value and...

US coin value charts covering cents to gold. Identify your coins using the image links. Date Mintmarks Condition are described and imaged with each series. Small details necessary to accurately value are described.

When the Mint started using mint marks (letters) in the early 1800's to identify the various branch mints at which coins were being struck, the mint mark was hand punched into the working dies that would be striking the coins. It was the last portion of the design to be placed on the die. These mint mark letters are as follows: D for Denver, S for San Francisco, C for Charlotte (gold coins only), CC for Carson City, D for Dahlonega (gold coins only), O for New Orleans, P for Philadelphia, and W for West Point.

A die maker would take a thin steel rod (punch) that had the mint mark engraved on one end and hold it in place on the working die where the mint mark was to be applied. Using a mallet he tapped an impression of the mint mark into the die. In most cases it was necessary to strike the punch more than once with the mallet in order to leave a satisfactory impression of the mint mark in the die.

This photo, courtesy of Error Trends Coin Magazine (ETCM) and Arnold Margolis, shows a Mint engraver getting ready to punch a mint mark into a working die. The working die is held in a vise. His right hand is positioning the mint mark punch and the mallet that he will use to tap the mint mark punch into the die is being held in his left hand.

If there was any kind of movement of the mint mark punch in between the taps of the mallet, the die would end up with a doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled mint mark. Usually, the multiple mint mark impressions would be overlapping images, but in some extreme cases the mint mark impressions would be totally separated.

When the multiple mint mark impressions are from the same mint mark (a D punched over a D, or an S punched over an S), the variety is known as a Repunched Mint Mark (RPM) variety. The symbolism D/D is used to refer to a 'D punched over a D.' Likewise, S/S is used to refer to an 'S punched over an S.' If the mint mark impressions are totally separated, the symbolism D & D, read 'D and D', is used since the one mint mark really is not punched over the other mint mark. Throughout our discussion we will usually refer to the D (Denver) and S (San Francisco) mint marks as they are the mint marks most familar to the collectors of modern day coinage.

In describing mint mark punches a direction often accompanies the D/D or S/S symbolism such as D/D North or D/D West. When this is given, the direction refers to the direction you must travel to get from the primary (strongest) mint mark punch to the secondary (weaker) mint mark punches. Think in reverse order here. The secondary punches (weaker punches) were the first to be punched into the working die and did not penetrate as deeply in the working die. The primary punch would be the strongest punch making the deepest impression in the working die and was punched into the working die last.

An RPM variety described as a D/D North would indicate that the weaker (secondary) mint mark punch is north of the stronger (primary) mint mark punch. An RPM variety described as a D/D South would have the weaker mint mark south of the stronger mint mark.

This 1925-S Lincoln cent is listed as 1925-S 1¢ WRPM-001. It features an S/S South. Notice how the weaker (secondary) mint mark is south of the stronger (primary) mint mark.

This 1960-D Lincoln cent RPM variety is listed as 1960-D 1¢ WRPM-001 and has a D/D West.

This 1960-D Lincoln cent RPM variety is listed as 1960-D 1¢ WRPM-003 and has a D/D North.

1950 D Wheat Penny Error

On this 1956-D Lincoln cent a totally separated mint mark can be found well south of the primary mint mark. It is listed as 1956-D 1¢ WRPM-008 and is described as a D & D South.

This 1956-D Lincoln cent has a mint mark punched well northwest of the primary mint mark. It was punched into the bottom of the 9 and is completely separated from the primary mint mark. It is listed as 1956-D 1¢ WRPM-023 and is described as a D & D Northwest.

Here we have a 1964-D Roosevelt dime that has a completely separated D mint mark punched east of the primary mint mark. The secondary mint mark is sticking out of the left side of the bottom of the torch to the right of the primary mint mark. It is listed as 1964-D 10¢ WRPM-005 and described as a D & D East.

In some cases the mint mark punches are so closely overlapping that it is not possible to give a direction. Often the one punch will be 'tilted' or 'rotated' with respect to the other. The Wexler RPM Files refer to these as 'D/D Tilted' while CONECA refers to them as 'D/D Rotated.' When you see these descriptions for RPM varieties it is important for you to realize that they are referring to the same type of mint mark orientations.

This 1958-D Lincoln cent is listed as 1958-D 1¢ WRPM-003. One of the mint mark punches was tilted or rotated with respect to the other. In the Wexler Files it is classified as a D/D Tilted.

Over the years some RPM varieties have been found with some very unusual orientations. These would include RPM varieties where one of the mint mark punches is in a horzontal position rather than an upright position. These are referred to as 'D over Horizontal D' (D/D Horizontal) mint mark varieties or 'S over Horizontal S' (S/S Horizontal) mint mark varieties.

This 1961-D Lincoln cent RPM features a D punched over a horizontal D. It is listed as 1961-D 1¢ WRPM-001.

This 1962-D Roosevelt dime also features a D punched over a horizontal D. It is listed as 1962-D 10¢ WRPM-001.

Another unusual orientation for some RPM varieties is when one of the mint mark impressions is from a punch that is in an 'inverted' or upside-down position. References to a 'D/D Inverted' or an 'S/S Inverted' refer to these types of RPM varieties.

A 1958-D Jefferson nickel has a D punched over an Inverted D. It is listed as 1958-D 5¢ WRPM-003.

Here we see a 1956-D Washington quarter with a D punched over an Inverted D. It is listed as 1956-D 25¢ WRPM-001.

Over the years mint mark varieties have been found where mint marks for two different mints were applied to the same working die. For example, in 1944 two different Lincoln cent working dies first received an impression from an S mint mark punch, and then had a D mint mark punched over the S creating two different 'D over S' or 'D/S' mint mark varieties. In 1946 a Lincoln cent working die first received an impression of a D mint mark and then had an S mint mark punched directly over the D creating an 'S over D' or 'S/D' mint mark variety. Varieties such as these are known as Over Mint Mark (OMM) varieties.

Here we see a 1944-D Lincoln cent with a very nice OMM variety. It has a D punched over an S. It is listed as 1944-D 1¢ WOMM-001.

This 1946-S Lincoln cent features an OMM variety that has an S punched over a D. It is listed as 1946-S 1¢ WOMM-001.

Here we see a 1950-D Washington quarter OMM variety that has a very nice D over an S. It is listed as 1950-D 25¢ WOMM-001.

There is a distinction among the die variety attributers for mint mark varieties bearing two different mint marks when those mint mark punches are totally separated. In the Wexler Files, the Crawford Files, and the Potter Files, the mint mark varieties with two different totally separated mint mark punches are listed as Dual Mint Mark (DMM) varieties since the mint mark punches are not actually 'over' each other as the term 'Over Mint Mark' suggests. CONECA is the only major die variety lister that does not make the distinction between OMMs and DMMs and classifies all varieties with two different mint marks as OMM varieties.

1958 D Wheat Penny

1956 was a great year for mint mark varieties. This 1956-D Lincoln cent shows an S mint mark punched between the lower 1 and 9 of the date. All of the major die variety attributers except for CONECA have listed this one as a Dual Mint Mark (DMM) variety. CONECA's attributer does not believe that the image between the lower 1 and 9 represents an S mint mark punch. You be the judge. It is listed in the Wexler Files as 1956-D 1¢ WDMM-001.

The RPM and OMM varieties are two die variety types that the Mint has successfully eliminated from modern day coinage. The first changes to the procedure of applying the mint marks to coinage came in the mid-1980s when the mint mark started to appear to the original model design for commemorative coins and regular proof coins. In 1990 and 1991 the Mint began applying the mint mark for circulating coins to the master die. After 1994 the mint mark was applied directly to the original model for all U.S. coins thus ending the RPM and OMM era.

RPM collecting has proven quite popular with die variety collectors as they are not that difficult to find with a little bit of searching. Collections can be assembled at a modest cost with most varieties going for a few dollars. A pretty good rule of thumb for value is that as the separation between the mint mark punches increases, the value increases. OMM varieties have always proven to be more valuable than the RPM varieties as there are far fewer of them.

If you have suspected RPMs, OMMs, or DMMs that you would like to have attributed, the following guidelines must be followed.

1. The fee for attributions for RPMs, OMMs, and DMMs is $5 per coin. Return postage and insurance is extra and must be included with any coins that are sent. The rule of thumb for return postage is that whatever it costs you for postage and insurance to send the coins to the attributer, that’s the amount that should be included for postage and insurance to return the coins to you. Do NOT include any padded mailers or other mailing envelopes in your package. All packaging supplies for the return of the coins are provided as part of the attribution service. Payment can be made with cash, money orders, or personal checks.

2. You may send up to, but no more than 5 coins per shipment. If packages are sent with more than 5 coins, it will greatly delay their return. Five coins will be processed and the package then placed at the end of the mail line until it comes up again.

3. Do NOT send any additional shipments until the previous shipment has been returned.

4. NEVER send coins by Certified Mail. If they are lost or stolen in the mail you will NOT be able to recover any of their value. Certified Mail does NOT carry any insurance. All coins should be sent by Insured First Class Mail or by Registered Mail. By far, the safest way that anyone can send coins is by Registered Mail. It is more expensive but it is the safest way to send them as the package must be signed for by every individual that touches it along the way. If coins are sent by Insured First Class Mail but an actual value can not be determined because the coins have not yet been attributed as varieties, you will not be able to collect any insurance on them beyond face value, or what you paid for the coins if you have a receipt.

5. If you would like to receive a notice that the coins arrived here safely, you can take advantage of the delivery confirmation services available through the Post Office, and also the return receipt services available from the Post Office.

6. Make sure that you package your coins very carefully. If they can move about in the package, they might be able to tear out of the package and become lost. I recommend shipping in a padded mailer available from the post office, Wal-Mart, Staples, etc.

1950 D Wheat Penny Value Worth

7. Please send your coins in plastic or vinyl flips from which they can easily be removed. Do not send the coins in 2x2’s that have been stapled.

8. We do NOT attribute foreign coin varieties – only varieties on U.S. coinage.

9. Once the coins arrive they will be processed as quickly as possible. Due to large demands on the attributers, it may take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks before the coins are processed and returned. It is usually less than that but we do ask your patience once they are sent.

Send all U.S. RPMs, OMMs, and DMMs to: John A. Wexler, P.O. Box 544, Quakertown, PA 18951-0544 jwex@comcast.net

The Comprehensive Guide To Lincoln Cent Repunched Mint Mark Varieties 1909 - 1939 by John A. Wexler, Brian Allen, and John W. Bordner. This 252 page (8 ½ by 11 format) book is a complete listing of all Lincoln cent RPMs and OMMs from 1909 to 1939 listed in the Wexler Die Variety Files. It contains over 750 photos and illustrations. All known major die markers, including stage markers, are photographed. A complete shot of every RPM or OMM plus a date to mint mark relationship accompanies each listing. There are over 60 new listings for this era that have never been listed previously. The book includes descriptions, values, and cross-references to presently known listings. A totally new information section is included to aid collectors.

The Comprehensive Guide to Lincoln Memorial Cent Repunched Mint Mark Varieties: 1959 by John A. Wexler and John W. Bordner. This 260 page (8 ½ by 11 format) hardbound book is the first volume in a series of RPM books issued for the Lincoln Memorial cents. It features all of the RPM varieties listed in the Wexler RPM Files for the 1959 Lincoln cents. Currently there are 111 listings for that one date alone. Those 111 listings are more than any other attributer. The pages are printed on attractive high quality 70 pound acid-free opaque paper. The book is 260 pages with nearly 1,100 photos and illustrations. Some of the features of this book include: A forward by Albert B. Raddi; Photos and descriptions of all die markers, including stage markers; Die marriage changes; Grade pricing for all RPMs; Cherrypickers’ Guide and CONECA cross-references when known; A grading guide; Die marker terms as well as navigation directions and explanations.

1950 D Wheat Penny

The Authoritative Reference on Lincoln Cents - Second Edition by Kevin Flynn and John A. Wexler. This 470 page book has extensive sections on doubled dies and RPMs. The RPM chapter illustrates all of the Top 100 Lincoln cent RPM varieties as featured in The Complete Price Guide and Cross Reference to Lincoln Cent Mint Mark Varieties by Brian Allen and John A. Wexler which was published in 1999. It also illustrates all of the RPM varieties listed on the CONECA Top 100 Lincoln cent RPM list. Many other Lincoln cent RPMs that could easily be on either Top 100 list are also illustrated. Many collectors now look at this RPM chapter as the 'must have' list of RPM varieties.

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RPM Listings