The 1913-S Wheat Penny is worth anywhere from $15 in worn condition to over $1,200 in choice uncirculated mint state. Finding this San Francisco mint mark on your old Lincoln cent is an exciting discovery because it is considered a semi-key date in the long-running series.
How to Identify a 1913-S Lincoln Wheat Cent
If you are looking through a jar of old change and find a 1913 penny, the first thing you should do is flip it over to the reverse side. Look closely at the bottom, just below the “ONE CENT” text, to see if there is a tiny “S” mint mark. This indicates it was struck at the San Francisco Mint. If you find one, you are holding a coin that saw a much lower production run than its Philadelphia counterpart. To get a quick and accurate valuation of your collection, many hobbyists use the best coin identifier app to instantly recognize rare dates.
The San Francisco Mint produced only 6,101,000 wheat pennies in 1913. While that might sound like a lot, it is quite small compared to the 76 million struck in Philadelphia that year. Because of this lower mintage, any 1913-S penny in your pocket change is immediately worth significantly more than its face value. If you aren’t sure if the mark is an “S” or just a smudge of dirt, using the CoinHix app can help you zoom in and identify the strike accurately.
Determining the Condition and Grade of Your Penny
The value of your 1913-S Wheat Penny depends heavily on its “grade,” or how much wear and tear it has endured over the last century. Most pennies found today are in “Good” or “Very Good” condition, meaning the wheat stalks on the back are worn flat and Lincoln’s features are smoothed out. However, even these worn examples represent a nice payday compared to common pennies. Collectors are always looking for “Fine” or “Extra Fine” specimens where the lines in Lincoln’s hair and the details of the wheat ears are still visible.
When a coin has never been used in commerce, it is called “Mint State” (MS). These are the most valuable versions of the coin. For those holding a high-quality specimen, checking the 1913-S wheat penny auction prices for mint state red coins reveals that collectors are willing to pay a massive premium for original luster. If your coin still looks shiny and orange-red, you might be looking at a four-figure value. Using CoinHix to compare your coin against high-resolution grading images is a great way to estimate its grade before sending it to a professional service.
Historical Price Chart for the 1913-S Lincoln Penny
Understanding the market value helps you decide whether to sell your discovery or keep it as an investment. Prices for the 1913-S have remained relatively stable because it is a “must-have” for anyone trying to complete a full Wheat Penny album. You can find comprehensive 1913-S Lincoln cent market value information to see how prices have trended over the last decade.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Market Value |
|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | $15 – $18 |
| Fine (F-12) | $25 – $30 |
| Extra Fine (XF-45) | $55 – $70 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $110 – $140 |
| Mint State Brown (MS-63 BN) | $350 – $450 |
| Mint State Red (MS-65 RD) | $1,250+ |
Why the 1913-S is Popular Among Collectors
The early 1910s were a fascinating time for the U.S. Mint. The Lincoln Cent was still a relatively new design, having replaced the Indian Head Penny only four years prior in 1909. The San Francisco Mint (the “S” mint) historically produced fewer coins than Philadelphia, which is why “S” mint pennies from this era are almost always more valuable. Collectors view the 1913-S as a “semi-key” date, meaning it is harder to find than a common date but not quite as rare as the legendary 1909-S VDB.
For the everyday American, finding a 1913-S Wheat Penny is like finding a small treasure. It’s a tangible piece of history that survived through two World Wars and the Great Depression. If you have a collection of old coins and want to quickly sort the trash from the treasure, the CoinHix app is a powerful tool to have on your smartphone. It can help you identify rare mint marks and varieties that might be invisible to the naked eye, ensuring you never accidentally spend a coin worth hundreds of dollars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where is the mint mark located on a 1913-S Wheat Penny?
A: The “S” mint mark is located on the obverse (front) of the coin, right below the date “1913”. If there is no letter under the date, it was minted in Philadelphia.
Q: Is a 1913-S penny rare?
A: It is considered a semi-key date. While not the rarest in the series, with only about 6 million made, it is significantly harder to find than most Lincoln pennies and carries a high value even in poor condition.
Q: Should I clean my 1913-S penny to make it look better?
A: No! You should never clean old coins. Cleaning removes the original surface and patina, which collectors value highly. Cleaning a coin can actually reduce its market value by 50% or more.
