The 1930-S Lincoln Wheat Penny is a one-cent coin minted in San Francisco at the beginning of the Great Depression. It’s part of the long-running Lincoln Cent series designed by Victor David Brenner, showing Lincoln’s portrait on the front and wheat stalks on the back. Made mostly of copper with a touch of tin and zinc, it weighs 3.11 grams and measures about 19 millimeters across.
Who Designed the 1930-S Penny and What Does It Show?
The coin was designed by Victor David Brenner, introduced in 1909 to honor Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday. On the front, Lincoln’s right-facing portrait is framed by the words “In God We Trust,” “Liberty,” and the date 1930, with Brenner’s initials “VDB” below the shoulder. The reverse side features two curved wheat stalks surrounding “One Cent” and “United States of America,” with “E Pluribus Unum” at the top. The simplicity of the design made it one of America’s most recognizable coins.
Where Was the 1930-S Penny Minted and How Many Were Made?
All 1930-S pennies came from the San Francisco Mint, marked by a small “S” beneath the date. The total mintage was about 24.3 million—far fewer than the 157 million struck in Philadelphia or 40 million in Denver that same year. This smaller production run reflected slower economic activity as the Depression took hold. Today, most 1930-S pennies are well-circulated, but finding one with full red luster in mint condition is rare. PCGS estimates roughly 5,800 red examples remain, with only a few thousand graded MS-65 or higher.
Why Do Collectors Value the 1930-S Penny?
The 1930-S penny captures a unique period in U.S. history. It was minted just before the nation’s coin production declined sharply during the worst years of the Depression. Collectors see it as a transition piece—one of the last “normal” issues before scarcity defined the early 1930s. It’s affordable in lower grades but can be a strong investment in high mint state condition, especially for those building full Lincoln Wheat Cent sets.
How Much is a 1930-S Wheat Penny Worth?
Value depends mostly on condition and color:
- Circulated coins usually sell for $1–6
- Extremely Fine to Uncirculated examples run $8–30
- Bright red MS-65 coins can bring $300–600 or more
- The record sale is $33,350 for an MS-67 Red specimen
Color matters because it reflects surface preservation. “Red” coins retain original mint brightness, “Red-Brown” show partial fading, and “Brown” coins are fully oxidized.
Were There Any 1930-S Mint Errors?
Yes. The San Francisco Mint’s manual die-punching process led to a few collectible mistakes. The most famous is the Repunched Mintmark (S/S) FS-501 variety, which can sell for several thousand dollars in high grades. Other known errors include off-center strikes, minor doubled dies, and lamination flaws from imperfect copper mixes. Prices for these vary widely—anywhere from $35 to over $800 depending on rarity and condition.
What Makes Wheat Pennies Special?
Wheat Pennies were struck from 1909 to 1958 and were the first U.S. coins to feature a real person. They circulated through wars, recessions, and recoveries, serving as small yet meaningful reminders of the country’s endurance. Minted in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco, they were made mostly of copper and became iconic for their wheat-back design, which represented growth and prosperity.
First Hand Collectors Perspective
From a collector’s standpoint, most 1930-S Lincoln Wheat Pennies aren't rare enough to be a trophy coin, but it’s still worth owning. Its lower San Francisco mintage, solid strike quality, and link to the early Depression years give it lasting appeal. Prices in circulated grades are modest, but high-grade red examples show steady demand and strong auction performance. If you’re building a complete Lincoln set or looking for a coin with historical weight and reasonable upside, the 1930-S is one to pick up—especially in certified mint state condition.
