The 1941 Lincoln wheat penny holds a quiet record in American coinage. It was the first United States coin of any denomination to exceed one billion pieces in a single year of production. The Philadelphia Mint alone churned out 887 million pennies, and when you add Denver and San Francisco production, the total crossed 1.1 billion. That is a massive jump from the 1940 wheat penny, which totaled 781 million.
That staggering number means 1941 wheat pennies are everywhere. They are one of the most common dates in the entire wheat penny series. But common does not mean worthless, and it certainly does not mean every 1941 penny is the same. Mint marks matter. Color matters. Errors can turn a 5 cent coin into a $35,000 coin.
Here is the complete breakdown.
Standard 1941 Wheat Penny Values by Mint Mark
| Mint Mark | Mintage | Circulated Value | Uncirculated (MS65 Red) |
|---|---|---|---|
| No mint mark (Philadelphia) | 887,018,000 | $0.03 to $0.15 | $18 to $30 |
| D (Denver) | 128,700,000 | $0.03 to $0.20 | $22 to $45 |
| S (San Francisco) | 92,360,000 | $0.05 to $0.25 | $30 to $55 |
Total mintage: 1,108,078,000 coins.
The San Francisco mint produced the fewest 1941 pennies, which gives the S mint mark a slight premium in all grades. But even the S mint coins are far from rare in circulated condition. The real separation happens in uncirculated grades, particularly with the Red color designation.
Why Color Designation Matters
Copper coins oxidize over time. The grading services classify copper coins by how much original bright copper color they retain.
Red (RD) means at least 95% of the original copper luster remains. These are the most valuable at every grade level.
Red Brown (RB) means the coin has partially toned, retaining 5% to 95% of its original color.
Brown (BN) means the coin has fully toned to a chocolate or dark brown color.
The price difference is dramatic. A 1941 penny in MS65 Brown might sell for $4 to $6. The same coin in MS65 Red sells for $18 to $30. At MS67, a Brown coin might bring $25, while a Red coin can bring $150 to $400.
1941 Proof Pennies
Philadelphia struck 21,100 proof Lincoln cents in 1941. These were sold to collectors in proof sets at $1.89 per set.
| Grade | Value Range |
|---|---|
| PR63 Red | $40 to $65 |
| PR65 Red | $85 to $150 |
| PR66 Red | $250 to $450 |
| PR67 Red | $2,000 to $5,250 |
The jump from PR66 to PR67 is where prices get serious. Only a small number of 1941 proof pennies have been graded at PR67 Red, and competition among type collectors keeps prices elevated. The 1942 proof penny was the last proof Lincoln cent before wartime suspension, which makes the 1941 and 1942 proofs a natural collecting pair.
The $35,000 Error: 1941 Doubled Die Obverse
The headliner error for 1941 is the Doubled Die Obverse (DDO). On affected coins, the obverse die was impressed twice at slightly different angles during the hubbing process. The result is visible doubling on the lettering, particularly on "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST."
This is not a common variety. Most 1941 pennies have perfectly normal dies. But when a genuine DDO turns up in high grade, the market responds.
A 1941 Doubled Die Obverse in MS67 Red grade has sold for approximately $35,000. Even in lower uncirculated grades, confirmed DDO specimens bring $200 to $1,000 depending on the strength of the doubling and the coin's overall eye appeal.
How to spot it: Use a 10x loupe and examine the letters in LIBERTY and the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. On a genuine DDO, you will see a shadow or shelf of extra metal on the letters. The doubling should be consistent across multiple letters. If only one letter looks odd, it is more likely die deterioration or machine doubling, which carries little premium.
Other 1941 Errors Worth Money
Repunched Mint Mark (RPM). Several 1941 D and 1941 S varieties show the mint mark punched more than once. The most dramatic examples show a clear secondary letter overlapping or offset from the primary. Values range from $10 to $75 in circulated grades, more in uncirculated.
Off Center Strikes. A 1941 penny struck 10% to 50% off center with the full date visible can sell for $25 to $200. The farther off center with the date still showing, the more valuable.
Die Cracks and Cuds. Late die state coins sometimes show raised lines (die cracks) or raised blobs at the rim (cuds). Large cuds on 1941 pennies can bring $25 to $100.
Broadstrike Errors. When a coin is struck without the collar die that normally contains the metal and forms the rim, the result is a coin that is wider and thinner than normal. A 1941 broadstrike penny is worth $15 to $40.
Lamination Errors. Impurities in the copper planchet can cause the surface to flake or peel. These are visually dramatic and sell for $15 to $50 depending on severity.
Recent Auction Results
| Coin | Grade | Sale Price | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 DDO Lincoln Cent | MS67 Red | $35,000 | 2023 |
| 1941 Lincoln Cent | PCGS MS68 Red | $5,520 | 2024 |
| 1941 Proof | PCGS PR67+ Red CAC | $5,250 | 2024 |
| 1941 D Lincoln Cent | PCGS MS67+ Red | $2,280 | 2024 |
| 1941 S Lincoln Cent | PCGS MS67 Red | $1,080 | 2025 |
What to Do If You Find a 1941 Wheat Penny
Step 1: Check the mint mark. Look on the obverse below the date. No letter means Philadelphia. "D" means Denver. "S" means San Francisco.
Step 2: Check the color. Is it bright copper (Red), partially toned (Red Brown), or dark (Brown)? This will significantly affect the value if the coin is uncirculated.
Step 3: Look for the doubled die. Use a magnifying glass to examine LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST for any signs of doubling. This is the single most valuable error on 1941 pennies.
Step 4: Assess the condition. Check Lincoln's cheekbone and the hair detail above the ear. If these areas show no wear, your coin may be uncirculated.
Step 5: Do not clean it. Cleaning permanently damages the coin's surface and can cut the value in half or worse.
The 1941 Penny in Context
The 1941 wheat penny was struck during the last year of normalcy before World War II reshaped American coinage. Within two years, the Mint would abandon copper entirely and produce the famous 1943 steel pennies. By 1944, the composition would change again to recycled shell casings.
The year 1941 also marks the end of a production ramp up that started with the 1940 wheat penny. That upward trend in mintage numbers reflects a growing economy and increasing demand for coinage as the country emerged from the Great Depression and began wartime mobilization.
For collectors building a complete set of 1940s Lincoln cents, the 1941 is an essential date that is affordable in circulated grades and genuinely challenging to find in top condition. The transition from 1941's standard bronze composition to 1942's final bronze issue and then the dramatic wartime changes of 1943 through 1945 and the final shell case issue of 1946 makes this series one of the most historically rich in all of American numismatics.
Sources
Written by
Thomas Whitfield
Numismatic writer and ANA member covering rare coin values and collecting strategies.
