1914-D Wheat Penny Value: What Is It Worth in 2026?
Getting this graded by PCGS or NGC before selling usually pays off. Authentication matters too: fakes of key dates are common.
Value by condition
| Good (G-4, heavily worn) | $207 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | $225 |
| Fine (F-12) | $281 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $344 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $790 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $1,747 |
| Mint State (MS-63, uncirculated) | $3,634 |
The series' second great key date at roughly 1.19 million struck. Its fame makes it one of the most counterfeited US cents — most fakes are ordinary 1914-P cents with an added 'D', so mint mark shape and position are the authentication points that matter.
Specifications of a 1914 wheat cent
- Weight:
- 3.11 g
- Diameter:
- 19.05 mm (0.75 in)
- Composition:
- 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc
- Edge:
- Plain (smooth, no reeds)
- Designer:
- Victor David Brenner — initials VDB appear on some 1909 issues
What a 1914 wheat penny looks like
Your 1914-D looks exactly like this, with "1914 and a small D below it" where the date sits in the photo.
How to judge the condition of your coin
- Look at the wheat stalks first. On a worn coin (like the photo — about "Good" grade), the stalk lines are mostly smooth. If every line and grain in the stalks is sharp, you are looking at Extremely Fine or better.
- Then check Lincoln's cheek and jaw. These are the highest points on the front. Wear shows there before anywhere else; a flat cheek means a lower grade.
- When in doubt, grade down. Sellers systematically overgrade; use the lower row of the price table and you will not be disappointed.
Worn-coin photo: Mark Morgan, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
1914 penny: mints compared
| Version | Mintage | Value range |
|---|---|---|
| 1914-D Wheat Penny (this page) | ~1.2 million struck | $207–$3,634 |
| 1914 Wheat Penny | ~75.2 million struck | $1.24–$100 |
| 1914-S Wheat Penny | ~4.1 million struck | $21–$612 |
Mintage and value can differ a lot by mint mark — compare the versions above before assuming yours is the common one.
How to confirm it's genuine
- The mint mark sits directly below the date — it should be the letter "D". A magnifier with light at a 45° angle works best.
- Never clean the coin: cleaning destroys the original surface and can cut the value in half.
- For any coin worth more than $200, PCGS/NGC grading fees (~$20–50) are money well spent.
Where to sell this coin
- eBay works best in the $1.00–$200 range. Take clear photos of both sides in natural light, and put the year, mint mark, and approximate grade in the title.
- A local coin dealer is the fastest way to cash out, but expect 60–70% of guide prices. Best for selling common dates in bulk.
- Graded high-value coins do best at auction houses like Heritage Auctions or Stack's Bowers, where realized prices are public.
Common questions about the 1914-D Wheat Penny
How much is a 1914-D Wheat Penny worth?
Guide values run from $207 in Good (worn) condition up to about $3,634 in MS-63 uncirculated. These are retail guide figures, not offers to buy — a dealer typically pays 60–70% of guide, and top auction results for superb grades can exceed them. Check the grade table on this page against your coin's actual wear before assuming a number.
Where is the mint mark on a 1914 wheat penny?
On the front (obverse), directly below the four-digit date 1914: a small "D" below the date confirms the Denver Mint. The mint mark matters — the same year can have very different values at different mints, which is why this site lists each mint separately.
Is a 1914-D Wheat Penny rare?
Relatively speaking, yes: only ~1.2 million struck, one of the lower mintages of the wheat cent series. Even worn examples sell above face value.
Should I get my 1914 penny professionally graded?
Yes, if the coin is genuinely uncirculated or shows the key diagnostics for this issue. This is a coin where grading (roughly $20–50 at PCGS or NGC) can pay for itself, because certified examples sell for meaningfully more than raw ones. Have it looked at before attempting any cleaning — cleaning destroys value.