How Much Is 1939 Penny Worth? (Full Guide)

Last Updated on October 2, 2022

The 1939 penny is one of the favorite coins for collectors to have in their collection.

Many love the color and the simplicity of these pennies. The 1939 pennies are also known as wheat pennies due to their color and the pattern of wheat on the reverse. 

There are many things that you need to know about the 1939 penny. Keep reading to know more about the penny. 

1939 P Lincoln Wheat Penny Average Circulated Good to Fine

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How Much Is 1939 Penny Worth?

The 1939 penny with no mintmark present is only worth around its face value which is $0.10 if in good or very good condition. But if it is in extremely fine condition it can have a value of up to $1 or $2. 

If in uncirculated condition the MS60 penny can have a value of up to $3. On the other hand, MS63 penny is worth around $5. The proof coins have a whopping value of around $70. 

The 1939 penny with S and D mintmarks has around the same value of $0.10 to $0.50 in good and very good condition. For extremely fine condition coins, the value can go up to $2. 

Lastly, in uncirculated condition, the pennies can have a value of around $6 and $10 for MS63 graded coins.

Why Is It Called Wheat Penny?

The reason why a 1939 penny is called a wheat penny is due to two wheat stalks engraved on the reverse side of the 1939 penny. This design got so popular due to its value and design.

most people call the design that was in production from 1909 to 1958 ‘Wheat Pennies’. However, the value of each year may differ due to the availability nowadays. 

What Is Present on The Obverse and Reverse Side of 1939 Penny?

On the obverse side of the coin, you will find a profile of Abraham Lincoln. On the left side of the profile, you will notice an inscription of “Liberty”, with the mint year of 1939 on the right side. The upper edge of the coin says “In God We Trust.”

On the reverse side, the phrase “One Cent” is written in the center. Below this, you will notice the term “The United States Of America.” Two wheat stalks are on the right and left edge of the coin. 

That is the reason it is known as a wheat penny. On the upper rim side of the coin, it says “E Pluribus Unum.”

Where Is The Mintmark Present on A 1939 Penny?

1939 P Lincoln Wheat Penny Average Circulated Good to Fine

The mintmark is the official stamp from the mint the penny was produced in. It is the only feature that distinguishes the coins of every mint. If present the mintmark can be found on the obverse side of a 1939 penny. 

If you want to locate the mintmark on a 1939 penny it is present right under where the year is engraved. Make sure to have a close look as the mintmark is in a very small font. 

What Metals Are Found In A 1939 Penny?

The metals found in 1939 are copper, zinc, and tin. The coin contains 95% of copper and just 5% of tin and zinc. Many people who have pennies in bad condition tend to melt the coins to acquire the melt value. 

However, it is not worth going through the efforts and time for melting a penny. The melt is very low and you can get a better value if you sell the penny in the condition it is in. 

What Is The Melt Value of 1939 Penny?

The melt value refers to the value that can be extracted by melting the precious metals found in a coin. The melt value of a 1939 penny is around $0.023. This value is of a single penny. 

So if you are looking to extract the melt value of a 1939 penny, you can have an idea of the amount you can acquire. 

What Are The Specifications of 1939 Penny?

If you are looking to know the weight of a 1939 penny it is around 3.11 grams. The diameter of the penny is 19mm. 

This information will help you when you are out there looking to buy a 1939 penny. Make sure to check every single feature of the penny to ensure that you are dealing with an original 1939 coin

Many counterfeits are circulating and it is possible that you can get your hands on one. So always know everything about the coin you want to buy. Keep in mind to always be accompanied by an expert to help you out with it. 

Jackie Palmer is a Houston-based coin journalist and fashion enthusiast. She joined Jewels Advisor’s content team after years of experience as a content strategist, managing blogs and social channels for local stores. Jackie mostly collects and studies US coins produced during the 20th century and over the years, published hundreds of articles for multiple coin publications.