1927 Lincoln (Wheat) Penny

There are countless pennies collectors try to get their hands on, but few are more desirable than the Lincoln penny. Even though it was minted across a long span of time, the coin is still a must-have for any coin collector today. It bears resemblance to the penny that is still being produced to this very day, however subtle differences increase both the value and intrigue tied to these pieces.

On the coin’s obverse you will notice the familiar raised depiction of Abraham Lincoln, who is depicted in stunning detail. To the left of the President’s image will be a raised inscription which reads “Liberty,” while the 1927 year of minting will be listed to the depiction’s right. Arching over the top outer edge of the coin will be the words “In God We Trust.”

The reverse of the 1927 Lincoln penny has raised inscriptions in the center. First is an inscription that marks the single-cent face value via the words “One Cent.” Directly below the face value is an inscription which reads “United States of America.” On either side of the central aspect of the coin will be two individual wheat stalks. These stalks help you understand why this coin is often referred to as the “Wheat Penny.” Rounding out the reverse side is an inscription of the Latin phrase “E Pluribus Unum.”

Grading the 1927 Lincoln Penny

For collectors, the condition a 1927 Lincoln penny is in means everything. With coins this old, it is typical that collectors will only purchase coins that have been graded. In essence, grading is the process of having a trained professional carefully examine a coin in order to determine its exact condition. Below is an outline of the different coin grades as well as what they mean for the coin’s appearance.

Uncirculated: If you have in your possession a 1927 Lincoln penny that is Uncirculated, you have a coin that never spent any time on the open market. These coins were not used to pay for goods nor services, and were likely kept in safekeeping throughout the whole of their existence. As you might expect, their appearance can most accurately be described as flawless.

Extremely Fine: If a coin is worthy of an Extremely Fine grade, this means that apart from a few minor imperfections the coin will appear to be pristine. Under close examination, these pennies might show a single scratch or mark, but to the naked eye will look to be in great condition.

Fine: Fine is the grade given to Lincoln pennies that were circulated, but only for a short period of time. These coins will show plenty of signs of scratching and smoothing,—especially around the outer edges—but not so much that any of the raised lettering or imagery will have been compromised.

Good: The Good grade is reserved for coins that spent a large majority of their time exchanging hands. These coins will show significant smoothing of the raised aspects and features, and will aptly show their age. Even in this condition, Good 1927 Lincoln pennies are highly sought after by collectors.

Pricing the 1927 Lincoln Penny

When it comes to the value or price of a Lincoln penny, this is something that will depend mostly on condition, but also on the type of penny you have. Some years saw up to 3 different pennies minted, so there will be a variety of different values for 1927 Lincoln’s of the same grade. The chart below will help you decipher how much these coins are worth depending upon their grade.

Lincoln Pennies

DATE	GOOD	FINE	EXTREMELY FINE	UNCIRCULATED
1927 Lincoln Penny	$0.20	$0.30	$2	$3.50
1927 Lincoln Penny (D)	$1.25	$2.75	$7.50	$25
1927 Lincoln Penny (S)	$1.50	$3	$15	$40
Source: Red Book