A 1926-S Lincoln wheat penny graded PCGS MS65 Red sold for $149,500—the highest price ever paid for a regular-issue Lincoln cent. Most 1926 pennies are worth far less, but knowing your mint mark, condition, and color designation can mean the difference between pocket change and a four-figure coin.
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Go to the Calculator →The 1926-S is the coin that changes everything — it is to gem Lincoln cent collectors what the 1909-S VDB is to casual collectors. Use this checker to determine whether you might be holding one.
The table below covers all three 1926 mint issues across four condition tiers. For a full in-depth step-by-step 1926 penny identification walkthrough with color photos, that resource covers every grade from Poor-1 through MS70. Values shown represent typical circulated and certified examples; actual realized prices vary based on eye appeal, color designation, and third-party grading.
| Variety | Worn (G4–VG8) | Circulated (F12–XF40) | Uncirculated (AU–MS64) | Gem (MS65+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926-P (No Mint Mark) BN | $0.18 – $0.50 | $0.50 – $2 | $6 – $85 | $20 – $78 |
| 1926-P (No Mint Mark) RB | — | $0.75 – $3 | $8 – $150 | $40 – $150 |
| 1926-P (No Mint Mark) RD | — | $1 – $5 | $22 – $400 | $122 – $33,500 |
| 1926-D BN | $0.67 – $2 | $3 – $16 | $36 – $208 | $169 – $730 |
| 1926-D RB | $5 – $7 | $11 – $40 | $41 – $468 | $234 – $2,430 |
| 1926-D RD | $9 – $11 | $18 – $67 | $140 – $715 | $650 – $18,400 |
| ⭐ 1926-S BN (Semi-Key) | $9 – $10 | $16 – $160 | $210 – $715 | $552 – $2,200 |
| ⭐ 1926-S RB (Semi-Key) | $26 – $31 | $50 – $300 | $390 – $1,380 | $960 – $12,800 |
| 🔥 1926-S RD (Key Date, Rarest) | $34 – $40 | $65 – $390 | $500 – $9,200 | $115,000+ |
| ⭐ = 1926-S semi-key date row · 🔥 = rarest variety · Values based on PCGS/NGC auction data · 2026 edition · Color designations (BN/RB/RD) apply to MS-grade coins. | ||||
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Despite its large total mintage, the 1926 Lincoln cent produced several documented errors that can add substantial value over the base coin. Errors from Denver and San Francisco carry added premiums because of their lower host mintages. Below are the five most collectible varieties, in descending order of typical value, with diagnostic details to help you identify each one with a 10× loupe.
The 1926 Doubled Die Obverse error arose during the die production process, when the hub pressed the design onto the working die in two slightly misaligned positions. This mechanical repetition created a ghosted or doubled impression of design elements on the finished die, which then transferred to every coin struck with that die.
The most diagnostic feature on the 1926 DDO is a doubled or thickened appearance on Lincoln's eyelid — look for an extra shelf of metal above or below the upper eyelid line. In some examples, the lettering in LIBERTY or IN GOD WE TRUST also shows slight spreading, though the eyelid is the primary diagnostic used by specialists.
These coins trade in the $75–$150 range for circulated examples, with a premium over a standard 1926 cent of the same grade reflecting the interest from Lincoln cent variety specialists. Because these are early-era doubled dies rather than dramatic hub-doubled specimens like the 1955 DDO, values remain accessible for most collectors.
Off-center strikes occur when a blank planchet enters the striking press without being properly seated in the retaining collar. The dies then strike the off-center blank, producing a coin where a crescent-shaped area of bare metal appears, with only part of the intended design present. The degree of misalignment is measured as a percentage and directly affects value.
Identification is immediate upon sight — the coin will have a D-shaped or crescent-shaped blank area on one side. The critical diagnostic for value purposes is whether the date is fully visible; a dramatic 50% or more off-center coin retaining a clear 1926 date commands the highest premiums. Coins that are only 5–10% off-center show a partial rim distortion and a slight clipping of design elements on one edge.
A 1926-D Lincoln cent struck approximately 15% off-center in AU-58 condition sold at Heritage for $300 in June 2023, demonstrating the premium the Denver mint mark adds to off-center errors from this year. Coins struck 75% or more off-center with a complete date can bring several hundred dollars regardless of mint. Philadelphia off-center examples are more common but still scarce.
The BIE error is a beloved Lincoln cent variety caused by a die crack that forms between the letters "B" and "E" in the word LIBERTY on the obverse. As production dies aged and accumulated stress from the millions of strikes required to mint 1926's high volumes, small cracks developed in the die face. When these cracks were struck into a planchet, the metal flowed into the recessed crack, producing a raised vertical line on the finished coin.
On the coin itself, the BIE error appears as a small raised vertical bar between the letters B and E, creating the visual impression of a new letter "I" inserted into the word — hence the name. Some examples show a more pronounced and dramatic crack extending further across the field. Look carefully at the word LIBERTY under a loupe to spot this vertical anomaly between those two specific letters.
BIE errors are among the most affordable and accessible Lincoln cent varieties, making them popular entry points for new collectors. Most 1926 BIE examples trade for $5–$15 in average circulated condition, with especially bold examples or those on 1926-D or 1926-S host coins potentially bringing a small additional premium over the standard BIE price range due to the more desirable host coin.
The 1926-D repunched mintmark (RPM) error is a product of the hand-punching process used at all U.S. mints during the pre-1985 era. Each working die had its mint mark punched manually by a mint employee using a hand punch and hammer. Sometimes the initial strike was off-position, misaligned, or insufficiently deep, requiring a second punch — occasionally landing in a slightly different position and creating a visible secondary impression of the mint mark letter.
On the 1926-D RPM, you will see the letter "D" with what appears to be a secondary or shadow "D" impression partially visible to one side of, above, or below the primary mint mark. The degree of separation between the two punches varies by die, with more dramatically separated examples being more desirable. Use a 10× loupe focused on the mint mark position directly below the date on the obverse.
The 1926-D had a mintage of 28,020,000 — enough that RPM varieties exist across multiple die marriages, but scarce enough that any interesting variety from this mint commands a premium. These RPM coins generally trade for $7–$15 in circulated grades, with bold examples showing clearly separated D impressions potentially reaching $20–$30 from variety specialists building complete RPM collections.
The 1926-S repunched mintmark is perhaps the most financially consequential of the 1926 RPM varieties, simply because the host coin — the 1926-S — is already a semi-key date worth $9 to over $100,000 in its own right. The RPM error on this date arose through the same hand-punch process at the San Francisco Mint, where workers occasionally had to strike the "S" punch a second time after a misaligned first attempt.
On the 1926-S RPM, look for a secondary "S" impression either partially overlapping or separated from the primary "S" below the date. Because the "S" letter has a distinctive curved serpentine shape, any doubling of its upper or lower curl is diagnostic. The 1926-S tends to be weakly struck generally, so a strong, clearly impressed S that shows an RPM is actually a sign the die was struck with authority on at least the mintmark punch.
The combination of an already-valuable 1926-S host coin and a documented RPM error makes these pieces doubly interesting to collectors. In circulated grades, a 1926-S RPM typically trades for $10–$25, with more dramatic examples reaching $50 or more. In higher grades, the host coin's underlying value dwarfs the RPM premium, making these important pieces for specialists building complete Lincoln cent variety sets focused on the 1926-S date.
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| Mint | Mint Mark | Mintage | Rarity Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | None | 157,088,000 | Common | By far the most common 1926 cent; readily available in all grades |
| Denver | D | 28,020,000 | Moderately Scarce | Scarcer than Philadelphia, especially in gem MS grades with Red color |
| San Francisco | S | 4,550,000 | Semi-Key / Key in Gem | 10th lowest mintage in wheat cent series; extremely rare in MS65 RD |
| Total | 189,658,000 | — | Combined production across all three mints | |
Lincoln's portrait is flat and merges with the field in places. The date and letters are legible but worn into the rim on lower grades. The wheat stalks on the reverse may show only partial lines. Most common condition for 1926-S cents.
Lincoln's hair shows moderate to full detail, with the cheekbone showing slight flatness. At XF40, all high points retain sharpness but show light wear from circulation. The wheat ear lines are mostly complete. The 1926-S often shows weak strike regardless of wear.
Partial to full mint luster present. AU coins show faint rubbing on Lincoln's cheekbone and the highest wheat ear kernels. Full MS grades have no wear at all — luster flows unbroken across the surfaces. Surface marks and abrasions determine the MS sub-grade.
Full unbroken luster, minimal contact marks, sharp strike. Red (RD) designation requires 85–90%+ original copper color. The 1926-S in MS65 RD is among the rarest Lincoln cents in existence. MS67 Philadelphia examples are very scarce with only a few hundred known.
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Where you sell matters as much as what you have. Match the venue to your coin's value level for the best results.
The world's largest numismatic auction house. Best choice for 1926-S specimens in any grade, 1926-D in Gem Red, or any 1926-P in MS67+. Heritage's established collector base means competitive bidding and true market prices. Consignment fees apply; items below $500 may not be accepted.
Best for circulated 1926-P and 1926-D cents, affordable 1926-S in worn grades, and low-value error coins like BIE varieties. Check recently sold listings and actual 1926 wheat penny prices on eBay before listing to price competitively. Filter by "sold" listings to see real completed prices, not asking prices.
Convenient for selling common 1926-P cents and lower-grade 1926-D. Expect offers of 40–60% of retail value — dealers must profit on resale. However, a reputable local dealer can be invaluable for quick authentication of a potential 1926-S before investing in PCGS grading fees.
Active community for selling circulated wheat cents directly to collectors at fair prices. Works well for modestly valued coins ($5–$50). Buyers are knowledgeable, so accurate grading is important. For high-value 1926-S specimens, stick with established auction houses where provenance and grading are verifiable.
Any 1926-S in Mint State, any 1926-D in MS65 Red or better, or any 1926 with a dramatic off-center error should be submitted to PCGS or NGC before selling. Third-party grading dramatically increases buyer confidence and realized auction prices. A raw (ungraded) 1926-S MS64 RD might bring $8,000–$10,000; the same coin in a PCGS slab has repeatedly sold for $14,000–$17,000. Grading fees are a small investment compared to the premium a certified coin commands.
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