1924 Lincoln Cent PCGS MS-66 RD (CAC Green)
The United States has stopped issuing cents for circulation.. As the penny retires, collectors look back on its long history. Few coins tell that story better than the 1924 Lincoln Cent, especially in blazing full Red condition.
The Greacollection’s 1924 Lincoln Cent PCGS MS-66 RD (CAC Green) ranks among the finest known. It will be offered at auction on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at 4:16:54 PM. For advanced collectors, it is a rare chance to secure a top-grade Wheat Cent.
1924 – A Transitional Year
The 1924 Lincoln Cent came from a time of economic optimism. The design, Lincoln’s portrait and two wheat ears, had already become an American symbol. The Philadelphia Mint struck over 75 million pieces that year, but strike strength often varied.
Many cents show soft hair detail and dull luster. Few display the sharp relief and rich red color seen on this MS-66 RD example.
Why High-Grade 1924 Cents Are Special
Most 1924 cents survive with brown or red-brown color. Copper reacts easily to air and moisture. Full Red pieces above MS-65 are therefore scarce.
At the MS-66 RD level, PCGS reports a small certified population. Even fewer have earned CAC approval. The CAC green sticker confirms this coin sits at the top of its grade for luster, color, and surface quality.
Brief History of the Lincoln Cent (1909 – 2025)
The Lincoln Cent debuted in 1909 for the centennial of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. Sculptor Victor David Brenner replaced allegorical Liberty with a real American hero. The reverse showed two wheat ears, a simple symbol of prosperity.
Through the decades the design evolved:
- 1909 – 1958: Wheat Reverse
- 1959 – 2008: Lincoln Memorial Reverse
- 2010 – 2025: Union Shield Reverse
Yet Lincoln’s portrait endured. That continuity made the cent a link between generations. Its end in 2025 closes one of the longest runs in U.S. coinage.
The Look of Full Red Copper
A century later, few Wheat Cents still glow with their original mint color. PCGS labels coins “RD” when at least 95 % of the surface remains bright red.
This 1924 MS-66 RD shines evenly across both sides. Its satiny luster reflects light in full cartwheels. Color is vivid from rim to rim, with no dark spotting. It shows how brilliant early-20th-century copper could be.
Market and Collector Appeal
Early 1920s Philadelphia cents are tougher than many realize. They are common in lower grades but difficult to find in Gem Red.
Registry set builders compete fiercely for coins like this one. PCGS and CAC data confirm that only a limited number reach this level.
Recent auction prices for similar 1924 MS-66 RD coins have reached five-figure levels when eye appeal is exceptional. The CAC green sticker often adds a strong premium.
For live population numbers and verified sale records, visit 1924 Lincoln Cent (RD) – PCGS CoinFacts
The 1924 Mint Story
The Roaring Twenties brought prosperity and heavy coin production. Yet the Mint still faced wear on dies and planchet quality issues.
Most 1924 cents show flat detail and subdued shine. Gems like this one were struck from fresh dies and carefully preserved. Brenner’s initials “V.D.B.” appear bold on the shoulder, a mark of pride restored in 1918 after early controversy.
Why Collectors Love This Date
The 1924 cent bridges accessibility and rarity. It is not as scarce as the 1909-S VDB or 1914-D, but in Gem Red it becomes an elite coin.
With the cent ending circulation, the Wheat series gains cultural value. Each coin recalls an era when a penny still mattered.
The GreatCollection’s PCGS MS-66 RD (CAC) example captures that legacy. Its blazing red color and nearly perfect surfaces make it one of the finest survivors of its time.
Final Thoughts
The 1924 Lincoln Cent PCGS MS-66 RD (CAC) unites history, art, and rarity. As America says goodbye to its smallest denomination, this coin stands as a bright reminder of craftsmanship and heritage.
When it crosses the block on January 11 2026, it will represent more than a century of collecting tradition, proof that even a one-cent coin can tell a nation’s story.
Quick Specs – 1924 Lincoln Cent
- Type: Lincoln Wheat Cent (“Wheat Penny”)
- Country: United States of America
- Year of Issue: 1924
- Mint: Philadelphia (no mintmark)
- Designer: Victor David Brenner
- Composition: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
- Weight: 3.11 grams
- Diameter: 19.05 mm
- Edge: Plain
- Mintage: 75,178,000
- Grade: PCGS MS-66 RD
- Certification: CAC Green Sticker
- Auction: Greacollection, ends Jan 11, 2026, 4:16:54 PM
- PCGS CoinFacts: 1924 1C Lincoln Cent (RD) – PCGS CoinFacts
What a pretty penny
Watch these take off in value now.
Stellar – – what a coin
NICE!!!
Sad to see the penny go out of circulation but I get it costs more to make them then they are worth. Pretty soon all change will be gone and that will be even sadder. The old what cent is one of my favorite.
That’s one FINE specimen!! Wonder how much it will go for?? VERY NICE INDEED!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS,BE SAFE & GODBLESS ALWAYS EVERYONE!! THANK YOU “JESUS”❤️ HALLELUJAH AMEN !!!
I have one how can I sale my
So will the values of pennies go down since we can’t make them anymore or shouldn’t it make them more rare like a half cent.??
I got a 1969 penny that has the memorial on back it’s stamped on front too is worth any thing thanks for help
I have 8 Wheat pennies how can I get rid of then
I have a lot of wheat pennies
I have a bunch of wheat pennies and have no clue what they would be worth. Starting at 1910. I think the only one I don’t have is 1909
Yes I have like a hundred OB pennies just wondering where’s the best place to get rid of them or have somebody look at them thank you
I love that cent! Beautiful condition for the year!
Also I’m wondering how hard it is to get a new error recognized as being a new error? I have a die break/crack on the reverse side of the 2023 cent nobody else has found any of except myself. I have at least 40 of them. All out of 2 rolls out of 10 rolls I’d gotten.
I have a lot of them