HomeAuctions1919 Lincoln Cent PCGS MS69 RD (CAC) - The Finest Wheat Cent...

1919 Lincoln Cent PCGS MS69 RD (CAC) – The Finest Wheat Cent Ever Certified

CoinWeek
By CoinWeek

A remarkable 1919 Lincoln Wheat Cent graded PCGS MS-69 RD with a CAC green sticker will appear at auction through GreatCollections on March 22, 2026.

1919 Lincoln Wheat Cent graded PCGS MS-69 RD with a CAC green sticker
1919 Lincoln Wheat Cent graded PCGS MS-69 RD with a CAC green sticker

This coin represents one of the most extraordinary certified examples in the entire Lincoln cent series. Collectors rarely encounter a business-strike Wheat cent preserved at this level of quality. Even more striking, the coin comes from the renowned collection of Stewart Blay, whose registry-level Lincoln cents set several modern auction benchmarks.

For many collectors, simply seeing a copper coin struck more than a century ago in this condition feels remarkable.

A Lincoln Cent Preserved at an Extraordinary Level

Professional grading services evaluate coins on a 1-to-70 scale. A grade of MS-69 sits just one point below theoretical perfection.

This 1919 Lincoln cent carries three notable distinctions:

Copper coins typically darken over time as oxidation affects their surfaces. Because of that natural process, truly pristine red examples from the early 20th century remain extremely rare.

1919 Lincoln Wheat Cent graded PCGS MS-69 RD CAC - Obverse
1919 Lincoln Wheat Cent graded PCGS MS-69 RD CAC – Obverse Detail

Certification records also highlight the coin’s uniqueness. PCGS lists this piece as the only pre-1934 Lincoln cent graded MS-69. In addition, CAC has not approved any other U.S. cent at the 69 level, whether business strike or proof.

These combined factors place the coin at the very top of the certified population for the Wheat cent design.

A Record-Setting Lincoln Cent

The same coin captured widespread attention in January 2023 when it sold publicly for $412,500.

The sale established an auction record for a classic U.S. small cent struck for circulation. No Flying Eagle cent (1856–1858) or Indian Head cent (1859–1909) has approached that level in auction results.

Other notable Lincoln cent sales from the Stewart Blay collection followed close behind:

  • 1909 VDB Lincoln cent, Proof-67+ RD (CAC) – $357,500
  • 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent, MS-67 RD (CAC) – $337,700

However, both coins represent famous key issues. The 1919 cent stands apart because it comes from a date normally considered common.

A Common Date With an Extraordinary Survivor

The Lincoln Wheat cent debuted in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth.

PCGS TrueView Image - 1919 Lincoln Cent PCGS MS-69 RD (CAC Green) OGH (Ex. Stewart Blay / Red Copper)
PCGS TrueView Image

By 1919, the coin had become firmly established in American commerce. The United States Mint in Philadelphia produced more than 390 million 1919 cents, the highest mintage of any Lincoln cent before 1940.

Because of that large production, examples of the date remain plentiful today. Even heavily worn pieces appear frequently in circulation finds, coin shop inventories, and old Wheat cent collections.

Lower-grade values reflect that abundance. A typical Very Fine example sells for around one dollar, while a well-worn Good-4 piece might trade for about twenty-five cents.

The MS-69 example therefore represents an extreme outlier. It demonstrates what can happen when a coin survives more than a century with virtually no disturbance to its surfaces or color.

Understanding the Certified Population

Population reports illustrate how rare elite Lincoln cents become at the highest levels of preservation.1919 Lincoln Wheat Cent graded PCGS MS-69 RD with a CAC green sticker

Among Lincoln cents dated before 1934, PCGS reports 40 coins graded MS-68 RD across all dates. Nearly half of them, 19 pieces, belong to the 1919 issue.

By comparison, NGC has certified only two pre-1934 Lincoln cents as MS-68 RD, both examples of the 1909 VDB. The service reports no coins at the MS-69 level for early Wheat cents.

These statistics highlight how narrow the margin becomes between the highest certified grades. Even among coins preserved at the gem level, the difference between MS-68 and MS-69 represents an exceptionally small group of survivors.

The Stewart Blay Provenance

The coin also carries notable provenance. It once formed part of the Lincoln cent holdings assembled by Stewart Blay, a dedicated collector known for pursuing the finest certified examples available.

Blay’s collection gained attention for its concentration of top-graded Wheat cents. Several pieces from that set established new auction benchmarks during recent sales.

This MS-69 RD 1919 cent stands as one of the most remarkable coins associated with the collection.

A Century-Old Coin in Remarkable Condition

Most collectors encounter 1919 Lincoln cents in well-circulated condition. Many appear in childhood collections, blue Whitman folders, or inherited Wheat cent sets assembled decades ago.

The coin offered by GreatCollections shows what the date can look like when preserved at the highest possible level. Brilliant red color, pristine surfaces, and exceptional eye appeal combine to create a coin rarely seen even by experienced numismatists.

For collectors and researchers alike, the piece offers a glimpse of how a widely circulated American coin originally appeared when it left the Mint more than a century ago.

Do you have any tips or insights to add on this topic?
Share your knowledge in the comments! ......

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121 COMMENTS

    • Value depends on Condition. Just run a search on Google and you will see various listings offering the coin for sale in different conditions and price points.

  5. I have 2 wheat pennies In that same condition a 1944 without a mint mark and a 1956D In the very same condition of that 1919 wheat pennies

    • @ Kenneth Jenkins: Cents without mint marks are from Philadelphia. Large numbers of 1944 cents were struck and even today they’re not worth much except in high-end condition. Denver’s output in 1956 was also high, but a coin in near-uncirculated condition might bring a small premium.

  9. I have found 1962 Black Penny in my change jar, and a 1930 penny and a1940 no mintmarks on them. What or they Worth. [email protected] Reply back please one more piece A quarter 1966 silver , no mintmarks And A 1967 Rare quarter No mint

    • @Stanley Marsh: Please check the edges of your quarters. Only a handful of silver quarters were accidentally struck after the switch to cupronickel-clad blanks in 1965. If the edge is brownish colored you have ordinary quarters; if the edge shows only silver color you should have the coin(s) checked by an expert.

      To explain the lack of mint marks, their use was suspended on all coins dated 1965 to 1967 so that’s not an error on your quarters. Finally, without more information it’s not possible to know what makes your 1967 quarter rare versus the other hundreds of millions with that date.

  11. I have a 1919 no mint mark penny and I would like to know how to get it certified. Don’t know who to trust. Please help with steps normally done by professionals. I’m not. Thanks.

    • @Wilber Gonzalez: As a response from Coinweek staff noted, a coin’s condition is often a major factor in its value. That being said, a 1919 (P) cent’s retail value ranges from only 15¢ or so in worn condition up to around $2.60 with minimal wear. It would cost far more than that to get it certified. My suggestion would be to keep it as a conversation piece or better yet, gift it to a new collector who’s trying to build a set of “wheaties”.

  12. I found two1919 wheat back pennies sitting on the ground side by side about 20 years ago I don’t know what kind of a grade they would be but there in good shape.

  16. Absolutely beautiful coin. I’m always amazed how some coins can make it over all those years and stay in such a great condition. A lot can happen in 100 plus years.

  17. This is unbelievable. My husband found a 1919 penny in some change. It does not look brand new like the your showing, but it is still legible. I can send a picture of it if you like to see it.

  19. Trying to find a honest and dependable buyer because I’m new to collecting old coins but think I have a few that should be worth a little something

    • @Shankar Unfortunately those are all common dates for US cents. Unless the coins are uncirculated they’re not likely to be worth more than face value.

  23. Tengo un centavo de trigo de 1919 y otro de trigo 1943 de hierro y otro de 1943 de trigo bueno tengo una Colección de monedas y billetes de dólares con estrella Cuanto Vale mi Colección y la estoy vendiendo

  25. I have been collecting for years and have rolls of 1919 all in VG and better condition what would be the best thing to do with them??
    Without giving them away. Just saying LMK
    TY Joe

  26. Looks awesome but why pre-1934 lot of us have 44 45 46 is in very similar shape but you’re right there’s a big difference between 67 68 and then the big 69 so all you guys hoping it drops quickly from 69 I’m talking about de Niro but thank you keep posting stuff like this it is so interesting for us little copper penny people

  27. I have a 1917wheat penny .1909indian wheat penny.1937 dime lady on the front.i have a1937nickel much more Susan Anthony 1dolla 2of them

    • @Bobby Harness: As a Coin Week rep noted in another post, without knowing a coin’s mint mark (or lack of one) and condition, it’s impossible to say much about values. E.g. in circulated condition a 1917 Philadelphia cent can retail for anywhere from around 15¢ to $3.50 while 1917-D cent goes for 50¢ to $20.

      With the current run-up in silver prices a 1937 is mostly worth its melt value. FWIW, the “lady” on the front is of course a representation of Miss Liberty. A 1937 nickel is only worth a couple of dollars or so, except for the famous “3 legs” variety from Denver. SBA dollars are generally only worth face value.

      The term “Indian wheat penny” is confusing. Wheat cents have Lincoln on the obverse, while Indian Head cents show an image of Miss Liberty wearing a native headdress. Both types were made in 1909; again without more information it’s not possible to say anything about values.

  28. I found two of the 1919 wheat cents one is in very good circulated condition Philadelphia mint clearly can see all dates and words I have another 1919 circulated can see the date and the words but very worn wondering if I could get rid of them and what would you suggest if I sell them as a set

  29. I have a lot of old coins I would like to get them checked out and sale them for the right price can that happen

  32. I have a 1943 wheat cent made of copper that passes all of the tests to be an authentic coin.It is non magnetic ,weighs 3.11 grams and was not plated or made from another date as a forgery.In every way this coin is what I would believe to be authentic.It has obviously been in circulation and has a nice patina.Please help me to authenticate and put this rare coin into auction.Thank you.

    • @Josh Stanley You’ve definitely done the necessary homework! My 2¢ is that when you find a coin that checks all the “rarity boxes”, it’s time to call in the professionals to do a formal evaluation. Submit it to one of the professional coin authentication services like PCGS, NGC, or ANACS. If you choose to sell, consign, or donate the coin a pro certification can make a significant difference to the coin’s assessed value.

  44. Wow! good write up on the 1919…Interesting read..Thank you..Would luv to add one of these beauties to my collection..Thank you

  50. This article makes a ton of “cents” ;) Sorry for the pun folks… That 1919 wheat penny is incredible!
    I can’t believe that among Lincoln cents dated before 1934, PCGS reports 40 coins graded MS-68 RD across all dates. Nearly half of them, 19 pieces, belong to the 1919 issue.

    1919 was indeed a great year for wheat pennies!

  57. Almost seems impossible for this coin to be so perfect–I have a hunch someone must have saved this early on untouched for some reason…

  59. A 1919-P Lincoln cent – a common coin. BUT there is no other cent of any date or mint that’s THIS nice. Both PCGS and CAC agreed with the grade. I wonder who pulled it from circulation? Was it found in a roll or a bag? How long did the original finder keep it? It’s almost a miracle that this coin survived the 65+ years before it was slabbed!

  88. Who would be the best in the world to take a complete coin collection to in the United States of America? Thank you in advance…

  94. This is one epic example of a wheat cent and a display of condition rarity at its most pronounced, for sure. Simply gorgeous.

  97. Who would have thought of all the years wheaties were minted 1919 would get the highest grade! I’ve been collecting for nearly 40 years… I love my wheaties!!

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