Price Guide for 1917 Cent Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $950.00Uncirculated: $288.00 – $36,800.00
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eBayCirculated: $5.00Uncirculated: $939.75 – $11,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $150.00 – $82,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $7.00 – $518.00Uncirculated: $16.00 – $780.00
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eBayCirculated: $0.99 – $82.09Uncirculated: $1.00 – $1,125.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1.00 – $28.00Uncirculated: $30.00 – $500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $35.00 – $5,750.00Uncirculated: $1,840.00 – $8,400.00
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eBayCirculated: $19.51 – $3,299.95
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $70.00 – $3,350.00Uncirculated: $3,750.00 – $10,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $184.00Uncirculated: $1,783.00 – $14,950.00
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eBayUncirculated: $4,600.00 – $11,600.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4,000.00 – $22,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $6.00 – $2,760.00Uncirculated: $1.60 – $8,225.00
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eBayCirculated: $3.25 – $154.99Uncirculated: $22.72 – $1,796.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2.00 – $100.00Uncirculated: $115.00 – $9,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $7.00 – $161.00Uncirculated: $29.00 – $1,725.00
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eBayCirculated: $3.50 – $109.99Uncirculated: $58.00 – $1,115.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1.00 – $85.00Uncirculated: $100.00 – $2,750.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $0.90 – $3,600.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $890.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $110.00 – $3,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3,738.00 – $120,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $8,500.00 – $135,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,100.00 – $23,000.00Uncirculated: $40.00 – $38,813.00
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eBayUncirculated: $9.50 – $10,240.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $50.00 – $78,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $27.00 – $550.00Uncirculated: $0.75 – $1,293.00
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eBayUncirculated: $19.03 – $330.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $34.00 – $1,250.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $480.00Uncirculated: $81.00 – $21,275.00
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eBayCirculated: $13.39 – $67.38Uncirculated: $260.00 – $1,125.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $110.00 – $40,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $340.00 – $1,100.00Uncirculated: $59.00 – $3,850.00
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eBayUncirculated: $102.51 – $1,270.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $135.00 – $3,600.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $59.00 – $1,920.00Uncirculated: $3,290.00 – $3,525.00
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eBayCirculated: $102.00 – $500.20Uncirculated: $3,951.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $90.00 – $3,400.00Uncirculated: $3,800.00 – $12,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $8,700.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $8,100.00 – $22,600.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $22,325.00 – $84,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $8,600.00 – $92,650.00
Design and Specifications of the 1917 Cent
The 1917 Lincoln Cent was minted during a significant period in American history, as the United States had just entered World War I in April of that year. This coin was part of the Lincoln Wheat Cent series, which began in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth and continued until 1958.
The Lincoln Cent design by Victor D. Brenner was well-established by 1917, having been in circulation for eight years. It represented a shift in American coinage, being the first U.S. coin to feature a portrait of a historical figure rather than the allegorical representation of Liberty.
| Weight | 3.11 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 19 mm |
| Mint Marks | Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), San Francisco (S) |
| Composition | 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc |
| Obverse Design | Lincoln portrait facing right, designed by Victor D. Brenner |
| Reverse Design | Wheat ears design, designed by Victor D. Brenner |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of a 1917 Lincoln Cent significantly impacts its value. While these coins are generally common, high-grade examples (MS65 and above) are scarce and highly sought after by collectors.
Key factors affecting condition include:
1. Wear: Minimal wear on high points like Lincoln’s cheek and hair.
2. Luster: Original mint luster adds considerable value.
3. Strike Quality: Well-struck coins with sharp details are more desirable.
4. Surface Preservation: Absence of marks, scratches, and corrosion is crucial.
5. Color: Original red or red-brown color is preferred over fully brown specimens.
Mintage: 196,429,785
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for well-preserved specimens
Mintage: 55,120,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for well-preserved specimens
Mintage: 32,620,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for well-preserved specimens
Additional factors that can affect the value of a 1917 Lincoln Cent include:
1. Toning: Natural, attractive toning can enhance value for some collectors.
2. Die State: Late die state coins with interesting characteristics may command a premium.
3. Provenance: Coins with a notable ownership history can be more valuable.
4. Certification: Coins graded and encapsulated by reputable third-party grading services often command higher prices.
5. Market Trends: Fluctuations in the coin collecting market and overall economy can affect values.
