Price Guide for 1923 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: $86.00 – $450.00Uncirculated: $322.00 – $67,562.50
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eBayCirculated: $16.50 – $48.00Uncirculated: $5,623.00 – $16,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $500.00 – $70,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $220.00 – $10,000.00Uncirculated: $32.00 – $11,500.00
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eBayCirculated: $30.00Uncirculated: $7.01 – $6,350.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $40.00 – $55,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $7.00 – $863.00Uncirculated: $5.25 – $3,335.00
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eBayCirculated: $2.83 – $250.00Uncirculated: $81.16 – $3,899.95
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $5.00 – $245.00Uncirculated: $260.00 – $3,350.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $9.00 – $37.00Uncirculated: $15.00 – $165.00
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eBayCirculated: $2.99 – $67.00Uncirculated: $10.50 – $216.50
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2.00 – $18.00Uncirculated: $22.00 – $350.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $24.00Uncirculated: $0.55 – $576.00
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eBayCirculated: $354.27Uncirculated: $12.50 – $395.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $35.00 – $525.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $184.00 – $1,300.00Uncirculated: $184.00 – $10,800.00
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eBayUncirculated: $234.00 – $1,850.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $275.00 – $12,000.00
Design and Specifications of the 1923 Cent
The 1923 Lincoln Cent continues the design introduced in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. This year marked the 14th year of the Lincoln Cent series, which would go on to become one of the longest-running coin designs in U.S. history.
In 1923, the United States was experiencing the economic boom of the Roaring Twenties, and coin production remained robust to meet the demands of a growing economy.
| Weight | 3.11 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 19 mm |
| Mint Marks | No mint mark (Philadelphia), S (San Francisco) |
| Composition | 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc |
| Obverse Design | Lincoln portrait facing right, designed by Victor D. Brenner |
| Reverse Design | Wheat ears flanking ONE CENT and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, designed by Victor D. Brenner |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1923 Lincoln Cents significantly impacts their value. While circulated examples are relatively common, uncirculated specimens, particularly those in grades MS65 and above, are considerably scarcer and more valuable.
For the San Francisco mint coins, the impact of condition is even more pronounced due to their lower mintage. Well-struck examples with full, original mint luster are highly prized by collectors.
Toning can also play a role in a coin’s desirability, with attractive, natural red or red-brown toning often commanding a premium.
Mintage: 74,723,000
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: 8,700,000
Rarity Scale: Uncommon
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, especially for well-preserved examples
Strike quality is an important factor for 1923 cents. Well-struck coins with sharp details, particularly on Lincoln’s hair and the wheat ears, are more desirable.
The San Francisco mintage, being significantly lower than Philadelphia’s, is generally more valuable across all grades. This difference becomes more pronounced in higher grades.
Original mint red color is highly prized in uncirculated examples. Coins retaining a high percentage of their original red color typically command significant premiums over brown or red-brown examples of the same grade.
