Price Guide for 1929 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 PriceUncirculated: $29.00 – $18,600.00
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eBayCirculated: $7.00 – $28.99Uncirculated: $27.00 – $3,600.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $50.00 – $65,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $8.00 – $22.00Uncirculated: $26.00 – $169.00
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eBayCirculated: $3.25 – $89.00Uncirculated: $7.17 – $286.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1.00 – $28.00Uncirculated: $30.00 – $550.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $9.00 – $4,600.00Uncirculated: $23.00 – $7,800.00
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eBayUncirculated: $54.00 – $3,999.95
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $40.00 – $9,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $7.00 – $15.00Uncirculated: $15.00 – $336.00
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eBayCirculated: $3.00 – $35.50Uncirculated: $3.25 – $209.99
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1.00 – $11.00Uncirculated: $15.00 – $100.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $6.00 – $352.00Uncirculated: $13.00 – $132.00
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eBayCirculated: $0.99 – $79.99Uncirculated: $9.80 – $369.99
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1.00 – $26.00Uncirculated: $28.00 – $400.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $0.20 – $104.00
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eBayUncirculated: $12.00 – $213.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $16.00 – $260.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,600.00 – $1,900.00Uncirculated: $15.00 – $5,581.25
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eBayUncirculated: $12.79 – $3,950.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $22.00 – $5,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $0.85 – $564.00
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eBayCirculated: $30.06Uncirculated: $19.01 – $2,300.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $35.00 – $500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $0.25 – $414.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1.10 – $662.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $35.00 – $1,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $89.00Uncirculated: $202.52 – $295.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $10.00 – $115.00Uncirculated: $125.00 – $600.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $990.00 – $3,565.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $185.00 – $27,500.00
Design and Specifications of the 1929 Cent
The 1929 Lincoln Cent was minted during a pivotal year in American history, just months before the stock market crash that would lead to the Great Depression. This coin represents the final year of prosperity before the economic downturn, making it a significant piece for collectors interested in Depression-era numismatics.
| Weight | 3.11 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 19.05 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 1929 Lincoln Cents significantly impacts their value. Uncirculated examples are particularly desirable, with premium prices for coins grading MS65 or higher. Coins with original red color command higher prices than those with brown toning.
Due to the economic conditions following 1929, many of these coins saw heavy circulation, making high-grade examples relatively scarce. The strike quality can vary, with well-struck coins fetching higher prices. Luster is also a crucial factor, with coins retaining their original mint luster being more valuable.
Mintage: 185,262,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS65 and above due to heavy circulation
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, popular as part of complete Lincoln Cent collections
Mintage: 50,148,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, slightly higher than Philadelphia due to lower mintage
Die varieties and errors can add significant value to 1929 cents, though they are relatively uncommon for this year. Collectors should look for doubled die varieties, which can occur on both obverse and reverse.
The historical significance of 1929 as the year before the Great Depression adds interest for some collectors. Complete year sets including both Philadelphia and San Francisco issues are popular among collectors, potentially increasing demand for well-matched pairs.
As with all Lincoln Cents, carbon spots or other surface issues can significantly reduce value, even on otherwise high-grade coins. Preservation of original surfaces is key to maximizing value for this issue.
