Price Guide for 1936 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: $1.40 – $4,230.00
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eBayUncirculated: $4.25 – $1,850.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $7.00 – $15,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $7.00 – $920.00Uncirculated: $127.00
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eBayCirculated: $0.25 – $20.00Uncirculated: $2.58 – $250.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2.00 – $4.00Uncirculated: $2.00 – $50.00
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eBayCirculated: $5.50 – $15.39Uncirculated: $4.88 – $204.02
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $48.00 – $446.00Uncirculated: $575.00 – $2,875.00
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eBayCirculated: $66.00 – $320.00Uncirculated: $518.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $50.00 – $540.00Uncirculated: $625.00 – $4,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $0.15 – $5,060.00
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eBayCirculated: $3.04 – $9.99Uncirculated: $6.80 – $4,250.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $8.00 – $5,750.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $10.00 – $22.00Uncirculated: $36.00 – $978.00
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eBayCirculated: $1.25 – $20.99Uncirculated: $2.36 – $228.38
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1.65 – $16,620.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1.00 – $1,150.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $7.00 – $30,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $196.00Uncirculated: $150.00 – $18,250.00
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eBayUncirculated: $325.00 – $5,618.18
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $325.00 – $22,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,780.13 – $2,730.00
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eBayUncirculated: $995.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2,850.00 – $6,100.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $47.00 – $217.00Uncirculated: $66.00 – $4,560.00
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eBayUncirculated: $615.00 – $706.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $160.00 – $175.00Uncirculated: $215.00 – $2,850.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $235.00 – $550.00Uncirculated: $127.00 – $2,070.00
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eBayUncirculated: $21.50 – $1,039.49
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $200.00 – $1,150.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $2,300.00
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eBayCirculated: $60.00Uncirculated: $5.11 – $74.95
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5.00 – $100.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $75.00Uncirculated: $2,115.00 – $5,041.20
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eBayUncirculated: $3,299.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $650.00 – $6,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $10,000.00Uncirculated: $340.00 – $19,378.00
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eBayUncirculated: $20.50 – $2,820.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3,000.00 – $45,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $11.00 – $263.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1.04 – $225.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $9.00 – $312.00
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eBayUncirculated: $2.35 – $250.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $226.00Uncirculated: $90.00 – $7,050.00
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eBayUncirculated: $202.50 – $2,330.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $275.00 – $7,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $150.00Uncirculated: $173.00 – $11,270.00
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eBayUncirculated: $290.76 – $1,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $225.00 – $1,900.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $299.00Uncirculated: $178.00 – $19,387.50
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eBayCirculated: $12.95Uncirculated: $20.00 – $3,995.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $250.00 – $23,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,527.50 – $21,150.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,900.00 – $50,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $47.00 – $444.00Uncirculated: $564.00 – $1,560.00
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eBayCirculated: $52.10 – $360.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $70.00 – $550.00Uncirculated: $625.00 – $4,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $129.25Uncirculated: $4,800.00 – $5,640.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4,850.00 – $45,150.00
Design and Specifications of the 1936 Cent
The 1936 Lincoln Cent was minted during the Great Depression era. This coin continued the Lincoln Wheat Cent design that had been in circulation since 1909. The year 1936 saw economic improvements under President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal policies, which is reflected in the increased mintage numbers compared to previous years.
| Weight | 3.11 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 19.05 mm |
| Mint Marks | No mint mark (Philadelphia), D (Denver), S (San Francisco) |
| Composition | 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc |
| Obverse Design | Abraham Lincoln profile 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
Condition plays a crucial role in determining the value of 1936 Lincoln Cents. While circulated examples are common and generally worth only a small premium over face value, coins in uncirculated condition become increasingly valuable. Specimens grading MS65 (Gem Uncirculated) or higher can command significant premiums, especially for the Denver and San Francisco issues.
The presence of original mint luster and the absence of contact marks or wear on high points like Lincoln’s cheek and jaw are key factors in grading. Attractive, even toning can enhance a coin’s appeal and potentially its value, particularly for the copper-rich composition of these cents.
Mintage: 309,632,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in grades up to MS65, scarce in MS66 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, popular among collectors building year sets
Mintage: 40,620,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, slightly higher demand than Philadelphia mint due to lower mintage
Mintage: 29,130,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in MS65 and above, rare in MS67
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate to High, due to lowest mintage of the three mints
Strike quality is an important consideration for 1936 cents. Well-struck examples with full details, especially on Lincoln’s hair and the wheat ears, are more desirable. The San Francisco mint often produced coins with weaker strikes, making sharp S-mint coins particularly prized.
Die state can also impact value, with early die state coins typically showing sharper details. While no major varieties or errors are known for 1936 cents, minor doubled die varieties or repunched mint marks can add a premium if discovered.
Lastly, the original red color is highly prized in uncirculated Lincoln cents. Coins retaining full original mint red color (designated RD) are worth more than those with brown (BN) or red-brown (RB) coloration.
