Price Guide for 1937 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: $9.00 – $7,200.00
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eBayCirculated: $20.00 – $21.50Uncirculated: $0.99 – $899.25
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4.00 – $16,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $8.00 – $17,250.00
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eBayUncirculated: $4.75 – $10,100.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $6.00 – $11,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $500.00Uncirculated: $7.00 – $2,350.00
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eBayUncirculated: $5.50 – $1,750.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5.00 – $20,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $7.00 – $8.00Uncirculated: $44.00
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eBayCirculated: $1.25 – $5.00Uncirculated: $8.00 – $295.00
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eBayCirculated: $0.99 – $11.50Uncirculated: $1.25 – $179.99
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $32.00 – $14,687.50
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eBayUncirculated: $20.00 – $3,857.77
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $50.00 – $13,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $12.00 – $59.00Uncirculated: $26.00 – $129.25
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eBayUncirculated: $48.77 – $2,853.01
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $12.00 – $14.00Uncirculated: $22.00 – $185.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $7.00 – $690.00Uncirculated: $6.00 – $66.00
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eBayCirculated: $10.51 – $24.17Uncirculated: $1.75 – $140.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $190.00Uncirculated: $9.00 – $1,495.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $199.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $7.00 – $204.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1.25 – $115.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $26.00 – $71.00
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eBayCirculated: $4.69Uncirculated: $5.00 – $108.38
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $29.00 – $4,094.00
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eBayUncirculated: $50.01 – $442.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $40.00 – $800.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $11,456.00Uncirculated: $126.00 – $24,675.00
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eBayUncirculated: $341.00 – $1,624.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $100.00 – $15,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $748.00 – $13,225.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2,000.00 – $4,500.00
Design and Specifications of the 1937 Cent
The 1937 Lincoln Cent was part of the Wheat Penny series, which began in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth. This coin was minted during the Great Depression era, a time of economic hardship in the United States. Despite the economic challenges, coin production remained robust, reflecting the ongoing need for circulating currency.
| 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 | Portrait of Abraham Lincoln, 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 a 1937 Lincoln Cent significantly impacts its value, especially for higher grades. While common in circulated conditions, these coins become increasingly valuable in uncirculated states.
Coins graded MS65 (Gem Uncirculated) and above command premium prices, with MS67 and MS68 examples being quite scarce and highly sought after by collectors. The presence of original mint luster and absence of contact marks or wear on high points are crucial for achieving high grades.
Mintage: 309,170,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in grades up to MS66, scarce in MS67 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, primarily for high-grade specimens
Mintage: 50,430,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in grades up to MS66, scarce in MS67 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, slightly higher than Philadelphia due to lower mintage
Mintage: 34,500,000
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 to High, due to lower mintage and better strike quality
Strike quality is an important factor for 1937 cents, with well-struck examples being more desirable. San Francisco minted coins are often noted for their superior strike quality.
Toning can also affect value, with attractive, natural red or red-brown colors being more appealing to collectors than dull or artificially toned specimens.
While not particularly rare, full Red (RD) examples in high grades are more valuable than their Red-Brown (RB) or Brown (BN) counterparts. The retention of original mint luster and color is highly prized among collectors of Lincoln cents.
