Price Guide for 1951 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: $6.00 – $6,600.00
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eBayCirculated: $8.51Uncirculated: $0.90 – $849.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2.00 – $7,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $9.00 – $431.00Uncirculated: $11.00 – $1,380.00
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eBayCirculated: $19.95Uncirculated: $2.49 – $130.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $680.00Uncirculated: $7.00 – $4,230.00
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eBayUncirculated: $3.48 – $1,085.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3.00 – $1,450.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $156.00
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eBayUncirculated: $2.79 – $827.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $99.00 – $160.00
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eBayUncirculated: $79.99 – $192.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $60.00 – $750.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $8.00 – $1,265.00Uncirculated: $92.00 – $1,052.00
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eBayCirculated: $6.99 – $16.92Uncirculated: $5.50 – $151.01
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $19.00 – $863.00
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eBayUncirculated: $10.50 – $395.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $22.00 – $135.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $80.00 – $719.00
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eBayUncirculated: $4.99 – $138.38
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $546.00 – $2,467.50Uncirculated: $9.00 – $10,350.00
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eBayUncirculated: $3.25 – $1,525.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4.00 – $8,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $120.00
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eBayUncirculated: $4.25 – $149.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $24.00
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eBayCirculated: $27.00 – $75.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $25.00 – $32.00Uncirculated: $35.00 – $45.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $69.00 – $2,350.00
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eBayUncirculated: $82.00 – $305.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $65.00 – $2,750.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $104.00
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eBayUncirculated: $11.75 – $50.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $20.00 – $188.00
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eBayUncirculated: $38.59 – $796.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $44.00 – $250.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $940.00 – $1,151.01
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eBayCirculated: $70.00 – $120.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1.00 – $13.00
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eBayUncirculated: $6.50 – $234.50
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $14.00 – $1,560.00
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eBayCirculated: $54.00 – $202.50Uncirculated: $17.51 – $1,499.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $28.00 – $2,350.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $50.00 – $10,350.00
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eBayUncirculated: $111.00 – $2,300.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $30.00 – $12,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,400.00 – $15,077.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4,500.00 – $40,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $2,160.00Uncirculated: $65.00 – $336.00
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eBayUncirculated: $42.00 – $450.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $37.00 – $450.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $139.00 – $14,100.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $55.00 – $14,250.00
Design and Specifications of the 1951 Cent
The 1951 Lincoln Wheat Cent continued the long-standing design that had been in use since 1909. This year marked the 42nd year of the Lincoln cent, which was nearing the end of its wheat reverse design era. The coin held significant importance in everyday commerce, as it was widely used in vending machines and for small purchases in post-World War II America.
| 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's profile facing right, designed by Victor David Brenner |
| Reverse Design | Wheat ears flanking ONE CENT and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, designed by Victor David Brenner |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1951 Lincoln cents significantly impacts their value. While circulated examples are generally worth only face value, uncirculated specimens can command premiums. Coins in MS65 and above are particularly desirable to collectors.
Key factors affecting condition include:
1. Luster: Original mint luster adds value.
2. Strike quality: Well-struck coins with sharp details are preferred.
3. Contact marks: Fewer marks, especially on Lincoln’s cheek and in the fields, increase value.
4. Toning: Natural, attractive toning can enhance value for some collectors.
Mintage: 284,576,000
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, mainly for high-grade specimens
Mintage: 625,355,000
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, mainly for high-grade specimens
Mintage: 136,010,000
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 other mints due to lower mintage
Additional factors influencing the 1951 cent’s value include:
1. Red color: Fully red specimens command higher premiums than brown or red-brown examples.
2. Die state: Late die state coins with flow lines or slight die deterioration may interest variety collectors.
3. Provenance: Coins from notable collections can have added value.
4. Certification: Coins graded and encapsulated by reputable grading services often sell for more than raw coins.
While not particularly rare, high-grade 1951 cents remain popular among collectors building date and mint mark sets or those interested in the Wheat cent series as a whole.
