1920 Penny Value:No Mint Mark, D, S and Early Wheat Cent Quality

Quick answer

Coin photos

Basics & coin story

Production remained high in the aftermath of World War I, but large output did not guarantee consistent quality. NGC describes relatively accessible Philadelphia coins and frequently poor striking from overused dies on Denver and San Francisco issues. Those differences matter when comparing surviving early wheat cents.

The wheat reverse and Brenner portrait belong to the design introduced in 1909. A date-and-mint collection asks a different question from a collection of fully red, sharply struck gems: the former may be affordable even when the latter is difficult. The wheat penny series guide and key-date overview help put a 1920 coin in that context.

Identification

Read the date and the letter directly below it

Confirm every digit in 1920, then look for D or S below the obverse date. No letter is normal for Philadelphia. The reverse should have two wheat ears around ONE CENT. Photograph an unclear letter under changing light; do not scrape it into a preferred interpretation.

Separate weak dies from actual rubbing

NGC describes many D and S coins with distorted peripheral detail or soft designs from long-used dies. A weak wheat ear is therefore not a complete grading method. Look for luster continuity, high-point rub, marks and surface texture across both sides.

Original color cannot be recreated by cleaning

Brown, Red-Brown and Red are distinct copper-color categories. Many surviving S-mint coins have little red color, while even designated Red examples need not resemble the bright appearance of a different mint. Polishing or chemical brightening damages the evidence rather than restoring original color.

Condition & value

Amounts are in U.S. dollars. The final column gives each source row’s update date (month/day/year), separate from the access date of November 13, 2026. Published guides are reference estimates, not guaranteed buying offers or seller net proceeds. Obtain recent like-for-like completed comparisons for an actual transaction.

MS means Mint State. The ordinary table uses Brown (BN) copper entries; Red-Brown (RB), Red (RD), Proofs and attributed varieties are separate.

Keep each mint and condition together

The Brown MS63 guide references are $24 for Philadelphia, $145 for Denver and $220 for San Francisco. MS65 references are $60, $490 and $1,150. These are dated, problem-free grade comparisons, not an overall range for every 1920 penny.

A common worn coin and a difficult gem can share a date

A large number surviving in low grades does not establish a large supply of sharply struck, original high-grade coins. Conversely, difficulty in a top Red grade does not make every brown S coin rare. Compare the actual preservation and color before citing an exceptional result.

Do not create an error category from an unexplained mark

Die cracks, impact damage and displaced surface metal are different phenomena. Record the feature and seek the correct mechanism before assigning a variety. There was no regular U.S. Proof cent issue dated 1920. A shiny or unusually sharp example is not a Proof for that reason. Use the surface guide before selecting a premium.

Photograph both faces under even light and record the visible date and mint mark. HeriBase can help organize an initial photo-based identification; verify important mint, finish and variety details against the references before using a price. An app result is not a certified grade, authentication or purchase offer.

Summary

FAQ

References