The 1914 D Lincoln Cent is one of the most famous coins in the Lincoln Wheat Cent series, minted from 1909 to 1958. It was produced at the Denver Mint. It is designed as a business strike, this coin consists of 95% copper and 5% zinc and tin, with a total mintage of 1,193,000 pieces. Despite its seemingly moderate mintage, the 1914-D Lincoln Cent is regarded as a key coin within the series due to its rarity, specifically in higher grades.
History of 1914 D Lincoln Cent
The 1914-D Lincoln Cent stands out as one of the most important 20th-century coins, mainly within the Lincoln Cent series. Although its mintage of 1,193,000 is not extremely low in an absolute sense, it is among the lowest for regular-issue Lincoln Cents.
This rarity is compounded by the reality that the coin was not widely saved in considerable quantities when first released, making it a true conditional rarity in more reasonable uncirculated grades.
While the 1914 D Lincoln Cent is more familiar than the 1909-S VDB Cent in terms of mintage and number of surviving specimens, it is experienced less often at coin shows, especially in uncirculated conditions. Counterfeit 1914-D Lincoln Cents are general, and collectors must be careful when buying raw samples.
Coin Specifications
- Year of Issue: 1914
- Denomination: One Cent (USD)
- Mint Mark: D (Denver)
- Mintage: 1,193,000
- Alloy: 95% Copper, 5% Tin plus Zinc
- Weight: 3.11 g
- Diameter: 19.00 millimeters
- Edge: Plain
- Designer: Victor David Brenner
- Quality: Business Strike
Design
Obverse:
The obverse of the 1914 Lincoln Cent, designed by Victor David Brenner features a right-facing bust of President Abraham Lincoln. The date 1914 is shown to the right of Lincoln and also the motto IN GOD WE TRUST above the president and to the left is the word “LIBERTY.” The date is the mint mark D for the Denver Mint below.
Reverse:
The reverse design, also by Brenner, is known as the “Wheat Cent” reverse. It features two sheaves of wheat flanking the words “ONE CENT” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” At the top of the design is the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
Edge: The edge of the 1914-D Lincoln Cent is plain and simple, without any reeding or lettering.
Rarity and Condition
The 1914 D Lincoln Cent is the rarest early date Lincoln Cent in Mint State. To date, just over 300 examples have been certified in Mint State Red, while a combined 600 examples are registered in the NGC and PCGS censuses in Mint State Red Brown. Renowned coin specialist Walter Breen once recounted that a New England coin dealer possessed ten rolls of Mint State examples as late as 1943, indicating the coin’s scarcity even in that condition.
Due to its rarity, many counterfeit and altered date examples exist. Authentication by experienced services is highly recommended. Four different mint mark positions are known for the 1914-D, aiding in authentication. Genuine examples have specific diagnostics, such as circular hub marks on the inside of the “9” in the date and a small die crack on one die growing from the edge through Lincoln’s bust.
Errors
The 1914-D Lincoln Cent is often counterfeited, with counterfeiters sometimes adding a “D” mintmark to a 1914 cent or altering the date on a more common 1944-D cent to compare a 1914-D. Authenticating the coin needs knowledge of specific diagnostics, such as the smaller mintmark utilized in 1914 and the lack of designer Victor David Brenner’s initials “VDB” on the bust truncation.
Value of 1914 D Lincoln Cent
The value of the 1914 D Lincoln Cent variety especially based on its condition. Most surviving examples are well-worn, and problem-free coins in lower circulated grades can command prices starting at USD 175. Mint State examples, however, can be very expensive. For example, a PCGS-graded MS-63 BN specimen sold for $2,640 in December 2019, while a PCGS MS-66 RD coin fetched $81,075 in 2016, making it one of the highest-priced examples of this coin.
Also Read – 1909 S Indian Head Cent: A Comprehensive Guide
Conclusion
The 1914 D Lincoln Cent is a valued coin for collectors, particularly those specializing in Lincoln Cents. Its relatively low mintage, combined with its scarcity in higher grades and the prevalence of counterfeits, makes it a challenging and rewarding purchase. For those who can get a genuine, high-grade example, the 1914-D Lincoln Cent expresses an important coin of numismatic history and a cornerstone of any serious Lincoln Cent collection.