While most 2019 pennies trade at face value, the 2019 year marked a historic milestone that savvy collectors recognized immediately—the debut of the first-ever West Point minted Lincoln cents bearing the “W” mintmark. These special 2019-W pennies were distributed exclusively through U.S. Mint sets, creating immediate scarcity compared to the billions of regular circulation strikes from Philadelphia and Denver.
Beyond the groundbreaking West Point issue, 2019 pennies encompass multiple varieties across four different mints, each with distinct characteristics and collecting appeal.
From common circulation finds to premium proof specimens, understanding which 2019 pennies hold value above face value requires knowing exactly what to look for. Let’s explore the hidden treasures that could be sitting in your pocket change.
2019 Penny Value By Variety
The 2019 penny series showcases significant value differences across mintage and quality, as shown in the chart below.
2019 Penny Value Chart
| TYPE | GOOD | FINE | AU | MS | PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Shield Penny Value (RD) | — | — | — | $108 | — |
| 2019 D Shield Penny Value (RD) | — | — | — | $14 | — |
| 2019 W Shield Penny Value (RD) | — | — | — | $85 | — |
| 2019 W Proof Shield Penny Value (RD) | — | — | — | — | $20 |
| 2019 W DCAM Shield Penny Value | — | — | — | — | $17 |
| 2019 S DCAM Shield Penny Value | — | — | — | — | $6 |
Tip: Chart shows Red (RD) prices only. For Brown (BN) or Red-Brown (RB) values, check our CoinValueChecker App for comprehensive information across all color designations.
2019 Penny Market Trend
Market Interest Trend Chart – 2019 Penny
The market interest trend chart for 2019 pennies reveals a classic collector phenomenon that mirrors the broader numismatic market’s response to significant minting developments.
The dramatic spike in late 2019 represents the initial discovery and recognition period when collectors first encountered the historic West Point “W” mintmark penny, creating unprecedented demand as news spread rapidly through collecting communities.
The subsequent decline following the peak demonstrates typical market behavior where initial excitement gradually stabilizes as supply meets demand and collectors assess long-term value potential. However, the sustained baseline activity from 2020 onward indicates genuine collector interest beyond the initial hype, suggesting the 2019-W penny has established itself as a legitimate modern collectible.
The recent moderate curve fluctuation in market activity reflects renewed appreciation for this historic first, possibly driven by anniversary recognition or market maturation as collectors recognize the significance of the first West Point Lincoln cent.
To see how 2019 pennies compare with other contemporary rarities and understand broader market dynamics, explore our comprehensive US Coin Market Trend Ranking (Top 100) for complete analysis of today’s most active collecting opportunities.
History of the 2019 Penny
The 2019 penny marked a watershed moment in American numismatics when the United States Mint celebrated the 110th anniversary of the Lincoln cent series. The U.S. Mint made history in 2019 by announcing that special Lincoln cents would be issued to honor this significant anniversary.
The defining achievement of 2019 came with the West Point Mint’s unprecedented production of Lincoln cents, marking the first time that facility had ever struck a 1-cent coin. These special edition pennies were created with three distinct finishes—proof, reverse proof, and uncirculated—each featuring a unique finish that corresponded to the specific annual set it accompanied.
Besides, the 2019-W cents were released exclusively through the Mint’s annual collector sets and were never available individually from the Mint.
Beyond the groundbreaking West Point issues, 2019 pennies continued the Union Shield reverse design introduced in 2010. The year’s production encompassed four mint facilities, with Philadelphia and Denver producing billions of circulation strikes while San Francisco and West Point created premium collector specimens with limited mintages. This multi-facility approach established 2019 as a pivotal year that bridged traditional penny production with innovative numismatic commemorative offerings.
Also Read: 10 Most Historic Years of Modern Lincoln Penny (1959-Date)
Key Features of the 2019 Penny
Let’s examine these obverse and reverse characteristics that help collectors distinguish between circulation strikes and the coveted West Point commemorative varieties that marked this historic anniversary year.
The Obverse Of The 2019 Penny
The obverse showcases Victor David Brenner’s iconic left-facing portrait of President Abraham Lincoln that has remained virtually unchanged since 1909, making it the longest-running design in U.S. Mint history.
The inscription “LIBERTY” appears along the left rim, while “IN GOD WE TRUST” curves around the upper portion above Lincoln’s head. The year “2019” is positioned on the right side, with the mintmark appearing directly below the date.
The Reverse of The 2019 Penny
The reverse features Lyndall Bass’s Union Shield design, introduced in 2010, which depicts a shield with 13 vertical stripes representing the original states unified under the federal government’s horizontal bar above.
The inscription “E PLURIBUS UNUM” appears on the horizontal bar, meaning “out of many, one,” while “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curves along the upper rim. A decorative scroll drapes across the shield bearing the denomination “ONE CENT”. The design symbolizes Lincoln’s preservation of the United States as a single, unified country during the Civil War era.
Designer initials “LB” for Lyndall Bass and sculptor Joseph Menna’s “JFM” appear on the scroll ends, completing this emblematic representation of American unity.
Other Features of the 2019 Penny
The 2019 penny maintains standard specifications with a 19.05-millimeter diameter and 2.50-gram weight. The composition consists of copper-plated zinc (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper), continuing the formula adopted in 1982.
All 2019 pennies feature a plain edge design typical of modern Lincoln cents, allowing the focus to remain on the coin’s commemorative significance and varied mintmark designations across the four producing facilities.
2019 Penny Grading
Grading 2019 Lincoln pennies accurately is crucial for determining their true market value and collector appeal. The grading process evaluates several key factors including surface preservation, strike quality, luster retention, and most importantly for copper coins, color designation.
Red (RD) specimens retain 85-90% of their original mint color and command significant premiums over Red-Brown (RB) or Brown (BN) examples. High-grade 2019 pennies in MS67-MS70 condition display exceptional mint luster and minimal contact marks, with MS70 representing absolute perfection.
The 2019-W varieties present unique grading considerations due to their specialized finishes—proof specimens exhibit mirror-like surfaces with frosted devices, while reverse proofs showcase the opposite effect.
Contact marks in focal areas like Lincoln’s cheek and jaw significantly impact mint state grades, while striking quality affects the sharpness of design details on both obverse and reverse.
For instant grade assessment of your 2019 pennies, use our CoinValueChecker App to quickly evaluate condition and potential value without the guesswork.
Understanding proper grading techniques is essential for maximizing returns—learn comprehensive evaluation methods in our detailed guide on How to Grade Lincoln Pennies.
2019 Penny Value Guides
The 2019 penny series encompasses six distinct varieties that marked a watershed moment in Lincoln cent history, celebrating the 110th anniversary with unprecedented production diversity.
Unlike typical years with standard circulation and proof offerings, 2019 introduced the historic West Point facility as a penny producer for the first time, creating multiple specialized finishes alongside traditional Philadelphia and Denver strikes. The West Point varieties alone represent three different finishes—uncirculated, standard proof, and innovative reverse proof—while San Francisco contributed Deep Cameo proofs and the two major mints produced billions of circulation pieces.
2019 Penny Types:
- 2019 Shield Penny (Philadelphia)
- 2019-D Shield Penny (Denver)
- 2019-W Shield Penny (West Point）
- 2019-W Proof Shield Penny (West Point)
- 2019-W DCAM Shield Penny (West Point)
- 2019-S DCAM Shield Penny (San Francisco)
2019 Shield Penny Value
The 2019 Shield Penny from Philadelphia represents the most common variety of the commemorative year, with a massive mintage of over 3.5 billion pieces produced for general circulation.
Market data from recent years shows the dramatic impact of condition on pricing. Circulated examples remain at face value, while uncirculated specimens in typical MS63-65 grades trade for modest premiums of 10-30 cents.
According to auction records, top-tier examples demonstrate substantial collector demand. MS69 Red specimens have achieved realized prices approaching $2,500-$2,600, while perfect MS70 examples represent the pinnacle of preservation. The emphasis on Red (RD) color designation proves critical, as these coins retain at least 95% of their original mint color compared to Red-Brown (RB) or Brown (BN) alternatives.
2019 Shield Penny (RD) Price/Grade Chart
Price by 1-70 Grade (Latest Auction Records Included)
