Whitman Expo
His free weekly newsletter offers insights on the coin and metals markets, and consumer education.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Go check them out!
To date, the 1931-S Lincoln cent is the last regular-issue, non-variety coin in the series that is categorically considered a key-date. The 1931-S boasts the second-lowest mintage in the series, and collectors of the time knew this coin was going to be a scarce issue. Therefore, many collectors hoarded large quantities of 1931-S Lincoln cents soon after they were minted. Even into the mid-1930s, collectors could purchase 1931-S Lincoln cents from the United States Mint for face value plus postage.
These coins were hoarded by collectors in groupings often consisting of uncirculated rolls and even bags, so it was relatively uncommon to find one in circulation. Still, many of the coins did get out and numismatic experts believe fewer than 100,000 exist today, the majority in circulated grades. Thankfully, enough of these coins were retained by collectors in uncirculated condition and many are available in all color designations through at least MS65. Availability drops off significantly in MS66 and better.
Obverse Description
Bust of Abraham Lincoln framed by IN GOD WE TRUST on the top periphery. The word LIBERTY to the left of the portrait and the date and mintmark (If any) positioned on the right side.
Reverse Description
Wheat ears flanking the words ONE CENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM on the top perimeter.
Catalog Information
GSID:
1928
Designer:
Victor D. Brenner
Obverse Designer:
Victor D. Brenner
Obverse Lettering:
IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, 1931, S
Reverse Designer:
Victor D. Brenner
Reverse Lettering:
E PLURIBUS UNUM, ONE CENT, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Weight (gr):
3.11 gr
Weight (oz):
0.11 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
19
Coin Shape:
Round
Edge:
Plain
Coin Date:
1931-S
Denomination:
1c
Designation:
MS
Mint Location:
San Francisco
Mint Mark:
S
Mintage:
866,000
Coinage Type:
Lincoln Cent
Coinage Years:
1909-1958
Composition:
Copper
PCGS #:
2618
Send Catalog Feedback
To: editor@greysheet.com
Subject: I would like to contribute catalog info to CDN for 1931-S 1c MS BN
Body: Referring page: http://livetest.greysheet.com/prices/item/1931-s-1c-lincoln-cent-with-brown-surfaces/gsid/1928 GSID: 1928 Title: 1931-S 1c MS BN
Subscribe to View
Log In
View more data, info, and visualizations. Get access to retail and wholesale pricing as well as auction data.
Coin Value History
1931-S 1c MS BN
Value By Grade
1931-S 1c MS BN
CPG (retail) values
Currency
Grade Range
Grading Authority
Sort by
Pricing
Values
Greysheet & CPG® Values
| Grade | CAC | CPG Value (Retail) | Greysheet Price (Wholesale) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS66 |
|
$1,150 | $1,234 |
| MS66 | - | $950.00 | $1,234 |
| MS65 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS65 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS64 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS63 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS62 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS61 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| MS60 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU58 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU55 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU53 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AU50 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF45 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| XF40 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF35 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF30 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF25 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VF20 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F15 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| F12 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG10 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| VG8 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G6 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| G4 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 |
|
$1,234 | $1,234 |
| AG3 | - | $1,234 | $1,234 |
Lincoln Cent 1c Wheat Reverse, 1909-1958 MS BN [Type]
![Lincoln Cent 1c Wheat Reverse, 1909-1958 MS BN [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ProductImages/DLRC/133xxx/b732e156-4f38-45e4-95ee-83317fee2e70.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $0 – $45
Lincoln Cent 1c Wheat Reverse, 1909-1958 MS RB [Type]
![Lincoln Cent 1c Wheat Reverse, 1909-1958 MS RB [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ProductImages/DLRC/435xxx/69281083-4e89-4e1b-8add-20c192601463.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $0 – $55
Lincoln Cent 1c Wheat Reverse, 1909-1958 MS RD [Type]
![Lincoln Cent 1c Wheat Reverse, 1909-1958 MS RD [Type]](https://images.greysheet.com/ProductImages/DLRC/360xxx/46668f31-a86b-430a-87d1-43ecb24d68e1.jpg?MaxWidth=200&Mode=Pad&Scale=UpscaleCanvas&format=webp)
Worth: $0 – $100
1909 VDB 1c MS BN
Worth: $2 – $450
1909 VDB 1c MS RB
Worth: $22 – $22,000
1909 VDB 1c MS RD
Worth: $55 – $50,000
1909 VDB 1c Doubled Die Obverse MS BN
Worth: $10 – $330
1909 VDB 1c Doubled Die Obverse MS RB
Worth: $130 – $750
1909 VDB 1c Doubled Die Obverse MS RD
Worth: $175 – $10,000
1909-S VDB 1c MS BN
Worth: $550 – $25,000
1909-S VDB 1c MS RB
Worth: $2,150 – $42,000
1909-S VDB 1c MS RD
Worth: $2,150 – $150,000
1909 1c Lincoln MS BN
Worth: $0 – $960
1909 1c Lincoln MS RB
Worth: $25 – $1,440
1909 1c Lincoln MS RD
Worth: $40 – $3,000
1931-S 1C MS65 Brown NGC. NGC Census: 52 in 65, 6 finer (7/26). CDN: $335 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS65. Mintage 866,000. ...
$342
1931-S 1C MS62 Brown PCGS. CDN: $125 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS62. Mintage 866,000. ...
$134
1931-S 1C AU58 PCGS. CDN: $105 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU58. Mintage 866,000. ...
$177
1931-S 1C AU53 PCGS. CDN: $90 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS AU53. Mintage 866,000. ...
$109
1931-S Lincoln Cent. EF-40 BN (NGC).
$119
1931-S 1C VF35 ANACS. Mintage 866,000. ...
$89
1931-S 1C MS63 Brown PCGS. CDN: $135 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS63. Mintage 866,000. ...
$165
1931-S 1C MS64 Brown NGC. CDN: $150 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS64. Mintage 866,000. ...
$165
1931-S 1C XF45 PCGS. CDN: $80 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS XF45. Mintage 866,000. ...
$94
1931-S Lincoln Cent. Unc Details--Scratch (PCGS).
$109
1931-S Lincoln Cent. AU-50 (PCGS).
$105
1931-S 1C VF30 ANACS. Housed in a small-sized holder. Mintage 866,000....
$94
1931-S 1C AU55 Brown NGC. Mintage 866,000....
$94
1931-S 1C -- Cleaned -- ANACS Details. MS60. Mintage 866,000....
$149
1931-S 1C VF25 PCGS. PCGS Population: (125/4500). NGC Census: (106/3117). CDN: $75 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF25. Mintage 86...
$62
1931-S 1C MS61 Brown NGC. NGC Census: (19/567). PCGS Population: (4/720). CDN: $115 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS MS61. Mintage 8...
$124
1931-S 1C VF20 PCGS. PCGS Population: (59/4430). NGC Census: (125/2914). CDN: $75 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS VF20. Mintage 866...
$84
1931-S 1C Fine 15 PCGS. PCGS Population: (33/4420). NGC Census: (36/3010). CDN: $72 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Fine 15. Mintag...
$75
1931-S 1C Fine 12 PCGS. PCGS Population: (27/4389). NGC Census: (21/3014). CDN: $70 Whsle. Bid for NGC/PCGS Fine 12. Mintag...
$61
1931-S 1C VG8 ANACS. NGC Census: (2/2016). PCGS Population (4/1989). Mintage: 866,000. Numismedia Wsl. Price for problem fr...
$69
Greysheet News
Consumer Advocate Mike Fuljenz Wins NLG's Newsletter Award
9/15/2026
Incredible Rarities Shatter Records Amid Furious Bidding at Stack's Bowers Galleries' Summer 2026 Global Showcase Rarities Night Session
Stack's Bowers Galleries, one of the world's largest and most prestigious rare coin auction houses, is proud to announce record breaking results from the Rarities Night session of its annual Summer Global Showcase Auction.
9/15/2026
Five U.S. Coins Bring 7 Figures in $67 Million+ Heritage ANA Auctions
Scandinavian gold rarities also command exceptional results.
9/11/2026
Events
Heritage Auctions: US Coins Tuesday & Wednesday Select Auction
Location: Heritage Auctions
Wednesday, July 1, 2026
Heritage Auctions: World & Ancient Coins Wednesday & Thursday Select Auction
Location: Heritage Auctions
Thursday, July 2, 2026
