How to Find a 1914-D Lincoln Penny

The 1914-D Lincoln penny is one of the principal key dates of the Lincoln Wheat cent series. With an original mintage of only 1,193,000 coins—and a comparatively small surviving population—genuine examples are sought after in every collectible grade.

GetCoinHunt helps you search inventory from multiple coin dealers in one place, compare available examples, and create a wishlist alert when the right coin is not currently listed.

What makes the 1914-D Lincoln penny important to collectors?

The Lincoln cent was introduced in 1909 and originally featured Victor David Brenner’s Wheat Reverse design. In 1914, Lincoln cents were produced at the Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints.

Per PCGS CoinFacts and the U.S. Mint’s published mintage figures, the reported mintages were:

• 1914 Philadelphia: 75,238,432
• 1914-D Denver: 1,193,000
• 1914-S San Francisco: 4,137,000

The Denver issue had the lowest mintage by a considerable margin. Many examples entered circulation and remained there for years, leaving relatively few problem-free coins in higher grades.

Although the 1909-S VDB is more widely recognized outside the hobby, the 1914-D may have a smaller surviving population. It is considered a major obstacle for collectors assembling a complete Lincoln Wheat cent set.

Because genuine coins are valuable, the 1914-D is also frequently counterfeited. Some altered coins begin as ordinary 1914 Philadelphia cents and have a false “D” mint mark added. Others may be created by removing or reshaping the first “4” on a 1944-D cent to make its date appear to read 1914. Completely counterfeit coins are also known.

How to identify a 1914-D Lincoln penny

Check the date, mint mark, design details, and surfaces carefully. A genuine example must have the correct 1914 date and a properly shaped Denver mint mark.

Confirm the date

The date “1914” appears on the lower-right portion of the obverse, in front of Lincoln’s portrait.

Examine all four digits closely. The numerals should have the correct shapes, spacing, alignment, and wear for an authentic 1914 Lincoln cent.

Be particularly cautious of a coin that may have been altered from a 1944-D cent. Removing or reshaping the first “4” in a 1944 date can leave:

• Unnatural spacing between the digits
• Tooling marks in front of the remaining date
• Disturbed or smoothed metal
• A difference in color or surface texture
• Incorrect numeral shapes
• Weakness that does not match the surrounding wear

Heavy circulation can weaken the date. Be cautious when a listing relies on uncertain, incomplete, or digitally enhanced date details.

Find the Denver mint mark

A small “D” mint mark should appear directly beneath the date on the obverse.

The mint mark identifies the coin as a product of the Denver Mint. Philadelphia cents from 1914 do not have a mint mark, while San Francisco coins carry an “S.”

The position and orientation of the “D” can vary slightly because mint marks were punched into individual working dies. However, a genuine mint mark must have the correct shape, size, and relationship to the date.

Examine the mint mark closely

The “D” mint mark is one of the first areas an authenticator will examine.

Genuine examples should show:

• The correct mint-mark shape and proportions
• A relatively boxy overall appearance
• Flat or angular characteristics rather than a smoothly rounded shape
• An interior opening with the correct form
• Surface texture around the mint mark that matches the rest of the coin
• Wear that remains consistent across the mint mark and surrounding field

Warning signs may include:

• A “D” with the wrong shape or proportions
• An unusually rounded mint mark
• An incorrectly shaped interior opening
• Metal disturbed around the “D”
• A visible seam at the base of the mint mark
• A difference in color or texture around the mint mark
• An unnatural mint-mark position or orientation
• Raised tooling marks or weak design details
• Surfaces with an unusual cast, porous, or granular appearance

Photographs alone may not be sufficient to authenticate a high-value coin. If you cannot confidently evaluate the date, mint mark, and surfaces, consider an independently certified example.

Know the physical specifications

Per U.S. Mint records and PCGS CoinFacts, the 1914-D cent weighs 3.11 grams, measures 19mm in diameter, is struck in 95% copper with 5% tin and zinc, and has a plain edge. Wide deviation from these specifications—accounting for normal wear and toning—is a basic red flag alongside the date and mint-mark diagnostics above.

Buying considerations

Certified versus raw coins

A certified coin has been authenticated, graded, and sealed in a holder by a third-party grading service. A raw coin is sold without that certification.

For a frequently counterfeited key date such as the 1914-D Lincoln cent, certification can provide important protection. Before purchasing a certified coin:

• Confirm that the holder is from a recognized grading service.
• Verify the certification number through the grading service’s official website.
• Compare the holder’s photographs, when available, with the coin being offered.
• Check that the label identifies the coin as “1914-D.”
• Remember that counterfeit grading holders also exist.

A raw coin may have a lower asking price, but it requires considerably more expertise and carries greater authentication risk. A seller’s written opinion or guarantee is not the same as independent certification.

Understanding grades

Most surviving 1914-D Lincoln cents show substantial circulation wear. The amount and location of that wear determine much of the coin’s grade.

When comparing listings, look at:

• How clearly the date and mint mark can be read
• Remaining detail in Lincoln’s hair, cheek, jaw, and coat
• Detail in the wheat stalks on the reverse
• Marks, scratches, rim damage, or discoloration
• The coin’s overall eye appeal
• Whether the assigned grade is supported by a recognized grading service

On circulated coins, wear commonly appears first on Lincoln’s cheekbone, jaw, hair, and coat. Reverse wear may reduce detail in the wheat stalks and lettering. Lower-grade examples may have a weak date or mint mark, but both should remain identifiable for the coin to receive a standard grade.

Understanding BN, RB, and RD color designations

Certified copper coins may receive a color designation in addition to their numerical grade:

• BN — Brown: Most of the original red copper color has changed to brown.
• RB — Red-Brown: The coin retains a mixture of original red color and brown toning.
• RD — Red: The coin retains most of its original mint-red color.

Color designations are most relevant to uncirculated coins. Original Red examples of the 1914-D are particularly scarce and generally attract stronger demand.

Buyers should also consider surface quality, spotting, toning, and overall eye appeal. Artificial color may be used to make a copper coin appear more desirable, so a bright appearance does not necessarily mean the color is original.

Problem coins

A genuine 1914-D can still have condition problems that affect its desirability and market value. Watch for descriptions such as:

Cleaned, improperly cleaned, scratched, bent, damaged, corroded, environmental damage, rim damage, recolored, questionable color, repaired, tooled, or altered surfaces.

Problem coins are sometimes placed in holders with a details grade rather than a standard numerical grade. They can provide a less expensive way to own the date, but buyers should understand the stated problem and compare the asking price accordingly.

Copper coins can be particularly sensitive to cleaning, recoloring, spotting, corrosion, and environmental damage.

Authentication and seller information

Before purchasing, review the complete listing rather than relying on its title. Confirm:

• The coin shown is the exact coin being sold.
• Both obverse and reverse photographs are provided.
• The date and mint mark are visible at useful magnification.
• The certification number matches the listing.
• The seller provides a clear return policy.
• Shipping, insurance, taxes, and buyer fees are included in your total-cost comparison.

For raw coins, request additional photographs when the date, mint mark, edge, or surfaces are unclear. Avoid making an authentication decision from a blurry, overexposed, or heavily edited image.

Suggested search terms and filters

Begin with a broad search: “1914-D Lincoln penny,” “1914 D Lincoln cent,” “1914-D wheat penny,” “1914-D wheat cent,” or “1914-D 1C.”

Then narrow the results with terms that reflect your collecting goal:

• By grade: AG, G4, VG, F12, VF, XF, AU, MS
• By certification: PCGS, NGC, or “certified 1914-D penny”
• By color designation: BN, RB, RD (brown, red-brown, red)
• By condition or budget: circulated, low-grade, details grade, cleaned, or problem coin

Useful filters may include grade, color designation, grading service, price range, dealer, certification status, and problem-free versus details-graded coins. Avoid filtering so narrowly that legitimate listings disappear—dealers may format the date, mint mark, grades, and color designations differently.

Availability and pricing notes

Coin availability can change quickly, especially for popular key dates. A search may show several examples one day and none that meet your requirements the next.

Listings and asking prices do not necessarily represent completed-sale values. Compare multiple examples, consider each coin’s grade, color, surface quality, and condition, and review recent market information before purchasing.

GetCoinHunt does not guarantee that every listing is authentic, accurately graded, or fairly priced. Authentication, grading, pricing, return policies, and fulfillment remain the responsibility of the dealer or marketplace offering the coin.

How the GetCoinHunt wishlist alert works

1. Search for the coin. Enter “1914-D Lincoln penny” to search participating dealer inventory.
2. Review the available matches. Compare listings by grade, certification, color designation, condition, dealer, and asking price.
3. Add the search to your wishlist. If the right example is not available, save “1914-D Lincoln penny” as a wishlist item. Add grade, grading-service, color, or price preferences when those options are available.
4. Get notified about new matches. When new dealer inventory matches your wishlist, GetCoinHunt sends an alert so you can review the listing before it disappears.
5. Evaluate the coin before buying. Open the dealer’s listing, verify the certification and photographs, read the complete description, and review the seller’s terms.

For example, suppose you want a certified 1914-D Lincoln cent in Fine through Very Fine condition, but the current results are outside your budget. Instead of repeating the same search across multiple dealer websites every day, save the coin to your wishlist. When matching inventory is detected, you receive a notification and can decide whether the new listing fits your collection.

Frequently asked questions

Why is the 1914-D Lincoln penny so valuable?

Only 1,193,000 were produced at the Denver Mint. Many circulated heavily, leaving a limited surviving population—particularly among problem-free coins in higher grades. Strong demand from Lincoln cent collectors makes it a major key date.

Where is the mint mark on a 1914-D Lincoln penny?

The small “D” mint mark appears on the obverse directly below the 1914 date.

Were Lincoln pennies produced at other mints in 1914?

Yes. Philadelphia produced 1914 cents without a mint mark, and San Francisco produced 1914-S cents. The Denver issue had the lowest reported mintage.

How rare is the 1914-D compared with the 1909-S VDB?

The 1909-S VDB had a lower original mintage, but the 1914-D may have a smaller surviving population. Both are major keys to the Lincoln Wheat cent series.

How can I tell whether the “D” was added?

An added mint mark may have the wrong shape, incorrect position, disturbed surrounding metal, a visible seam, or a different color or texture from the rest of the coin. Sophisticated alterations can be difficult to detect, so professional authentication is strongly recommended.

Can a 1944-D penny be altered to look like a 1914-D?

Yes. A counterfeiter may remove or reshape the first “4” in the 1944 date. The resulting coin may show incorrect spacing, tooling marks, disturbed surfaces, or numeral shapes that do not match a genuine 1914 cent.

Should I buy a raw 1914-D Lincoln penny?

A knowledgeable specialist may be comfortable evaluating a raw coin, but most buyers should approach uncertified examples cautiously. The issue is frequently altered and counterfeited, and genuine coins may also have undisclosed cleaning, recoloring, or damage.

What do BN, RB, and RD mean?

These are color designations used for copper coins. BN means Brown, RB means Red-Brown, and RD means Red. They describe how much original red copper color remains and are separate from the numerical grade.

Is a details-graded 1914-D worth buying?

It can be, depending on the type and severity of the problem, the coin’s appearance, and the price. Details-graded coins generally trade differently from problem-free coins with numerical grades, so compare similar examples.

Why are uncirculated 1914-D pennies difficult to find?

The coin had a low original mintage, and relatively few examples were saved before entering circulation. Coins with original surfaces and substantial mint-red color are especially scarce.

Why do prices vary so much between listings?

Price differences may reflect numerical grade, color designation, certification, surface quality, originality, problem status, eye appeal, dealer policies, or differences in asking price. Compare equivalent coins rather than assuming every 1914-D listing is directly comparable.

What if no suitable coin is currently available?

Add “1914-D Lincoln penny” to your wishlist below. You’ll be notified when newly detected dealer inventory matches your search.

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