The 1927 Penny No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
The 1927 Wheat Penny without a mint mark was minted in Philadelphia. Although a large number were produced, finding one in exceptional condition with a vibrant “Full Red” color is still considered a significant and rewarding find for collectors.
How to Determine 1927 Wheat Penny Value
To accurately assess the value of a 1927 Wheat Penny, several key factors must be evaluated:
Condition: The grade of the coin greatly influences its worth. A better-preserved coin will be valued higher. A 1927 Wheat Penny could be worth just a few cents in worn condition, while well-preserved versions may reach hundreds of dollars.
Mint Mark: The location of production adds to the rarity. Coins minted in Denver (D) or San Francisco (S) are marked accordingly. If no letter is present, it was minted in Philadelphia. The mint mark often helps identify scarcity since some mints had lower outputs.
Errors and Varieties: Certain minting errors make coins more valuable. Look closely for misalignments, doubling, or unusual markings. These flaws can drastically increase market value. Referring to updated error listings will help identify valuable error coins like the 1927 Lincoln Penny.
Mintage Figure: Check how many coins were originally produced for that year and type. Coins with lower mintage numbers are usually rarer and more desired by collectors. You can use online resources to verify these details and evaluate your coin’s relative scarcity.
1927 Wheat Penny No Mint Mark (Philadelphia) Value
The 1927 No Mint Mark Wheat Penny was produced in Philadelphia with no identifying mint letter. Though it had a massive mintage, high-quality specimens, especially with vivid red coloring, are quite desirable among numismatists.
Coin Specifications:
- Composition: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
- Weight: 3.11 grams
- Diameter: 19.05 millimeters
- Mintage: 144,440,000
- Special Features: Lincoln profile on the front and two wheat stalks on the reverse; no mint mark indicates Philadelphia origin.
Market Value:
| Grade | Description | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| G-4 (Good) | Heavily worn | $0.20 – $0.25 |
| VG-8 (Very Good) | Well-worn, flat but visible details | $0.25 – $0.30 |
| F-12 (Fine) | Moderate even wear | $0.30 – $0.35 |
| VF-20 (Very Fine) | Clear design, some wear | $0.50 – $0.75 |
| XF-40 (Extremely Fine) | Light wear, good details | $2 – $3 |
| AU-50 (About Uncirculated) | Slight wear, good luster | $5 – $8 |
| MS-60 (Mint State – Brown) | Uncirculated, minor flaws | $10 – $20 |
| MS-63 (Mint State – Brown) | Attractive uncirculated | $12 – $32 |
| MS-65 (Gem MS – Brown) | Strong strike, brown tone | $40 – $100 |
| MS-65 (Gem MS – Red-Brown) | Partial red color | $120 – $250 |
| MS-66 (Superb Gem MS – Red) | Nearly full red, high quality | $400 – $800 |
| MS-67 (Superb Gem MS – Red) | Full red, exceptional strike | $1,620~ |
These prices are approximations and vary based on condition, market trends, and individual buyer interest.
1927-D Wheat Penny (Denver) Value
The Denver Mint struck significantly fewer 1927-D Wheat Pennies, making these coins more scarce, especially in higher grades. The “D” mint mark signifies its origin, and its rarity elevates value among collectors.
Coin Specifications:
- Composition: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
- Weight: 3.11 grams
- Diameter: 19.05 millimeters
- Mintage: 27,170,000
- Mint Mark: “D”
- Special Features: Coins from Denver can vary in strike quality; those with sharp detail are more valuable.
Market Value:
| Grade | Description | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| G-4 (Good) | Heavily worn | $0.75 – $1.25 |
| VG-8 (Very Good) | Clear but flat | $1.50 – $2.50 |
| F-12 (Fine) | Even wear | $2.75 – $6.50 |
| VF-20 (Very Fine) | Clear details | $8 – $12 |
| XF-40 (Extremely Fine) | Light wear | $14 – $18 |
| AU-50 (About Uncirculated) | Slight wear, luster | $24 – $28 |
| MS-60 (Mint State – Brown) | Minor flaws | $65 – $88 |
| MS-63 (Mint State – Brown) | Attractive | $100 – $105 |
| MS-65 (Gem MS – Brown) | Strong strike | $310 – $325 |
| MS-65 (Gem MS – Red-Brown) | Partial red | $500 – $800 |
| MS-66 (Superb Gem MS – Red) | Nearly full red | $1,000 – $1,500 |
| MS-65 (Gem MS – Red) | Full Red | $2,000~ |
Values are rough estimates and depend on quality and demand.
1927-S Wheat Penny (San Francisco) Value
The 1927-S Penny holds greater value due to its lower mintage from the San Francisco Mint. High-quality pieces with original color are rare and highly sought after by serious collectors.
Coin Specifications:
- Composition: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
- Weight: 3.11 grams
- Diameter: 19.05 millimeters
- Mintage: 14,276,000
- Mint Mark: “S”
- Special Features: These coins are often weakly struck; bold details add premium value.
Market Value:
| Grade | Description | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| G-4 (Good) | Worn | $1 – $1.50 |
| VG-8 (Very Good) | Worn, visible design | $2 – $3 |
| F-12 (Fine) | Moderate wear | $2.50 – $4.50 |
| VF-20 (Very Fine) | Clear details | $8 – $12 |
| XF-40 (Extremely Fine) | Light wear | $15.50 – $24 |
| AU-50 (About Uncirculated) | Slight wear | $38 – $45 |
| MS-60 (Mint State – Brown) | Minor flaws | $75 – $214 |
| MS-63 (Mint State – Brown) | Attractive strike | $190 – $200 |
| MS-65 (Gem MS – Brown) | Strong details | $850 – $1,690 |
| MS-65 (Gem MS – Red-Brown) | Red-brown tone | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| MS-66 (Superb Gem MS – Red) | Near full red | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| MS-65 (Gem MS – Red) | Full red tone | $11,900~ |
Collector demand and preservation strongly affect pricing.
Repunched Mint Marks (RPMs)
RPMs are the result of the mint mark being struck more than once, causing overlapping or shadowed impressions. These unique features make such coins more valuable, especially when doubling is clearly visible.
Special Features: Search for doubled or shifted “D” or “S” marks.
Market Value:
| Grade | Description | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| RPM (G-4 to F-12) | Clear doubling, moderate wear | $5 – $15 |
| RPM (VF-20 to XF-40) | Light wear, visible doubling | $15 – $50 |
| RPM (AU-50 to MS-60, Brown) | Uncirculated, brown | $25 – $100 |
| 1927-D D/D North (MS-64RB) | Notable variety | $1,175~ |
Collectors pay a premium for clearly visible RPMs.
Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
The Doubled Die Obverse error happens when a die is misaligned during production, causing noticeable design doubling. These errors significantly increase a 1927 Penny’s value.
Special Features: Check for doubling on the date, “LIBERTY,” and motto.
Market Value:
| Grade | Description | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Minor DDO (F-12 to XF-40) | Light doubling | $10 – $50 |
| Prominent DDO (AU-50) | Clear doubling | $100 – $250 |
| Prominent DDO (MS-60~, Brown) | Uncirculated | $200 – $500 |
| Prominent DDO (MS-63~, Red-Brown) | Sharp strike | $500 – $1,500 |
| Identified 1927 DDO (MS-60~, Red) | Full red, recognized | $2,600~ |
These coins are rare and widely desired by error collectors.
Lamination Errors
Lamination issues arise due to metal impurities that cause the coin’s surface to split or flake. These distinctive flaws boost the coin’s value depending on visibility and severity.
Special Features: Look for peeling or missing areas of metal on the surface.
Market Value:
| Grade | Description | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Lamination (Circulated) | Small, subtle flaw | $5 – $20 |
| Significant Lamination (Circulated) | Large or visible flaw | $20 – $75 |
| Major Lamination (AU-50 to MS-60) | Strong peeling | $75 – $250~ |
Collectors value coins with dramatic lamination errors more highly.
Woodgrain Error
This error creates streaks resembling woodgrain due to uneven copper alloy blending. It’s more common in older cents, particularly from San Francisco, and makes the coin visually unique.
Special Features: Caused by uneven metal mixture, results in streaked appearance.
Market Value:
| Grade | Description | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Minor Woodgrain (Circulated) | Faint pattern | $2 – $10 |
| Distinct Woodgrain (Circulated) | Visible pattern | $10 – $50 |
| Prominent Woodgrain (AU-50 to MS-60) | Strong streaks | $50 – $150 |
| Exceptional Woodgrain (MS-60~, Toned) | Eye-catching toning | $150 – $500~ |
This variety appeals to collectors looking for unusual copper toning patterns.
Why “Full Red” Coins Are Expensive
The color of a 1927 Wheat Penny greatly affects its value. Grading services use color codes to rate toning levels:
- BN (Brown): Fully oxidized with a brown tone.
- RB (Red-Brown): A blend of original red and brown.
- RD (Full Red): At least 95% of the original red shine remains.
Full Red coins fetch premium prices due to:
Rarity: Maintaining red luster requires exceptional storage away from heat, light, and air. Full Red 1927 Pennies are rarely found in such condition.
Visual Appeal: These coins appear untouched, bright, and freshly minted—making them highly attractive to collectors.
Demand: A high-grade Full Red coin is a centerpiece in collections. Their scarcity and beauty create intense competition, often driving prices into the thousands, unlike their brown or red-brown counterparts.
For collectors just beginning, even a simple 1927 Penny can be meaningful. Always inspect coins closely—an average-looking piece could hold remarkable worth.
FAQs
Q1: What makes a 1927 Wheat Penny valuable?
Condition, mint mark, and unique errors like DDO or RPM can significantly boost value.
Q2: How can I tell if my 1927 Penny is Full Red?
Look for bright red luster. Certified grading services will confirm it as RD (Red).
Q3: Are 1927-S Pennies worth more than Philadelphia ones?
Yes, due to lower mintage, especially in higher uncirculated grades.
Q4: Where is the mint mark on a 1927 Penny?
Below the date—“D” for Denver, “S” for San Francisco. No mark means Philadelphia.
Patricia is a dedicated finance content writer specializing in personal finance, budgeting, investing, and financial planning. With a passion for making money matters easy to understand, she crafts well-researched, reader-friendly content that helps individuals take control of their financial future.