1931-S Wheat Penny - F12 (Fine) Grade / Condition, NGC Certified - San Francisco Mint - Key Date Wheat - 1931S Wheat Back Cent Wheat Ear 1931 S

This listing is for one 1931-S Wheat Penny, as pictured. "S" mint mark, denoting the San Francisco Mint. 1931 wheat pennies struck in San Francisco had particularly low mintage numbers, with only 886,000 struck. Compared to 1931-P, for example, at 19,396,000 struck in the same year (Philadelphia mint). 1931-S is a key date and the rarest in the series for all dates and mints in the 1930's.

The Lincoln cent has been struck by the United States Mint since 1909. The obverse or heads side was designed by Victor David Brenner, as was the original reverse, depicting two stalks of wheat (thus "wheat pennies", struck 1909–1958).

In 1917, a year which saw Barber's death in office at age 77, the wartime economy caused a shortage of cents. At this time, the Lincoln cent had not yet become dominant in circulation; four-fifths of the cents in circulation were of the older Indian Head design. Demand for the cent continued to increase when a luxury tax was instituted, and cents were needed to make change. In 1918, Brenner's initials were restored to the coin, appearing where Lincoln's shoulder is cut off by the rim of the coin.


1931-S Wheat Penny - F12 (Fine) Grade / Condition - San Francisco Mint - Key Date Wheat - 1931S Wheat Back Cent Wheat Ear 1931 S