Price Guide for 1932 Cent Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $9.00Uncirculated: $0.50 – $25,200.00
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eBayCirculated: $11.55 – $539.99Uncirculated: $8.25 – $7,622.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $28.00 – $32,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $0.35 – $12,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $81.22Uncirculated: $1.00 – $3,766.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $25.00 – $11,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $11.00 – $55.00Uncirculated: $11.00 – $330.00
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eBayCirculated: $2.25 – $66.00Uncirculated: $16.50 – $180.27
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2.00 – $18.00Uncirculated: $22.00 – $235.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $8.00 – $9.00Uncirculated: $10.00 – $45.00
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eBayCirculated: $6.25 – $35.00Uncirculated: $0.99 – $189.99
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2.00 – $14.00Uncirculated: $18.00 – $70.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $22.00 – $127.00
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eBayUncirculated: $26.00 – $125.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $18.00 – $100.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $25.00 – $216.00
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eBayUncirculated: $12.10 – $259.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $28.00 – $285.00
Design and Specifications of the 1932 Cent
The 1932 Lincoln Cent was produced during the Great Depression, a time of significant economic hardship in the United States. Despite the economic challenges, the cent continued to play a crucial role in everyday transactions. The Lincoln design, introduced in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, was well-established by this time and remained popular among the public.
| Weight | 3.11 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 19 mm |
| Mint Marks | No mint mark (Philadelphia), D (Denver) |
| Composition | 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc |
| Obverse Design | Portrait of Abraham Lincoln, designed by Victor D. Brenner |
| Reverse Design | Wheat ears, designed by Victor D. Brenner |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1932 Lincoln Cents significantly impacts their value. Due to their age and the economic circumstances of the time, many coins saw heavy circulation, making high-grade examples particularly valuable. Coins in Mint State (MS) condition, especially those grading MS65 or higher, are highly sought after by collectors and can command substantial premiums.
Original red luster is a crucial factor in determining value for uncirculated specimens. Coins retaining their full original mint red color are considerably more valuable than those that have toned to brown. The strike quality can also affect value, with well-struck examples being more desirable.
Mintage: 9,062,000
Rarity Scale: Scarce
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, especially for well-preserved examples
Mintage: 10,500,000
Rarity Scale: Scarce
Circulation Status: Moderate Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: High, especially for well-preserved examples
Historical significance plays a role in the value of 1932 Lincoln Cents. As coins minted during the Great Depression, they represent a challenging period in American history, which adds to their appeal among collectors and historians.
The relatively low mintage for both Philadelphia and Denver issues makes the 1932 cent a key date in the Lincoln Cent series. This scarcity, combined with the coin’s age, contributes to its higher value compared to many other dates in the series.
While not as rare as some other key dates like the 1909-S VDB or 1914-D, the 1932 cent is still considered an important semi-key date and is actively sought by collectors trying to complete date sets of Lincoln cents.
