As of May, 2024, a 1938 Penny, RB in uncirculated specimen can be valued between $35.00 and $1,300.00, depending on its grade and strike quality.

Looking back at auction records, the highest price was achieved by a Mint State grade that was hammered at $2,467.50 in the 06/25/2015 by renowned auctioneer Legend Rare Coin Auctions, showcasing the allure of top-tier rarities.

Designer: Victor David Brenner
Edge: Plain
Diameter: 19.00 millimeters
Weight: 3.11 grams
Mintage: 14,734
Mint: Philadelphia
Metal: 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc
Series: Lincoln Cents 1909-1958

1938 Penny, Rb (Proof) – Price Chart

If you are aware of your coin’s grade, refer to the following chart to determine its value:

GradePrice($)
MS-671,300.00
MS-66+525.00
MS-66225.00
MS-65+175.00
MS-65150.00
MS-64+140.00
MS-64135.00
MS-63+100.00
MS-6385.00
MS-62+67.00
MS-6262.00
MS-6150.00
MS-6035.00

If you are unsure of the grade, you can assess it based on the coin’s condition. More detailed information here.

GradeLowest Price($)Highest Price($)Average Price($)
Mint State35.001,300.00234.54

Please note that the estimated values are derived from the latest data in the PCGS Price Guide and are not guaranteed to be 100% accurate. We strongly recommend reviewing actual auction records, which can be filtered by grade. For further insights, refer to our analysis report, which is based on these data.

Also, there are multiple versions of the 1938 Lincoln Cent (Wheat Reverse). We recommend checking the values of these coins as well to ensure a comprehensive assessment.

Coin NameMin Circulated Price($)Max Circulated Price($)Min Uncirculated Price($)Max Uncirculated Price($)
1938 Penny, BN (Proof)N/AN/A18.00135.00
1938-S Penny, RD (Regular Strike)N/AN/A8.001,000.00
1938 Penny, RD (Regular Strike)N/AN/A7.0015,500.00
1938-D Penny, RD (Regular Strike)N/AN/A6.0011,500.00
1938-S/S Penny RPM FS-501, RD (Regular Strike)N/AN/A20.00400.00
1938-D/D Penny RPM FS-501, RD (Regular Strike)N/AN/A70.00750.00
1938-S/S/S Penny RPM FS-502, RD (Regular Strike)N/AN/A20.00650.00
1938 Penny, RD (Proof)N/AN/A50.004,300.00
1938 Penny, CAM (Proof)N/AN/A260.0027,500.00

Coins listed have various mint marks and designations indicating where they were minted and if they are special strikes. To learn more about what the different mint marks and designations mean, please refer to our Mint Mark Chart and Coin Designation Reference Chart.

1938 Penny, Rb (Proof) – Auction Chart & Report

This tool is very user-friendly. Simply select the coin grade, and our system will provide detailed information including:

  • Lowest Sale Price
  • Highest Sale Price
  • Average Sale Price
  • Most Recent Sale Price
  • Number of Sales
  • Sales Volume

You can also select different time periods for your query: 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 3 years, or All time, with the default set to All time.

Grade:
1m 6m 1y 3y All

$41.00

Lowest Sale Price
$1,495.00

Highest Sale Price
$152.50

Average Sale Price
$75.00

Most Recent Sale Price
32

Number of Sales
$4,880.00

Sales Volume

Grade Impact Analysis

GradeLowest Price($)Highest Price($)Average Price($)
MS-67840.002,467.501,316.56
MS-6686.00576.00200.87
MS-6555.001,763.00186.85
MS-6441.001,495.00152.50
MS-6325.001,064.00202.29
MS-6222.001,093.00140.19
MS-6137.0057.0047.00

The chart shows the min and max prices for the 1938 Penny, RB (Proof) coin across various grades from MS-61 to MS-67. The prices generally increase as the grade improves, with MS-67 having the highest max price $2,467.50.

Within each grade, there is also variability in prices, likely due to factors like specific coin characteristics or market conditions at time of sale. Overall, the chart illustrates how coin grade is a key driver of value for this particular 1938 Penny, RB (Proof).

Auction House Comparison

The pie chart breaks down the market share of various auction houses for selling the 1938 Penny, RB (Proof) coin. Heritage Auctions dominates with 77.88% share, followed by Stack's Bowers / David Lawrence RC with 11.50% / 5.31% appearances respectively..

Price Trend Over Time

The graph presents a detailed analysis of the average annual auction sale price and frequency for the 1938 Penny, RB (Proof) coin over the years. This visual representation traces the coin's value fluctuations, illustrating periods of increase, decrease, or stability in its average auction price.

Such a historical view is indispensable for collectors, investors, or researchers who are keen on comprehending the market dynamics and the coin's value trend over an extended period.

Raw Auction Records

Here are the lasted auction records from the auction history of the past years. You can filter these records by coin grade.

GradeGrade SourceSellerPrice($)Sold Date
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions159.0006/07/2023
MS-63PCGSStack's Bowers120.0003/29/2023
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions121.0010/05/2022
MS-66PCGSStack's Bowers216.0003/23/2022
MS-65PCGSStack's Bowers336.0003/23/2022
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions94.0012/29/2021
MS-64NGCStack's Bowers75.0005/25/2021
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions121.2004/14/2021
MS-66PCGSStack's Bowers156.0003/31/2021
MS-64PCGSStack's Bowers90.0008/11/2020
MS-64PCGSStack's Bowers132.0008/11/2020
MS-64PCGSStack's Bowers100.0007/29/2020
MS-63PCGSStack's Bowers60.0002/18/2020
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions79.0009/18/2019
MS-67NGCHeritage Auctions840.0006/09/2019
MS-67PCGSHeritage Auctions960.0004/28/2019
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions94.0012/26/2018
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions67.0012/19/2018
MS-66PCGSStack's Bowers576.0010/30/2018
MS-64PCGSStack's Bowers90.0009/26/2018
MS-65PCGSDavid Lawrence RC160.0009/16/2018
MS-64PCGSDavid Lawrence RC85.0006/17/2018
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions74.0001/09/2018
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions53.0001/03/2017
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions235.0007/07/2015
MS-67PCGSLegend Rare Coin Auctions2,467.5006/25/2015
MS-67NGCStack's Bowers998.7503/06/2015
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions52.0011/02/2014
MS-64PCGSDavid Lawrence RC100.0010/12/2014
MS-66NGCHeritage Auctions158.6309/22/2014
MS-65PCGSGreat Collections90.2001/12/2014
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions1,763.0011/01/2013
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions82.0009/30/2013
MS-66PCGSHeritage Auctions223.0008/26/2013
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions96.0008/12/2013
MS-66PCGSGreat Collections155.0006/23/2013
MS-64PCGSGreat Collections68.0002/24/2013
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions79.0009/10/2012
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions53.0009/03/2012
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions62.0004/02/2012
MS-64ANACSHeritage Auctions84.0002/06/2012
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions84.0001/23/2012
MS-66PCGSGreat Collections187.0001/15/2012
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions109.0001/09/2012
MS-63ANACSHeritage Auctions32.0012/12/2011
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions99.0011/21/2011
MS-62NGCHeritage Auctions42.0010/17/2011
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions84.0009/12/2011
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions104.0008/11/2011
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions79.0006/20/2011
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions94.0006/06/2011
MS-66PCGSStack's Bowers162.1503/18/2011
MS-63ANACSHeritage Auctions40.0003/07/2011
MS-63ANACSHeritage Auctions32.0011/15/2010
MS-62PCGSHeritage Auctions53.0009/06/2010
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions62.0011/23/2009
MS-62NGCHeritage Auctions36.0011/16/2009
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions89.0009/23/2009
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions59.0009/23/2009
MS-66NGCDavid Lawrence RC161.0008/10/2009
MS-66ICGHeritage Auctions86.0008/27/2008
MS-62ANACSHeritage Auctions27.0005/07/2008
MS-61ICGHeritage Auctions37.0004/30/2008
MS-63ANACSHeritage Auctions69.0002/18/2008
MS-63ANACSHeritage Auctions69.0001/21/2008
MS-62ANACSHeritage Auctions39.0012/10/2007
MS-66ANACSGoldberg Auctioneers403.0009/25/2007
MS-62ANACSHeritage Auctions51.0008/20/2007
MS-64ANACSHeritage Auctions92.0006/04/2007
MS-61ANACSHeritage Auctions57.0005/21/2007
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions75.0005/16/2007
MS-64ANACSHeritage Auctions86.0005/14/2007
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions66.0003/21/2007
MS-63ANACSHeritage Auctions45.0002/21/2007
MS-63ANACSHeritage Auctions42.0001/15/2007
MS-64ANACSHeritage Auctions54.0001/15/2007
MS-62ANACSHeritage Auctions35.0009/20/2006
MS-64ANACSHeritage Auctions60.0009/18/2006
MS-63ANACSHeritage Auctions35.0009/18/2006
MS-62ANACSHeritage Auctions31.0007/19/2006
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions86.0001/30/2006
MS-63NGCHeritage Auctions66.0011/27/2005
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions1,495.0009/21/2005
MS-62PCGSDavid Lawrence RC30.0009/19/2005
MS-62PCGSDavid Lawrence RC30.0008/22/2005
MS-64NGCHeritage Auctions51.0007/06/2005
MS-62ANACSHeritage Auctions57.0006/29/2005
MS-63ANACSHeritage Auctions45.0003/16/2005
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions55.0012/12/2004
MS-65ANACSHeritage Auctions66.0012/01/2004
MS-62ANACSHeritage Auctions36.0011/17/2004
MS-63ANACSHeritage Auctions29.0010/31/2004
MS-62ANACSHeritage Auctions28.0010/13/2004
MS-62ANACSHeritage Auctions633.0008/18/2004
MS-62ANACSHeritage Auctions22.0007/21/2004
MS-64ANACSHeritage Auctions41.0003/17/2004
MS-63ANACSHeritage Auctions29.0003/17/2004
MS-63ANACSHeritage Auctions949.0011/07/2003
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions51.0010/22/2003
MS-64ANACSHeritage Auctions1,093.0007/26/2003
MS-62ANACSHeritage Auctions1,093.0007/26/2003
MS-64ANACSHeritage Auctions48.0007/23/2003
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions59.0005/21/2003
MS-64PCGSHeritage Auctions150.0005/05/2003
MS-63ANACSHeritage Auctions966.0001/08/2003
MS-64ANACSHeritage Auctions52.0009/29/2002
MS-63NONEHeritage Auctions1,064.0007/27/2002
MS-65PCGSHeritage Auctions60.0007/16/2002
MS-65NGCHeritage Auctions64.0002/06/2002
MS-63NONEHeritage Auctions863.0002/01/2002
MS-63ANACSHeritage Auctions38.0012/19/2001
MS-63PCGSHeritage Auctions36.0007/25/2001
MS-63ANACSHeritage Auctions25.0001/04/2001