1916 was the first year in which the San Francisco Mint produced a large number of cents, and survivors are thus more plentiful than for earlier dates. Circulated pieces are available across all grades, while Mint State specimens are fairly plentiful in any grade short of fully red gem. This issue is frustratingly rare with full, original color.
Poorly struck coins are the exception. While most will show some die erosion, there are a fairly large number of amazingly sharp survivors that rival the proofs of this date in their wealth of detail.
Mintage:
| Philadelphia | Denver | San Francisco |
| 131,833,677 | 35,956,000 | 22,510,000 |