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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 rtLii9gUGaAQM4aOjlYeWg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000077159-03-000109.txt : 20030529
<SEC-HEADER>0000077159-03-000109.hdr.sgml : 20030529
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030529162948
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000077159-03-000109
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030528
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030529

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PENN VIRGINIA CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000077159
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	CRUDE PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS [1311]
		IRS NUMBER:				231184320
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			VA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 MATSONFORD ROAD SUITE 230
		STREET 2:		THREE RADNOR CORPORATE CENTER
		CITY:			RADNOR
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19087
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6106878900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 MATSONFORD ROAD SUITE 230
		STREET 2:		THREE RADNOR CORPORATE CENTER
		CITY:			RADNOR
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19087

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	VIRGINIA COAL & IRON CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19670501

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HORTON KEITH D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001044277

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13283
		FILM NUMBER:		03723793

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PENN VIRGINIA OPERATING CO., LLC
		STREET 2:		2550 E. STONE DR., SUITE 200
		CITY:			KINGSPORT
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37660
		BUSINESS PHONE:		423 723 0200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PENN VIRGINIA OPERATING CO., LLC
		STREET 2:		2550 E. STONE DR., SUITE 200
		CITY:			KINGSPORT
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37660
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-05-28</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000077159</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PENN VIRGINIA CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PVA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001044277</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HORTON KEITH D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Executive Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock $6.25 par value</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionDate>
            <value>2003-05-28</value>
        </transactionDate>
        <transactionCoding>
            <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
            <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
            <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
        </transactionCoding>
        <transactionTimeliness>
            <value></value>
        </transactionTimeliness>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>2388</value>
            </transactionShares>
            <transactionValue>
                <value>41.62</value>
            </transactionValue>
            <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                <value>D</value>
            </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <postTransactionAmounts>
            <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                <value>478</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
        </postTransactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>I</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            <natureOfOwnership>
                <value>Spouse 401(k)</value>
            </natureOfOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Reflects only shares held by Ann N. Horton, Mr. Horton's spouse, in her 401(k) account.  Mrs. Horton retired from Penn Virginia Corporation (&quot;PVA&quot;) in June 2002.  Mr. Horton owns 8,939 and 3,305 shares of the common stock of PVA in his ESOP and
401(k) accounts, respectively, and 200 shares of the common stock of PVA directly.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Nancy M. Snyder by power of attorney</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-05-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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