U.S. MINT SPECIFICATIONS | Denomination: | $0.01 | Obverse Image: | U.S. President Abraham Lincoln | Reverse Image: | 1909-1958: Wheat Ears 1959-1982: Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. | Metal Composition: | 95% copper, 5% zinc | Total Weight: | 3.11 grams | Comments: | The 1943 steel cent fabricated during WWII does not have a copper/zinc metal composition. |
CALCULATING TODAY'S MELT VALUE (USD) | Using the latest metal prices and the specifications above, these are the numbers required to calculate melt value:
| | | | $3.7455 | = | copper price / pound on Dec 04, 2022. | .95 | = | copper % | $1.3776 | = | zinc price / pound on Dec 04, 2022. | .05 | = | zinc % | 3.11 | = | total weight in grams | .00220462262 | = | pound/gram conversion factor (see note directly below) | The CME uses pounds to price these metals, that means we need to multiply the metal price by .00220462262 to make the conversion to grams. 1. Calculate 95% copper value : ( 3.7455 × .00220462262 × 3.11 × .95) = $0.0243961 2. Calculate 5% zinc value : ( 1.3776 × .00220462262 × 3.11 × .05) = $0.00047223. Add the two together : $0.0243961 + $0.0004722 = $0.0248683$0.0248683 is the melt value for the 1909-1982 copper cent on December 04, 2022. | ← Calculate the value of your own coins. |
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MINTAGE AND COLLECTIBLE VALUE (USD) | The "Year" column lists the year and mint mark on the coin -- D is for Denver, S is for San Francisco, and P is for Philadelphia. A coin without a mint mark means it was also minted in Philadelphia. The "Mintage" column is the number of coins struck and released by the U.S. Mint. The "Numismatic Value Range" column represents what people typically pay for that type of coin (usually a very wide price range depending on the condition). The PCGS price guide on Lincoln cents has an updated list of certified coin prices. | Mintmark Location: | Numismatic Value Range – Based On Condition: | | | | | | Year | | Mintage | Good | Fine | Extra Fine | Uncirculated | 1909 | Shop | 72,700,000 | $2.00 - $2.50 | $3.00 - $3.50 | $3.50 - $4.00 | $12.00 and up | 1909 VDB | Shop | 27,995,000 | $8.00 - $10.00 | $11.00 - $13.00 | $13.00 - $14.00 | $18.00 and up | 1909 S | Shop | 1,825,000 | $65.00 - $75.00 | $90.00 - $105.00 | $125.00 - $140.00 | $250.00 and up | 1909-S VDB | Shop | 484,000 | $475.00 - $550.00 | $575.00 - $650.00 | $800.00 - $900.00 | $1200.00 and up | 1910 | Shop | 146,798,813 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $1.50 - $2.00 | $2.50 - $3.00 | $18.00 and up | 1910 S | Shop | 6,045,000 | $12.00 - $14.00 | $16.00 - $18.00 | $24.00 - $27.00 | $85.00 and up | 1911 | Shop | 101,176,054 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $2.00 - $2.50 | $4.00 - $4.50 | $22.00 and up | 1911 D | Shop | 12,672,000 | $3.00 - $4.00 | $8.00 - $10.00 | $27.00 - $30.00 | $95.00 and up | 1911 S | Shop | 4,026,000 | $28.00 - $32.00 | $35.00 - $40.00 | $60.00 - $65.00 | $160.00 and up | 1912 | Shop | 68,150,915 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $1.00 - $1.50 | $7.50 - $8.50 | $30.00 and up | 1912 D | Shop | 10,411,000 | $5.00 - $6.00 | $9.00 - $11.00 | $45.00 - $50.00 | $110.00 and up | 1912 S | Shop | 4,431,000 | $15.00 - $17.00 | $23.00 - $26.00 | $55.00 - $60.00 | $160.00 and up | 1913 | Shop | 76,529,504 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $2.00 - $2.50 | $11.00 - $12.00 | $25.00 and up | 1913 D | Shop | 15,804,000 | $1.50 - $2.00 | $2.00 - $2.50 | $27.00 - $30.00 | $80.00 and up | 1913 S | Shop | 6,101,000 | $8.00 - $10.00 | $17.50 - $20.00 | $40.00 - $45.00 | $165.00 and up | 1914 | Shop | 75,237,067 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $12.00 - $13.00 | $40.00 and up | 1914 D | Shop | 1,193,000 | $125.00 - $140.00 | $175.00 - $200.00 | $600.00 - $650.00 | $1700.00 and up | 1914 S | Shop | 4,137,000 | $17.00 - $19.00 | $23.00 - $26.00 | $60.00 - $65.00 | $250.00 and up | 1915 | Shop | 29,090,970 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $4.00 - $4.50 | $35.00 - $38.00 | $75.00 and up | 1915 D | Shop | 22,050,000 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $3.00 - $3.50 | $14.00 - $15.00 | $65.00 and up | 1915 S | Shop | 4,833,000 | $16.00 - $18.00 | $22.00 - $25.00 | $50.00 - $55.00 | $225.00 and up | 1916 | Shop | 131,832,627 | $0.10 - $0.25 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $5.00 - $5.50 | $18.00 and up | 1916 D | Shop | 35,956,000 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $1.00 - $1.50 | $9.00 - $11.00 | $50.00 and up | 1916 S | Shop | 22,510,000 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $3.00 - $3.50 | $15.00 - $17.00 | $75.00 and up | 1917 | Shop | 196,429,785 | $0.10 - $0.25 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $3.00 - $3.50 | $15.00 and up | 1917 D | Shop | 55,120,000 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $1.00 - $1.50 | $20.00 - $22.00 | $55.00 and up | 1917 S | Shop | 32,620,000 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $7.00 - $8.00 | $65.00 and up | 1918 | Shop | 288,104,634 | $0.10 - $0.25 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $2.50 - $3.00 | $10.00 and up | 1918 D | Shop | 47,830,000 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $1.00 - $1.50 | $7.00 - $8.00 | $60.00 and up | 1918 S | Shop | 34,680,000 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $7.00 - $8.00 | $80.00 and up | 1919 | Shop | 392,021,000 | $0.10 - .25 | $0.25 - .50 | $1.00 - $1.50 | $8.00 and up | 1919 D | Shop | 57,154,000 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $6.50 - $7.00 | $55.00 and up | 1919 S | Shop | 139,760,000 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $2.00 - $2.50 | $3.50 - $4.00 | $45.00 and up | 1920 | Shop | 310,165,000 | $0.10 - $0.25 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $1.50 - $2.00 | $10.00 and up | 1920 D | Shop | 49,280,000 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $1.00 - $1.50 | $12.00 - $13.00 | $60.00 and up | 1920 S | Shop | 46,220,000 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $7.00 - $8.00 | $85.00 and up | 1921 | Shop | 39,157,000 | $1.50 - $2.00 | $2.00 - $2.50 | $6.00 - $6.50 | $25.00 and up | 1921 S | Shop | 15,274,000 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $2.00 - $2.50 | $20.00 - $22.00 | $100.00 and up | 1922 D | Shop | 7,160,000 | $11.00 - $13.00 | $17.50 - $20.00 | $22.00 - $25.00 | $70.00 and up | 1923 | Shop | 74,723,000 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $1.00 - $1.50 | $4.00 - $4.50 | $10.00 and up | 1923 S | Shop | 8,700,000 | $3.50 - $4.50 | $6.50 - $7.50 | $22.00 - $25.00 | $160.00 and up | 1924 | Shop | 75,178,000 | $0.10 - $0.25 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $3.50 - $4.00 | $13.00 and up | 1924 D | Shop | 2,520,000 | $24.00 - $27.00 | $35.00 - $40.00 | $75.00 - $85.00 | $200.00 and up | 1924 S | Shop | 11,696,000 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $1.00 - $1.50 | $12.00 - $13.00 | $115.00 and up | 1925 | Shop | 139,949,000 | $0.10 - $0.25 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $1.00 - $1.50 | $8.00 and up | 1925 D | Shop | 22,580,000 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $2.00 - $2.50 | $7.50 - $8.50 | $55.00 and up | 1925 S | Shop | 26,380,000 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $7.00 - $8.00 | $95.00 and up | 1926 | Shop | 157,088,000 | $0.10 - $0.25 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $1.00 - $1.50 | $7.00 and up | 1926 D | Shop | 28,020,000 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $2.00 - $2.50 | $9.00 - $11.00 | $60.00 and up | 1926 S | Shop | 4,550,000 | $6.50 - $7.50 | $8.00 - $10.00 | $20.00 - $22.00 | $200.00 and up | 1927 | Shop | 144,440,000 | $0.10 - $0.25 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $1.00 - $1.50 | $7.00 and up | 1927 D | Shop | 27,170,000 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $4.00 - $4.50 | $40.00 and up | 1927 S | Shop | 14,276,000 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $1.00 - $1.50 | $9.00 - $11.00 | $85.00 and up | 1928 | Shop | 134,116,000 | $0.10 - $0.25 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $1.00 - $1.50 | $5.00 and up | 1928 D | Shop | 31,170,000 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $4.00 - $4.50 | $25.00 and up | 1928 S | Shop | 17,266,000 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $1.00 - $1.50 | $6.00 - $6.50 | $50.00 and up | 1929 | Shop | 185,262,000 | $0.10 - $0.25 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $1.00 - $1.50 | $5.00 and up | 1929 D | Shop | 41,730,000 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $3.50 - $4.00 | $15.00 and up | 1929 S | Shop | 50,148,000 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $4.00 - $4.50 | $15.00 and up | 1930 | Shop | 157,415,000 | $0.10 - $0.25 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $4.00 and up | 1930 D | Shop | 40,100,000 | $0.10 - $0.25 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $1.00 - $1.50 | $7.00 and up | 1930 S | Shop | 24,286,000 | $0.10 - $0.25 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $7.00 and up | 1931 | Shop | 19,396,000 | $0.25 - $0.50 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $2.50 - $3.00 | $14.00 and up | 1931 D | Shop | 4,480,000 | $2.50 - $3.00 | $5.00 - $6.00 | $7.50 - $8.50 | $45.00 and up | 1931 S | Shop | 866,000 | $70.00 - $80.00 | $80.00 - $90.00 | $85.00 - $95.00 | $120.00 and up | 1932 | Shop | 9,062,000 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $1.00 - $1.50 | $3.00 - $3.50 | $10.00 and up | 1932 D | Shop | 10,500,000 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $1.00 - $1.50 | $2.50 - $3.00 | $8.00 and up | 1933 | Shop | 14,360,000 | $0.50 - $1.00 | $1.00 - $1.50 | $3.00 - $3.50 | $10.00 and up | 1933 D | Shop | 6,200,000 | $2.00 - $2.50 | $4.00 - $4.50 | $5.00 - $5.50 | $8.00 and up | If you're interested in learning more about grading copper Lincoln cents, Photograde is an excellent resource. |
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EBAY AUCTIONS - LINCOLN CENT (COPPER) | I believe that the old saying, "A coin is only worth what someone will pay for it," is absolutely true. I prefer eBay because it displays what people are actually paying for coins. Monthly coin price magazines and online price lists may not reflect current market conditions because they don't demonstrate what people are actually willing to pay.View all copper Lincoln Cent auctions or see below: |
CHARTS | Long-term metal price charts for the Lincoln cent (95% copper):
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FAQs
So for the past 30 years, pennies have been made with an alloy comprised of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, but pennies minted before 1982 are 95% copper and 5% zinc. The price of copper has more than quadrupled over the past 10 years.
What is the 1982 error penny? ›
The 1982 D over D Zinc Mint Error Lincoln Penny
With this error coin, the artisans at the Denver mint wanted to make the penny perfect. So, since the first strike on the D mint mark was faint, they struck the coin again. But the result made the D mark appear like a double.
Are 1982 pennies 95% copper? ›
It is a well known fact that pennies minted from 1982 and back are made of 95% copper. These copper pennies are not rare at all.
How much is a 1982 copper penny worth today? ›
Today, you'll find a 1982 penny value with no mint mark for $0.50. The value could be higher if it's in good condition. However, you can also get a 1982 penny for about 1¢ to $4 — this value is for the circulated version.
What year penny is worth $1000000? ›
Simpson, co-chairman of the Texas Rangers baseball club, paid $1 million for the finest known 1943-S Lincoln Wheat cent on a bronze planchet. All 1943 Lincoln cents were supposed to be made of steel planchets coated with zinc.
How do you tell if my 1982 penny is copper or zinc? ›
For pennies dated 1982, when both copper and zinc cents were made, and best way to determine their composition is to weigh them. Solid copper pennies weigh 3.11 grams (+/- 0.130 g.), whereas the copper plated zinc pennies weigh only 2.5 grams (+/- 0.100 g.).
How rare is a 1982 small date copper penny? ›
The 1982-P Small Date copper Lincoln cent is one of the most difficult memorial cents to find in high grade condition. They are scarce even in MS64 and MS65 grades. It is one of the most difficult varieties to find in high grade out of all seven different varieties of this date.
What years are 100% copper pennies? ›
History of composition
Years | Material | Weight (grams) |
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1793–1795 | ~100% copper | 13.48 |
1795–1857 † | ~100% copper | 10.89 |
1856–1864 | 88% copper, 12% nickel (also known as NS-12) | 4.67 |
1864–1942 | bronze (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) | 3.11 |
5 more rows
What year copper penny is worth the most? ›
The Most Expensive Penny
The first 1943 copper cent was sold in 1958 for more than $40,000. In 1996, another went for a whopping $82,500. But those sales pale in comparison with the latest: this week, a dealer in New Jersey sold his 1943 penny for a staggering $1.7 million.
How many 1982-D small date copper pennies have been found? ›
The 1982-D has been a highly sought-after coin ever since the first one was discovered in Minnesota in 2016 and sold for $18,800 at auction. Now that a second specimen has been found, it gives collectors even more hope of finding one. A second 1982-D Small Date hom*ogenous copper alloy Lincoln cent has been discovered.
If So, Then You Might Have The Rare 1983 Copper Penny Worth $15,000! There's a rare 1983 copper penny (a 1983-D penny) worth $15,000 -- you could find one in your pocket change!
Why is a 1982 D penny rare? ›
The Mint switched over from striking copper-alloy to copper-plated zinc planchets sometime in mid-1982 as a cost saving measure – the copper-alloy planchets were too expensive to strike and the Mint was losing money.
Why is the 1999 penny worth so much? ›
It's from 1999 and could be worth $4,500 thanks to a little-known error on it. What you want to look for is a 1999 penny with no mint mark, which means no letter under the year on the heads side.
What penny is worth 1000$? ›
If you find a 1909 penny with an S on the front and the letters VDB on the back at the bottom, it could be worth nearly $1,000.
What penny is worth $50000? ›
The 1959-D wheat penny is one of the most controversial mule coins ever. It's worth $50,000!
What is the Holy Grail penny? ›
This holy grail penny is a copper penny from 1943. That might sound normal to some, but the U.S. didn't make pennies out of copper in 1943. Instead, they were made out of steel coated in zinc. This was due to copper being used for other purposes during World War II.
Is a 1982 penny pure copper? ›
Finally, in 1982, the coin would evolve into its modern form of only 5% copper and 95% zinc. The modern penny has the least amount of copper with a small 2.5% copper plating and a 97.5% zinc base. So now, you know!
How much does a 1982 small date zinc penny weigh? ›
A 1982 zinc penny has a tolerance of 0.10 grams — so an authentic one could weigh as little as 2.40 grams or as much as 2.60 grams.
What makes a 1983 D penny rare? ›
Stack's Bowers sold this 1983 Doubled Die Reverse penny for $2,640 in March 2018. The U.S. made about 7.7 billion pennies in 1983, but only about 5,000 of them are known to have been made with this doubling error, James McCartney, director of numismatics at Stack's Bowers Galleries, tells CNBC Make It.
How much is a 1992 Close Am penny worth? ›
Bucki estimates that a 1992 Close AM coin in fairly new condition could be worth about $20,000, while a used one could sell for around $2,000 to $3,000.
Rare Pennies
- 1914-S Lincoln Penny.
- 1944-D Lincoln Penny (Zinc-coated steel)
- 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny.
- 1872 Indian Head Penny.
- 1969-S Lincoln Penny-Doubled Die Obverse.
- 1926-S Lincoln Penny.
- 1877 Indian Head Penny.
- 1914-D Lincoln Penny.
What is the difference between a post-1982 penny and a pre 1982 penny? ›
Pre-1982 pennies contain a much greater percentage of copper. Post-1982 pennies are mostly zinc.
Why do pre 1982 and post-1982 pennies have different masses? ›
All pennies were made with this composition until 1982 when the high cost of copper dictated a major change in composition. Since 1982, U.S. pennies have been produced with 97.6% zinc with a thin plating of copper. Since each metal has a different density, pre- and post-1982 pennies have different masses.
What dates should I look for on pennies? ›
The 10 Most Valuable Lincoln Pennies
- 1998-P Wide AM: $25.
- 1995-D Doubled Die: $50.
- 1970-S Small Date High 7: $60.
- 1984-P Doubled Die Ear: $250.
- 1960-D Small D Over Large D: $200-$500.
- 1983-P Doubled Die Reverse: $400.
- 1992-D Close AM: $500.
- 1999-P Wide AM: $540.
How do I know if my 1982 penny is bronze? ›
The 1982-D small date bronze Lincoln cent is a rare and valuable transitional error! So, how do you find them? There are two key diagnostics: the size of the date and the coin's weight. The 1982-D small date bronze weighs about 3.1 grams, versus only 2.5 grams for the far more common zinc issue.
Why are pre 1982 pennies heavier? ›
Upon changing the composite from solid copper to the zinc and copper alloy, so to did the weigh of the coins themselves. Prior to 1982, a penny made completely of copper was significantly heavier than the zinc and copper alloy counterparts.
Are pennies before 1982 worth more? ›
It turns out all pennies with a date of 1981 or earlier were made from nearly pure copper, which means they are actually worth three times their face value - three cents.
Should I keep copper pennies? ›
Why should I save Copper Alloy cents/pennies? Some 1982 and all prior years are made with 95% copper. With copper at historic high prices, each of these coins are worth much more in actual metal content, than their face value.
Can I melt down pennies and sell the copper? ›
It is not illegal to melt, form, destroy, or otherwise modify US coins, including pennies, unless the objective is fraudulent or with the intent of selling the raw materials of the coins for profit.
What year Lincoln pennies are worth money? ›
While the original edition pennies from 1909 can have significant collectable value, other editions of the Lincoln penny can be highly desired by coin collectors as well. A 1933-D, for example, may be valued at $2.30 or more. A 1931-S could be worth $40 or more.
USA Coin Book Estimated Value of 1982 Lincoln Memorial Penny (Copper - Large Date Variety) is Worth $0.39 or more in Uncirculated (MS+) Mint Condition. Click here to Learn How to use Coin Price Charts.
How much is a 1982 small date no mint mark penny worth? ›
In Average Circulated (AC) condition it's worth around 1 cent, one in certified mint state (MS+) condition could bring as much as $45 at auction.
How can you tell if you have a 1982-D small date penny? ›
The 1982-D small date bronze Lincoln cent is a rare and valuable transitional error! So, how do you find them? There are two key diagnostics: the size of the date and the coin's weight. The 1982-D small date bronze weighs about 3.1 grams, versus only 2.5 grams for the far more common zinc issue.
What is 10 000 pennies in dollars? ›
10,000 pennies are in $100. Every dollar is 100 pennies, and 100 x 100 = 10,000. 10,000 pennies take up 213 cubic inches and weigh 55.1 pounds.
How many 1982 D small date copper pennies have been found? ›
The 1982-D has been a highly sought-after coin ever since the first one was discovered in Minnesota in 2016 and sold for $18,800 at auction. Now that a second specimen has been found, it gives collectors even more hope of finding one. A second 1982-D Small Date hom*ogenous copper alloy Lincoln cent has been discovered.
What is the difference between a post 1982 penny and a pre 1982 penny? ›
Pre-1982 pennies contain a much greater percentage of copper. Post-1982 pennies are mostly zinc.
How much is a 1983 copper penny worth? ›
If So, Then You Might Have The Rare 1983 Copper Penny Worth $15,000! There's a rare 1983 copper penny (a 1983-D penny) worth $15,000 -- you could find one in your pocket change! Here's what to look for + Other rare copper pennies.
Why do pre 1982 and post 1982 pennies have different masses? ›
All pennies were made with this composition until 1982 when the high cost of copper dictated a major change in composition. Since 1982, U.S. pennies have been produced with 97.6% zinc with a thin plating of copper. Since each metal has a different density, pre- and post-1982 pennies have different masses.
How much does a 1982 large Date copper penny weigh? ›
A 1982 copper penny has a tolerance of 0.13 grams — meaning that it could weigh between 2.98 grams and 3.24 grams. A 1982 zinc penny has a tolerance of 0.10 grams — so an authentic one could weigh as little as 2.40 grams or as much as 2.60 grams.
What pennies are in a million dollars? ›
There are 100,000,000 pennies in one million dollars. To find the number of pennies in a million dollars, think first about the number of pennies in one dollar. There are 100 pennies in one dollar.
We'll save you from math: a million pennies is $10,000.
How much is a 1 billion pennies? ›
How much is a billion pennies? To determine, you need to divide 1,000,000,000 by 100, which equals $10 million.