A 1979-S Type 1 proof penny sold for $10,925 at auction, and a 1979 Philadelphia MS68 RD fetched $5,463 at Heritage Auctions. Most 1979 Lincoln Memorial cents are worth just their copper melt value of 2–3¢ — but the right variety or condition changes everything.
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Go to Calculator →The 1979-S Type 2 Clear S is the most-searched and most coveted variety of this date. Use this tool to see if your proof penny might be the rarer type.
The S mint mark has closed, blurry interior loops and looks like a blobby "8". Serifs are indistinct. Makes up roughly 85% of 1979 proof production. In PR70 DCAM this is actually the rarer condition-rarity, formerly sold for $10,925 but population has grown.
The S mint mark has fully open interior loops with sharp, well-defined serifs — easily legible as an "S" with no ambiguity. Accounts for roughly 15% of 1979 proof production. Widely designated FS-501 by CONECA. Scarcer overall but more common in top grades.
Values below represent typical retail ranges based on publicly reported auction and dealer data. For a complete illustrated breakdown of how to identify each variety, consult this in-depth 1979 penny identification guide and walkthrough. Gem and proof grades command the highest premiums; circulated examples are worth only copper melt value.
| Variety | Worn / Fine | Uncirculated (MS60–65) | High Grade (MS66–67 / PR67–69) | Gem Top Pop (MS68 / PR70) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 (P) No Mint Mark | $0.02 – $0.05 | $0.20 – $18 | $22 – $275 | $2,530 – $5,463 |
| 1979-D Denver | $0.02 – $0.05 | $0.20 – $28 | $75 – $188 | $3,995 (MS67+ RD) |
| ⭐ 1979-S Type 2 Clear S Proof | — | $2 – $10 | $12 – $22 | $1,350 (PR70 DCAM) |
| 🔥 1979-S Type 1 Filled S Proof | — | $2 – $9 | $8 – $20 | $2,750 (PR70 DCAM) |
| 1979 DDO Error | $20 – $50 | $30 – $75 | $75 – $300+ | Varies by variety strength |
| 1979 Off-Center Strike | $25 – $75 | $50 – $200 | $150 – $500+ | Varies by % off-center |
| 1979 BIE Die Crack | $5 – $10 | $10 – $25 | $25 – $50 | Collector specialty |
| 1979-D RPM (Repunched Mint Mark) | $3 – $10 | $10 – $30 | $30 – $75 | Varies by severity |
🪙 CoinKnow lets you snap a photo of your 1979 penny and quickly estimate its grade and value on the go — a coin identifier and value app.
The 1979 Lincoln Memorial cent was minted in enormous numbers, but several documented varieties and mint errors command significant collector premiums. The errors below are listed in descending order of typical market value. Each represents a genuine mint mistake — not wear, cleaning, or post-mint damage — and each can be authenticated by professional grading services such as PCGS or NGC.
An off-center strike occurs when a planchet slips out of position in the collar before or during the striking process, so only a portion of the design is impressed onto the coin. The result is a crescent-shaped blank area on the coin where the die never touched the metal surface.
Collectors can see the error immediately: the Lincoln portrait and obverse lettering appear to one side, while a smooth, curved blank arc of unstruck copper occupies the opposite edge. The severity is measured as a percentage — a 50% off-center strike means half the design is missing.
Value is directly tied to two factors: the percentage of offset and whether the date "1979" remains fully visible. Coins with the date intact and a 40–60% offset are the sweet spot that collectors prize most. A 1979-D double-struck and off-center example graded MS66 RB sold for $312, and dramatic examples with triple curved clips have also appeared at auction.
A Doubled Die Obverse error results from a misalignment during the hub-to-die transfer process at the mint. When the hubbing press impresses the design onto the working die in slightly different rotational positions across two or more hub strikes, the die itself carries a doubled image — and every coin struck from that die shows the same multiplication of design elements.
On 1979 pennies, doubling appears primarily on "LIBERTY," "IN GOD WE TRUST," the date numerals, and Lincoln's ear, eye, and bowtie. True hub doubling displays rounded, raised secondary images offset from the primary — distinctly different from machine doubling, which appears flat and shelf-like and adds no collector premium. No 1979 DDO approaches the drama of the 1955 or 1972 varieties, but several minor-to-moderate varieties are documented.
Confirmed 1979 DDO pennies typically trade for $20–$50 in circulated grades, with stronger examples or MS-grade coins reaching $75–$300 or more. CONECA's Variety Vista is the standard reference for confirming specific DDO designations on Lincoln cents. Always verify with a 10× loupe before attributing as DDO.
The BIE error is a specific type of die break that occurs when the obverse working die develops a thin crack between the letters "B" and "E" in the word "LIBERTY." As the die ages and metal fatigue builds through millions of strikes, small fractures can propagate across the die face. Metal flows into these cracks during striking, producing a raised line or bump on the finished coin.
The resulting raised vertical line between "B" and "E" closely resembles the capital letter "I" — hence the name "BIE" for the three-letter sequence it creates. Under a loupe, the feature is unmistakable: a thin, raised, continuous ridge running from approximately the top of the letter "B" to the baseline, distinct from the flat field around it. Die state matters — earlier die states show a thinner, less prominent crack.
BIE pennies are common enough that collectors can find them by date from any year in the Memorial cent series, including 1979. They are a popular specialty niche. A 1979 BIE in average worn condition typically sells for $5–$10, while uncirculated examples with strong crack definition can reach $25–$50 or more depending on the die state and coin grade.
In 1979, the U.S. Mint was still punching mint marks into working dies by hand — a process that left ample room for human error. When a mint mark punch was set down at a slightly wrong angle, tilt, or position, mint workers would attempt to correct it by re-striking the punch in the proper orientation. The result was a die with two overlapping mint mark impressions, both of which transferred to every coin struck from that die.
On 1979-D pennies, the RPM-001 variety catalogued by CONECA shows evidence of the D being struck more than once at a slightly different position. Under a 10× loupe, the secondary D impression appears as a ghost or partial D shadow positioned north, south, east, or west of the primary D. The mint mark is located on the obverse, below the date and near Lincoln's right shoulder.
The value of a 1979 RPM depends heavily on the severity of the repunching — how far apart the two impressions are and how clearly both are visible. Common RPM varieties bring $3–$10 in worn condition, while strong, well-separated double punches in uncirculated grades can reach $30–$75. Dramatic examples catalogued with a specific CONECA designation command the highest premiums from variety specialists.
Among the most dramatic mint errors found on 1979 pennies are die cap errors and wrong-planchet strikes. A die cap occurs when a struck coin sticks to the die and becomes a cap, blocking subsequent strikes. The coins struck beneath such a cap receive distorted, blurry, or missing design elements — some show the reverse of the design stamped in mirror relief (a brockage).
A full die cap transforms the coin into a deeply cupped, bowl-shaped disc with a sharp obverse design on the exterior and a smooth, blank reverse. A 1979-D deep obverse die cap graded MS64 RD sold for $329. More dramatically, a 1979-D penny struck on a dime planchet — a blank intended for a 10¢ coin — measured just 17.91mm versus the normal 19.05mm and weighed 2.3g instead of 3.11g. This wrong-planchet example, in MS64, sold for $1,260.
Brockage errors and struck-through errors (caused by a fabric, wire, or fragment between the die and planchet) complete this category. A 1979-D struck through a fabric piece, showing a raised diagonal stripe across the obverse, graded MS60 RD and sold for $111. These errors are the most visually striking pieces in the 1979 cent series and attract broad interest beyond date-and-mint specialists.
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Estimate My Error Coin's Value →Three mints produced 1979 Lincoln Memorial cents. Philadelphia and Denver struck circulation coins; San Francisco struck only proof coins for collector sets.
| Mint / Variety | Mint Mark | Mintage | Strike Type | Estimated Survival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | None | 6,018,515,000 | Business Strike | ~20% (~1.2 billion) |
| Denver | D | 4,139,357,254 | Business Strike | ~20% (~828 million) |
| San Francisco – Type 1 Filled S | S | ~3,127,781 (est. 85%) | Proof | High — collector held |
| San Francisco – Type 2 Clear S | S | ~549,394 (est. 15%) | Proof | High — collector held |
| Total | — | ~10,161,549,429 | — | — |
Composition specs: 95% copper, 5% zinc · Weight: 3.11 g · Diameter: 19.05 mm · Thickness: 1.52 mm · Edge: plain · Designers: Victor David Brenner (obverse), Frank Gasparro (reverse) · Melt value: approximately $0.02–$0.03 at current copper prices.
Note: The Philadelphia "no mint mark" total includes coins struck at West Point (~1.7 billion) and San Francisco as a secondary facility (~752 million) — none carry a mint mark and all are attributed to Philadelphia for collecting purposes. Type 1 and Type 2 proof mintages are estimates; the U.S. Mint did not publish separate production data for each type.
Grading determines most of a coin's value. Use the Sheldon scale (1–70) and the guide below as your starting reference.
Lincoln's cheekbone is flat and featureless. High-point details on his hair above the ear are fully smooth. The rim is complete but weak in places. Lettering and date are fully readable. Most circulated 1979 pennies fall here. Value: copper melt — about 2–3 cents.
Moderate to light wear on Lincoln's cheek and high hair strands. The bowtie shows some detail. At AU-50 to AU-58, only the slightest friction appears on the highest points; luster may be visible in the fields. These coins are worth $0.20–$3, with AU examples near the top of that range.
No wear — any surface marks are from contact in mint bags, not circulation. Luster is present but may be interrupted by bag marks. Color designation matters: RD (red), RB (red-brown), or BN (brown). MS65 RD examples sell for $11–$18; MS66 RD can reach $22–$55.
Exceptional preservation with minimal contact marks and full, blazing red luster (RD). MS67 RD 1979 pennies sell for $45–$275 depending on mint. MS68 RD is extremely rare — fewer than 25 total are known across PCGS and NGC — and these have sold for $2,530–$5,463 at auction.
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The leading venue for high-grade and error 1979 cents. Heritage sold the record $5,463 MS68 RD in 2012 and has handled multiple six-figure error coin sales. Best for: MS67+, proof PR69–70 DCAM, dramatic mint errors, or coins worth over $500. Heritage takes a buyer's premium, so raw coins under $200 rarely justify the consignment fees.
The most liquid market for mid-range 1979 pennies. Completed listings show recently sold prices for 1979 Lincoln cents in MS-RD grades so you can verify real market comps before pricing. Best for: uncirculated rolls, MS60–66 examples, proof sets, and BIE/RPM error coins in the $5–$200 range. PCGS or NGC graded coins sell at a meaningful premium over raw examples.
Ideal for quick, in-person transactions. A reputable coin shop will buy common 1979 pennies at 40–60% of retail value, which is fine for bulk lots. For rarer pieces (MS67+, error coins), get a second opinion or auction estimate first — shops price conservatively. Bring your coin unclean and in a protective flip.
The r/coins and r/CoinSales communities offer collector-to-collector trading with minimal fees. Good for niche varieties like the BIE, DDO, or RPM that specialists will pay a fair price for. Include clear photos under good lighting and reference the specific variety designation (e.g., CONECA RPM-001) for best results.
For any 1979 penny you believe is MS67 or above, a confirmed Type 2 Clear S proof, or a dramatic mint error, professional third-party grading from PCGS or NGC is almost always worth the cost. A raw MS67 RD might bring $100; the same coin in a PCGS or NGC holder can sell for $145–$275 or more, because buyers trust the certification and are willing to pay the premium. Grading fees are typically $20–$45 per coin at the standard tier.
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