Could the 1972 Lincoln Penny in your pocket be worth around $15,000? Discover the hidden treasure of 1972 Lincoln cents! From rare double die obverse errors to valuable mint marks, this article reveals which 1972 pennies can be the most valuable. Learn to spot these features to find your penny’s worth!
Brief History of the 1972 Lincoln Memorial Cent
The 1972 Lincoln Memorial penny is a part of the series first introduced in 1909 to commemorate the centennial of President Abraham Lincoln’s birth. The initial coins featured the wheat stalks on the reverse, which was changed in 1959 to the Lincoln Memorial!
In 1972, the U.S. Mint continued producing Lincoln cents in large quantities at all mints, minting over 5.9 billion coins that year alone. The 1972 Lincoln penny is notable for its potential minting errors, mainly the double die obverse, which can greatly increase its value.
| 1972 Lincoln Memorial Cent | Key Features & Facts |
| Coin Composition | 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc |
| Minting Location | Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco |
| Minting Year | 1972 |
| Face Value | 1-cent (0.01$) |
| Weight | 3.11 grams |
| Diameter | 19.05 mm |
| Thickness | 1.52 mm |
| Designer | Victor David Brenner, Frank Gasparro |
| Mint Marks | D – Denver Mint, S – San Francisco Mint, No Mint Mark – Philadelphia Mint |
| Total Mintage | Around 5,978,526,504 coins |
Understanding the 1972 Lincoln Penny Design & Composition
The first step to appreciating the value of a 1972 Lincoln Memorial penny is to recognize its distinctive design, composition, and dimensions:
1972 Lincoln Penny Obverse:
- A portrait of Abraham Lincoln, facing right
- The word “LIBERTY” on Lincoln’s left
- The mint date “1972” to Lincoln’s right (lower)
- The motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” along the upper edge
- The D or S mint mark, if present, below the mint year
1972 Lincoln Penny Reverse:
- The Lincoln Memorial building in the center
- “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” along the upper rim
- “E·PLURIBUS·UNUM” right above the memorial
- The Designer’s initials “FG” on the right side of the Memorial
- The denomination “ONE CENT” below the Memorial building
1972 Penny Composition and Dimensions
The 1972 Lincoln penny is composed of 95% copper and 5% zinc (bronze alloy). However, from mid-1982 onward, pennies were made from a clad composition consisting of copper-plated zinc.
As for the size, the 1972 penny weighs around 3.11 grams (0.110 ounces), has a diameter of 19.05 millimeters (0.75 inches), and a thickness of 1.52 millimeters (0.059 inches) with a smooth edge.
Assessing a 1972 Lincoln Penny Value (4 Key Factors)
The average value of a 1972 Lincoln penny ranges from just a few cents to several hundred dollars, depending on factors such as condition, mint mark, and rarity. The most valuable 1972 Lincoln Penny can exceed $10,500, particularly the DDO varieties in high grades!
Let’s understand all valuation factors impacting a 1972 penny coin value:
1. Coin Grading and Condition
The condition of your 1972 Lincoln Cent plays a significant role in determining its value. Generally, a coin’s condition is graded on a scale from PO-1 to MS-70, with higher grades indicating better condition.
A 1972 penny in “Uncirculated” condition can be valued much higher than one graded lower. For example, an MS66-grade 1972 D penny is worth around $25-$30, while the same coin in MS-67+ grade can reach up to $4,500 or more!
2. Coin Toning & Color
The appearance of the 1972 copper penny changes due to oxidation or toning, which significantly impacts its value. Depending on toning, the Lincoln pennies are categorized in three designations:
- Red (RD): Red or RD 1972 pennies are those with a new-like bright red luster. These cents are the most valuable, with uncirculated ones fetching $5 to a few thousand dollars, depending on MS grades.
- Red-Brown (RB): Pennies that display a mix of red luster with brown toning are graded RB. These are less valuable than RD pennies, fetching around $5 to $10, with higher grades fetching around $25!
- Brown (BN): Brown pennies are those that have turned completely brown. Generally, the least valuable items are sold for only a few cents unless there is an error.
3. 1972 Penny Mint Marks & Mintage
The total mintage of a coin decides how rare and valuable it is. As for the 1972 Lincoln penny, it was minted in three locations, each with its unique mint mark that affects value and rarity!
1972 Penny No Mint Mark (Mintage – 2,933,255,000)
The 1972 No mint mark penny was produced in the highest numbers at the Philadelphia Mint, making it quite common. These coins are worth around $0.01 in circulated condition, but uncirculated mint state coins can reach up to $25 or more.
MS-67+ or above grades reaching $2,000 – $4,000, like this RD MS-67+ penny that sold for $3,290 at Heritage Auctions!
1972 D Lincoln Penny (Mintage – 2,665,071,400)
The Denver Mint 1972 pennies are identified by the D mint mark. Similar to the Philadelphia cents, 1972 D pennies are also worth about $0.01 in average condition but can fetch up to $10 in uncirculated condition, with higher grades like MS-67+ or more reaching up to $3,500 or more!
1972 S Lincoln Penny (Mintage – 376,939,108)
The 1972 Pennies with the S mint mark were produced at the San Francisco Mint. These are more valuable due to their lower mintage—often worth $5 to $15, with higher grades fetching $1,000 or more!
Here is a detailed 1972 Lincoln Penny value chart to help you assess your cent’s value based on mint marks and grades:
| Coin Grades | Condition Details | 1972 No Mint Mark Penny Value | 1972 D Penny Value | 1972 S Penny Value |
| Poor (0) to Extremely Fine (XF45) | Significant wear, faded but visible details | 1-2 cents | 1-2 cents | 1-2 cents |
| Almost Uncirculated (AU50) to Mint State (AU58+) | Slight wear on highest points, visible marks or blemishes | 20 cents to 50 cents | 10 cents to 30 cents | 15 cents to 40 cents |
| Mint State (MS60 – MS64) | Uncirculated with minimal wear | $1 – $5 | $1 – $10 | $2 – $10 |
| Mint State (MS65 – MS66+) | Nearly flawless with very minor imperfections | $10 – $50 | $10 – $50+ | $10 – $65 |
| Mint State (MS67 – MS67+) | Well-preserved with no major flaws | $150 – $3,500 | $200 – $4,000+ | $200 or above |
| Mint State (MS68 or Above) | Nearly perfect, luster, no major marks or flaws | N/A | N/A | N/A |
1972 S Lincoln Penny Proof Version (Mintage – 3,260,996)
Apart from the regular strikes, the San Francisco Mint also produced over 3.2 million 1972 penny proof coins. These coins also bear the same “S” mint mark, but you can spot them with their distinctive sharp and reflective proof finish.
The Lincoln Penny proof coins are also designated in three categories: PR (with standard proof finish), Cameo (with subtle contrast between devices and backgrounds), and Deep or Ultra Cameo (with the strongest constant between raised design and fields).
Among these, Deep Cameo or DCAM 1972 Lincoln pennies are worth the most, often fetching $150 to $350 or more for PR69 examples and $10-$30 for lower grades. On the other hand, PR and Cameo 1972-proof pennies generally sell for $5 to $25, depending on grade.
4. Rare 1972 Penny Mint Errors
Certain minting errors can significantly impact the value of the 1972 Lincoln Memorial Center. Here are the errors you must look for:
Double Die Obverse
A double die obverse results due to a misaligned obverse die with a doubled design striking a 1972 penny. To spot this, look for doubling on the word “LIBERTY” and the date “1972” on the obverse.
The DDO error is quite valuable for the 1972 penny as it can fetch staggering values of $10,000 to $15,000 in excellent condition and visible doubling. For example, an MS-67+ example of a 1972 1C Doubled Die penny sold for a record price of $14,400 on Heritage Auctions! MS-66 grades can also fetch $700 – $1,500 easily!
Off Center Strike
An off-center strike happens when the coin is not properly aligned in the press, resulting in a portion of the design getting cut off. Off-center 1972 pennies can vary in value from $50 to over $400, based on how much of the design is affected.An MS61RB 1972-S penny with a 65% off center strike sold for $288 in a coin auction!
Struck on a Clad Dime Planchet
This error happens when a 1972 Lincoln Penny is struck on a clad planchet intended for a dime instead of a copper blank. The value of this rare error coin can range from $50 to $300 or more, depending on grades. For example, an AU58-graded 1972-D 1C Struck on a Clad Dime Planchet sold for almost $300 on Heritage Auctions!
In addition, common errors such as repunched mint mark (RPM) and die break errors can also hike your 1972 Lincoln Memorial Cent value. So, make sure to look for these anomalies along with the features mentioned in this value guide to spot a valuable 1972 penny!
