1986 Lincoln Penny Value (D, S, No Mint Mark & Mint Errors)

Looking for treasure in your pocket change? Find this old 1986 Lincoln Penny which might be worth up to $7,800 today! Even more exciting, some rare error coins from 1986 have commanded impressive prices, with the “Struck on Dime” error reaching up to $5,000 in recent sales.

While a circulated 1986 Lincoln Memorial cent examples are worth face value, a perfect MS-69 Red specimen or those with rare mint mark or errors can be worth much more! Let’s understand how to find and value them!

How to Identify a 1986 Lincoln Memorial Penny (Design & Features)

To identify a genuine vintage 1986 Lincoln Memorial penny, you must verify the design details on the front and back as well as its size, weight, and composition!

1986 Lincoln Penny Obverse:

• A right-facing portrait of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the States
• ‘IN GOD WE TRUST’ on the top
• ‘LIBERTY’ in compact kerning to Lincoln’s left
• The mint date ‘1986’ on Lincoln’s right
• The mint mark “D” or “S” (if present) below the mint date

1986 Lincoln Penny Reverse:

• The image of the Lincoln Memorial (Washington, DC) with 12 columns, steps, and plinth
• ‘UNITED STATES OF AMERICA’ on the top along the edge
• ‘E PLURIBUS UNUM,’ above the hall
• The denomination ‘ONE CENT,’ at the bottom
• Initials “FG” to the right of the staircase

1986 Lincoln Cent Composition, Weight & Size

The 1986 Lincoln penny follows the modern composition and dimension of the Lincoln Memorial cent, which are as follows:

Assessing a 1986 Lincoln Penny Value? (3 Key Factors)

The value of 1986 Lincoln Memorial cent majorly depends on its condition, color, mint marks, and rare errors, as explained below:

1. Coin Grading and Color

A 1986 Lincoln Cent’s grade and color are the primary value drivers. Grading follows the standard Sheldon Scale (1-70), with Mint State (MS) coins ranging from MS-60 to MS-70. Most uncirculated 1986 pennies fall between MS-63 and MS-66 typically worth $3 to $20, while higher examples can fetch up to a few thousand.

As for the color, the Lincoln Memorial Penny has three main designations: Red, Red-Brown, and Brown. Among these, Red 1986 Lincoln pennies are worth the most, ranging from $7 to $1,000 or more in mint state.

Red-Brown and Brown 1986 pennies are worth $2 to $50 in mint state. These coins are generally worth less, but can fetch premium prices in exceptional grades or with rare mint errors.

1986 No Mint Mark Penny Value (Mintage – 4,491,395,493)

The Philadelphia Mint produced almost 4.5 billion 1986 no mint mark pennies, which are typically worth $5 to $850 in mint condition. The most expensive 1986 no mint mark penny was sold for an auction record price of $2,400 on eBay, as per PCGS!

• MS-65RD: $5-$8
• MS-66RD: $9-$20
• MS-67RD: $15-$35
• MS-68RD: $80-$210
• MS-69RD: $850+

1986 D Lincoln Penny Value (Mintage – 4,442,866,698)

With slightly lower mintage, the Denver-minted 1986 D penny is typically worth the same as the no mint mark cent. In 2021, an MS69RD 1986 D Lincoln cent was bought for a stunning price of $7,840!

Here are the average values of a 1986 D Lincoln Memorial penny in mint state:

• MS-65RD: $5-$8
• MS-66RD: $10-$15
• MS-67RD: $15-$25
• MS-68RD: $50-$220
• MS-69RD: $7.840

1986 S Lincoln Penny Proof (Mintage – 3,010,497)

The San Francisco Mint only produced about 3 million proof pennies in 1986, known for their highly reflective surface and sharp details. Standard 1986 proof pennies are worth only a few dollars, while Deep Cameo (with strong contrast between fields and devices) examples can fetch up to $3,500!

Here are the average values of a 1986 S Deep Cameo or Ultra Cameo penny proof:

• PR-67: $2-$5
• PR-68: $5-$7
• PR-69: $8-$20
• PR-70: $50-$300

3. Valuable 1986 Lincoln Penny Mint Errors

A mint error on your 1986 Lincoln cent can significantly increase its value! These are the rarest errors to look for:

Struck on a 1986-P Dime

One of the most valuable errors, this one happens when a 1986-P dime gets into the minting machine and is struck with a 1986 penny design. These error pennies can command $500 to $1,000 in mint condition, like this MS66 example sold for over $880 on Heritage Auctions!

Double Denomination on Struck 10C

This spectacular error occurs when a 1986 penny design is double-struck over an existing dime. The value of this rare error penny can range from $300 to $1,500, depending on the condition and how much of both designs is visible.

An MS66 example of this rare 1986 error penny sold for over $860 on Heritage Auctions!

Double Strike Error

Another dramatic error found on 1986 pennies is the double strike, which occurs when a coin receives two separate strikes from the dies instead of just one. This error penny can fetch $50 to $500 depending on the strike type and the coin’s condition.

Obverse Clad Layer Missing

These errors show the zinc core exposed on the obverse due to a missing clad layer while the reverse retains its copper plating. The value of a 1986 penny with a missing clad layer can range from $50-$200 depending on the extent and location of the missing plating, like this MS63 example sold for almost $60 in a coin auction!

Off-Center Strike Penny Error

This rare error happens when a planchet is misplaced in the die causing a part of the 1986 penny design to be missing from the coin. An off-center 1986 penny can typically sell for $25 to $150.

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