1995 Lincoln Penny Value (D, S, No Mint Mark & Errors List)

A 1995 Lincoln penny might look like an ordinary vintage coin at first glance. But this small cent can fetch up to $1,000 today. In fact, a rare 1995 penny from Philadelphia reached an astonishing price of $2,760 in an auction!

So, if you want to know whether that 1995 penny in your pocket change is worth big bucks, this guide is just for you. It explains all the valuable factors and features that make a 1995 cent valuable!

Identifying 1995 Lincoln Memorial Penny (Design & Features)

To find the potential value of your 1995 Lincoln cent, you must first properly identify its design and other physical features. Below is a breakdown of these details:

Obverse Design:

• A right-facing Abraham Lincoln profile with sharp detail
• “LIBERTY” appears behind Lincoln’s back
• “IN GOD WE TRUST” on the top
• The mint date “1995” appears right of Lincoln
• The mint mark (if present) below the date
• Designer’s initials “VDB” on shoulder truncation

Reverse Design:

• The Lincoln Memorial building at the center
• “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” across top
• The denomination “ONE CENT” arched at the bottom
• “E PLURIBUS UNUM” above the Memorial
• Lincoln statue visible between columns
• Designer’s initials “FG” right of Memorial stairs

Coin Composition, Weight, and Size

The 1995 Lincoln Memorial cent has the modern copper-plated zinc composition of 97.5% zinc core with 2.5% copper plating, with the distinctive diameter and weight as given below:

How Much Is a 1995 Penny Worth? (3 Value Factors)

On average, a circulated 1995 Lincoln penny is worth face value (one cent). However, this value can reach as high as $2,500 or more depending on several factors, such as condition, mint marks, and some unique features.

Let’s understand these factors in detail!

1. Coin Grades & Colors

An old coin’s condition is the first and most important factor determining its worth. The coins are assigned numerical grades ranging from Poor-1 to Perfect Mint State-70; the higher the grade, the better the condition and the higher the value.

For example, an MS65 1995 penny from Philadelphia generally sells for $6-7, while the same cent in MS68 or higher grade can fetch up to $200 or more!

Apart from grades, color designation also plays a crucial role in Lincoln cent valuation. Generally, there are three designations:

• Red (RD): Indicates full original mint luster with at least 95% of the original copper-red color. These 1995 cents command the highest premiums.
• Red-Brown (RB): Indicates a mixture of red and brown coloration, with 5-95% red remaining. RB 1995 cents are moderately valuable.
• Brown (BN): Indicate a full brown toning due to oxidation. Brown cents are generally the least valuable, unless they have a rare error.

2. 1995 Penny Mint Marks & Mintage

The 1995 Lincoln Memorial penny was struck at three locations: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. All three mints produced coins in different mintages and mint marks, impacting their rarity and values.

1995 Penny No Mint Mark Value (Mintage – 6,411,440,000)

The 1995 pennies struck in Philadelphia bear no mint mark and are moderately valuable. Despite the high mintage, 1995 no mint mark pennies command decent premiums in high grades with full red color. An MS69 Red example bought a stunning sum of $2,760 on eBay!

Here are the average values of a 1995 no mint mark penny by grade:

• MS-65 Red: $6-$7
• MS-66: $7-$8
• MS-67 Red: $15-$30
• MS-68 Red: $50-$200
• MS-69 Red: N/A

1995 D Penny Value (Mintage – 7,128,560,000)

With a slightly higher mintage, the Denver-minted 1995 pennies with the D mint mark have more or less similar worth as the no mint mark pennies.

Here are the average values of a 1995 D penny by grade:

• MS-65 Red: $4-$6
• MS-66: $5-$10
• MS-67 Red: $20-$60
• MS-68 Red: $80-$500
• MS-69 Red: $500–$1,000

1995 Penny Proof Value (Mintage – 2,797,481)

The San Francisco Mint produced over 2.7 million proof cents, especially for collectors. Apart from the S mint mark, these coins also feature a special reflective surface and well-defined, sharp details that distinguish them from standard pennies.

Proof coins generally have three designations: Standard proof, Cameo, and Deep Cameo. But the 1995 pennies are mostly found with the DCAM designation (sharpest contrast on surfaces).

Due to its high production, the value of proof 1995 pennies generally ranges from $35-$80, even in the highest PR-70 grade. PR69 examples sell for $10-$15 only.

3. Rare 1995 Penny Error List

The third factor to influence the value of your 1995 cent is mint errors, which are created during the striking process. Here are the most stunning errors to look for!

Double Die Obverse Error

The most notable error to find on a 1995 penny is the doubled die obverse, which indicates doubling on the obverse, especially in the lettering of “LIBERTY” and date numerals.

Though not as dramatic as famous doubled dies like the 1955 or 1972, DDO 1995 pennies can still fetch up to a few thousand dollars in uncirculated grades. For instance, an MS67 Red 1995 double die coin realized $4,200 on Heritage Auctions, while an MS69 Red specimen sold for $4,750 on eBay!

Struck on Unplated Planchet

This error occurs when a zinc planchet misses the copper plating process before getting struck with the 1995 penny design, resulting in a dull gray penny rather than the typical copper color.

These errors typically sell for $50-$150 depending on condition, with exceptional examples reaching $600 or more, like this MS67 example realized $660 on Heritage Auctions.

Double Denomination on Struck 1995-P Dime

One of the most dramatic errors occurs when a 1995 penny design is struck on a previously struck 1995 dime. The result is a hybrid error coin with elements of both denominations.

This mint error is among the most valuable for the date, with previous sales reaching up to $2,000. For instance, an MS62 example sold for $977, while an MS66 example sold for a stunning price of $1,840 on Heritage Auctions.

Obverse Struck Thru Capped Die

This error occurs when a coin sticks to the die and subsequent strikes impress through this “cap.” The result is a dramatically distorted (thin and stretched) penny with a bowl or cap-like appearance on the obverse.

For 1995 pennies with this error, the value ranges from $30 to $500, depending on the condition and color. I found one example on eBay that was bought for $500!

Broadstruck Indent

This happens when a penny escapes its normal collar during striking, AND another blank coin partially overlaps it. The result looks like someone took a bite out of your penny. The rest of the coin appears wider than normal with a flatter rim.

This rare coin error can be worth $20-300, depending on the condition and how big the “bite” is. This MS63 Red-Brown example fetched almost $130 on eBay.

Die Break

Also known as “cud errors,” die breaks happen when pieces of the die break away, causing raised, shapeless blobs on the coin. The value of a 1995 penny with die break error depends on the size and location of the break.

Major die breaks on the obverse can potentially be worth $20-$100, like this MS62Red example sold in an auction for almost $40.