If you have an old 1975 Lincoln Penny in your old coins jar, you are just about to get rich! This seemingly ordinary small cent coin can sell for as much as $5,000 today, making it a highly collectible coin. From mint marks to rare errors, learn what features make your 1975 penny worth the money in this guide!
Brief History of the 1975 Lincoln Memorial Cent
The 1975 Lincoln Penny was part of the long-running Lincoln Penny series, featuring Abraham Lincoln’s profile on the obverse (front) and the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse (back). This year saw a high production of pennies in billions at different mints.
Interestingly, the United Minted also produced over 1.5 billion pennies at the West Point Mint in the same year. But these coins bore no mint mark. Besides, the U.S. Mint experimented with aluminum cents in 1974 and 1975 due to rising copper prices.
About 1.5 million were reportedly released dated 1974, and possibly 66 dated 1975, but almost all were destroyed. The remaining ones are extremely rare!
| 1975 Lincoln Memorial Cent | Key Features & Facts |
| Coin Composition | 95% Copper, 5% Tin and Zinc |
| Minting Location | Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco |
| Minting Year | 1975 |
| Face Value | 1-cent (0.01$) |
| 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 9,959,596,892 coins |
Understanding a 1975 Lincoln Cent Design & Composition
The first step to assessing a 1975 Lincoln Memorial Cent value is to identify its distinctive design, composition, and dimensions. Here’s an overview of these features:
1975 Lincoln Penny Obverse:
- A portrait of Abraham Lincoln, facing right
- The word “LIBERTY” on Lincoln’s left
- The mint date “1975” to Lincoln’s right (lower)
- The motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” inscribed along the upper edge
- The mint mark, if present, below the mint year
1975 Lincoln Penny Reverse:
- The Lincoln Memorial building in the center
- The denomination “ONE CENT” below the Memorial building
- The words “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
1975 Lincoln Cent Composition & Dimensions
The 1975 Lincoln penny is composed of bronze alloy with 95% copper and 5% zinc, which gives it a distinctive reddish-copper luster and a weight of approximately 3.11 grams.
Besides, the 1975 cent coin has a diameter of 19.05 millimeters and a thickness of 1.52 millimeters with a uniform plain edge.
4 Factors to Assess a 1975 Lincoln Penny Value
The value of a standard 1975 Lincoln penny in average condition is around 1 cent, but this value can significantly increase depending on its condition, mint mark, and any rare errors it features. Let’s understand how each factor impacts the value.
1. Coin Grading and Condition
Coin grading plays a vital role in determining a 1975 penny’s value. Professionally, coins are graded on a scale from P-1 to MS-70, where MS-67 or above grades indicating a flawless condition are worth the most.
For example, a 1975 Penny in an MS66 grade is only worth around $10 – $30, while the same cent can sell for up to $2,000 – $3,000 in an MS68 or higher grade.
2. Coin Toning & Color
The appearance of a 1975 Lincoln penny can change over time due to oxidation and toning, which affects its final value. Based on colors, the pennies are classified as:
- Red (RD): 1975 pennies with bright red color like new coins are graded RD. These are the most valuable of all, fetching $25 or more in mint state, with higher grades racing to a few thousand dollars!
- Red-Brown (RB): These coins display a mix of red and brown hues; they are less valuable than pure red coins but can still fetch a decent price, often around $5 to $10.
- Brown (BN): Coins that have turned completely brown due to oxidation are generally the least valuable; they often sell for only a few cents unless they have significant errors or high grades.
3. Mint Marks & Mintage
The 1975 Lincoln Memorial penny was minted at three different facilities, each bearing a unique mint mark. Understanding the total mintage and rarity of each mint can help determine value.
1975 No Mint Mark Penny (Mintage – 3,874,182,000)
The Philadelphia Mint produced over 3.8 billion cents in 1975. Due to high mintage, these coins are worth around $0.25 in average condition, but uncirculated examples can reach up to $25 or more. High-grade no mint mark 1975 pennies can fetch stunning prices of up to $9,000!
The United States Mint also produced over 1.5 billion 1975 pennies at the West Point Mint. However, since these cents don’t have any special mint mark, they are usually considered Philadelphia-minted cents and are values similar to those.
1975 D Lincoln Penny (Mintage – 4,505,275,300)
Due to a higher mintage than no mint mark pennies, the 1975 D mint mark pennies are more common. These coins are worth about $0.25 in circulated condition but can fetch up to $16 in uncirculated condition, with higher-grade examples reaching $3,900 or more!
You can refer to this 1975 Lincoln Cent value chart to find your coin’s average value based on grades (for red coins) and mint marks.
| Coin Grades | Condition Details | 1975 No Mint Mark Penny Value | 1975 D Penny Value |
| Poor (0) to Extremely Fine (XF45) | Significant wear, faded but visible details | Face Value | Face Value |
| 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 |
| Mint State (MS60 – MS64) | Uncirculated with minimal wear | $1 – $5 | $1 – $10 |
| Mint State (MS65 – MS66+) | Nearly flawless with very minor imperfections | $4 – $40 | $10 – $50+ |
| Mint State (MS67 – MS67+) | Well-preserved with no major flaws | $60 – $800 | $100 – $3,000+ |
| Mint State (MS68 or Above) | Nearly perfect, luster, no major marks or flaws | $9,000 or more | N/A |
1975 S Lincoln Penny Proof (Mintage – 2,845,450)
The San FranciscoMint only released over 2.8 million 1975 Lincoln Penny proof coins for collectors. You can identify these special 1975 pennies by their mirror-like finish and frosted devices as well as by the “S” mint mark on the obverse.
The proof cents are also classified into three designations:
- Regular PR Proofs: These proof coins have a standard mirror-like finish without any contrast. The value of 1975 PR proof coins ranges from $5 to $15, depending on their condition.
- Cameo (CAM) Proofs: Some 1975 proof coins feature a strong contrast between frosted designs and mirrored backgrounds, making them more desirable than regular proofs. 1975 Cameo Proofs can be valued at around $20 or more.
- Deep Cameo (DCAM) Proofs: 1975 proof coins with the highest contrast between frosted and mirrored surfaces are graded DCAM. Deep Cameo examples of 1975 penny can command prices exceeding $50 depending on their quality!
4. Valuable Mint Errors of 1975 Lincoln Penny
Mint errors are mistakes that occur during the minting process, resulting in unique features that can make a 1975 Lincoln penny incredibly valuable. Here are some notable errors to find:
Double Die Errors
A Double Die Obverse (DDO) or Double Die Reverse (DDR) error occurs when the coin die has doubled, the slightly misaligned impression of dies, which is then transferred to the 1975 penny. Double-die coins can be worth hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Major Die Breaks
This error happens when a large piece breaks off the die, leaving a raised blob on the 1975 penny coin. To spot this error, look for a large, raised, irregular area on the coin. Depending on the coin’s condition, the value can range from $30 to $100 or more, like this MS64RB example that sold for over $50!
1975 Penny Struck on a Dime Planchet
This rare error occurs when a penny design is struck on a planchet intended for a dime. This rare coin will be smaller than a regular penny and silver in color instead of red. It will also weigh about 2.27 grams instead of 3.11 grams. An MS-65 1975 Penny dime planchet sold for $900 on Heritage Auctions. Higher grades can fetch up to $1,500 or more!
1975-D Penny Obverse Die Cap Error
This occurs when a 1975 penny sticks to the die and strikes other planchets, resulting in a deeply cupped coin, like a bottle cap, hence the name. Depending on the condition, this error cent can be worth $100 – $500, like this MS65 example that sold for over $350 in a coin auction!
1975-D Penny Mated Pair Error
This rare error occurs when two 1975 pennies stick together during striking. One coin will have a brockage (mirror image) impression, while the other shows a normal obverse but with an indent or off-center strike.
To identify, look for a mirror image on one side and a partner coin with a corresponding indent. One rare MS66RB example of this error coin sold for $373 on Heritage Auctions!
1975-D Penny Triple Struck Error
This is a rare 1975-D penny that was struck three times by the dies. To spot it, look for multiple overlapping images of the design. The value of a triple-struck 1975-D penny can range from $50 to $500 or more, like this MS63BN cent that sold for over $160. Red coins in good condition can fetch more.
Apart from these, you can also find common errors on your 1975 penny, such as an off-center strike and re-punched mint mark error, which can hike its value.
Remember, a 1975 Lincoln copper cent is only worth a few cents unless it is graded MS-67 or higher or exhibits any of the rare errors listed above. So, before you sell or buy a 1975 penny, use this guide to spot these features!
