How Much Is 1976 Penny Worth?

Last Updated on August 23, 2022

The 1976 penny is a memorial penny holding a high value as the coin by US mintage. The coin is one that every collector wants to get their hands on. The numismatic value may not be as much, but it holds a special place in US history. 

If you are interested in this coin then you would find a lot of useful information in this article. So keep on reading to know more about the 1976 penny.

1976 S Gem Proof Lincoln Memorial Cent Penny Proof US Mint

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How Much Is 1976 Penny Worth?

The 1976 penny was produced in three mints, so every mint. The 1976 penny with no mintmark is produced in the main mint of Philadelphia. The penny in extremely fine condition is not worth more than its face value. 

However, in uncirculated condition with MS65 grade, the penny can get a value of around $1. The same goes for the 1976 penny with D and S mintmark. However, the proof coins can be worth around $4. 

Coin Type Very Good Extremely Fine MS60 MS65 Proof Coins
1976 Penny $1 $1.2
1976 D Penny $1 $1.2
1976 S Penny $1 $1.2 $4

Why Is 1976 Penny Not Worth A Lot?

The 1976 penny is not worth a lot due to many reasons. When it comes to determining an old coin’s value, many factors play an important part here. Here are some important factors in determining the value of the 1976 penny. 

1. Availability

The 1976 penny was minted in millions of numbers and three different mints. All these coins were circulated in the economy and gathered a huge amount. 

Not only the quantity, but the 1976 penny is not old enough compared to other vintage pennies. Therefore, the value is not enough that you wanted. With time, the value will increase as the penny gets older and becomes rare. 

2. Condition

The condition of the penny matters the most. Not only the 1976 penny but be it any old coin. Its condition will play an important role in valuing the coin. 

Therefore, to determine the value of each condition, there is a grading system that helps you with it. It would be best to look at the coin closely to determine its condition. However, it would be best to get the coin assessed by an expert to help you in the best way possible. 

What Are The Features of 1976 Penny?

1976 S Gem Proof Lincoln Memorial Cent Penny Proof US Mint

The features include mainly the engravings and design of the 1976 penny. Knowing what you can see on the coin is vital, so you don’t know how it looks. Make sure to look at every element closely when buying the penny.

The 1976 penny is one of the more popular pennies out there. Like most of the other pennies, it also has a picture of Abraham Lincoln, the great civil war time president. The word Liberty is written on left side of the front side of the penny while the year 1976 is written on the right side of the president’s portrait.

What Are The Specs Of 1976 Penny?

1976 S Gem Proof Lincoln Memorial Cent Penny Proof US Mint

The 1976 penny is one of the most favorite coins for collectors to have as the value is growing. It hasn’t reached its peak so that you can invest in it. 

The specs of the 1976 penny include information about its weight, diameter, coin thickness, and edge type. The 1976 penny weighs around 2.5 grams and has a diameter of around 19.05mm. In addition, the thickness is about 1.52mm. 

On the other hand, the metal composition of the 1976 penny is the same as the previous year’s pennies. It is a mixture of copper and zinc with 97.5% zinc while the copper is only 2.5%. This is because the copper is only found on the outer layer of the coin.

Is 1976 Penny a Wheat Penny?

No, the 1976 penny is not a wheat penny. The wheat penny was produced from 1909 to 1958 only. After 1958 the design was changed of the pennies. 

However, the changes in the design can mainly be seen on the reverse side of the coin. The wheat stalks are removed, the addition of the Lincoln memorial and the shift of position for denomination and USA. The wheat penny was known due to the wheat stalks design present on the reverse side. 

Jackie Palmer is a Houston-based coin journalist and fashion enthusiast. She joined Jewels Advisor’s content team after years of experience as a content strategist, managing blogs and social channels for local stores. Jackie mostly collects and studies US coins produced during the 20th century and over the years, published hundreds of articles for multiple coin publications.