Last Updated on August 23, 2022
Known as the Lincoln Memorial cent, the 1977 penny is one of the unique ones. The 1977 penny contains a special design that is a tribute to the great President Abraham Lincoln. President Lincoln has been ruling on the pennies since 1908.
Read on to know more about the value of 1977 penny.
How Much Is 1977 Penny Worth?
The 1977 penny is a rare coin. Like the 1976 penny, this coin was also minted in three different mints. You can get the most money for 1977 penny with S mintmark.
For a 1977 penny with S mintmark and PR65 condition you can get a valuation of around $ 2.50. The 1977 penny with no mint mark is valued around $1 and the same can be said about the 1977 penny with D mintmark. However they have to be in uncirculated condition to get $1.
| Coin Type | Uncirculated Condition |
| 1977 Penny | $1 |
| 1977 D Penny | $1 |
| 1977 S Penny | $2.50 |
Where Is The Mintmark Present on 1977 Penny?
When present, the mintmark can be found on the obverse side of the coin. It is present under the year graving on the coin. However, you would need to look very closely as the font of the mintmark is very small.
The mintmark is an official stamp by the mint to differentiate the coin according to the mint it was produced in. Therefore, the mintmark is present. The penny that has no mintmark is mainly produced in the mint of Philadelphia.
Where and How Many 1977 Pennies Were Minted?
The 1977 pennies were minted in three different mints in the US. The quantity that the pennies were minted in was in millions. Every mint had different quantities to produce, so it is vital to know how many each mint produced.
Here are how many pennies each mint produced.
- Philadelphia: 4,469,930,000
- Denver: 4,149,063,300
- San Francisco: 3,251,152
You may wonder why there were so few pennies minted in San Francisco compared to the other two mints. This is because the pennies minted in San Francisco were only struck as proof coins.
These coins were never produced in circulation and were kept by the mint for archival purposes. The proof coins are also produced to check the dye used to produce the actual coins. In addition, you will see the difference in color and appearance between normal 1977 pennies and proof coins of the same pennies.
What Is The Metal Composition and Specs of 1977 Penny?
The metal composition refers to the mixture of metals used to produce the coin. For example, the composition of the 1977 penny is a mixture of copper, tin, and zinc.
The penny comprises 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc. Therefore, the melt value of the 1977 penny is not much compared to the coins made with silver.
Talking about the specifications of the 1977 penny, the coin weighs around 3.11 grams as it is the lowest denomination coin of US currency. But on the other hand, the coin’s diameter is around 19mm.
This information will help you when you go to buy the coin. You need to look at every small detail of the coin to ensure you are dealing with a real coin. Otherwise, many fake coins are circulating in the market.
How To Make Sure That It Is A Real 1977 Penny?
This is a very important section if you are a beginner looking to collect old coins. To make sure that you are buying an original coin, you need to look at the coin very closely and look at the tiniest detail of the coin.
If you can check, try to feel the coin and its engravings. If the engravings are sharp, then it can mean the coin is freshly made, and how can that be for an old coin.
Also, match the specs of the coin you have with the specs of the original coin. Sometimes the fake ones may not match all the specs. Therefore, you can find it that way also.
However, if you find it difficult to check the coin, you can always take an expert. The expert will help you check if the coin is original or not. In addition, the expert will help you value the coin properly and negotiate. That way, you will be safe and ensure that you pay the amount the coin is worth.
