Last Updated on March 24, 2022
Typically, the Lincoln pennies of the 1970s are not very valuable. However, you can still sell some of them at a high price. This depends on the condition, grading, and category of the coin.
Do you want to learn more about the 1970 penny value? If so, here is all the information you require.
How Much Is 1970 Penny Worth?
The US officials released the 1970 pennies without and with marks. This is why you will find multiple varieties of coins. Depending on its type, you can get $0.02 to $40 for the penny. The minimum 1970 penny value is the face worth of the coin for circulated conditions.
Meanwhile, you will get a higher amount for the uncirculated 1970 pennies. For instance, you can sell the coin for $0.65 without a mint mark but with an MS 65 grading and uncirculated condition. However, if the coin has the mintmark, the 1970 penny value will rise significantly.
The 1970 penny with a D mark has a value of $0.30 if it is in an uncirculated condition and with MS 65 grading. Typically, this minted coin has a lower worth because it is less rare and readily available. Of course, the S penny will allow you to make a high profit if you have it.
Firstly, you must understand the 1970 penny value of the S coin depends on the design. The one with a small date, MS 65 grading, and an uncirculated condition is worth $55. Meanwhile, the same penny with a large date has a value of $0.50 only.
Besides that, you can also sell the 1970 S proof penny for earning a high amount. You can sell this coin for at least $40 if it is in the PR 65 condition and has a small date. However, the large dated proof coin is not worth more than $1.
Looking for more information about coins? Check out our guides:
- How Much Does A 1965 Quarter Worth?
- What Is the Value of a 1979 Silver Dollar?
- How Much Is A 1961 D Penny Worth?
What Is A 1970 D Penny?
The 1970 D penny is one of the valuable coins you will find in your pocket change. It minted for only one year, and it has a different reverse design compared to other coins. You can easily recognize this coin because of its large date, which is different from other dates on Lincoln cents.
The US Mint released the 1970 D penny with a new obverse and reverse design. The new Memorial reverses replaced the old wheat ear cents in 1959. Meanwhile, the front side of the coin was redesigned in 1960 to feature a portrait of President Abraham Lincoln.
However, remember that the 1970 D penny is not as valuable as the same year’s standard S and S proof pennies. So you should not expect to get more than $0.30 for an uncirculated coin from a standard buyer. Of course, some collectors may pay you extra out of goodwill.
How Can You Tell If A 1970 Penny Has A Small Date?
The best way to determine the date size of a 1970 penny is by comparing it with other coins. You can use a 1969 D or 1971 D coin for this purpose as they have similar dates. If you cannot find any of these coins, you can also check the date size with a magnifying glass.
The tiny date on the 1970 penny is significantly different compared to other coins. The letters and numbers will appear close to each other, and they will have a slanted look. In simple words, the entire date will look compressed on the coin.
Meanwhile, the large date coins have well-spaced letters and numbers. You will also notice that the date is slightly tilted to the right side on these pennies. Simply put, the entire date will appear bolder and bigger than the small date coins.
What Does D Mean On A Penny?
The D mint mark on a penny indicates that the coin was minted at the Denver Mint. This facility is one of the four US Mints currently in operation. The other three are located in Philadelphia, San Francisco, and West Point.
All these facilities have different responsibilities, but they all follow similar processes for manufacturing coins. The Denver Mint is responsible for producing circulating coins, while the other three facilities make uncirculated products.
The US Mint started operating in Denver in 1906, and it has produced several billion coins since then. This facility is currently responsible for striking around 20% of all the circulating coins in the US.