The 1972 Lincoln penny holds a special place in numismatics, bridging a rich history of design and innovation. Originating in 1909 to celebrate Lincoln’s centennial, these pennies were the first American coins to showcase a real individual, Abraham Lincoln. The initial “wheat penny” design persisted for 50 years before making way for the Memorial Reverse in 1959. The 1972 penny is a part of this series, which continued until 2009, preceding the introduction of four bicentennial designs and the current Union Shield.
Dive in to uncover the intricacies, value, and unique characteristics that elevate the 1972 Lincoln penny from the every day to a collector’s gem.
Table of Contents
The 1972 Penny Design & Composition
1972 Penny Obverse Side
Victor David Brenner designed the 1972 Lincoln penny’s obverse. It features a detailed bust of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the U.S., facing right.
You’ll find the phrase “IN GOD WE TRUST” above Lincoln’s head along the upper coin rim and the word “LIBERTY” to the left. In front of the portrait is the year of minting, “1972.” Below it is a small letter, S or D, representing the mint.
1972 Penny Reverse Side
The 1972 Lincoln penny’s reverse side showcases the Lincoln Memorial after being changed from the wheat ears in 1959. This design, created by Frank Gasparro, pays tribute to the great President’s legacy.
Between the central pillars is Lincoln’s statue, and above the Memorial is a Latin phrase, “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” You can also see the inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” at the top, along the rim, and the denomination “ONE CENT,” below the Memorial.
1972 Penny Composition & Dimension
The 1972 Lincoln penny consists of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc mixture with a diameter of 19 millimeters and a weight of 3.11 grams. The penny is 1.52 mm thick and features a plain edge with a reeded surface. This means it has fine, evenly-spaced ridges around the circumference.
1972 Gold Penny
While the standard 1972 Lincoln penny comprises mainly copper, there have been cases of gold-plated versions. These are often crafted as commemorative pieces or for novelty purposes and are not intended for circulation. Their numismatic value generally depends on their gold content and not their rarity.
1972 Silver Penny
Like gold-plated coins, silver-plated 1972 Lincoln pennies exist. They are also typically produced as novelty items and are not part of regular circulation. Their value depends on their silver content and collectible appeal.
1972 Penny Value
How Much Is a 1972 Penny Worth?
While circulated 1972 Lincoln pennies are common, they are worth at least $0.5 each for their copper value. However, coins with an error or high-grade uncirculated pennies can be worth hundreds or thousands for the right collectors.
1972 Penny Mintage & Value Chart
The mint mark on the coin indicates where it was produced, and the 1972 Lincoln penny was minted in three different facilities: Denver (D), San Francisco (S), and Philadelphia (without a mint mark). Philadelphia has the highest mintage number (2,933,255,000), followed by Denver (2,665,071,400) and San Francisco (376,939,108).
Related: Rare & Valuable Pennies List
1972 D Penny
The “D” mint mark represents pennies crafted in Denver, Colorado. The 1972-D penny is the most common of the three mint marks, with a substantial mintage of about 2,933,255,000.
1972 D Penny Value
In circulated condition, these coins are worth 20 to 40+ cents.
1972 S Penny
The “S” mint mark signifies coins minted in San Francisco, California. San Francisco mint typically created fewer coins than Denver, with about 376,939,108.
1972 S Penny Value
Each 1972 S penny is worth 50 to 75+ cents.
1972 Penny No Mint Mark
1972, the Philadelphia Mint in Pennsylvania produced around 3 billion Lincoln pennies in the main U.S. Mint facility. These coins are easy to identify as they don’t have the mint mark.
1972 Penny No Mint Mark Value
Since these pennies were produced for circulation, they are not rare and are only worth $0.05. Expect to sell these coins for a $10 maximum with a grading of up to MS65.
1972 Penny Value Chart
The value of each 1972 Lincoln penny depends on factors such as grading, mintage, circulation, and errors. Here’s a general value chart based on different variations and conditions:
| Mint Mark | Mintage | Good | Fine | Very Fine | MS65 | Uncirculated |
| 1972 “S” Mint Mark Penny Value (San Francisco) | 376,939,108 | $0.01 – $0.02 | $0.02-$0.05 | $0.10 | $2.50 – $20 | $1.50 |
| 1972 “D” Mint Mark Penny Value (Denver) | 2,665,071,400 | $0.01 – $0.02 | $0.02 – $0.05 | $0.20 | $2.50 – $15 | $0.25 |
| 1972 No Mint Mark Penny Value (Philadelphia) | 2,933,255,000 | $0.01 – $0.02 | $0.02 – $0.05 | $0.10 | $2.5- $10 | $0.25 |
The 1972 Penny Error List & Associated Values
Collectors usually look for error coins due to their unique characteristics and rarity. Here is a list of some common yet most valuable errors associated with the 1972 Lincoln penny:
Most Common 1972 Lincoln Penny Errors
1972 Penny No Mint Mark W Errors
It’s a rare error coin series for the 1972 Lincoln penny with no mint mark. You’ll find the obverse side with the coin’s date and design elements minted twice on the penny. As such, it’s called a double die error. These coins are worth about $600, especially if they are MS-65RD grade in uncirculated condition.
Off-center Strikes
While not valuable, these are common and easy to find. They occur when the coin isn’t centered correctly during the minting process. Uncirculated coins cost around $0.4.
Clipped Planchet Error
This error occurs when a piece of the metal blank is missing. The 1972 Lincoln pennies with this error are not valuable but quite common. They are either too small or large for their denominations or have different compositions or colors than they should. These coins can be worth thousands of dollars.
Die Crack Error
Small cracks may sometimes appear on the 1972 Lincoln pennies’ surface. They often don’t affect the coin’s value much but are still collected by some.
Most Valuable 1972 Penny Errors
1972 Penny Double Die Obverse (DDO)
The 1972 DDO is the most famous and sought-after penny error. Looking closely at the obverse (head side), you can see a doubling on the date and inscriptions, particularly the letters BER in the word “Liberty.” The coin’s value can vary widely based on the condition but are generally quite high.
Upon their discovery, each raw coin was worth as much as $300 and started dropping when many more coins were minted. However, the PCGS (Professional Coin Grading) reveals that one 1972 DDO Lincoln error penny was once sold for $14,400 at auction.
Over-mintmarks or Repunched Mint Marks (RPMs)
These are rare and occur when a mint mark is stamped more than once or struck over a different mint mark. When you look at these coins, you’ll see the mint mark’s ghost image appearing slightly offset from the original. It is visible as a doubled or faint image of the mint mark. The 1972 RPM penny is relatively common in circulation or available on penny rolls.
Cuds Error
These are raised lumps of metal that appear when part of the die breaks off. Such rare pennies can be quite valuable depending on the size of the cud and its location.
Die Caps
This error happens when a coin sticks to a die and strikes subsequent coins. This gives a “bottle cap” appearance and can be highly valuable.
Most Valuable 1972 Penny Double-Rim Value
A 1972 Lincoln penny with a double rim is also a valuable error. The doubled rim is visually striking and adds to the penny’s value and uniqueness.
Conclusion
The 1972 Lincoln penny, with its historical significance, distinctive design, and potential for valuable errors, remains captivating for many collectors. Whether you are a seasoned collector or someone who checks their pocket change, the 1972 penny offers a glimpse into the rich world of coin collecting.
Its value, mintage numbers, and intriguing array of errors continue to make it fascinating for coin enthusiasts worldwide. As you sift through your change, look for that elusive 1972 Lincoln penny with errors, as it may just hold a hidden treasure within its copper, zinc, and tin composition.
Before buying or selling 1972 Lincoln pennies, thoroughly research and check the most current values. You may also consider selling your coin in an auction at an excellent price, especially if several collectors compete for the same penny.
