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The Lincoln Cent, designed by Victor D. Brenner in 1909, was well-received by customers nationwide due to its appealing appearance. However, after a 50-year run with the back of the coin displaying two wheat ears, designer Frank Gasparro updated the Lincoln Penny in 1959. The wheat ears on the back were replaced with a new depiction of the Lincoln Memorial, as per Gasparro’s design.
The mottos “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” are emblazoned above the Lincoln Memorial. “ONE CENT” is printed at the bottom of the back, immediately behind the Lincoln Memorial. In 1958, Brenner’s obverse design remained the same, with a bust of President Abraham Lincoln facing right and the words “IN GOD WE TRUST ABOVE.” The date is to the center of Lincoln’s bust, and in the right field is the word “LIBERTY.”
Authorities changed the Lincoln cent’s composition twice in 1943 and 1982. Except for the 1943 cent, all cents coined before 1982 comprised 95 percent copper and 5% tin/zinc. The United States government began producing steel pennies in 1943 to preserve copper for the war effort. After 1982, pennies were struck with a 97.5 percent zinc core and 2.5 percent copper outer coating, making them less expensive. Therefore, we have created an Ultimate Guide to Collectable Pennies for additional information on the Lincoln Memorial penny.
What is the value of a 1968 penny?
A 1968 Lincoln Penny is valued at an average of 1 cent on CoinTrackers.com, but one in certified mint form (MS+) may be worth $12.
In circulating condition, most 1968 pennies are only worth their weight in copper, and each penny is currently worth around $0.02 in copper melt value. In an uncirculated state, these coins may only sell for a premium. In uncirculated conditions with either an MS-63RB grading or no mint mark, the 1968 cent is valued at roughly $0.25.
The value is roughly $0.60 in uncirculated form with an MS-65RD grade. In uncirculated conditions with an MS-63RB grading, the 1968 D cent and 1968 S penny are valued at approximately $0.15. The value is roughly $0.40 with an MS-65RD grade in uncirculated form. Proof coins with an S mintmark are available, and in PR-65RD condition, they are worth approximately $1 apiece. A total of 3,041,506 proof coins were produced.
Collectors have discovered a flaw in a few 1968 S Lincoln Memorial pennies. Depending on the type of striking and degree of inaccuracy, this defect might make the coin worth a lot of money. This issue is known as a Twice-Die error because a coin is struck from a die with part of the picture doubled, causing specific components to overlap. This inaccuracy can cause an extremely slight doubling in some instances, while in others, the doubling can be relatively significant and visible from afar.
The doubling on the obverse of the 1968 S Lincoln Memorial Penny is known as the doubled die obverse or DDO, and it can be observed on the coin’s obverse. This inaccuracy may be observed in the date and the mint mark. The doubling can also impact other components on the obverse, such as the phrase “LIBERTY” and the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST.” This fault can be seen in regular and proof strikes, although circulation strikes are more prevalent. Because this sort of inaccuracy is difficult to spot from a distance, magnification is necessary to see the fault.
What is the value of a 1968 Mark Penny that isn’t mint?
In uncirculated conditions with an MS-63RB grading, the 1968 cent with no mint mark is valued at roughly $0.25. The value is approximately $0.60 in uncirculated form with an MS-65RD grade. In uncirculated conditions with an MS-63RB grading, the 1968 D cent and 1968 S penny are valued at roughly $0.15.
Let’s get it out of the way now. Your 1968 pennies don’t have a mintmark, so they’re not uncommon. They are still relatively frequent coins, even if you don’t come across them daily. In 1968, the United States Mint in Philadelphia produced 1,707,880,970 coins. Yes, mathematicians, that’s over 1.7 billion (with a “b”) pennies from the 1968 Lincoln Memorial!
So, why is it becoming increasingly challenging to discover these ostensibly ubiquitous coins in spare change? Why did we begin this post by claiming they’re all worth more than their face value? That’s because all 1968 pennies are made of a bronze composition consisting of 95% copper and 5% zinc. Copper has seen a significant increase in value over time, so much so that a pre-1982 Lincoln Memorial penny’s copper content is now valued more than its face value!
What Errors Can Be Found on a 1968 Penny?
The doubling on the obverse of the 1968 S Lincoln Memorial Penny is known as the doubled die obverse or DDO, and it can be observed on the coin’s obverse. This inaccuracy may be observed in the date and the mint mark.
Collectors have discovered a flaw in a few 1968 S Lincoln Memorial pennies. Depending on the type of striking and degree of inaccuracy, this defect might make the coin worth a lot of money. This issue is known as a Twice-Die error because a coin is struck from a die with part of the picture doubled, causing specific components to overlap.
This inaccuracy can cause an extremely slight doubling in some instances, while in others, the doubling can be relatively significant and visible from afar. The doubling on the obverse of the 1968 S Lincoln Memorial Penny is known as the doubled die obverse or DDO, and it can be observed on the coin’s obverse. This inaccuracy may be observed in the date and the mint mark.
The doubling can also impact other components on the obverse, such as the phrase “LIBERTY” and the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST.” This fault can be seen in regular and proof strikes, although circulation strikes are more prevalent. Because this sort of inaccuracy is difficult to spot from a distance, magnification is necessary to see the fault.
What Characterizes a Rare 1968 Penny?
All 1968 pennies are manufactured of a bronze composition, consisting of 95% copper, 5% zinc, and copper, and this is the case so much so that a pre-1982 Lincoln Memorial penny’s copper content is now valued more than its face value! Pennies with Double Die in 1968 Mintmark Pennies from 1968 have been punched from 1968 with die breaks Pennies from 1968’s “Floating Roof.”
It is a significant event! It’s a highly unusual and precious penny mistake worth a lot of money. While there aren’t any 1968 doubled die pennies as valuable as 1955, 1969, or 1972 doubled die pennies. On the 1968 coin, pay special attention to the inscription. Lincoln’s eye, beard, and ear, as well as his bowtie, are all shown in minute detail. Those are the most common sites where collectors look for evidence of doubling. Depending on the amount of the doubling, several of the 1968 doubled die penny variations are worth $25 to $100.
Coiners at the United States Mint hand-punched mintmarks on each functioning die in the late 1960s. As a result of the human factor, there were a few faults and variations regarding the mintmark. Mintmark variants with pre-punched mintmarks are frequent, and many private collectors seek them. A re-punched 1968-D or 1968-S mintmark variation often sells for $5 to $15, depending on the coin’s condition and the extent of the mintmark distortion.
Breakage is one way a die shows wear and tear, resulting in cracks on the afflicted die and raised lines, lumps, and bumps on the coin it strikes. Die breaks and cracks are eye-catching mistakes. The value of a die crack can vary greatly depending on the fracture’s kind, size, and position. The so-called “BIE” variation of die breaks on a Lincoln cent is among the most prevalent. On the obverse, there is a slight vertical die break between the letters “B” and “E” in the word “LIBERTY.” Many BIE coins are worth between $5 and $10 each.
Many individuals question floating roof pennies in their letters. The top piece of the Lincoln Memorial roof appears to be hovering above the remainder of this Washington, D.C. landmark. Overzealous die polishing on the upper parts of the coin’s reverse (tail’s side) is most likely to blame for the floating roof look. At the same time, this peculiar floating ceiling may be seen on each Lincoln Memorial cent.
This anomaly appears to be particularly frequent in late 1960s Lincoln pennies. Most floating roof Lincoln coins are worth between $1 and $5. Interestingly, many coin-collecting experts have not acknowledged the floating roof pennies as a die variant. However, keep an eye out because this might change in the future!
What is the worth of a 1968-D Penny?
Because of the copper composition in the coin, all 1968-D pennies were worth far beyond their face value, much like their Philadelphia counterparts. That indicates that 1968-D pennies are worth around 2 cents even in worn condition. The value of uncirculated 1968-D Lincoln coins ranges from 10 to 25 cents.
Unless the coin is a grade rarity or an uncommon and desirable variant, the United States Mint manufactured hundreds of millions of coins, as it did with practically every Lincoln cent from 1959 to the present. Consequently, a typical coin has no numismatic value. Collectors and speculators kept many rolls of uncirculated 1968-D Lincoln cents, which do not make up most of the uncirculated 1968-D cents that have survived.
In 1968, the mint created 2,105,128 Uncirculated Sets, each containing one specimen of every circulation currency issued by each mint that year. Over the years, many of these sets have been split up; some were spent as money, and others were cracked apart and submitted because the coins were attractive. Authorities included a 40 percent silver-clad Kennedy a half dollar in these sets, with a face value of $1.33. The current spot price of silver ($26.44/Oz) at the period of this article’s original publication is $3.90 in silver. Given the nature of this collection, it should be easy to find them for $12 or less.
Determining the value of a raw, uncirculated contemporary coin is a science that is difficult to master. In most uncertified states, we may confidently assert that a 1968-D cent is worth less than $1.00. The numismatic premium vanishes nearly totally in circulated grades. At 10 to 30 cents, an AU sample with a flash of pristine natural red would find a buyer. It’s a different story with certified pieces in Gem or higher Mint Set grades. NGC records 929 instances in steps MS65RD and above at publishing, and 96.2 percent have an MS66 or below rating.
Conclusion
Overall, the 1968 penny is worth collecting. In 1965, the United States Mint removed mintmarks to collect coins from circulation amid a severe currency shortage. By 1968, authorities had resolved the situation, and mintmarks were reinstated. MS-63RB choice uncirculated—There are some flaws or contact marks in the critical focus regions.
The coin’s shine may not be as bright. The hue is a mix of red and brown. MS-65RD Gem uncirculated—This coin has a lot of brilliance and attraction. There may be minor touch marks, but they are scarcely discernible. Red is the predominant color. This coin is a PR-65RD proof with no defects. A few imperfections are possible. Red is the dominant color. If you have any questions regarding the 1968 penny, kindly let us know in the comment box below.
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