Finding a 1979 penny in your change might seem ordinary, but some of these copper-plated zinc cents are worth far more than face value. While most circulated examples trade for just a penny, specific mint marks, pristine conditions, and rare errors can push values from several dollars to over $150. Understanding what separates a common pocket change piece from a collector’s prize requires examining mint marks, grading nuances, and manufacturing mistakes that occurred during production.

Understanding the Three 1979 Penny Varieties

The United States Mint produced Lincoln Memorial cents at three facilities in 1979, each leaving distinct markers on the coins. Philadelphia minted over 6.01 billion pennies without any mint mark on the obverse, making these the most abundant variety. Denver struck approximately 4.13 billion pieces marked with a small “D” below the date, while San Francisco produced only proof coins bearing an “S” mint mark for collectors.

To identify your penny’s origin, flip the coin to the obverse side showing Lincoln’s profile. Look directly beneath the date on the right side. No letter indicates Philadelphia production, a “D” confirms Denver origin, and an “S” designates San Francisco proof status. These tiny letters significantly impact value, particularly when combined with condition grades.

Philadelphia’s massive production run means circulated no-mint-mark pennies typically trade for less than ten cents regardless of wear. Denver issues command similar values in worn condition. San Francisco proofs, however, were never intended for circulation and start at higher price points even in lower proof grades.

1979 No Mint Mark Penny Values by Grade

Philadelphia pennies dominate collections due to their 6.01 billion mintage. In circulated grades from Good-4 through About Uncirculated-50, these coins rarely exceed face value. The sheer survival rate eliminates scarcity premium for worn examples.

Uncirculated grades reveal more interesting value patterns. A Mint State-60 specimen with original red luster trades around three dollars at auction. MS-63 examples jump to approximately eight dollars, while MS-65 coins reach fifteen to twenty dollars according to recent Heritage Auctions sales data.

The highest certified grades command substantial premiums. MS-67 red specimens have sold for seventy-five to one hundred dollars. An MS-68 example, representing near-perfect preservation, achieved two hundred dollars at a 2023 auction. PCGS population reports show fewer than fifty coins certified at MS-67 or higher, explaining the exponential price increases.

Full steps designation adds another value layer. The Lincoln Memorial reverse displays a building with visible steps between columns. Coins struck with exceptional pressure show all five horizontal step lines fully separated. This “Full Steps” designation can double or triple values in grades MS-63 and higher, with MS-65 Full Steps examples reaching forty to sixty dollars.

Denver Mint 1979-D Penny Worth

Denver’s 4.13 billion penny output creates similar value dynamics to Philadelphia issues. Circulated 1979-D cents trade at face value in typical pocket change condition. Collectors seeking roll quantities might pay two to three cents per coin for cherry-picked examples showing minimal wear.

Mint State pricing closely mirrors no-mint-mark values with slight variations. MS-60 red specimens sell for approximately three to four dollars. MS-63 examples command eight to twelve dollars, while MS-65 pieces reach twenty to twenty-five dollars at major auction houses.

Higher grade 1979-D pennies show marginally stronger demand than Philadelphia strikes. MS-66 coins trade around forty dollars, reflecting slightly lower certified populations. MS-67 specimens have achieved one hundred twenty to one hundred fifty dollars in recent sales. The MS-68 grade remains extraordinarily rare, with fewer than twenty examples certified by major grading services combined.

Full Steps designation carries similar premium percentages as Philadelphia coins. An MS-65 1979-D with Full Steps typically sells for fifty to seventy dollars compared to twenty dollars without the designation. Strike quality varied between production runs, making fully detailed steps scarce even in high grades.

San Francisco 1979-S Proof Penny Values

San Francisco exclusively produced proof pennies in 1979, striking approximately 3.68 million pieces for collector sets. These coins underwent special manufacturing processes including polished dies and multiple strikes, creating mirror-like fields and frosted design elements.

Proof coins use different grading standards than business strikes. Proof-63 represents moderate quality with noticeable hairlines or contact marks, typically valued around two dollars. Proof-65 examples showing minimal imperfections trade for four to six dollars.

Higher proof grades reveal steeper price appreciation. Proof-67 specimens reach fifteen to twenty dollars, while Proof-68 examples command thirty to forty dollars. Proof-69, representing near-perfect surfaces under magnification, trades between seventy-five and one hundred twenty-five dollars depending on eye appeal and cameo contrast.

Deep Cameo designation significantly increases values. This term describes proofs with stark contrast between frosted devices and mirror fields. A 1979-S Proof-69 Deep Cameo sold for two hundred ten dollars through Stack’s Bowers in late 2023, more than double the standard Proof-69 price.

Valuable 1979 Penny Errors Worth Hunting

Manufacturing errors transform common pennies into valuable collectibles. The 1979 doubled ear variety ranks among the most sought-after Lincoln cent errors. Die deterioration or hubbing issues created visible doubling on Lincoln’s ear, appearing as a second ear lobe outline. Confirmed examples have sold between one hundred twenty and one hundred eighty dollars in MS-63 condition, reaching two hundred fifty dollars in MS-65.

Off-center strikes occur when the planchet sits incorrectly in the striking chamber. A 1979 penny struck five to ten percent off-center retains full date visibility and trades for fifteen to thirty dollars. Twenty to thirty percent off-center examples command fifty to one hundred dollars. Dramatic fifty percent off-center strikes showing half the design sell for two hundred to four hundred dollars when the date remains visible.

Wrong planchet errors represent the most valuable category. A 1979 penny struck on a dime planchet weighs 2.27 grams instead of the normal 3.11 grams and measures 17.9 millimeters versus 19.05 millimeters. These cross-denomination errors are exceptionally rare, with authenticated examples selling between three thousand and seven thousand dollars at major auctions.

Broadstrike errors happen when the retaining collar fails during striking. The planchet spreads beyond normal diameter, creating an oversized penny with weak rim definition. 1979 broadstrikes typically measure twenty-one to twenty-three millimeters and sell for forty to eighty dollars depending on dramatic appearance.

Clipped planchet errors show curved or straight edge clips where the planchet punching process overlapped previously cut holes. Small clips affecting five to ten percent of the planchet edge bring twenty to forty dollars. Large clips removing twenty-five percent or more reach one hundred fifty to three hundred dollars when other details remain sharp.

Die cracks and cuds add modest premiums. A die crack appears as raised lines across the coin surface where the die fractured during use. Simple cracks add two to ten dollars depending on prominence. Die cuds, where part of the die completely breaks away creating a raised blob, command thirty to seventy-five dollars for dramatic examples affecting significant design portions.

How to Authenticate and Grade Your 1979 Pennies

Accurate grading determines whether your penny trades for face value or hundreds of dollars. Start by examining luster under direct lighting. Mint State coins display bright, unbroken luster without wear on high points. Even slight friction on Lincoln’s cheek or wheat stalks indicates About Uncirculated status rather than Mint State.

Use magnification between five and ten power to check for contact marks. Count visible marks on Lincoln’s face and fields. MS-65 coins show fewer than three minor marks in prime focal areas. MS-67 specimens display essentially mark-free surfaces with perhaps one tiny mark visible under magnification.

Color designation matters significantly for copper cents. Red (RD) describes coins retaining ninety-five percent or more original copper-red color. Red-Brown (RB) indicates thirty to ninety-five percent red with brown toning. Brown (BN) describes coins with less than thirty percent red remaining. Red examples command two to three times the value of brown coins in identical grades.

Professional grading through PCGS or NGC becomes worthwhile for coins potentially grading MS-65 or higher. Grading fees start around twenty-five dollars for standard service, making economic sense only when the grade premium exceeds fifty dollars. A potential MS-67 worth one hundred dollars justifies the grading expense, while a suspected MS-63 worth eight dollars does not.

For error authentication, compare your coin against confirmed examples in online auction archives. Heritage Auctions, Stack’s Bowers, and eBay sold listings provide visual references. Measure weight and diameter precisely for wrong planchet errors. A 1979 penny on dime planchet must weigh approximately 2.27 grams and measure 17.9 millimeters to authenticate properly.

Maximizing Your 1979 Penny Collection Strategy

Building a meaningful 1979 penny collection requires selective quality focus. Accumulating circulated examples provides minimal return since billions survive in identical condition. Instead, target Mint State specimens grading MS-64 or higher, where population scarcity creates legitimate value appreciation.

Roll searching remains viable for finding Mint State candidates and minor errors. A standard fifty-dollar box containing fifty rolls yields approximately 2,500 pennies for examination. Statistics suggest finding two to five Mint State examples and perhaps one minor error variety per box searched. This approach costs only time investment since unwanted coins return to circulation.

Proof sets offer guaranteed high-quality 1979-S examples. Original government packaging preserves coins in Proof-65 or better condition. Secondary market sets sell for fifteen to twenty-five dollars complete, providing the 1979-S proof plus four other denominations. Breaking sets for individual pennies makes sense only for Deep Cameo candidates.

Error hunting requires patience and volume. Serious error searchers examine 10,000 to 50,000 pennies annually to find significant varieties. Join online communities like the Coin Community Forum or Reddit’s CRH subreddit to learn current error values and identification techniques. Authentication remains crucial since wear patterns sometimes mimic doubling or other errors.

Storage protection preserves long-term value. Never clean coins, as even gentle wiping removes microscopic surface metal and destroys original luster. Store Mint State examples in inert plastic holders rated for long-term coin storage. Proof coins remain best preserved in original Mint packaging when possible.

Selling Your Valuable 1979 Pennies for Top Dollar

Matching the right coin to the appropriate market maximizes returns. Common circulated 1979 pennies sell best in bulk lots through local coin shops, though expect only face value payment. Uncirculated examples grading MS-63 to MS-65 find ready buyers on eBay, where retail collectors pay ten to thirty percent over wholesale guide prices.

Higher grade coins above MS-65 deserve consignment to major auction houses. Heritage Auctions, Stack’s Bowers, and Legend Auctions reach serious collectors willing to pay full market value for exceptional pieces. Auction houses charge ten to twenty percent seller’s fees but deliver significantly higher realized prices than private sales for premium material.

Error coins require specialized marketing. Post clear, high-resolution images showing the error feature to error collector groups on Facebook or dedicated forums. Price research through completed eBay sales provides realistic market values. Major errors like wrong planchet strikes merit professional authentication before marketing to validate the significant value claims.

Timing sales around major coin shows or conventions increases visibility. The American Numismatic Association hosts multiple shows annually where dealers actively seek inventory. Regional shows provide opportunities for direct dealer sales without shipping risks or online payment complications. Bring graded coins in their sealed holders to expedite dealer evaluation.

For proof sets and common Mint State pieces, online platforms offer convenience. eBay reaches the broadest collector base but charges thirteen percent final value fees. APMEX and Modern Coin Mart purchase bulk proof sets at wholesale levels, paying instantly without auction waiting periods. This option suits sellers prioritizing speed over maximum value extraction.

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Have you checked your change jar lately? That overlooked 1979 penny might represent your next valuable discovery. Start examining mint marks and looking for the error varieties discussed above. Even without rare errors, building a high-grade set across all three mint marks creates a meaningful collection celebrating nearly fifty years of Lincoln Memorial cent history.