1979-D Lincoln Penny Value Guide: Is Your Cent Worth Money?

The 1979-D Lincoln Penny is worth anywhere from $0.02 in circulated condition to over $150 in high-grade mint state. While most coins found in pocket change are only worth their face value, certain high-quality specimens and rare errors can be surprisingly valuable to collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Condition	Estimated Value
Circulated (Average Wear)	$0.02 – $0.05
Uncirculated (MS63 Brown)	$0.25 – $1.00
Uncirculated (MS65 Red)	$5.00 – $15.00
Gems / Error Coins	$50 – $500+

History and Production of the 1979-D Lincoln Cent

If you have a jar of loose change sitting on your dresser, there is a very high probability that you have a 1979-D Lincoln Penny tucked inside. In 1979, the United States Mint in Denver produced a staggering number of these copper-colored coins—specifically 4,139,357,254 of them. Because the production numbers were so high, these coins are considered very common today. Unlike pennies minted after 1982, which are made primarily of zinc, the 1979 penny is composed of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc.

To accurately identify your coin, you should use a top coin identifier and value app. Modern technology makes it incredibly easy to distinguish between a common penny and a rare variety. When looking at the obverse (front) of your coin, you will see Abraham Lincoln. Under the date “1979,” you should see a small “D” mark, which signifies that the coin was struck at the Denver Mint.

Many people use CoinKnow to organize their collections and check if their Denver-minted pennies possess any unique characteristics. Since these coins were meant for everyday commerce, finding one in “Mint State” (ungraded and untouched) is what truly drives the value up for collectors. While most are just worth their weight in copper, the right specimen can be a small treasure.

Grading and 1979-D Penny Price Trends

The value of any 1979-D Lincoln Penny is determined primarily by its “grade.” Grading refers to the physical condition of the coin on a scale from 1 to 70. For a common coin like this, the difference between a “Very Good” coin and a “Choice Mint State” coin is the difference between a few cents and hundreds of dollars. Collectors specifically look for the “Lustre”—that original shiny orange glow that new copper coins have.

For those interested in high-grade specimens, the current 1979 penny price guide for MS RD grades shows that coins graded MS67 or higher are the ones that fetch premium prices at auction. Most coins you find in your wallet will be “Circulated,” meaning they have scratches, dirt, and wear from being handled. These are rarely worth more than two cents.

Grade Designation	Description	Estimated Market Value
Good (G4)	Heavily worn; outlines visible.	$0.02
Extremely Fine (EF40)	Light wear on high points like hair.	$0.10
Mint State (MS63)	No wear; some distracting marks.	$1.50
Mint State (MS67)	Near perfect with full red color.	$120.00+

Red vs. Red-Brown vs. Brown Designations

When dealing with copper coins like the 1979-D Lincoln Penny, the color is just as important as the grade. Professional grading services like PCGS and NGC assign a color category: Red (RD), Red-Brown (RB), or Brown (BN). A “Red” coin is one that has retained at least 95% of its original copper mint luster. These are the most coveted and valuable.

Brown pennies are those that have oxidized over time due to exposure to air and moisture. Most 1979-D pennies found today are Brown. You can use CoinKnow to compare your coin’s color to high-resolution images of graded specimens to see where yours might fall. Generally, a Red coin is worth significantly more than a Brown coin of the same numerical grade.

For more detailed breakdowns on how color affects the price of late 70s pennies, you can check this 1979 Lincoln Penny value and color guide. This distinction is vital because a 1979-D MS67 Red might sell for $150, while a 1979-D MS67 Brown might only be worth $10 or $20.

Error Varieties of the 1979-D Lincoln Penny

While most 1979-D pennies are standard issues, collectors go crazy for “error coins.” These occur when something goes wrong during the minting process. Because the Denver Mint was pumping out billions of coins, mistakes were bound to happen. Off-center strikes are a common error where the coin die hits the planchet (the blank metal disk) incorrectly, leaving part of the design missing.

Another popular error to look for is the “Double Die” error, although there are no major recognized 1979-D doubled dies that reach the fame of the 1955 or 1972 versions. However, minor doubling on the date or the letters of “Liberty” can still fetch a premium. BIE errors, where a small die chip creates a vertical line between the “B” and “E” in Liberty, are also frequently found in this era.

Error Type	Description	Estimated Value
Off-Center Strike	Design is shifted off the edge.	$5 – $50+
Die Crack / Die Chip	Visible raised metal lines/blobs.	$2 – $15
Unhinged / Lamination	Metal skin peeling off the coin.	$5 – $20

Why Copper Content Matters Today

Many people save 1979-D Lincoln Pennies not because of their collector value, but because of their metal content. Before 1982, pennies were made of 95% copper. With the rising price of industrial metals, the copper inside a single 1979 penny is actually worth more than one cent—often hovering around 2 to 3 cents depending on the market.

While it is currently illegal to melt down United States pennies for their raw metal, many “pre-1982” hoarders keep these coins in buckets as a hedge against inflation. If you find a 1979-D penny that is very worn or damaged, its value as a “copper round” is actually higher than its value as a legal tender coin.

When using CoinKnow, you can keep a digital inventory of your copper pennies. If you ever find yourself with thousands of these, you might find that you have a significant amount of “bullion” value on your hands, even if none of the coins are rare errors or high-grade gems.

Where to Sell Your 1979-D Pennies

If you believe you have found a 1979-D penny worth more than its face value, you have several options for selling. For common copper pennies, local coin shops or even “penny sorters” on eBay are your best bet. If you have a coin that appears to be in perfect condition or has a visible error, you might consider getting it “slabbed” (certified) by a service like PCGS.

Online marketplaces like eBay are the most popular places for everyday Americans to sell coins. You can list a “lot” of 1979 pennies or sell a high-grade single. Just remember that shipping costs and seller fees will eat into your profits, so it’s usually only worth selling individual coins if they are worth $10 or more.

Conclusion: Is It Worth Keeping?

In short, the 1979-D Lincoln Penny is a fascinating piece of American history from the late 70s. While most aren’t going to fund a retirement plan, they are an excellent entry point for new collectors. Always keep an eye out for the “Red” luster and any weird anomalies in the strike.

Whether you are a casual hunter or a serious numismatist, checking your pocket change is a fun hobby. You never know when a multi-billion-mintage year might hide a single rare coin that missed the quality control check over 40 years ago!

FAQ

Q: Does the “D” mint mark make the 1979 penny more valuable?

A: No, actually the opposite is often true. The Denver Mint (D) and Philadelphia Mint (No Mint Mark) both produced billions of pennies in 1979. While both are common, high-grade Philadelphia coins are sometimes slightly scarcer in certain conditions, but generally, they are valued similarly.

Q: What is the highest price ever paid for a 1979-D Penny?

A: The record for a 1979-D Lincoln Penny is over $1,000 for a specimen graded MS68 Red. Such coins are incredibly rare because most pennies from that year were immediately put into circulation and developed scratches or oxidation.

Q: Is there a 1979-S Penny?

A: Yes, but the “S” mint mark (San Francisco) was used primarily for Proof sets in 1979. These coins were made for collectors and have a mirror-like finish. They were not released into general circulation, though you may occasionally find one that someone spent by accident!

Q: How can I tell if my 1979 penny is an error?

A: Look for anything unusual like doubled lettering, part of the design missing, or extra lumps of metal. Using a magnifying glass or a coin microscope is recommended. If it looks very different from a standard penny, it’s worth investigating further with a coin app.