1967 Lincoln Penny Value No Mint Mark: What is it Worth Today?
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The 1967 Lincoln Penny is worth anywhere from $0.05 in circulated condition to over $3,000 for rare high-grade specimens. Finding one in your pocket change is common, but identifying the specific attributes that drive its price can turn a simple cent into a significant find for everyday collectors.
| Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Average) | $0.02 – $0.10 |
| Uncirculated (MS 63-65) | $1.00 – $15.00 |
| Special Mint Set (SMS) | $5.00 – $100.00+ |
| High Grade (MS 67+) | $250.00 – $3,000+ |
Why the 1967 Penny Has No Mint Mark
If you look closely at your 1967 Lincoln Memorial cent, you will notice something peculiar: there is no letter (like “D” for Denver or “S” for San Francisco) underneath the date. For many beginners, this might seem like a rare error, but it was actually a deliberate move by the U.S. Mint. During the mid-1960s, the United States faced a severe coin shortage. The Director of the Mint at the time believed that removing mint marks would discourage collectors from hoarding coins, thereby keeping more money in circulation.
Because of this policy, all pennies minted in 1965, 1966, and 1967 lack a mint mark, regardless of whether they were struck in Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco. If you find yourself holding a handful of these and want to know which ones are actually valuable, using a top coin identifier and value app can help you distinguish between a common spendable cent and a collector’s item.
The 1967 penny was produced in massive quantities, with over 3 billion struck. While this high mintage usually keeps prices low, the composition of these coins—95% copper and 5% zinc—makes them popular for their melt value and for those hunting for high-grade “Red” (RD) versions. When evaluating your collection, the CoinKnow app provides a fast way to organize your finds and track their market trends over time.
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Understanding the Grade and Color of Your 1967 Cent
In the world of coin collecting, “grade” refers to the physical condition of the coin. For copper coins like the 1967 penny, “color” is just as important. Numismatists categorize these pennies into three color designations: Brown (BN), Red-Brown (RB), and Red (RD). A Red penny is one that has retained at least 95% of its original mint luster. These are the ones that fetch the highest prices at auction.
The majority of 1967 pennies found in circulation are Brown. These have oxidized over the decades and lost their shiny copper glow. While a BN penny is rarely worth more than its face value or copper melt value (around 2-3 cents), a pristine RD specimen is a different story. For instance, the 1967 Penny Red prices show that as the grade climbs from MS 65 to MS 67, the value jumps from a few dollars to hundreds.
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Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC use a 70-point scale. Most pennies found in jars are between G 4 (Good) and EF 40 (Extremely Fine). Only those that have never been used in trade and were stored carefully can achieve “Mint State” (MS) status. Using CoinKnow, you can compare your coin’s appearance to high-resolution images of graded coins to see where yours might fall on the scale.
| Grade Designation | Appearance Characterstics | Typical Value Range |
|---|---|---|
| Brown (BN) | Chocolate color, no original luster remaining | $0.01 – $0.05 |
| Red-Brown (RB) | Mix of brown and original orange-red luster | $0.10 – $2.00 |
| Red (RD) | Shining orange-red, looks like it just came from the mint | $1.00 – $3,000+ |
The 1967 Special Mint Set (SMS) Pennies
Since the U.S. Mint did not produce official “Proof” sets in 1967, they offered “Special Mint Sets” (SMS) instead. These coins were struck with higher pressure on specially cleaned blanks, resulting in a strike that is sharper than a regular business strike but not quite as mirror-like as a traditional proof. For many collectors, finding an SMS 1967 penny in an old collection is a highlight.
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SMS pennies can be particularly valuable if they exhibit “Cameo” or “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) effects. This occurs when the portrait of Abraham Lincoln is frosted and stands out sharply against the smooth, reflective fields of the coin. A 1967 SMS penny with a Deep Cameo finish is incredibly rare and can sell for hundreds of dollars.
To check if your coin is an SMS strike, look for exceptionally sharp details on Lincoln’s hair and the pillars of the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse. If you aren’t sure, the 1967 penny value and identification guide provides side-by-side comparisons to help you differentiate between a standard strike and an SMS version. Identifying these subtle differences is exactly what the CoinKnow app was designed for, helping casual hunters spot professional-grade rarities.
Valuable Errors and Varieties to Watch For
Errors are where the real money is for many hobbyists. Even though the 1967 penny is common, certain “mistakes” made during the minting process can skyrocket its value. One of the most famous varieties is the Doubled Die. While 1967 doesn’t have a doubled die as famous as the 1955 or 1972 versions, subtle doubling can still be found on the date or the lettering “In God We Trust.”
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
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Another error to look for is the “Off-Center Strike.” This happens when the coin blank is not properly centered in the press. An off-center strike where the date is still visible can be worth $20 to $50. Capped die errors or planchet flaws (where the metal of the coin is cracked or peeling) also attract premium prices from niche collectors.
Always inspect your 1967 pennies under a magnifying glass. Look for “re-punched” dates or weird bumps in the metal. Even a small error can turn a one-cent coin into a $10 or $20 bill. Many people use the CoinKnow app’s scanning feature to get a second opinion on whether a strange-looking mark is a valuable error or just post-mint damage (PMD) from being dropped on the sidewalk.
| Error Type | Description | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Off-Center Strike | Design is shifted off the coin blank | $5 – $100 |
| Die Crack (Cud) | Raised line of metal caused by a broken die | $2 – $20 |
| Double Die | Doubling visible on letters or numbers | $10 – $100+ |
Why You Should Keep Your 1967 Copper Pennies
Beyond the numismatic value (what collectors pay), the 1967 penny has “intrinsic value.” Before 1982, Lincoln pennies were made mostly of copper. As of today, the copper in a single 1967 penny is worth about 2 to 3 cents. While it is currently illegal to melt down U.S. pennies for their metal content, many “stackers” save these copper cents as a hedge against inflation.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
If you have a large jar of 1960s pennies, you are essentially holding a small stash of industrial metal that is worth double its face value. This makes even the most worn 1967 penny worth keeping. While it won’t make you rich overnight, it is a much better store of value than the zinc pennies produced today, which are mostly worthless outside of their one-cent spending power.
Sorting through your coins can be a fun family activity. By using tools like CoinKnow, you can quickly separate the “melt wood” (pennies kept for copper content) from the “gems” (pennies kept for their collector value). Whether you are looking for a rare MS 67 Red penny or just trying to build a copper hoard, the 1967 Lincoln cent is a perfect starting point for your numismatic journey.
FAQ
Q: Why isn’t there a mint mark on my 1967 penny?
A: Between 1965 and 1967, the U.S. Mint removed mint marks to discourage coin collecting and hoarding during a national coin shortage. All 1967 pennies from Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco look identical.
Q: Is a 1967 penny rare?
A: No, the 1967 penny is very common, with over 3 billion produced. However, versions in perfect “Mint State” condition or those with significant mint errors are considered rare and valuable.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
Q: How much is a 1967 penny worth in 2024?
A: Most 1967 pennies found in pocket change are worth about 2 to 3 cents for their copper content. However, uncirculated specimens can sell for $1 to $15, and record-breaking grades have sold for over $3,000 at auction.
Q: What is a 1967 SMS penny?
A: “SMS” stands for Special Mint Set. These were high-quality coins produced for collectors in lieu of traditional proof sets in 1967. They have a sharper strike and more luster than regular pennies.
Q: Where can I sell my 1967 penny?
A: For common copper pennies, you can keep them or sell them to copper bullion collectors. For high-grade or error coins, consider selling through eBay, local coin shops, or professional auction houses like Heritage Auctions.
