In this post, we will discuss the 1974 s Penny Value/Worth Today – 1974 S Lincoln Penny Proof Value. The 1974 S Lincoln penny coin type value is important for those who have this coin and study it. In this post, we will discuss the 974s penny value, specifically discussing the 1974 S Lincoln Penny Proof. Let’s get started with 1974 s Penny Value/Worth
Historry of1974 S Lincoln Penny
The 1974 S Lincoln penny was created at the San Francisco Mint as part of the USA Mint’ to make proof coinage. Proof coins are created with a high level of detail and striking features. These coins are made for collectors and have mirror-like surfaces. Its proof status makes it good for the collector to collect it.
Lincoln penny was first time made in 1909 on the 100th birthday of Lincoln USA’s 16th president. The first penny design has a photo of Lincoln on the front side and back side has two wheat stalks. This design was used until 1958 and in 1959 at the 150th birthday of Lincoln new design was introduced. The photo of the president on the front side with the back side design changed to Lincoln Memorial. The 1974 penny is part of this series that has a Memorial building on the reverse. So it is known as the 1975 Lincoln Memorial Penny.
During the creation of 1974 pennies, the US mint decided to minimize the costly striking pennies. In a result, the mint started the creation of aluminum planchets for new coins. When they released it the people of the US did not accept their new plan. Most collectors said that it is high cost. The handling process of aluminum pennies required the latest machines. When prices of copper decreased the US decided to create 1974 pennies with the use of copper alloy. After tha US melted many coins. According to PCGS, the mint made sixteen to forty units for US officials and did not melt. Some of them remained in the market. These 1974 pennies are high cost. With that S, P, and d mint made coins in larger numbers. 4,232,140,523 coins were made by P mint, and D mint made 4,235,098,000 1974 pennies. The S mint made 409,426,660 1974 pennies. With that S mint also made 2,612,568 proof coins.
The Denver Mint made 1.5 million 1974 aluminum pennies. Now it is not easy to find the 1974 aluminum penny. Some US states said it is illegal to have aluminum pennies
Factors Affecting the Value of the 1974 S Penny
Rarity, demand, and condition are parameters that affect its value. These parameters help to define its value
How to preserve the Value of the 1974 S Penny
- Grasp or handle the coin with clean hands avoid using it with oily hands and wear gloves
- Must store it in a clean container to save from environmental conditions
- Not washing the coin will damage coin permanently
- Put coins away from sunlight, humidity, and high-temperature
1974 Penny Series
Mint | Mint Mark | Quantity Minted | Value (Uncirculated) |
---|---|---|---|
Philadelphia | None | 4.2 billion | 0.01 to 6500 Dollars |
Denver | D | 1.1 billion | 0.01 to 100 Dollars |
San Francisco | S | 400 million | 0.50 to 500 Dollars |
- 1974 aluminum penny: it is rare and made of aluminum instead of copper. Just a very small number of these pennies exist and are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- 1974 doubled die penny: It has doubled the image of Lincoln’s head. it is a rare penny its value in uncirculated conditions is $1000
- 1974 off-center penny: it is struck off-center, and comes with some missing parts. In uncirculated conditions it fault so fifty dollars is rare
Some details of the 1974 penny are listed here
- It is part of the Lincoln penny series and was made in 1974.
- Three mints of S, P, and D made these coins
- A total of 8,876,665,183 1974 pennies were made in front designs made by Victor D. Brenner and reverse made by Frank Gasparro.
- It is a round-shaped coin with a plain edge. Its diameter is 19mm and its composition is 95% copper, 5% zinc
- Weight is 3.11g
How Much Is A 1974 Penny Worth Today?
The mint mark and condition define the value of this penny. The 1974 penny does not have a mint mark meaning it was made in Philadelphia and for circulated its value is one cent. In uncirculated condition, its value is fifty cents. It is one dollar value for an S mint mark and uncirculated condition
Some rare 1974 pennies come with high values 1974 aluminum penny has a value of $250,000. Just ten of these pennies are made and not distributed.
Condition | Value |
---|---|
Circulated | 1 cent |
Uncirculated | 30 to 50 cents |
Proof | 2to 5 dollars |
S mint mark, uncirculated | 1 dollars |
Aluminum penny | 250,000 Dollars |
Why Is It Illegal To Own A 1974 Aluminum Penny?
The 1974 aluminum penny is illegal to own since it was not officially issued by the USA Mint. Due to the increment in copper prices, the mint made the pennies with aluminum in 1973. It was a failed project and aluminum pennies were not made for common use. But some aluminum pennies are made in collectors. The US government thinks that these pennies are like their property and it is not using them for have without getting permission. In fact due to having these pennies different people were prosecuted
There were different government equipment and resources used to make these pennies so they think they are government property. So they have the right to control the distribution and use of 1974 pennies. So anyone who uses them will charged with a crime
How To Tell If 1974 Penny Is Aluminum
There are some methods to tell if a 1974 penny is aluminum.
- Color: Aluminium 1974 pennies are silver gray and copper pennies are reddish-brown in color,
- Weight: Pennies created with copper are higher than aluminum pennies
- Magnetism: There is no magnetic field for aluminum pennies Copper Pennies
- Sound: There is a higher sound for aluminum pennies than a copper penny
How Rare Is A 1974 Penny?
Condition and mint mark defined rarity. The 1974 penny that does not have a mint mark in circulated condition has value about face value. The 1974 penny does not have any mint mark for the circulated condition has value about their face value. For uncirculated conditions, its value is fifty cents. 1974 penny with an S mint mark for the uncirculated condition has a value of one dollar. 1974 aluminum penny comes with a 25000 dollar value since just ten of these pennies and not shown in circulation. But in normal conditions, 1974 isn’t rare.
:
Mint mark | Condition | Rarity |
---|---|---|
No mint mark (Philadelphia mint) | Circulated | Common |
No mint mark (Philadelphia mint) | Uncirculated | Uncommon |
S mint mark (San Francisco mint) | Uncirculated | Uncommon |
Aluminum penny | Any condition | Extremely rare |
1974 Penny Value Chart
1974 Penny value | Good | MS-61 | MS-62 | MS-63 | MS-65 | MS-66 | MS-67 | Proof Grade |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No mint mark (Philadelphia mint) | 0.05 dollar | 0.05 dollar | 0.05 dollar | 0.05 dollar | 0.33 dollar | 5 dollar | 7.50 dollar | – |
Aluminum penny No mint Mark | – | – | 162,000 dollar | – | – | – | – | – |
D mint mark (Denver mint) | 0.05 dollar | 0.25 dollar | 0.50 dollar | 0.75 dollar | 2.50 dollar | 5 dollar | 7.50 dollar | – |
Aluminum penny D mint mark | – | – | – | 250,000 dollar | – | – | – | – |
S mint mark (San Francisco mint) | 0.05 dollar | 0.25 dollar | 0.25 to 0.50 dollar | 0.75 dollar | 10 dollar | 25 dollar | 1,100 dollar | $2 |
What Are 1974 Pennies Worth?
Year | Mint | Mintage | Value |
---|---|---|---|
1974 | No Mintmark P | 4,103,183,000 | 20 to 25+ cents |
1974 | No Mintmark (West Point) | 128,957,523 | 20 to 25+ cents |
1974-D (Denver) | 4,235,098,000 | 20 to 25+ cents | |
1974-S (San Francisco) | 409,426,660 | 20 to 25+ cents | |
1974-S proof | 2,612,568 | $1+ | |
1974 (Philadelphia) aluminum | unknown mintage of approximately 1.5 million | $200,000+ | |
1974-D aluminum | 1o to 12 minted (estimated) | $200,000+ |
1974 Penny Grading
- Good (G): it is the lowest grade for a 1974 penny. That means pennies come with wear and have to wear
- Fine (F): There is moderate wear and comes with some defects
- Very Fine (VF): In this grading there is less wear and have less blemishes
- Extremely Fine (EF): N defects and less wear
- About Uncirculated (AU): No wear and have minor defects
- Uncirculated (MS): Errorless coins and not in circulation
1974 S penny error list
- Doubled die obverse: If the die strikes the coin not correctly making a double photo on the front design makes this error. it is a common error that can have a value of about $100 in uncirculated conditions. On the front side of D-minted pennies doubling effect can seen on the D mint mark, on the president’s nose, minting date. On the back side of 1974, the penny doubling effect can seen on building stairs and pillars. The coin with a double die error value is 25 dollars.
- Repunched mint mark: If the mint mark is not accurately punched on a coin it is repunched. it is rare and can have a dollar value in uncirculated conditions.
- Lamination error: If layers of metal make coins not according or requirements make the partition of layers. It is a rare error and can have fifty dollars in uncirculated conditions.
- Off-center strike: If coins are not centered on the die some part of the desing is missing.
- Die Break Error: The S mint mark on the 1974 penny has easily seen a die break error on the front side. However it occurs due to damage during circulation, and it is also thought of as a mint error. Coin with this error can be sold for $184.
- Double Head Errors: This error due to counter-stamped after minting causes the two heads of Lincoln on the front side.
Features of the 1974 Penny
FAqs
Is a 1974 S penny rare?
Although not uncommon, the 1974-S penny is less common than the 1974 penny without a mint stamp. The 1974-S Lincoln Cent is common for circulated grades up to MS64 condition
What is the error on the 1974 S penny?
- Doubled die obverse:
- Doubled die reverse:
- Repunched mint mark:
- Lamination error:
- Off-center strike:
Is the 1974 S penny a proof?
The penny from 1974-S is not a proof coin. For collectors, specially struck-proof coins are produced. They are hit many times with high pressure making the mirror-like polish. it is not how the 1974-S penny was struck, hence it is not a proof coin.