This post will discuss the 1974 S penny value/worth today—the 1974 S Lincoln penny proof value. The 1974 penny is a common coin nowadays for circulation. We can get these coins at less cost currently. Some rare coins also exist with high value. This post will cover the 1974 penny value, specifically discussing the 1974 S Lincoln Penny Proof. Let’s get started with the 1974 S penny value/worth.
History of the 1974 S Lincoln Penny
The Lincoln penny was first 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 and back sides with two wheat stalks. This design was used until 1958, and in 1959, at the 150th birthday of Lincoln, a new design was introduced. The photo of the president on the front side with the back side design changed to the Lincolns known as the 1975 Lincoln Memorial Penny. Memorial. The memorial 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 of pennies. As 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 that, the 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, coins were made 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.
How Much Is A 1974 Penny Worth Today?
- 1974 No Mintmark= 20 to25c + (Same for Westpoint Penny)
- 1974-D = 20-25c +
- 1974-S = 20-25c +
- 1974-S Proof = $1 +
- 1974 Aluminum Penny = $200,000+ (illegal to sell)
- 1974 Doubled Die Obverse Penny= $400+
Why Is It Illegal To Own A 1974 Aluminum Penny?
The US government says it is not legal to have any 1974 aluminum penny. Since it is government property. So if anyone by mistake has this coin offer to state.
How To Tell If 1974 Penny Is Aluminum
Check the weight of coins; the 1974 aluminum penny weight is less than the copper penny since aluminum is less weighty and is about 0.93 grams. If there is a standard copper cent having some type of silvery metallic plating if the 1974 penny weight is 3.11 grams.
How Rare Is A 1974 Penny?
The important factor of coins and coin collection is that they work as records of different historical events that were arranged during the minting year of coins. They are also used for memorization of any person, both years, or have faced any event during mining time.
1974 had many occurrences; in this year Richard Nixon became the first US president who resigned forcefully after the Watergate scandal. In those years, the fight between Muhammed Ali and George Foreman took place, and the Sears Tower in Chicago became the world’s tallest building.
For rarity, the 1974 standard penny has less value and can be found in circulation today. The rarity of these coins is based on error and the controversial 1974 Aluminum Penny.
1974 Penny Value Chart
1974 penny value
|
Good | MS-61 | MS62 | MS63 | MS65 | MS66 | MS67 |
Proof Grade
|
1974 Penny No mint mark | 0.05 dollars | 0.05 dollars | 0.05 dollars | $7 | $18 | 5 dollars | 7.50 dollars | – |
Aluminum penny, no mint mark | – | – | 162,000 dollars | – | – | – | – |
200,000 USD
|
D mint mark | 0.05 dollars | 0.25 dollars | 0.50 dollars | $5 | $15 | 5 dollars | 7.50 dollars | – |
Aluminum penny D mint mark | – | – | – | 250,000 dollars | – | – | – | – |
S mint mark | 0.05 dollars | 0.25 dollars | 0.25 to 0.50 dollars | $7 | $24 | 25 dollars | 1,100 dollars | $2 |
What Are 1974 Pennies Worth?
Pennies that are part of the 1974 series are valued at 20 cents, and high-value pennies are $200,000 or more. Some high-value coins are not easy to find. Every 1974 penny is worth 2 cents now.
1974 S penny error list
1974 S Penny With A Die Break
Die break is a common type of coin type. The 1974 S penny comes with a front-side die break. The front side cud cuts at an angle from 9 AM to 11 AM. The missing part exists on the back side of the memorial. Die break also on the emblem on the back side “E. PLURIBUS. UNUM.” Coin with this error sold for 184 USD in auction.
1974 Lincoln Penny Double Head Errors
The double head error occurs due to coins being counted, stamped after minting, and leaving two Lincoln heads on the coin’s front side. Most collectors preferred this coin error.
1974 Lincoln Penny Double Die Errors
Double die error has a doubling effect on different parts and designs of the 1974 penny. The front side of D mint coins comes with a D mark, the nose of Lincoln, and the minting year also has a doubling effect. The reverse side of the 1974 penny also has a doubling effect on the pillars and stairs of the Lincoln Memorial image. A coin with this value has a value of about 25 dollars.
1974 Penny Grading
Number | Grade |
1 |
Basal State-1
|
2 | Fair |
3 | Very Fair |
4, 5, 2006 | Good |
7, 8, 10 | Very Good |
12, 15 | Fine |
20, 30 | VF |
40 | EF |
50 |
About Uncirculated
|
60 | MS |
65 | MS |
70 | MS |
Features of the 1974 Penny
FAQs
Is It Legal to Damage Pennies?
- Damaging pennies or any other US coin is illegal. Those who do this will be fined or imprisoned. with damaging coins also doing these facts can be illegal, such as defacing, diminishing, falsifying, mutilating, lightening, impairing, and scaling a coin.
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 1974-S Proof Lincoln cent can easily get in grades up to PR68 Deep Cameo. Some PR69 Deep Cameos are difficult to find, but enough examples exist that most collectors sell at a reasonable price.
What is a 1974 penny made of?
- This coin is made with aluminum and then bronze. Lincoln’s photo on the front side, and it was used for more than ninety-five years.
How much does a 1974 S penny weigh?
Value | 0.01$ |
Mass |
0.937 g
|
Diameter | 19.05 mm |
Thickness | 1.55 mm |
- At the end of 1974, copper value was at an acceptable level, and the bronze alloy was used for a decade. In 1982, a new composition used for copper-plated zinc would replace the bronze cent.
- The 1974 S Lincoln penny is common, as more than 4.2 billion coins were made. Circulated grades up to MS66 are common, and MS67 or higher are rare and high value.
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