1968 Penny Value: How Much Is It Worth Today?

Have you found a 1968 Penny? If you have doubts about its worth and need additional information to establish the value of your coin, look no further!

Lincoln Pennies, in general, are not particularly valuable and desirable unless you have a sport soft for these coins and like to collect them regardless of their value. However, it does not mean that every 1968 coin is worthless!

On the contrary, certain specimens with higher grades and a rare error can drastically boost the value! So, let’s check out all the details and vital information regarding the 1968 Lincoln Penny!

1968 Penny Value Chart
Mint Mark	Good	Extra Fine	MS 65	MS 67
1968 No Mint Mark  Penny Value	$0.01	$0.20	$10- 40	$0.10
1968 D Penny Value	$0.01	$0.01	$1- $13	$50 -$300
1968 S Penny Value	$0.01	0.02	$1-$ 13	$50-$120
1968 S Proof Penny	/	/	$2-$20	$50- 300

1968 No Mint Mark Penny Value

History

1968 Penny belongs to the category Lincoln Memorial Cent because it features the image of the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse, while Abraham Lincoln’s bust can be found on the obverse.

Lincoln Pennies were first minted in 1909, and the obverse showed the image of Lincoln, while the reverse depicted two wheat stalks, explaining why they were called Lincoln Pennies. The idea behind the design was to celebrate the centennial anniversary of Lincoln’s birth.

However, these Lincoln Memorial Pennies with the new design were minted from 1959 to 2008. The history behind the coin’s creation and the changed design is very interesting. In 1958, James Haggerty, the President’s Press Secretary, announced that a new reverse design for the Lincoln cent would start production in January 1959.

Obverse

The obverse design remained the same, created and designed by Victor D. Brenner in 1908. The 1968 Lincoln Memorial obverse features Lincoln’s bust or face profile facing left while the mintage date “1968” is on his left side.

The capitalized inscription “LIBERTY” and the American motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” is struck alongside the upper rim on the other side of Lincoln’s bust. The mint mark is on the obverse, underneath the mintage date.

Reverse

The reverse features the image of the Lincoln Memorial, the U.S. national monument built in Washington D.C. to honor the life and achievements of the 16th American president. The memorial is struck in the coin’s center, while the inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” is on the upper rim.

Beneath this capitalized inscription, we can see the second American motto, “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” which translates to “One, out of many.” The coin’s denomination is struck in the lower part of the coin, “ONE CENT.” The tenth Mint Chief Engraver, Frank Gasparro, did the reverse design.

Mintage

Interestingly, these coins in 1966 and 1967 were minted without any mint mark, which was changed in 1968. The Lincoln Pennies were minted at three different mints in 1968: Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver. The total mintage of the 1968 Lincoln Memorial Penny is 4,855,462,080, which is pretty high.

The second-highest mintage was in Denver, where the mint produced around 2,886,269,600 of the Lincoln Pennies in 1968. The Philadelphia Mint struck 1,707,880,970 pieces of 1968 Lincoln Penny.

The lowest mintage was in San Francisco; the mint produced around 258,270,001 Lincoln cents.

However, San Francisco also minted the 1968 Proof Lincoln Memorial cents- 3,041,595.

Details

Regarding the details of the 1968 Lincoln Memorial Penny, the metal composition of these coins is 95% copper and 5% zinc and tin, giving it its interesting brownish and reddish color. The edge is plain, while

the coin’s mass is around 3.11 grams (0.1097 ounces).

The diameter is 19 mm (0.74803 inches), and the coin’s thickness is 1.52 mm (0.0598 inches). The face value of the 1968 Lincoln Memorial Cent is 0.01 or one cent, and the coin’s shape is round.

Value

Regarding the value of 1968 No Mint Mark Lincoln Penny, they are not expensive to buy, which means that you will not get big bucks for selling these coins, especially in lower grades.

The 1968 Pennies without the mint mark were minted in Philadelphia, which also had a high mintage of nearly 2 billion of these coins. It means you can easily find and buy them, but they are not valuable.

Generally, 1968 No Mint Mark Lincoln Penny in good, fine, and extra fine is worth $0.01. The price of these coins in the higher grades, such as MS 63 and MS 64, can range from $1 to $13.

1968 D Penny Value

As noted earlier, the Denver Mint had the second-highest mintage of nearly 3 billion, gravely affecting the price of the 1968 D Pennies. The high mintage number suggests that these coins are accessible and common and have the lowest value in the series of the 1968 Lincoln cents.

The coins produced at Denver Mint have a distinctive “D” mint mark, which is struck under the mintage date on the obverse.

Similarly to 1968, these coins are practically worthless in lower grades and even in extra fine condition due to their high availability. These coins are only worth some money if they are in MS 66 and higher and have a defect, such as double die obverse.

In fine or extra fine condition, the 1968 D Lincoln Penny is worth around $0.01. The price for the uncirculated specimen with the D mint mark is also around $0.10. In MS 65, the 1968 D Penny is worth $1 to $13. However, the 1968 D Penny in MS 67 with R.D. was sold at an auction in 2018 for $275.

Most people like to collect these coins due to their fascinating history and connection with Abraham Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln is best known for issuing the executive order called Emancipation Proclamation in 1963, which declared all enslaved African Americans free.

This order did not immediately end the slavery era in the U.S. Still, it ushered it and transformed the character of the American Civil War, fought between the Union and the Confederation from 1861 to 1965.

1968 S Penny Value

The San Francisco had the lowest mintages in the series-258,270,001, which automatically makes these coins a bit more valuable than the other varieties of the Lincoln cents in the series. Although the number is not particularly low, it is the lowest in this series.

However, these coins are still common and easy to find and purchase. So which ones are worth the big bucks? The 1968 S Lincoln Memorial Penny, in good or extra fine condition, is worth around $0.02 to $1.

Regarding these coin grades, such as good and fine, each has specific factors and details that determine the coin’s condition and which grade should be assigned. That said, the coins in good condition are those that circulated and have visible and numerous marks and scratches.

The 1968 Lincoln Memorial Penny in good condition is usually categorized as G4. Anything below this grade is considered worthless due to poor preservation, and those coins usually have worn-out details and numerous scratches, owing to years of circulation and ‘negligence.’

On the other hand, a coin in the extra condition is labeled with E.F. 40 or 45, depending on the quality of the luster. The coins without luster are usually brown, while those with it have gorgeous, rich reddish, and brown tones.

1968 S Proof Penny Value

Although the proof coins are usually minted in Philadelphia and come without a mint mark, the 1968 Proof Lincoln Pennies were struck in San Francisco, hence why they have an S mint mark.

The total coinage of the proof pennies is 3,041,595, which is relatively low compared to the mintages of other mints, but still high for the mintage of proof coins. That said, although proof coins are, in most cases, valuable and rare, the high mintage of these proof coins depreciates their value.

The 1968 S Proof Lincoln Memorial Penny can be worth around $2 and go higher, depending on the state of the coin. You can easily find them on eBay; their price range is between $3 and $10 or higher. Certain specimens with the highest grades, such as PR 67, can cost $80 to $200.

The proof coins, in general, are made with a special hubbing process, which includes high-quality strike and hand-polished dies to ensure the best sample of a certain coin.

Therefore, proofs differ from regular coins and are not meant to circulate. The proof coins are usually graded from MS 60 through MS 70 due to their high quality.  However, acquiring the 1968 S Proof Coin with a defect can change the price and make it worth a small fortune.

The 1968 Proof S Lincoln Memorial Penny with double die obverse was sold for over $500.

When it comes to establishing the worth of a coin, if the coin is not very valuable in lower grades and is fairly common, usually, the pieces in M.S. states and with a defect are the only ones that are worth money in the series.

1968 Penny Grading

Coin Grading tends to be very complex, especially for new coin collectors or those interested in coins.

The coin’s condition is often the most crucial factor in determining its value. The coins are graded using the Sheldon Grading scale, developed by the expert and numismatist Dr. William Sheldon.

Rare 1968 Penny Error Lists

You can find several errors in the 1968 Lincoln Memorial Penny. However, some are rare, desirable, and more valuable than others! Let’s check out which errors make the difference when it comes to the pricing of these 1968 Lincoln cents!

1968 “S” Penny Double Die Obverse Error

The 1968 Lincoln Pennies with mint marks usually come with more errors than the ones from Philadelphia, although they are not error-free. The double die obverse is one of these coins’ most valuable and coveted errors.

The error happens due to a faulty manufacturing process, resulting in a doubling effect on certain parts of the coin. The doubling is usually restricted to the inscriptions and the mintage date; however, it can also be found on Lincoln’s hair and nostrils.

The 1968 S Lincoln Memorial with double die obverse is a valuable penny and can cost from $50 to $150 or even higher, depending on the grade. They are visible on the lettering and year mark. Also, Lincoln’s hair curls and nostrils could have doubled.

1968 “S” Penny Re-punched Mint Mark Error

The re-punched mint is also an in-demand error and can be found on the cents minted in Denver and San Francisco.  The re-punching happens when the letter punch leaves more than one impression during manufacturing.

This error is easy to spot, especially on the 1968 S Lincoln cents. The piece with this error can cost $5 to $20 or more, depending on the condition.

1968 Penny Die Break Error

The coins from Philadelphia usually have this defect rather than those minted in San Francisco and Denver. The error is on the obverse, and this type of defect occurs when high pressure is applied to the die, resulting in a crack or a small gap in the die.

The Lincoln cents with this error are rare, costing from $5 to $10.

1968 “D” Penny Floating Roof Error

The floating roof error can happen when the roof lines are too polished, and the lines virtually disappear, giving an effect as if the roof is floating.

These errors are common; hence the coins with these defects are not particularly valuable. For the 1968 Lincoln Penny with the floating roof error, expect to pay between $1 and $10, depending on the state.

1968 Penny FAQ

Is there anything special about a 1968 penny?

The 1968 Lincoln Pennies are special and rare in higher mint states, such as MS 66 and MS 67, because these coins are rare. The most collectible 1968 Lincoln Cents are those with the double die error, and in higher mint states, they can reach the price of $200.

Is a 1968-S penny rare?

The San Francisco had the lowest mintage in the series, but still, these coins are very common in circulated grades. The rarest is the 1968 S Lincoln cents in MS 66 and MS 67.

How much is a 1968 proof penny worth?

The 1968 Proof Lincoln Memorial Pennies were minted in San Francisco with an S mint mark. According to the USA Coin Book, they are worth $1 and higher. On eBay, they cost from $80 to $300.