1980 Penny Value: How Much Is It Worth Today?

Here we are again with our new coin review. On this page, we’ve got the 1980 penny value, a part of the long-running Lincoln Memorial series of the United States that is almost red in color because of its copper composition.

Although this tiny penny is only worth $0.1 face value, the 1980 penny could be worth more in the market because of different factors, such as its mint marks, varieties, and errors. Whether you have a 1980 penny with no mint mark or a “D” and “S” mint mark, we will discuss all these factors and everything you need to know about this penny minted in 1980.

1980 Penny Value Chart
Mint Mark	MS63	MS64	MS65	MS66	MS67
1980 No Mint Mark Lincoln Memorial Penny Value	$0.55	$0.75	$1.50	$18.90	$182
1980 D Lincoln Memorial Penny Value	$0.55	$0.75	$1.50	$25.65	$162
	PR66	PR67	PR68	PR69	PR70
1980 S Proof Lincoln Memorial Penny Value	$2.15	$2.65	$6.75	$8.10	$1,500

1980 No Mint Mark Lincoln Memorial Penny Value

The 1980 Lincoln Memorial penny is part of the long-running series that started way back in 1959 and lasted until 2008. This 1980 penny is made of 95% copper and 5% zinc, which gives it that distinctive reddish color.

The obverse features a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, with the inscription “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “LIBERTY,” and the year 1980. This design was created by Victor Brenner, who was also responsible for designing the original Lincoln penny back in 1909.

On the reverse side, you’ll find the Lincoln Memorial, along with the words “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “ONE CENT,” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” which was created by Frank Gasparro. These designs apply to all 1980 pennies you will see either in circulation or for collections.

This particular 1980 penny without a mint mark was struck at the Philadelphia Mint, as indicated by the “P” mint mark. In 1989, a total of 7,414,705,000 no mint mark pennies were produced, so you can bet that you’ll still come across them in your change from time to time.

The penny is pretty standard in size and weight—it’s about 19 mm in diameter, weighs 3.11 grams, and is composed of 95% copper and 5% zinc.

Based on the price chart provided by the Greysheet website, the 1980 penny value in mint state condition can range from $0.30 for MS60 to $182 for MS67. The two highest sales of a 1980 penny without a mint mark occurred in auctions held by Heritage Auctions. Both are MS67 Graded (Red) by PGCS. The first coin was sold in 2020 for $1,620. The second one was in 2017 for $2,232.

1980 D Lincoln Memorial Penny Value

If you happen to possess a 1980 cent with a “D” mint mark, it is one of the 5,140,098,660 coins minted in the Denver Mint for that year. Like unmarked cents, circulated coins will only have a value equivalent to their face value of $0.1 unless they possess an intriguing error.

1980 pennies in lower mint state grades are worth roughly the same as no mint mark cents (from MS63 to MS65). But higher mint state 1980 D Penny cost less than the no mint mark cents.

PCGS graded all three top-selling 1980 D pennies in auctions as MS67 Red, indicating their exceptional mint condition and vibrant red color. The initial penny was auctioned off for $352 in 2013, while the second and third coins reached $350 each in May and December 2015.

Although the sale prices did not exceed $1000, they are still remarkable considering the penny’s original face value of just one cent. But remember that a higher mint state grade is available, the MS68 grade, which suggests that the 1980 penny value with a “D” mint mark could surpass those achieved in previous auction sales.

1980 S Proof Lincoln Memorial Penny Value

The 1980 S penny is a proof coin of this variety with a Lincoln obverse, and Memorial reverse design. It was minted in San Francisco with a mintage of 3,677,175. As mentioned above, all 1980 pennies have the same weight of 3.11 grams and 19mm diameter, and a composition of 95% copper and 5% zinc.

Initially made in Philadelphia, the production of proof 1980 penny cents moved to San Francisco in 1968. Among the different versions of these coins are some rare ones, including the famous 1990 no S proof and 1981 S Type 1 and Type 2. The production of Lincoln Memorial proof coins ended in 2008.

The 1980 penny with the “S” mint mark is all proof coins. If you found one, that’s basically worth thousands, with the highest grade of PR70 worth $1,500 and the lowest grade of PR60 being $0.33.

The highest sale of a 1980 S penny has the highest grade of PR70 (Deep Cameo). It was sold for $3,120 at Heritage Auctions in 2018. And recently, in 2021, another one of the same grades was sold for $2,040 at Stack’s Bowers. The grade of Proof 70 Deep Cameo indicates that both coins are in perfect condition, with shiny, reflective surfaces, called mirrored fields, and the raised design on the surface, called devices, is crystalized, giving the coin a sharp contrast.

1980 Lincoln Memorial Penny Grading

The 1980 cents are evaluated using a system called the Sheldon Scale, which goes from poor to perfect mint state. People who are experts in coins, called numismatists, use both numbers and words to decide on a 1980 penny value and grade. They look at things like how much the coin has been used and what it looks like. The grades go from Poor (P-1) to Mint State Perfect (MS-70). A Poor coin is very damaged, while an MS-70 coin looks perfect and has no flaws, even when viewed with magnification.

To learn more about the highly valuable 1980 penny grade, we recommend checking out this video. It’s packed with information and will give you a great overview of the 1980 Lincoln Memorial penny.

Rare 1980 Lincoln Memorial Penny Error Lists

Here is a list of the rare 1980 penny errors that have been recorded in the market. Keep in mind that each of these errors is unique, and as such, they may carry different values depending on their rarity and the severity of the error.

1. 1980 Double Die (DDO) Error

First, the 1980 penny has an error known among coins as the “double die” or DDO, making it valuable to collectors. Among the front-facing errors on 1980 pennies, the numbers 1 and 8 and the word “LIBERTY” are the most commonly affected design elements. Even if the coin is not in pristine condition or has lost its original red coloring, it can still get a higher value.

The 1980 (FS-101) penny in this variety and in good condition is worth around $350, while a normal 1980 penny is only worth 30 cents. In a recent auction, a 1980 DDO (MS63) penny sold for $360.

We recommend checking out the video below, specifically their video on the top 10 valuable pennies from the 1980s. In this video, they mentioned the 1980 double die error, which takes up the top 8 spots on their list.

2. 1980 Wrong Planchet Error

In 1980, a rare and valuable penny error occurred when coins were mistakenly minted using the wrong metal. Specifically, a 1980 penny was produced using a dime Roosevelt metal instead of a copper planchet. While the exact number of these 1980 penny errors in circulation is unknown, such mistakes don’t often happen, adding to their rarity and appeal to collectors today.

3. 1980 Repunched Error

During the early 1980s, the United States Mint relied on manual punching to imprint mintmarks on penny dies. Unfortunately, this process occasionally led to errors, resulting in repunched mintmarks on some 1980 D and 1980 S proof penny dies that were incorrectly oriented during the first attempt.

The value of these coins is determined by the degree of the error and the level of interest from collectors. Typically, they sell for anywhere between $3 to $10. However, if the error is particularly significant or if collectors are particularly interested in a specific error, the value of these pennies may be even higher.

4. 1980 Die Crack Error

As with any coin, 1980 penny dies inevitably experience wear and tear over time, leading to the formation of cracks that manifest as raised lines or bumps on the cents they strike. Among numismatists, one particularly valuable die crack variety is the “BIE” for Lincoln cents. It shows a distinct line running across the letters “B” and “E” in the “LIBERTY” inscription. A 1980 BIE penny is a notable example of this variety and can fetch a market value ranging from $5 to $15.

1980 Penny FAQs

Q: What should I look for in a 1980 penny?

A: If you have a 1980 penny, it’s worth checking for errors that could potentially make it more valuable. Some errors to look for include double-struck errors, DDO (doubled die obverse), repunched, being struck on the wrong planchet, and more. All of these could make your 1980 penny worth thousands. True enough, it’s amazing how such a small mistake can turn a penny into a prized possession. The 1980 penny error is a reminder that even the most seemingly insignificant details can make a big difference.

Q: How much are 1980 coins?

A: A coin dealer can only give you a specific value for 1980 coins after examining them first. They have to go through the process of grading it with the Sheldon Scale. But from 2023 coin data, the price of 1980 cents is as follows:

• For 1980 no mint mark penny, the value ranges from $0.33 (PR60) to $182.00 (MS67).
• For the 1980 Denver penny with a D mint mark, the value ranges from $0.35 (MS60) to $162.00 (MS67).
• For the 1980 San Francisco penny with mint mark S, the value ranges from $0.33 (PR60) to $1,500 (PR70).
• For 1980 coins with errors, the price could go from 1 cent to hundreds or thousands of dollars. Be sure to present it to your trusted coin appraiser to get an accurate price for your coins.

Q: Are 1980 pennies worth money?

A: 1980 pennies are definitely worth more money than just $0.1. The lowest grade of this coin variety is worth $0.33. However, to make a substantial profit, you need to find a penny with a significant error or one in mint or proof condition. But if you’re a collector who just wants to add this piece to your collection, $0.33 worth of 1980 penny is still a decent find.

Q: Is there a 1980 silver penny?

A: No, there is no silver penny minted in 1980. If someone claims to have a 1980 silver penny, collectors should exercise caution as no silver pennies were minted that year.

Many counterfeiters have coated Lincoln Memorial cents with various silver-colored metals to create the illusion of a valuable coin. For the purpose of authentication and certification, we recommend that you submit any 1980 pennies that may have potential errors to a reputable coin dealer like the PCGS or NGC to ensure their authenticity.

Final Words

With billions of mintage Lincoln Memorials in circulation, there’s no shortage of interesting information to discover, especially when it comes to the 1980 penny value. Three types of 1980 penny varieties are minted in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. These variations are already enough to determine the price of a single penny.

But when it comes to its errors and rarity, there are endless possibilities, discoveries, and even price values for certain unique 1980 Lincoln Penny errors. If you find one, don’t hesitate to let us know. We’ll be eager to add your 1980 penny variety to our list of valuable errors above.