The 1968-D Lincoln Penny is worth anywhere from $0.02 in worn condition to over $150 in high-grade mint state. While most of these memorial cents found in pocket change are only worth their copper melt value, certain rare errors and high-quality specimens can fetch significant premiums from serious collectors.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Market Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Average Wear) | $0.02 – $0.05 |
| Uncirculated (MS63 Red) | $1.00 – $3.00 |
| Gem Brilliant Uncirculated (MS65 Red) | $10.00 – $25.00 |
| High Grade (MS67 Red) | $150.00+ |
History and Significance of the 1968-D Lincoln Cent
If you’ve recently sorted through a jar of old change, you likely encountered the 1968-D Lincoln Penny. This coin was struck during a transitional era for American coinage. By the late 1960s, the U.S. Mint was producing massive quantities of cents to keep up with the demands of a growing economy.
To determine if your specific find is a common spender or a hidden gem, many hobbyists utilize the best coin identifier app to instantly scan their coins for rare varieties. The “D” mint mark beneath the date indicates that this penny was struck at the Denver Mint.
During 1968, the Mint resumed the use of mint marks on circulating coins after a three-year hiatus (1965-1967). This makes the 1968-D an interesting piece for collectors who focus on mint mark transitions. While the total mintage was extremely high—exceeding 2.8 billion coins—the survival rate of coins in “Mint State” condition is much lower.
Using tools like CoinHix can help you distinguish between a standard Denver strike and one that possesses the “Red” luster that collectors crave. Most 1968-D pennies found today are heavily circulated, brown, and worth only their face value or their weight in copper. However, those preserved in original rolls or mint sets are the ones that drive the market prices upward.
Understanding 1968-D Penny Grades and Colors
When evaluating a Lincoln Penny from 1968, the most important factor is its physical condition, also known as its “grade.” For copper coins, there is an additional factor: color. Copper reacts with oxygen over time, turning from a bright orange-red to a dark chocolate brown.
Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC use a 70-point scale. A coin graded 1 is barely identifiable, while a 70 is perfect. Most pennies you find in your pocket will be in “Fine” or “Extremely Fine” condition, showing significant wear on Lincoln’s hair and the pillars of the Lincoln Memorial.
The color designations are Red (RD), Red-Brown (RB), and Brown (BN). A “Red” coin must show at least 95% of its original mint orange color. These are by far the most valuable. You can check the current 1968-D penny red mint state price trends to see how much a “Red” specimen adds to the total value.
| Color Designation | Visual Description | Value Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Red (RD) | 95%+ Original Mint Luster | Highest Value |
| Red-Brown (RB) | 5% to 95% Original Luster | Moderate Value |
| Brown (BN) | Less than 5% Red | Lowest Value |
Identifying 1968-D Penny Rare Errors
Error coins are the “holy grail” for the casual coin hunter. Even a common 1968-D penny can be worth hundreds of dollars if it left the mint with a glaring mistake. One of the most common types of errors to look for is the “doubled die.”
While the 1968-D does not have a “major” doubled die as famous as the 1955 or 1972 versions, there are minor doubled die obverse (DDO) and reverse (DDR) varieties. These usually manifest as slight thickening of the letters in “IN GOD WE TRUST” or “LIBERTY.” You will likely need a jeweler’s loupe or a high-magnification camera to spot these.
Another valuable mistake is the “Off-Center Strike.” This happens when the coin blank (planchet) isn’t centered correctly in the press. An off-center strike that shows both the date and the mint mark can sell for $50 to $100. Always keep an eye out for “Die Cracks”—raised lines caused by cracks in the metal stamp—and “Lamination Errors,” where the copper plating peels away from the surface.
Checking your finds with CoinHix allows you to compare your coin against a database of known error types, helping you avoid spending a potentially rare error at the grocery store.
The Metal Content and Melt Value of 1968 Pennies
Many Americans collect 1968-D pennies not for their numismatic rarity, but for their metal content. Unlike modern pennies made after 1982 (which are 97.5% zinc), a 1968 penny is composed of 95% copper and 5% zinc/tin.
Because the price of copper has risen significantly over the last few decades, the raw metal inside a 1968-D penny is actually worth more than one cent. At current copper prices, the “melt value” of a vintage penny is roughly 2 to 3 cents. While it is currently illegal to melt down U.S. cents for profit, many people hoard them as a hedge against inflation.
If you have a massive bag of 1968 pennies, their value is determined by their weight. However, before you treat them as scrap metal, you should check for high-grade specimens. For example, a perfect 1968 Lincoln cent in MS67 condition can be worth several hundred dollars, far exceeding its weight in copper.
| Composition | Weight | Melt Value (Estimated) |
|---|---|---|
| 95% Copper, 5% Zinc | 3.11 grams | $0.025 – $0.030 |
Where to Sell Your 1968-D Lincoln Penny
If you believe you have found a valuable 1968-D penny, your next step is determining how to sell it. For common circulated coins, a local coin shop is your best bet, though they may only buy in bulk. However, if your coin is “Red” and looks like it just came out of the mint, you might want to consider professional grading.
Online marketplaces like eBay are popular for selling “Raw” (ungraded) 1968-D pennies. You can list them with clear photos and attract bids from collectors filling their Whitman folders. For authenticated, high-grade coins, auction houses like Heritage Auctions or GreatCollections are the preferred venues.
Before selling, it is vital to research recent “sold” listings. Don’t look at what people are asking—look at what buyers are actually paying. Applications like CoinHix offer real-time data on auction results and market trends, ensuring you don’t undersell a valuable error or overpay for a common coin.
How to Store Your Coins to Maintain Value
If you find a 1968-D penny that is still bright red, you must protect it immediately. Copper is the most reactive metal used in U.S. coinage. Touching the surface with your bare fingers can leave oils that eventually turn into black spots or “carbon spots,” which permanently decrease the grade.
Store your coins in PVC-free flips, tubes, or folders. Keep them in a cool, dry place. Moisture is the enemy of the Lincoln Cent; humidity causes the copper to oxidize and turn brown. A well-preserved 1968-D penny could potentially appreciate in value as high-grade specimens become rarer over the decades.
FAQ
Q: Why does my 1968 penny have a ‘D’ on it?
A: The ‘D’ stands for the Denver Mint. In 1968, the Denver Mint produced 2,886,269,600 pennies. Most of the pennies people find in circulation today will have this “D” mark, as the Philadelphia Mint did not use a mint mark that year.
Q: Is there a 1968-D penny worth thousands of dollars?
A: Generally, no. Most 1968-D pennies are worth 2 to 5 cents. However, an exceptionally high-grade specimen (MS67 Red or higher) or a major error like a strike on a dime planchet can sell for $500 to $1,000+ at professional auctions.
Q: How can I tell if my 1968-D penny is “Red”?
A: A “Red” penny looks like a brand-new penny from the bank. It should have a shiny, orange-copper luster. If it looks like a dull penny or a dark copper color, it is classified as “Red-Brown” or “Brown” and carries significantly less value.
Q: Should I clean my 1968-D penny to make it look better?
A: Never clean your coins! Cleaning a coin with chemicals or abrasive cloths will leave microscopic scratches that professional graders can easily spot. A cleaned coin loses significantly more value than a dirty, original coin.