1973 Penny Value and Price Chart

If you’re lucky enough to have a 1973 penny, then you might be wondering how much it’s worth. Unfortunately, most circulated 1973 pennies are only worth their face value of $0.02. A 1973 penny that has never been circulated and is in mint condition could be valued at $1 or more. And if you happen to have a 1973 penny with an error, it could be worth significantly more

The economy in 1973 was quite different from what it is today. For one thing, the penny continued to be created in big numbers. In fact, over six billion pennies were minted that year! This was partly due to the high cost of living at the time; inflation had reached an all-time high of 11%. As a result, prices were constantly changing, and people needed smaller denominations like the penny to keep up.

Most people think that a penny isn’t worth very much, and in some ways they’re right. In terms of actual purchasing power, a penny isn’t worth very much these days. However, some pennies are worth more than others, but is the 1973 penny one of them? Let’s find out!

1973 Penny Identification Guide

1973 Lincoln Penny Specifications
Weight	3.11 grams
Diameter	19.00 millimeters
Metal	95% copper, 5% zinc
Edge	Plain
Designer	Victor David Brenner/Frank Gasparro

When it comes to identifying 1973 Lincoln pennies, there are a few key things to look for. Firstly, Abraham Lincoln should be featured on the obverse (front) of the coin. Additionally, the words IN GOD WE TRUST, LIBERTY, and the date should also be visible. On the reverse (back) of the coin, you should be able to see the Lincoln Memorial. Finally, the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, E PLURIBUS UNUM and ONE CENT should also be present.

Any coin collector worth their salt knows the importance of identifying the mint mark on a 1973 Penny. The mint mark, when present, can be found on the obverse side of the coin below the date. No mint mark means Philadelphia, D means Denver, and S means San Francisco. This is important to know because each location has different production levels that can affect the value of the coin.

The 1973 penny is made of 95% copper and 5% zinc. It weighs 3.11 grams and is brownish in color. While it may not be the most valuable penny, it is still an interesting piece of history.

How Rare is a 1973 Lincoln Penny?

1973 Lincoln Penny Quantity Minted
Year	Location	Minted
1973 Lincoln Penny With No Mint Mark	Philadelphia	3,728,245,000
1973 D Lincoln Penny	Denver	3,549,576,588
1973 S Lincoln Penny	San Francisco	319,937,634
1973 S Proof Lincoln Penny	San Francisco	2,760,339

1973 was a big year for the Lincoln penny. That year, the US Mint produced over 7 billion of them! That’s nearly twice the number of cents minted in 1972 and far above the average mintage for Lincoln cents from 1959 to 2019, which is just under 4 billion pieces per year. In other words, that’s a lot of pennies!

Over 3.7 billion were minted at the Philadelphia Mint, and almost as many were minted at the Denver Mint. There were also nearly 320 million minted at the San Francisco Mint. Additionally, San Francisco minted 2,760,339 proof coins.

For collectors seeking a pristine example of this coin, it may take some time and patience to find one that meets their standards. But for those who are willing to settle for a less than perfect coin, there are still plenty of 1973 Lincoln cents to be found in pocket change and rolls.

1973 Lincoln Penny Series

1973 Lincoln Penny With No Mint Mark

1973 D Lincoln Penny

1973 S Lincoln Penny

1973 S Proof Lincoln Penny

1973 Penny Value Guide

If you happen to have a 1973 penny in your possession, then you might be wondering about its value. The answer depends on a few factors, most importantly the condition of the coin.

Type	Circulated value	MS 65 value
1973 no mint mark	$0.02	$1
1973 D	$0.02	$1
1973 S	$0.02	$1

1973 No Mint Mark Penny Value

The most common type is the one without a mint mark, which was made in Philadelphia. In circulated condition hese pennies are only worth their weight in copper, which is around $0.02. However, an uncirculated 1973 penny in MS 65 grade is worth around $1.

1973 D Penny Value

Denver minted almost the same amount of coins as Philadelphia, so the value is about the same. In circulated condition, these pennies are only worth their weight in copper, which is around $0.02. However, in uncirculated condition, the coin could be worth up to $1 in MS 65 grade.

1973 S Penny Value

If you have a 1973 S penny, then you have a coin that was minted in San Francisco. Out of all the pennies minted in 1973, the ones from San Francisco are the least common. However, that doesn’t make them more valuable than any other 1973 penny. In fact, a circulated 1973 S penny is only worth $0.02. If you have an uncirculated coin in MS 65 grade, then it might be worth $1.

Proof coins are specially made for collectors and have a higher level of detail than regular coins. They are usually worth more than regular coins, but the 1973 S penny is an exception. The value of a proof coin in PR 65 condition is $1. This is because there were so many 1973 S pennies minted that they are not considered rare. However, if you have a proof coin in pristine condition, it could be worth more.

1973 Penny Rare Varieties

1973 penny rare varieties can be worth a lot of money. Error coins are usually worth more money than regular coins because they are less common. There are many different types of error coins, and each type can be worth a different amount of money.

Double Die 1973 Lincoln Penny

The occurrence of a double die error on a 1973 Lincoln penny is a result of a mistake made during the minting process. When the dies used to strike the coins are created, they are supposed to be engraved with a single image. However, in this case, it appears that the die was engraved twice, resulting in a coin with noticeable doubling in the writing, date, and Lincoln’s eye and bowtie.

These rare cent coins with double die errors can be worth anywhere from $25 to $100, depending on the condition and severity of the error.

Off Center 1973 Lincoln Penny

Off-center bullets occur when the turned round is not placed in the center of the loading space. The result is a blank with a misshaped bullet or, if the blank is struck hard enough, no visible bullet at all. The value of an off-center coin depends on how far off center it is. A coin that is only slightly off-center will be worth much less than a coin that is severely off-center.

The 1973 Lincoln Penny is particularly valuable because it is very rare for a penny to be minted with such a severe error. As a result, this coin can be worth upwards of $70. So, if you come across a 1973 Lincoln Penny that looks a little bit off, it could be worth your while to have it appraised!

Raised Rim 1973 Lincoln Penny

This error occurs when the metal slug used to strike the coin does not properly align with the die, resulting in a raised rim around the edge of the coin. Although this error is relatively common, it generally does not have a significant impact on the value of the coin. However, some examples of the raised rim error have sold for hundreds of dollars.

1973 Penny With a Repunched Mint Mark

The so-called “Repunched mintmark” error occurs when the Mint’s punch misshapes the initials “D” or “S” on the coin. As a result, the mint mark appears to be doubled. This error is relatively rare, and as such, the 1973 Lincoln Penny can be worth upwards of $10. While this may not seem like a lot of money, it is still considerably more than the coin’s face value.

1973 Die Break Pennies

Die cracks are common errors on coins and occur when the die suffers a crack during the striking process. The coin is then struck with the cracked die, causing a raised line to appear on the coin. Die cracks are usually found on the edges of coins, but can also occur in the middle of the coin.

Die cracks do not add to the value of a coin, but they can be collectible in their own right. Some collectors try to find coins with die cracks that match a particular pattern, while others simply collect any coin with a die crack. Regardless of how you collect them, die cracks are an interesting and relatively common error on coins.

What is a 1974 Aluminum Lincoln Cent?

In 1974, the United States Mint proposed replacing the copper-zinc cent with a coin composed of an alloy of aluminum and trace metals. The goal was to reduce the rising costs of production. 1,571,167 coins were struck in anticipation of release, but none were actually released into circulation. The idea was ultimately scrapped, and the copper-zinc cent remains in circulation today.

Even though these coins were test specimens and none of them were ever supposed to enter circulation, in 2014, a collector discovered one of these coins in a roll of pennies. The coin was then returned to the Mint, where it remains in their collection.

There is no way to know for sure how many of these coins were produced, or how many of them may have accidentally entered circulation. But if you happen to find one of these 1974 aluminum Lincoln cents, be aware that it is illegal to sell it because it is considered government property.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, the value of a 1973 penny can vary depending on its condition and whether it is considered an error coin. In general, circulated 1973 pennies are worth around 2 cents each, while uncirculated coins can be worth around $1. Error coins can be even more valuable, so if you think you have one it’s worth taking it to a professional for an evaluation. Regardless of its value, a 1973 penny is definitely a cool piece of history that any coin collector would love to have in their collection!

FAQ

What is a Lincoln Kennedy penny?

The Lincoln Kennedy penny is an unofficial one-cent coin minted in limited quantities. The obverse (front) of the coin features the likenesses of President Abraham Lincoln and President John F. Kennedy. Although the coin is not legal tender, it has become a popular collectible. 1973 penny with Kennedy head value is around $3 to $10.

What is the rarest D penny?

The 1943-D Lincoln Bronze Cent is the rarest D penny. The value of the coin depends on the condition it is in and how many of them were minted. Even in bad condition, it’s worth at least $125. In good condition, a 1943-D Lincoln Bronze Cent can be worth thousands of dollars. The rarity of the coin makes it a valuable addition to any collection. If you’re lucky enough to find one, be sure to hold onto it!

Is there a 1973 aluminum penny?

Most people don’t know that there is such a thing as an aluminum penny. They were made by the US Mint as a test run for changing the composition of pennies. A few of them made their way into circulation, but most were recalled and destroyed. However, a few managed to escape destruction, and they are now considered government property.

It is illegal to sell or own one of these pennies, but that doesn’t stop people from trying. If you ever come across an aluminum penny, chances are it’s a fake. But who knows?

Is there a 1973 silver penny?

Did you know that there’s no such thing as a 1973 silver penny? If you find one in silver color, it can either be a fake or an aluminum penny – both of which are illegal to own. So if you come across a “silver” penny from 1973, beware – it’s most likely not worth anything!