1972 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny Sells for $14,400 – A Rare Error Worth Spotting!

Memorial Lincoln cents boast a rich and fascinating history. Despite being the lowest denomination among American currency, these coins have consistently drawn the interest of collectors. Particularly, pennies from earlier production years are considered highly collectible and can often command impressive prices.

Conversely, coins minted in more recent years tend to hold less appeal, which makes them more affordable. To accurately assess the 1972 penny value, it’s essential to understand how to evaluate individual coins. The mint mark and condition are the primary factors influencing their worth — but rare errors are often the most valuable.

1972 Penny Value Chart

Condition	1972 No Mint Mark Penny	1972 D Penny	1972 S Penny	1972 DDO Penny
MS 65	$2.50	$2.50	$2.50	$475
PR 65	/	/	$13.50	/

History of the 1972 Penny

The Lincoln cent, often known as the Lincoln penny, first appeared in 1909 to celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birth anniversary. It replaced the Indian Head cent, which had been in circulation from 1859 to 1909.

The design was created by Victor David Brenner, who depicted Lincoln’s portrait on the obverse, with wheat stalks gracing the reverse — inspiring the nickname “Wheat Penny.”

Throughout its lifetime, the Lincoln penny has seen several design updates and material changes. In 1959, artist Frank Gasparro redesigned the reverse side to feature the Lincoln Memorial in honor of Lincoln’s 150th birthday, though the obverse remained unchanged.

The composition also evolved due to the rising price of copper. Initially, the coin was 95% copper, but in 1973, the U.S. Mint shifted to a blend of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper to cut production costs.

1972 Penny Types

Location	Year	Quantity Minted
Philadelphia	1972 No Mint Mark Penny	2,933,255,000
Denver	1972 D Penny	2,665,071,400
San Francisco	1972 S Penny	376,939,108
San Francisco	1972 S Proof Penny	3,260,996
Total	/	5,978,526,504

The Lincoln cent was groundbreaking as it was the first U.S. coin to feature a real historical figure on the obverse, replacing earlier designs that typically showcased allegorical figures like Lady Liberty or Native American profiles.

Despite billions being minted, Lincoln pennies are still cherished both by collectors and casual savers. Many people held onto these coins, especially from 1959 to 1972, primarily for their copper content, which by law cannot be melted but is sometimes used for art and craft projects.

Features of the 1972 Lincoln Penny

Every coin undergoes design adjustments over time. While the Lincoln penny series debuted in 1909 with Victor Brenner’s iconic portrait, the reverse side of the 1972 penny reflects Frank Gasparro’s 1959 redesign.

The Obverse of the 1972 Lincoln Penny

The obverse retains Brenner’s classic depiction of President Lincoln, based on a photo taken by Mathew Brady. Lincoln faces right, his beard clearly visible. The minting year appears just before his profile, with “LIBERTY” to the left and the phrase “IN GOD WE TRUST” along the upper rim.

The Reverse of the 1972 Lincoln Penny

Frank Gasparro’s reverse design features the Lincoln Memorial, inspired by architect Henry Bacon’s structure in Washington, D.C. The Memorial’s 12 Doric columns are prominently displayed, and if you look closely, you can spot Lincoln’s statue nestled between them.

Above the Memorial, you’ll see UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and below that, the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM. The coin’s denomination, ONE CENT, appears at the bottom.

1972 Lincoln Penny Details

Feature	Specification
Face Value	$0.01 (One Cent)
Composition	95% Copper, 5% Tin or Zinc
Diameter	0.75 inches (19 mm)
Thickness	0.06 inches (1.5 mm)
Weight	0.11 ounces (3.1 g)
Shape	Round
Edge	Plain

1972 Penny Grading

Grading is a key factor in determining a coin’s value. Professional graders assess the coin’s surface, condition, and mint mark using the Sheldon Scale, which ranges from 1 (Poor) to 70 (Perfect).

Grade Range	Description
1	Basal State-1
2	Fair
3	Very Fair
4–6	Good
7–10	Very Good
12–15	Fine
20–30	Very Fine
40	Extremely Fine
50	About Uncirculated
60–70	Mint State

1972 Penny Value Guides

The U.S. Mint produced nearly six billion Lincoln pennies in 1972 across multiple facilities. There are four types of these coins, and while most hold only face value, their legal status prohibits melting for copper.

1972 No Mint Mark Penny Value

Philadelphia struck 2,933,255,000 Lincoln cents in 1972, the highest number for that year. These coins are easy to recognize as they lack a mint mark.

Circulated coins usually trade for one cent, while uncirculated (Mint State) versions range from $0.20 to $155, depending on grade. Some exceptional pieces fetched high auction prices — like one graded MS 67 Red that sold for $3,290 in 2013. Brown-toned specimens have also reached $900 in recent online auctions.

1972 D Penny Value

The Denver Mint produced 2,665,071,400 Lincoln cents that year. Circulated examples usually fetch one cent, while Mint State coins range from 10 cents to about $7.50.

Rare high-grade examples have achieved noteworthy prices — the highest recorded was $4,250 for an MS 67+ Red example in 2012.

1972 S Penny Value

San Francisco minted 376,939,108 of these coins in 1972, each marked with an “S.” Despite the lower mintage, most circulated pieces remain worth only face value, while mint-state coins hover between $0.10 and $7.50.

Exceptionally preserved red-toned examples have fetched up to $1,955 at auction.

1972 S Proof Lincoln Penny Value

The San Francisco Mint also produced 3,260,996 proof coins in 1972. Lower-grade proofs can be acquired for under $1, while deep cameo (DCAM) examples can fetch higher prices:

• PR 64: ~$11
• PR 65: ~$16
• PR 66: ~$20
• PR 67: ~$35
• PR 68: ~$70
• PR 69: ~$550

One particularly pristine PR 69 DCAM specimen sold for $1,495 at auction in 2010.

Rare 1972 Penny Error List

Given the massive mintage, error coins from 1972 are relatively common, with around 20,000 known examples.

• Doubled Die Obverse (DDO): Most often seen in the inscriptions LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and 1972. Prices range from $295 to $14,400 based on grade and color.
• Doubled Die Reverse: Features doubling in the reverse inscriptions and Memorial image. Generally less valuable than DDO coins but still sought after.
• Wrong Planchet: A penny struck on the wrong planchet can result in odd shapes or colors and can be worth thousands.
• Re-punched Mint Mark: When the mint mark is accidentally struck multiple times, it leaves a doubled impression. These are easy to spot but usually not highly valuable.

Where to Sell Your 1972 Lincoln Penny?

If you’re ready to sell your 1972 Lincoln penny, many online platforms cater to coin collectors. Each has its own pros and cons, so it’s worth exploring your options to get the best deal.

FAQ about the 1972 Lincoln Penny Value