1987-D Lincoln Penny Value Guide: Is Your Pocket Change Rare?

The 1987-D Lincoln Penny is worth anywhere from its face value of $0.01 in circulated condition to over $150 or more in high-grade uncirculated Mint State. While most of these pennies sitting in your jars are only worth a cent, certain errors and pristine specimens can be surprisingly valuable to collectors.

Condition / Grade	Estimated Market Value
Circulated (Average Wear)	$0.01 (Face Value)
Uncirculated (MS-63 Red)	$0.20 – $1.00
Choice Uncirculated (MS-65 Red)	$5.00 – $15.00
Superb Gem (MS-67 Red)	$40.00 – $150.00+

History and Significance of the 1987-D Lincoln Cent

If you’ve recently emptied a piggy bank and found a shiny copper coin with a small “D” under the date, you are looking at a 1987-D Lincoln Penny. To accurately identify your find, many collectors turn to a top coin identifier app to ensure they aren’t overlooking a hidden gem.

During the late 1980s, the Denver Mint was in high gear, pumping out billions of these coins to meet the demands of American commerce. Specifically, the Denver facility produced 4,682,466,931 pennies in 1987 alone. Because billions were made, they are incredibly common in daily circulation today.

By 1987, the composition of the penny had already changed from the traditional 95% copper to a copper-plated zinc core (97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper). This change occurred in 1982 to save on production costs. Consequently, these coins are lighter than pre-1982 pennies and are susceptible to “zinc rot” or bubbles under the plating.

Finding a 1987-D penny in your pocket change is a daily occurrence for most Americans. However, if you use the CoinKnow app to scan your collection, you might find that some specimens maintained their original luster and strike quality, which is where the real value lies for modern numismatics.

How to Identify a 1987-D Penny Worth More Than Face Value

Determining if your penny is a “keeper” or just a cent depends heavily on its condition and the presence of the “D” mint mark. The “D” stands for Denver, and it is located just below the year 1897 on the obverse (heads) side of the coin.

To command a premium price, the coin must be in “Uncirculated” condition. This means it has never been spent at a store, has no scratches from other coins, and retains its original “Red” (RD) color. Most pennies turn brown over time as the copper reacts with oxygen, but collectors pay a premium for those that stayed bright orange-red.

You can check current 1987-D Lincoln penny price data for Red specimens to see how much the market fluctuates for these high-grade coins. If the coin looks dull or brown, it is likely only worth one cent.

Feature	Description
Mint Mark	“D” (Denver Mint)
Composition	97.5% Zinc, 2.5% Copper Plating
Weight	2.5 Grams
Diameter	19.05 mm

Grading the 1987-D Penny: From Brown to Red

When professional graders look at a 1987-D penny, they assign it a grade on the Sheldon Scale from 1 to 70. For modern zinc pennies like this one, anything below a grade of 60 is generally considered “Circulated” and carries no extra value.

The real interest begins at MS-65 (Mint State 65). To reach this level, the coin must have a sharp strike and very few distracting marks. The color is also vital. Graders categorize pennies as Brown (BN), Red-Brown (RB), or Red (RD). A Red penny is the most desirable, as it looks exactly like it did the day it left the mint.

Using CoinKnow can help you visually compare your coin against high-resolution images of graded specimens. This is an essential step before deciding to pay for professional grading services like PCGS or NGC, which can cost more than the coin itself if the grade isn’t high enough.

Reviewing the detailed 1987-D penny value information for high-end grades reveals that a jump from MS-67 to MS-68 can mean a difference of hundreds of dollars. However, finding an MS-68 1987-D is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Rare 1987-D Error Pennies to Look For

While standard 1987-D pennies are common, error coins are the “holy grail” for many casual hunters. Errors occur when something goes wrong during the minting process, creating a unique and rare artifact.

One common error for this era is the “Doubled Die.” While there are no major, famous doubled dies for 1987-D like there are for 1955 or 1972, minor doubling on the date or the letters of “LIBERTY” can still be found. These require a magnifying glass or a digital microscope to spot.

Other errors include “Off-Center Strikes,” where the coin blank was not aligned properly, resulting in a partial image. “Die Cracks” are also common, appearing as raised lines of metal on the coin’s surface. These errors can turn a one-cent coin into a $10, $50, or even $100 item depending on the severity of the mistake.

Error Type	Estimated Value
50% Off-Center Strike	$50 – $100+
Die Crack (Small)	$2 – $5
Cud Error	$20 – $40
Plating Blisters	$0 (Common Issue)

Is It Worth Getting Your 1987-D Penny Certified?

A common question for everyday Americans is: “Should I send this penny to a grading company?” For a 1987-D penny, the answer is usually “no” unless the coin is absolutely perfect. Because the cost of grading is roughly $20 to $40 per coin plus shipping, the coin needs to be worth significantly more than that to justify the expense.

Before spending money on certification, use the CoinKnow app to get a preliminary idea of the grade. If your penny has even one tiny scratch visible to the naked eye, it likely won’t hit the MS-67 or MS-68 grades required to make a profit.

Most collectors prefer to keep their 1987-D pennies in simple cardboard flips or plastic tubes. If you happen to find a roll of uncirculated 1987-D pennies that have been tucked away since the 80s, you might have a better chance of finding a high-grade candidate.

Where to Sell Your 1987-D Lincoln Penny

If you’ve identified a valuable 1987-D penny, you have several options for selling it. The most common platform is eBay, where you can list the coin for a “Buy It Now” price or set up an auction. Be sure to take high-quality, clear photos of both sides of the coin.

Local coin shops are another option. While a shop might not give you the full retail price (as they need to make a profit), it is a fast and safe way to sell your find. Keep in mind that many dealers may not be interested in modern pennies unless they are already professionally graded or show a significant error.

Finally, coin shows and online forums are great places to connect with specialized Lincoln Cent collectors. These enthusiasts often pay fair prices for coins that fill a specific hole in their collection, especially those with exceptional eye appeal or beautiful red toning.

FAQs

Q: Why is the 1987-D penny so common?

A: The Denver Mint produced over 4.6 billion units in 1987 to ensure there was enough change for the U.S. economy. Because they were made of zinc, they were cheap to produce and were released in massive quantities.

Q: How can I tell if my 1987-D penny is “Red”?

A: A “Red” penny retains at least 95% of its original mint luster and orange-copper color. If the coin has turned brown or has dark spots, it is classified as Red-Brown or Brown, which significantly lowers its collector value.

Q: Are there any 1987-D pennies worth thousands of dollars?

A: Currently, no 1987-D penny has reached the multi-thousand dollar mark. The record prices are usually in the low hundreds for coins graded MS-68RD. However, a major discovery of a unique error could theoretically change that.

Q: Does the “D” mint mark always mean it was made in Denver?

A: Yes, in the context of the Lincoln Penny, the “D” specifically indicates the Denver Mint facility. Coins with no mint mark from 1987 were produced at the Philadelphia Mint.