1987 Lincoln Penny Value No Mint Mark: Collector Price Guide

The 1987 Lincoln Penny (No Mint Mark) is worth anywhere from $0.01 in circulated condition to over $150 in top-tier mint state grades. While most of these pennies found in your pocket change are only worth their face value, certain high-grade specimens and rare errors can fetch a significant premium from collectors.

Condition / Grade	Estimated Market Value
Circulated (Average)	$0.01
Uncirculated (MS63)	$0.10 – $0.25
Choice Uncirculated (MS65 RD)	$1.00 – $3.00
Gem Uncirculated (MS67 RD)	$15.00 – $40.00
Superb Gem (MS68 RD)	$150.00+

What Makes the 1987 Penny Without a Mint Mark Special?

Finding a 1987 penny in your jar of loose change is a common occurrence, as the Philadelphia Mint produced nearly 5 billion of them. If you look closely at the date and notice there is no small letter “D” or “S” underneath it, that simply means the coin was minted in Philadelphia. For everyday Americans, it might seem like a rare “mistake,” but it is actually a standard part of U.S. coinage history.

Because so many were made, the vast majority are not worth more than one cent. However, the 1987 penny belongs to the era of “Zincolns”—pennies made of a zinc core with a thin copper plating. Because these coins are prone to bubbling and corrosion, finding one in pristine, flawless condition is actually quite difficult. Serious collectors are often willing to pay a premium for “Full Red” specimens that look like they just came off the press.

To determine if the penny you found is a common spender or a hidden gem, many hobbyists use a top coin identifier app to get instant feedback on the coin’s features. If you are using the CoinKnow app, you can quickly scan your 1987 Philadelphia penny to see if it exhibits any of the rare characteristics that drive up the price.

Grading and 1987 Lincoln Memorial Cent Prices

Condition is the single most important factor when determining the value of a 1987 penny. Grading is done on a scale of 1 to 70. Most coins in circulation are “Fine” or “Very Fine,” showing significant wear on Lincoln’s hair and coat. These will always be worth one cent. Value only begins to climb once the coin reaches “Mint State” (MS), meaning it has never been used in commerce.

Color also plays a vital role. Copper coins are categorized as Brown (BN), Red-Brown (RB), or Red (RD). A “Red” coin retains at least 95% of its original mint luster. Collectors look for “RD” coins because they represent the coin in its most natural, beautiful state. Even a small fingerprint or a smudge can downgrade a coin from Red to Red-Brown, significantly lowering its market appeal.

For those curious about auction records, the current 1987 penny MS68 RD price data suggests that while lower grades are cheap, top-tier versions are highly sought after. Finding a coin that qualifies for an MS68 grade is a “needle in a haystack” situation, as most were handled roughly at the mint or in bank bags.

Grade Designation	Approximate Value
MS63 Red Brown	$0.15
MS65 Red	$2.50
MS66 Red	$12.00
MS67 Red	$45.00

Rare 1987 Penny Errors to Look For

While the standard 1987 penny is common, error coins are the true “lottery tickets” for casual hunters. Since billions were struck, errors were bound to slip past quality control. The move to copper-plated zinc in 1982 introduced new types of errors, such as plating blisters, which are often mistaken for rare errors but are actually just damage. However, true mechanical errors are valuable.

One error to watch for is the “Doubled Die.” While there aren’t any major, famous doubled dies for 1987 like there are for 1955 or 1972, minor doubling on the date or the letters of “LIBERTY” can still exist. You might also find “Off-Center” strikes, where the coin was not properly aligned with the dies, causing part of the design to be missing. A 1987 penny that is 10% to 50% off-center can be worth $20 to $100 depending on the condition.

Another fascinating error is the “Die Crack.” As the metal dies age, they develop cracks that appear as raised lines on the coin’s surface. These are often found on the reverse side (the Lincoln Memorial). Using the CoinKnow app can help you distinguish between a common scratch and a genuine mint error. For more details on these anomalies, checking detailed 1987 Lincoln cent value guides can provide visual examples of what to look for.

Comparing the Philadelphia (No Mint Mark) vs. Denver Penny

In 1987, the Denver Mint also produced billions of pennies, marked with a small “D” under the date. From a value perspective, the Philadelphia and Denver strikes are very similar. Both are common, and both require an incredibly high grade (MS68 or higher) to be worth a substantial amount of money.

The primary difference for collectors lies in the “Population Report.” This is a record of how many coins have been graded by professional services like PCGS or NGC. Sometimes, one mint has fewer surviving high-grade examples than the other. In 1987, both mints had relatively high quality, so neither is significantly rarer than the other in most grades.

Mint Location	Mintage Quantity	Auction Record (MS68)
Philadelphia (No Mark)	4,682,466,931	~$150+
Denver (D)	4,879,389,514	~$200+

Why Lustre and Surface Quality Matter

Because 1987 pennies are zinc-based, they are very susceptible to “carbon spots” and “zinc rot.” If water or air gets under the copper plating, the zinc core begins to oxidize, creating ugly black spots or bubbly textures. For a 1987 Lincoln Penny (No Mint Mark) to be worth more than a few cents, it must have clean surfaces and be free of these microscopic bubbles.

Collectors use a 10x magnification loupe to inspect the fields (the flat areas) of the coin. If the fields are smooth and the strike is sharp—meaning the steps on the Lincoln Memorial are clearly visible—the coin has a much better chance of being valuable. Most 1987 pennies found in rolls today have a dull, oily, or “satin” look, which is less desirable than a “blazing red” finish.

If you are sorting through a large collection, CoinKnow can be an invaluable tool to help you organize your finds by luster and quality. While it may seem tedious to look at thousands of pennies, that one pristine Red MS68 example is what every hunter is after.

Tips for Selling Your 1987 Penny Finds

If you believe you have found a high-value 1987 penny or a unique error, the next step is knowing how to sell it. For coins worth only a few dollars, eBay is usually the best platform. You can take high-quality photos and list it under the “Lincoln Memorial Penny” category. However, for coins that appear to be in “Gem” condition (MS67 or higher), it might be worth getting them professionally graded.

Professional grading costs money (usually $20-$50 per coin), so you should only do this if you are confident the coin will grade high enough to cover the cost and still leave you with a profit. Most collectors start by showing their coins to a local coin shop or using an online community for a “free” opinion.

When listing your coin, use descriptive keywords like “Lustrous,” “High Grade,” or “Uncirculated.” Be honest about the condition, as buyers in the coin world are very particular. A 1987 penny might seem like a small thing, but for the right collector, it’s a vital piece of a complete Lincoln Cent set.

FAQ

Q: Why is there no mint mark on my 1987 penny?

A: In 1987, pennies struck at the Philadelphia Mint did not carry a mint mark. This is completely normal and does not make the coin rare or an error.

Q: Are 1987 pennies made of pure copper?

A: No. Starting in mid-1982, the U.S. Mint began making pennies with a 99.2% zinc core and a thin 0.8% copper plating. If you find a 1987 penny that feels lighter than older pennies (pre-1982), that is the reason.

Q: I found a 1987 penny that looks silver. Is it valuable?

A: Usually, these are zinc pennies that have had their copper plating removed by chemicals or through a science experiment. However, it is possible (though extremely rare) for a penny to be struck on a leftover dime planchet or an unplated zinc planchet. Use a scale—a normal 1987 penny should weigh 2.5 grams.

Q: What is the most a 1987 penny has ever sold for?

A: While prices fluctuate, high-grade MS68 Red examples of the 1987 Philadelphia penny have sold for over $400 in past major auctions, though $100-$150 is more common for the grade today.

Q: Should I clean my 1987 penny to make it worth more?

A: Never clean your coins! Cleaning a coin with chemicals or abrasive cloths creates micro-scratches that professional graders can easily spot. A cleaned coin loses significantly more value than a dirty or toned one.