Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
The 2019-D Lincoln Penny is worth anywhere from $0.01 in pocket change to over $150 in high-grade mint condition. While most are common, certain specimens with exceptional luster or rare “die doubling” errors can fetch a significant premium from coin collectors today.
| Condition / Grade | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Circulated (Average) | $0.01 (Face Value) |
| Uncirculated (MS65) | $0.30 – $1.00 |
| Mint State (MS67+) | $15 – $50 |
| Certified Gem (MS69) | $150+ |
Overview of the 2019-D Lincoln Shield Penny
The 2019-D Lincoln Penny is a staple of modern American commerce. Produced at the Denver Mint, these coins feature the iconic portrait of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and the Union Shield design on the reverse. If you’ve recently emptied your jars and found a shiny “D” mint mark penny, you might be curious if it’s a hidden treasure. To find out quickly, many hobbyists use a top coin identifier app to scan their change for rare varieties.
In 2019, the Denver Mint produced over 3.4 billion of these pennies. Because the mintage was so high, nearly every 2019-D penny you find in circulation is only worth its face value of one cent. However, the story changes for coins that never entered circulation. “Mint State” coins—those that look like they just fell off the press—are what collectors are looking for.
If you are using CoinKnow, you can track the market trends for these modern zinc cents. While they aren’t made of solid copper like pre-1982 pennies, their value comes from their condition (or “grade”). A single scratch or fingerprint can be the difference between a coin worth a penny and one worth fifty dollars.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
Understanding the Value of Mint State 2019-D Pennies
When determining worth, professional graders use a 70-point scale. A 2019-D penny in perfect condition is graded as “MS70.” For modern coins like this, anything below MS65 is generally considered “common.” However, as you move into the elite tiers, the 2019-D penny prices for MS RD grades can increase significantly for collectors seeking perfection.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
The “RD” stands for “Red,” which is the color designation for a copper-plated zinc coin that retains at least 95% of its original mint luster. If a penny has turned brown (BN) or reddish-brown (RB) due to oxygen exposure, its value drops significantly. Collectors want that brilliant, fiery orange glow that only comes from a well-preserved strike.
Because billions were made, only the top 1% of 1% of these coins carry a “collector” price tag. If you think you have a flawless specimen, it might be worth sending to a grading service like PCGS or NGC. Most everyday Americans, however, find that their 2019-D pennies are best spent at the grocery store unless they show an obvious error.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
| Grade Designation | Price Range | Rarity Level |
|---|---|---|
| MS63 Red | $0.10 – $0.25 | Abundant |
| MS65 Red | $1.00 – $5.00 | Common |
| MS67 Red | $15.00 – $35.00 | Scarce |
| MS68 Red | $75.00 – $160.00 | Very Rare |
Rare 2019-D Penny Errors to Look For
Error coins are the “lottery tickets” of the pocket change world. On a 2019-D penny, errors occur when something goes wrong during the high-speed minting process. One common search terms for beginners is the “Doubled Die” error. This is where the image on the coin appears doubled because the die that struck it was engraved incorrectly.
While no major “king” of errors has been discovered for the 2019-D yet, minor Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) and Doubled Die Reverse (DDR) coins do exist. You might notice doubling in the letters of “LIBERTY” or the date. To identify these, you usually need a magnifying glass or a digital microscope. Checking the current 2019 penny value and error list can help you see which specific anomalies are currently selling on eBay.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
Other errors include “Off-Center” strikes, where the penny looks like it was only partially hit by the design, and “Die Chips,” where small bumps of extra metal appear on the surface. CoinKnow users often share photos of these “BIE” errors (where a die chip makes it look like there is an ‘I’ between the B and E of LIBERTY) to get opinions from the community.
How the “D” Mint Mark Affects Value
The small “D” located right under the date 2019 tells you the coin was minted in Denver, Colorado. While Denver and Philadelphia (which has no mint mark) usually produce similar quantities, the Denver Mint is known for occasionally having slightly “sharper” strikes. For a modern collector, the mint mark itself doesn’t automatically add value, but it is a crucial part of the coin’s “identity.”
In 2019, the Philadelphia Mint actually produced a special “W” mint mark penny (from West Point) that was included in certain proof sets. These “W” pennies are much more valuable than the “D” pennies because they were never meant for circulation. If you find a 2019 penny with a “D,” you are looking at a classic workhorse of the US economy.
If you are sorting through a large box of pennies, keep the “D” coins aside if they look absolutely brand new. Even if they aren’t worth $100 today, high-quality modern coins tend to appreciate as the years go by and circulating coins become worn and ugly.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
| Mint Mark | Location | Mintage Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| D | Denver | ~3,485,000,000 |
| None (P) | Philadelphia | ~3,556,000,000 |
| W | West Point | Limited (Sets Only) |
Tips for Pricing and Selling Your 2019-D Penny
If you think you’ve found a valuable 2019-D penny, the first step is to avoid cleaning it. Cleaning a coin with chemicals or cloth can create tiny scratches that permanentely destroy its value in the eyes of a collector. Instead, handle the coin by its edges and place it in a protective flip or a small plastic baggie.
To get a real-world price, check “Sold” listings on auction sites rather than “Asking” prices. Anyone can ask for $1,000 for a common penny, but it only matters what people are actually paying. Many veterans of the hobby use CoinKnow to track these realized auction prices in real-time.
Finally, if your penny is just a regular, shiny 2019-D from your pocket, consider starting a “folder” or album. Collecting 2019-D pennies alongside other years is a great, low-cost way to get into numismatics without spending a fortune.
Your Old Coin Could Be Valuable!
Identify It & Know Its Real Value — Free Download
FAQ
Q: Is the 2019-D penny made of real copper?
A: Not entirely. Since 1982, all U.S. pennies are made of a 99.2% zinc core with a thin plating of pure copper. If you scratch a 2019-D penny (though you shouldn’t!), you will see the silver-colored zinc underneath.
Q: Why is my 2019-D penny silver or white?
A: This usually means the coin was “unplated,” which is a rare mint error where the copper coating was never applied to the zinc blank. However, it can also be a chemistry experiment from a school project. Authentic unplated pennies are quite valuable!
Q: What is the highest price ever paid for a 2019-D penny?
A: While prices fluctuate, high-grade MS69 specimens have sold in the range of $150 to $200 at major auctions. Most 2019-D pennies, however, sell for only a few cents in bulk.