At first glance, it might seem unlikely that coins minted in 1997—less than 30 years ago—could be worth anything beyond their face value or melt value. After all, most would assume a 1997 penny is worth just one cent.
However, that’s not always the case. In fact, some 1997 pennies have fetched hundreds or even thousands of dollars. How is this possible?
In this guide, we’ll break down the potential value of 1997 Lincoln pennies, examine what features or errors make certain examples more valuable, and look at the different types of this coin issued that year.
1997 Penny Value Chart
| Mint Mark | Good | Fine | Extremely Fine | Uncirculated (MS65) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 “D” | n/a | n/a | n/a | $35 |
| 1997 (No Mint Mark) | n/a | n/a | n/a | $10 |
| 1997 “S” Proof | n/a | n/a | n/a | $4 |
As the table shows, most 1997 pennies are only worth a cent, which is expected considering the billions that were minted and are still widely circulated. Yet, certain coins in exceptional condition—or those with rare mint errors—can command much higher prices. In fact, some have sold for hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending on their uniqueness and grade.
Let’s explore the specific varieties and error types that can boost a 1997 penny’s value significantly.
History of the 1997 Penny
The 1997 penny is part of the long-running Lincoln cent series, which features President Abraham Lincoln on the obverse (front). This design was originally introduced in 1909 to commemorate Lincoln’s 100th birthday. The reverse (back) still shows the Lincoln Memorial, a design used from 1959 until 2008.
The 1997 pennies were minted at both the Philadelphia Mint (no mint mark) and the Denver Mint (with a “D” mint mark). Like other modern pennies since 1982, they are made of copper-plated zinc.
Billions of 1997 pennies were produced, so they are very common in circulation. While regular 1997 pennies are worth face value, some with mint errors—like doubled dies, off-center strikes, or die breaks—can be of interest to coin collectors.
Grading the 1997 Lincoln Penny
Like most U.S. coins, 1997 pennies are evaluated using the Sheldon grading scale, which ranges from 1 to 70. This system assesses a coin’s condition based on wear, sharpness of detail, and overall appearance. Coins graded closer to 70 are in better condition and often more valuable.
Coins may also be labeled with abbreviations before the grade, such as:
- MS (Mint State) for uncirculated coins,
- PR (Proof) for specially struck collector coins,
- RD (Red), RB (Red-Brown), or BN (Brown) to describe the color and surface tone of copper coins.
Understanding the grade is crucial, but identifying rare errors or unique traits can also significantly boost a coin’s value.
Sheldon Grading Scale Summary:
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Basal State |
| 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+ | Mint State (Uncirculated) |
| 65 | Choice Mint State |
| 70 | Perfect Mint State |
Before determining your coin’s value, make sure to accurately assess its grade—this is a key first step in identifying whether it’s just pocket change or a potential treasure.
1996 Penny Value and Varieties Guide
1997 “D” Penny Value
Among the two primary versions of the 1997 Lincoln penny, those struck at the Denver Mint—marked with a small “D”—are by far the most abundant. In 1997, over 4.57 billion of these coins were produced, making them extremely common in circulation even today.
These coins follow the classic Lincoln Memorial penny design. On the front (obverse), you’ll see Abraham Lincoln’s right-facing portrait, originally sculpted by Victor D. Brenner back in 1909. Above Lincoln’s head is the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and to the left is the word “LIBERTY.” The date, 1997, appears on the lower right of the coin, with the “D” mint mark nearby if the coin was struck in Denver.
The reverse features the Lincoln Memorial, a design introduced in 1959 to commemorate Lincoln’s 150th birthday. This reverse layout remained until 2008. Above the memorial building are the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” while the coin’s denomination “ONE CENT” is inscribed along the bottom.
Despite their detailed design, most 1997-D Lincoln pennies are only worth face value—just one cent. That’s due to their massive mintage and modern age. However, coins that are in exceptional uncirculated condition, especially those with high Mint State (MS) grades, can fetch a bit more—anywhere from a couple of dollars to over $800 in rare cases.
One such example is a red-colored 1997-D penny graded MS68, which sold for $863 at auction. “Red” here refers to the coin’s color designation—a factor that plays a role in its value. Lincoln cents can be categorized by color:
- Red (RD) – well-preserved with original luster
- Red-Brown (RB) – partly toned
- Brown (BN) – mostly oxidized copper
Collectors typically pay a premium for red specimens due to their vibrant appearance and minimal wear.
Another premium-raising feature is a “Full Steps” strike—when the steps of the Lincoln Memorial appear fully defined and untouched by wear or weak striking. These coins are rare and highly sought after by advanced collectors.
In short, while most 1997-D pennies are quite ordinary, a few high-grade, well-struck, and carefully preserved examples have proven to be quite valuable on the collectors’ market.
1997 No Mint Mark Penny Value
When examining the pricing table, you’ll quickly see that 1997 Lincoln pennies without any mint mark often carry more value than those bearing a “D.” At first glance, this might make new collectors assume that missing a mint mark is some kind of rare misprint—but that’s not the case.
In reality, coins produced at the Philadelphia Mint traditionally don’t have a mint mark at all. For many years, Philly simply omitted a letter on their coins, making the absence of a mint mark a standard identifier rather than a mistake. While other U.S. mints like Denver use a “D” or San Francisco uses an “S,” Philadelphia pennies remained blank in that spot.
Though the Philadelphia Mint began including a “P” mint mark on most coin denominations by the 1980s, it continued to exclude it from one-cent pieces—with the sole exception being the 2017 issue, which proudly displayed a “P” to honor the mint’s 225th anniversary.
So, if this “blank” mint mark is typical of Philly coins and they were minted in larger quantities than their Denver equivalents in 1997—4.62 billion vs. 4.57 billion—why are they sometimes priced higher?
The answer lies in strike quality and the occurrence of rare errors. Coins from the Philadelphia Mint that year tend to exhibit cleaner detail, and certain batches included notable die variations that collectors seek out. While this might sound contradictory—high quality versus defective errors—both can increase a coin’s value in different ways.
For example, a sharply struck, uncirculated penny with a bright red hue (indicating minimal oxidation) can be more valuable simply for its visual appeal. Meanwhile, error coins—such as those with doubling or spacing anomalies—can command high prices due to their rarity.
It’s worth noting that even average-condition Philly cents from 1997 might sell for a few dollars. But when a mint-state red penny is graded near-perfect, its value can soar. In fact, the highest known sale of a 1997 Philadelphia penny reached $6,360 at auction in 2021, for a coin graded MS69 Red—just one point below a perfect 70.
In short, while Philadelphia pennies are neither rare nor missing mint marks by accident, they sometimes stand out due to quality and error-driven collectibility.
1997 “S” Proof Penny Value
One of the notable and valuable types of 1997 pennies is the proof penny produced by the San Francisco Mint, which carries the “S” mint mark. That year, only 2,796,678 of these coins were struck—a much smaller number compared to the regular pennies from Philadelphia and Denver. This limited quantity is expected since proof coins are not intended for general circulation but rather for collectors and display purposes.
Proof pennies are created through a completely different process than regular strike coins. The dies used are specially treated with acid, polished by hand, and then used to strike each coin twice. This results in a coin with an exceptionally sharp, clean, and glossy finish. Because of the complexity and cost of this method, the Mint sells these proof coins mainly to collectors to offset production expenses.
Given their rarity and superior craftsmanship, one might expect proof pennies to command significantly higher prices than regular Philadelphia-minted pennies from 1997. However, on average, the no-mint-mark Philadelphia pennies tend to be more valuable.
The reason lies in rarity and condition: while billions of Philadelphia regular strike pennies were minted that year, only a small fraction remain in pristine, uncirculated condition. In contrast, nearly all San Francisco proof pennies are preserved in mint condition, so there are simply more flawless proof coins available.
That said, proof coins maintain a baseline value and rarely drop below a certain price, even if they show minor wear. Most 1997 proof pennies you come across will typically be valued anywhere from several tens to several hundreds of dollars. The highest recorded sale we’ve found was an auction in 2004 where a 1997 proof penny fetched $1,898.
Rare 1997 Penny Error List
1997 Penny Doubled Die Error
This minting error occurs when the coin’s planchet shifts slightly between the first and second strikes of the die. As a result, certain details on the coin—such as letters, numbers, or even parts of Lincoln’s ear—can appear doubled or slightly blurred. One of the most sought-after varieties of this error is known as the “Doubled Ear”, which can increase the coin’s value significantly.
1997 Penny Off-Center Error
An off-center error occurs when the coin’s planchet moves out of position before the die strikes it. Unlike doubling, the design isn’t blurry or distorted—instead, it’s simply struck off-center. Provided that most of the design remains visible, coins with this error can be quite valuable to collectors.
1997 Penny Struck on the Wrong Planchet Error
It’s not unusual for coins to be mistakenly struck on the wrong planchet, sometimes from a different US denomination or even from foreign currency, as many planchets are produced domestically.
These coins are sometimes referred to as dual denomination errors. In the case of the 1997 penny, the most frequently seen mistakes involve being struck on a dime planchet or on a planchet meant for foreign coins.
Where to sell your penny?
Now that you know the value of your penny, you might be wondering where to sell it. Don’t worry: here’s a guide to some of the best online platforms where you can easily sell your coins, along with their advantages and disadvantages.
Discover the best platforms for selling coins online (pros and cons).
1997 Penny FAQ
1. What is the composition of the 1997 penny?
The 1997 penny is made with a zinc core (97.5%) and copper plating (2.5%), following the post-1982 standard composition.
2. Which mints produced the 1997 penny?
The 1997 penny was minted in Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (“D” mint mark), and San Francisco (“S” mint mark) for proof coins.
3. Are there any notable error varieties for the 1997 penny?
Yes, errors such as doubled dies, off-center strikes, and die cracks have been reported, though none are extremely rare. Error coins can be valuable to collectors.
4. What designs are featured on the 1997 penny?
The obverse shows Abraham Lincoln’s portrait, and the reverse features the Lincoln Memorial, consistent with the 1959–2008 design.
5. How common is the 1997 penny?
It is very common, with billions minted across the Philadelphia and Denver mints, plus proof sets from San Francisco.
6. What is the typical value of a 1997 penny?
Circulated pennies are generally worth face value. Uncirculated and proof coins may be worth a few cents to a couple of dollars, and error coins can fetch higher prices depending on rarity.
7. Are 1997 pennies a good investment?
Common circulated 1997 pennies are not typically considered good investments, but error coins, high-grade uncirculated, or proof coins can be more valuable.
