1922 Penny Coin Value (Errors List, “D” & No Mint Mark Worth)

Are you curious about the famous 1922 Lincoln penny? Are you considering adding one of these rare pennies to your collection but want to learn more about their true value? Our 1922 penny value guide will help.

The Lincoln pennies produced in 1922 are some of the most interesting in U.S. coin history. Famous for its missing mintmark, die varieties, and relatively low mintage, this coin has become one of the most sough-after. Unsurprisingly, the 1922 penny is a counterfeiters’ favorite, so it’s important to know what to watch for.

This guide will breakdown everything you need to know about this small but mighty coin including its interesting history, unique features, how to evaluate and grade its condition. You will also learn about practical tips for spotting a genuine piece, and errors that might be worth a premium.

Let’s get started!

1922 Penny Value Chart
Mint Mark	Good	Fine	Extremely Fine	Uncirculated
1922-D Penny Value	$3	$7	$40	$4000
1922-No D Strong Reverse Penny Value	$700	$850	$2150	$41,500
1922- No D Weak Reverse Penny Value	$600	$700	$1550	$20,000

 

History of the 1922 Penny

The 1922 penny continues the long-standing history of the Lincoln Penny series. The United States Mint introduced the series in 1909 to commemorate President Abraham Lincoln’s centennial birth anniversary.

Designed by David Victor Brenner, the Lincoln cent marked was the first U.S. coin to feature a president’s profile picture. The coin has remained popular ever since and the Mint has produced billions of them each year.

The 1922 penny particularly stands out as it was only minted at the Denver Mint. Traditionally, all three mints including the one in Philadelphia and San Francisco would produce millions of Lincoln pennies.

However, a deep financial recession, brought on by the effects of the First World War, reduced demand for small coinage, forcing the Mint to limit production to just one minting facility at Denver. As such, only 1922-D pennies exist today.

In addition, the 1922 Lincoln penny also faced production issues at the Denver mint, which resulted in some of the pennies missing the D mint mark on the obverse. This occurred because of the mint workers over-polishing the dies to extend the die’s life, resulting in a variety aptly known as the “No D” penny. Other varieties worth collecting are the “No D Strong Reverse” and “No D Weak Reverse,” which we shall explore in a bit.

All in all, the 1922 penny is particularly prized across all grades. However, well-preserved pieces will command premium auction prices although these pennies are extremely rare especially in fully red color. Due to their rarity and historical significance, 1922 pennies are prone to forgery, making it crucial to be careful when buying pieces “certified” as “Red” or “Red Brown.”

 

1922 Penny Grading

#	Grade
1	Basal State-1
2	Fair
3	Very Fair
4, 5, 6	Good
7, 8, 10	Very Good
12, 15	Fine
20, 30	Very Fine
40	Extremely Fine
50	About Uncirculated
60	Mint State
65	Mint State
70	Mint State

When it comes to grading the 1922 Lincoln penny, pay special attention to the unique varieties that make this coin popular among collectors. Here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Examine the mint mark region: Using a magnification loupe, examine the area where the D mint would typically be position. This way, you can distinguish between a “No D” mintmark from a “weak D” variety.
• Inspect the reverse design: Usually, a strong reverse design is indicative of a true “No D” 1922 penny that has not be artificially altered or damaged.
• Check for polishing lines: Under magnification, inspect your penny for fine scratches, which can be a sign of die polishing. This is a common trait among “Weak D” and “No D” 1922 penny varieties.
• Look for signs of wear: The 1922 penny is scarce across all grades but it is particularly rare in Mint State and gem-quality conditions. Still, even in lower grades, these coins can fetch a premium. Evaluate the coin’s condition by inspecting high contact points such as Lincoln’s coat, cheek, jawline and hair, and the wheat stalks on the reverse. Die weakness will cause flatness and even loss of detail on the high contact points can indicate that the coin is genuine.

Please check our grading guides to know your coin scale, It’s the necessary step to know the exact value of your coin.

Check out now: How to Grade Lincoln Wheat Penny?

 

Features of the 1922 Penny

Understanding the key features of the 1922 Lincoln penny will help you tell genuine coins from counterfeits. Given its high demand and rarity, you will also be able to grade your 1922 pennies accurately.

Obverse of the 1922 Penny

On the obverse is Abraham Lincoln’s right-facing profile with the inscription “IN GOD WE TRUST” positioned above his head.

The word “LIBERTY” is displayed to the left, behind Lincoln’s profile while the dare appears in front of his profile to the right. On some pennies, the mint mark D is positioned right below the date—these are known as the Strong D variety.

In other 1922 pennies though the D mint mark will be weak or conspicuously missing- these are the weak D and No D variety respectively.

Reverse of the 1922 Penny

The reverse features the two prominent wheat years on each side of the coin’s edge. The inscription ONE CENT appears in the center followed by the words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

The Latin phrase “E PLURIBUS UNUM” is positioned in a curve along the coin’s top edge.

 The 1922 penny has various reverse strengths depending on the die’s strike. Some examples, usually the No D varieties, will have a strong strike with sharp details in the inscription and wheat stalks.

Other 1922 pennies will have a weak reverse where the wheat stalks and inscriptions are flat and worn out. This is common among the “Strong D” and “Weak D” variety.

Other Features of the 1922 Penny

Additional features to keep in mind include:

• Diameter:00 millimeters
• Weight:11 grams
• Edge: Plain
• Metal composition: 95% copper, 5% Tin and Zinc

Also read: 13 Most Valuable Wheat Penny Worth Money

 

1922 Penny Value Guides

So, how much is a 1922 penny worth? Well, the value depends on factors such as the condition and variety. Since only the Denver Mint released Lincoln pennies in 1922, these coins hold a special place in American numismatic history.

There are three varieties of the 1922 penny:

• 1922 D Penny
• 1922 No D Strong Reverse Penny
• 1922 No D Weak Reverse Penny

Let’s learn more about the value of each variety.

1922 D Penny Value

In 1922, the Denver mint produced about 7.1 million Lincoln pennies. Many of these came with a clear “D” mint mark on the obverse.

Many 1922-D pennies lack sharp details on the wheat stalks and inscriptions  while the obverse appears  struck with fresh, new dies.

Fully red gems or red brown examples are rare as the overall quality of 1922-D pennies was lower than average.

Here’s what to expect from a 1922 penny with a “D” mint mark:

• Circulated examples: A circulated 1922 penny is worth more than face value. One graded Poor/Average will fetch as much as $8. An Extra Fine (XF) example can command up to $55 while one graded About Uncirculated (AU) is worth up to $105.
• Mint state: Mint State pieces are rare but will bring in premiums even in lower grades. For example, an MS60 is worth $115 while an MS64 will fetch as much as $290. Brown pennies graded MS65 will bring in about $425 while rare, fully-red gem-quality pieces grade MS66 can reach a stunning $13,500.
• Auction record: According to the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), in 2017, Heritage Auctions sold a fully red 1922-D penny graded MS66+ for a record-breaking $19,975.

1922 No D Mint mark Strong Reverse Penny

The next variety we’ll look at is the 1922 “No D” penny with a strong reverse. Some Lincoln pennies struck at the Denver mint do not show the mint mark on the obverse although, interestingly, the reverse design displays a high-quality strike and sharp design details.

The exact number of 1922 pennies without a mint mark are unknown but what is certain is that full red and even red brown specimen are extremely rare. In lower, circulated grades, these coins will still fetch premium prices.

The 1922 No D penny likely resulted from grease or debris obstructing the mintmark on the die and also due to wear and tear of the obverse dies used to strike these coins. These weak obverse dies were, however, paired with strong reverse dies producing pennies with a strong reverse strike and a noticeably weak obverse strike that’s missing the mint mark.

Here’s a breakdown of the value of 1922 No D penny with a strong reverse:

• Circulated examples: So in-demand are these coins that one graded Good (G) will fetch as much as much as $700. An Extra Fine example is worth about $2150 while an About Uncirculated will fetch up to $8750.
• Mint State Brown: In lower mint state, these pennies will still command premium prices. For example an MS60 will fetch as much as $12,750 while a gem-quality specimen graded MS65 will command up to $41,500.
• Mint State Red: No fully red specimen are known to exist beyond graded MS65 in the 1922 No D strong reverse penny series. These rare gems will fetch up to $57,000 graded MS64.
• Auction Record: The PCGS records show a record-breaking sale of $57500 for a brown penny graded MS64 and $49,450 for a fully red gem graded MS65 in 2001.

1922 No D Mint Mark Weak Reverse Penny

Lastly, we have the 1922 No D penny with a weak reverse. This penny resulted the combination of a weak obverse and reverse die, producing coins without a mint mark on the obverse and creating worn, flattened details on the reverse.

The weak reverse 1922 penny is not as popular as its strong reverse counterpart but it is still collectible. A key difference between these two varieties is that the second 2 on the weak reverse penny is notably fainter than the first.

Mint and certified pieces of this variety are extremely rare, making it crucial to be on the look out for any certified fully red gems being sold.

Here’s what you can expect when buying or selling a 1922 No D Weak Reverse penny:

Circulated examples: Even in lower grades, these coins can be worth good money. For example, a penny graded Good (G) will fetch between $700-$800 while one with an About Uncirculated grade (AU) can bring in up to $6,500.

Mint State Brown: Collectors are willing to pay $15,000 for lower-grade mint state pieces and as much as $20,000 for brown pennies graded MS63.

Mint State Red: Fully red 1922 pennies with a weak reverse and no D mint mark are genuinely rare. Such a piece will set you back up to $50,000 at grade MS64.

Also read: 12 Most Valuable Lincoln Penny Worth Money

 

Rare 1922 Penny Errors List

The 1922 penny is an anomaly itself given that the coin’s missing mint mark and sometimes weak reverse strike may be considered a minting error. Other than this, quite a few genuine minting errors come up in the series.

Here are the most common 1922 penny errors:

1922 Die Crack Penny Errors

As the name implies, die cracks are errors that appear like raised cracks on the coin’s surface. Die damage and normal wear and tear may cause cracks to appear on the die’s surface.

As the die continues to be in use, the cracks may fill with small metal pieces, resulting in raised cracks that leave an impression when the die strikes the planchet. Depending on the size, shape or position, a die crack error can increase the value of a 1922 penny by as much as $300.

1922 Struck-through Penny Errors

A struck-through occurs when a foreign object is struck between the die and planchet, leaving its impression on the coin’s surface. Examples of foreign objects that may enter the coining hub include grease, hair strands, pieces of strings, metal bits, and other debris.

On some 1922 pennies, you might notice odd shapes on the coin’s surface—this is usually due to a struck-through error. The more peculiar or dramatic the error, the more valuable it tends to be. A 1922 penny with a stuck-through error can command as much as $500, making this a worthwhile addition to your collection.

Also read: 17 Most Valuable Indian Head Penny Worth Money

 

Where to Sell Your 1922 Penny?

Now that you know the value of your coins, do you know where to sell those coins online easily? Don’t worry, I’ve compiled a list of these sites, including their introduction, pros, and cons.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

 

FAQS

How can I tell if my 1922 Lincoln penny is genuine?

Check for distinct sharpness and clarity on the 1922 date. A clear reverse design is also a good indication of an authentic penny but it is best to familiarize yourself with die pair details to identify genuine pennies with an otherwise weak reverse strike.

What is the difference between a “weak D” and a “No D”1922 penny?

A “weak D” 1922 penny has a faint mintmark caused by die wear while a “No D” error has no mintmark at all. The “No D” variety is rarer and more valuable.

Why is the 1922 penny considered a “key date” in the Lincoln penny series?

This penny has one of the smallest mintages in the Lincoln cent series. More importantly, the “No D” error also makes the 1922 penny a standout coin for any collector looking to complete a full Lincoln cent collection.