1964 Penny Value Checker: Errors List, “D” & No Mint Mark Worth

1964 Penny value ranges from $0.01 face value to $19,200. That record was set by a Grade 67 example sold through Heritage Auctions in January 2025. Upload a photo of yours below and we’ll give you a quick value range. You can also scroll down to check recent eBay sales and see what collectors are paying today.

 

1964 Penny Value By Variety

Here’s what 1964 pennies are selling for right now, from melt value on worn pieces up to thousands for top-grade SMS specimens.

If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Modern Pennies Worth Money (1959 – Present)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1964 Penny Worth Money

The 1964 SMS Special Strike owns the top of this list. An SP67 RD brought $19,200 at Heritage Auctions in 2025, and an SP65 RD realized $11,400. The PCGS Price Guide pegs an SP68 RD at $75,000 — putting these experimental coins among the most valuable in the entire modern Lincoln cent series.

Even a regular 1964 Red MS67 pulled $7,931.25 at Heritage Auctions. That’s a coin from a mintage of billions. Full original copper brilliance at that grade level is just incredibly hard to find after six decades.

The 1964-D topped out at $4,025 at Stack’s Bowers for an MS67, while the proof series peaked at $2,585 for a perfect PR70 RD in January 2017. Color matters enormously here — Red (RD) coins can bring 10 times what a Brown (BN) example fetches at the same numeric grade. Keeping that original copper luster intact for 60+ years is no small feat.

Also Read: Lincoln Wheat Penny Value (1909-1958)

 

History of the 1964 Penny

By 1963, the U.S. was in a full-blown coin shortage. Rising silver prices had triggered massive hoarding of dimes, quarters, and half dollars. The Mint was running presses around the clock and still couldn’t keep up with demand.

Mint Director Eva Adams pointed the finger at collectors, citing the one million proof and mint sets purchased in 1964 as proof of hoarding. Her response? Remove mint marks from all 1964-dated coins except Denver pennies. The idea was to kill the incentive to save coins by facility.

Congress authorized a “date freeze” in September 1964. Under this authority, later reinforced by the Coinage Act of 1965 signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 23, 1965, the Mint kept striking 1964-dated coins well into 1965 — and in some cases, 1966. That’s why the combined mintage hit nearly 6.45 billion pieces, a number that would never be topped.

Philadelphia struck about 2.5 billion pennies. San Francisco added around 196 million, all without mint marks, making them impossible to tell apart from Philly coins. Denver cranked out a staggering 3.8 billion — making the 1964-D the single most prolific Lincoln cent ever produced.

The obverse carries Victor David Brenner’s Lincoln portrait, first used in 1909 for the president’s 100th birthday. The reverse features Frank Gasparro’s Lincoln Memorial design, adopted in 1959. This was also the last year of the traditional 95% copper composition that had been unchanged since 1962, before the zinc-core switch in 1982.

Here’s a fun detail: behind the scenes, Eva Adams was already experimenting with a new collector product to replace the discontinued proof sets. A tiny batch of experimental 1964-dated prototype sets were struck — coins that wouldn’t surface publicly until her estate was auctioned in 1991. Those are what we now call the legendary 1964 SMS Special Strike pennies.

Also Read: Top 100 Rarest Pennies Worth Money (1787 – Present)

 

Is Your 1964 Penny Rare?

Use our Coin Identifier and Value App to instantly assess the specific rarity ranking of any 1964 penny variety in your collection for accurate market positioning.

 

Key Features of the 1964 Penny

Knowing what you’re looking at on a 1964 penny helps you grade it better — and grading is what drives the price.

The Obverse Of The 1964 Penny

The front side carries Victor David Brenner’s portrait of President Lincoln — the same design that’s been on every penny since 1909. “In God We Trust” sits above the portrait, “Liberty” is to the left, and the date is on the right.

Denver coins have a small “D” mint mark just below the date. That’s the only mint mark you’ll find on any 1964 U.S. coin. Philadelphia and San Francisco pieces have no mint mark at all, so there’s no way to tell them apart without specialized testing.

The Reverse of The 1964 Penny

Flip it over and you’ll see Frank Gasparro’s Lincoln Memorial. Look closely at the center of the building’s portico — there’s actually a tiny statue of Lincoln in there. That makes this one of the few coins in history showing the same person on both sides.

“ONE CENT” curves along the bottom edge. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” follows the upper curve, and “E Pluribus Unum” runs horizontally beneath it.

Other Features of the 1964 Penny

The 1964 penny measures 19 millimeters across and weighs exactly 3.11 grams. It’s 95% copper and 5% zinc, giving it a melt value of about 2.3 cents at current copper prices. Compare that to just 0.65 cents for post-1982 zinc cents. That copper premium sets the floor on collector value.

Color designations from grading services directly affect what you’ll get paid. A coin keeping at least 95% of its original red luster gets graded Red (RD). One that’s at least 95% brown gets graded Brown (BN). Anything in between is Red-Brown (RB). Red examples can bring 10 times more than Brown at the same numeric grade.

Also Read: 100 Most Valuable Wheat Pennies Worth Money (1909 to 1958)

 

1964 Penny Mintage & Survival Data

The gap between what was minted and what actually survived in top condition is enormous for 1964 pennies.

Philadelphia and San Francisco together struck approximately 2,648,575,000 circulation coins. Denver produced 3,799,071,488. The combined total approaches 6.45 billion when you factor in date-freeze production. Proof mintage was 3,950,762 — a useful benchmark for survival analysis.

Of those nearly 4 million proofs, roughly 31.6% survive in standard proof form — about 1.25 million coins. Cameo (CAM) specimens have a 15.2% survival rate, leaving around 600,000 examples. Deep Cameo (DCAM) proofs drop to just 6.3%, with approximately 250,000 survivors despite being the most visually striking of the bunch.

At the very top, PCGS shows just 10 coins graded PR70 and NGC lists 3,804 at PF69. For the 1964-D, fewer than two dozen PCGS-graded MS67 RD coins exist — with nothing graded higher. Billions minted, and you can count the best ones on your fingers.

The SMS Special Strike population is a completely different kind of rare. PCGS has certified about 33 Lincoln cents total across all color designations. NGC has certified just 11. Dealer records from VDB Coins show that combined populations across all denominations in a complete 1964 SMS set total only 18 Kennedy halves, 29 quarters, 23 dimes, 23 nickels, and 33 cents.

Also Read: 100 Most Valuable Indian Head Penny Coins Worth Money (1859 – 1909)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1964 Penny Value

Figuring out what your 1964 penny is worth isn’t always straightforward. Copper coins are tricky — a worn piece might only be worth its 2.3-cent melt value, while a pristine Red example can hit thousands.

You need to look at Lincoln’s portrait sharpness, how well the Memorial columns are defined, and whether the surfaces are Red, Red-Brown, or Brown. Copper toning patterns add another wrinkle that affects both grade and price.

Use our  Coin Identifier and Value App to sort all of this out quickly. Upload a photo and get a professional-level grade with current market pricing.

 

1964 Penny Value Guides

The 1964 Lincoln penny breaks down into six collecting categories, each with its own pricing logic.

Philadelphia and Denver circulation strikes are the affordable starting point. The proof series shows off Philadelphia’s best work from the peak of 1960s collector demand. And at the top sits the SMS Special Strike — prototype coins never officially released, surfacing only through an estate auction, now trading at prices that rival luxury goods.

Knowing which of these six types you have is the first step to figuring out what your coin is actually worth.

1964 Penny Types:

• 1964 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia)
• 1964-D (Denver)
• 1964 Proof (Philadelphia)
• 1964 CAM (Philadelphia)
• 1964 DCAM (Philadelphia)
• 1964 SMS Special Strike (Special Mint Set)

Also Read: Value Of Old Pennies By Year (1959-Present)

 

1964 No Mint Mark Penny Value

Here’s something most people don’t realize: even a slabbed, PCGS-certified 1964 no mint mark penny could have been struck in San Francisco. Philadelphia made about 2.5 billion of these, and San Francisco added around 196 million — all without any distinguishing marks. They’re permanently lumped into one collecting category.

This was the first time in modern history that San Francisco struck Lincoln cents without a mint mark. Eva Adams did it on purpose to kill collector interest in saving coins by facility. The result? Nobody can tell where any individual coin was made.

Despite the massive mintage, PCGS has graded only 3 examples at MS67+ RD. The MS67 RD auction record sits at $7,931.25 from Heritage Auctions, and the PCGS price guide values an MS67+ RD at $13,500. That’s a huge jump that shows how condition rarity works even in a multi-billion coin series.

Red (RD) coins with full original copper brilliance get the top premiums. Red-Brown (RB) pieces bring moderate prices, with the finest MS66+ RB valued around $40. Brown (BN) coins are the most affordable entry point.

These auction records show what collectors have paid for the best Red copper examples.

Steady collector demand keeps the market active for top-grade examples.

 

1964-D Penny Value

Think the most common coin can’t be rare? The 1964-D had 3,799,071,488 coins produced — the all-time record for a single-year Lincoln cent. But Denver’s high-speed production meant more bag marks, more contact damage, and more striking inconsistencies than Philadelphia’s smaller runs. The result is that gem-quality survivors are genuinely scarce.

PCGS CoinFacts notes the 1964-D is common through MS64, gets harder to find in MS65, and turns truly scarce at MS66 — maybe fewer than 1,000 raw and certified examples combined at that level. At MS67, it’s one of the toughest dates from the entire 1960s. Fewer than two dozen PCGS-graded coins exist there, and not a single one has graded higher.

The auction record is $4,025 for an MS67 at Stack’s Bowers in 2012. PCGS has graded only 4 examples at MS67+ RD, valued at $4,750 each. A theoretical MS68 would be like finding a unicorn.

Auction results below show how Denver copper cents from this era have gained recognition for their preservation challenges.

Collector interest in high-grade 1964-D pennies remains strong.

 

1964 Proof Penny Value

If you’re wondering why so many 1964 proofs survive, consider this: proof set sales had exploded from just 5,000 annually in 1947 to over one million by 1964. The mintage of 3,950,762 reflects peak collector demand right before the program was suspended.

These were struck from specially polished dies on hand-selected copper planchets, then sold in complete sets meant for careful storage. The mirror-like fields reflect light like polished glass, contrasting with the frosted, matte finish on Lincoln’s portrait and the lettering.

PCGS has certified 10 examples at the top PR70 grade. NGC has graded 3,804 at PF69. The auction record is $2,585 for a PR70 RD, achieved in January 2017.

These auction results show what collectors pay for proof quality combined with exceptional copper preservation.

Collector focus on these proofs stays consistent year after year.

 

1964 CAM Penny Value

A lot of collectors assume all 1964 proofs have that frosty-on-mirror look. They don’t. The Cameo (CAM) designation goes to proof coins where Lincoln’s portrait and the lettering show a distinct white frost against deeply mirrored fields. It turns a standard proof into something that really pops.

Getting that cameo effect required fresh dies that still had their frosted texture — and that texture wore off fast as more coins were struck. Since nobody was systematically pulling early-die-state proofs in 1964, true Cameo examples are a much smaller slice of the pie than “nearly 4 million proofs” suggests.

About 15.9% survived as CAM, leaving roughly 628,000 specimens. A PR69 CAM sold for $196 in December 2021. Lower-grade CAM pieces typically trade between $20 and $120, making them a solid entry point if you want something with real visual appeal.

Auction results below show what collectors have been willing to pay for that cameo contrast.

Market activity stays healthy for these enhanced-contrast proofs.

 

1964 DCAM Penny Value

What’s the difference between a $30 proof and a $500 proof? Often, it’s the DCAM designation. Deep Cameo identifies coins where the frost on the raised devices is dramatically intense — almost chalk-white — creating a near-3D effect against the mirror fields. Only coins struck from absolutely fresh dies achieved this look.

From a mintage of nearly 4 million proofs, the DCAM survival rate drops to just 6.3%. That leaves approximately 250,000 examples. PCGS has certified 184 at PR69 DCAM, with only one graded higher. NGC doesn’t even recognize a PR70 DCAM for 1964. That tells you how rarely these coins hit perfection.

The auction record is $504 for a PR69 DCAM in August 2021. The copper content adds a small value floor — about 2.3 cents in melt value versus just 0.65 cents for post-1982 zinc cents.

These auction results show the premium collectors place on Deep Cameo contrast.

Collector demand for DCAM specimens stays intense.

 

1964 SMS Special Strike Penny Value

I think the 1964 SMS Special Strike is one of the most fascinating coins in the entire modern series. Graded SP (Specimen) by the services, these coins have a distinctive satin finish — not the cartwheel luster of a business strike, not the mirror fields of a proof. They were struck once under high pressure using heavily polished dies, producing razor-sharp details with squared-off rims you can see with the naked eye.

The story behind them is wild. Researchers believe they were prototype experimental strikes — probably produced in late 1964 or early 1965 — to test die finishes for the official Special Mint Sets issued from 1965 through 1967. They were never released to the public. The coins only surfaced after Mint Director Eva Adams died in 1991, when her estate was sold by dealer Lester Merkin. Most known sets later passed through dealer Jesse Lipka’s hands. The silver denominations in these sets used 90% silver — unlike the 1965-1967 SMS sets, which were clad.

The certified population is razor-thin. PCGS has graded about 33 Lincoln cents across all color designations. NGC has certified just 11. VDB Coins notes that certified populations have “not changed one iota” over multi-year periods. New examples basically never come to market. Experts at both PCGS and NGC confirm all known SMS specimens lack a mint mark, placing production at Philadelphia despite occasional online speculation.

An SP67 RD brought $19,200 at Heritage Auctions in 2025. An SP67 had previously sold for $15,600 in 2019. The PCGS Price Guide values an SP68 RD at $75,000. A complete five-coin 1964 SMS set has sold for $223,700 at auction. These are real prices from documented public sales.

These auction records show why SMS pennies are considered the ultimate prize among 1964 Lincoln cents.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Modern Pennies Worth Money (1959 – Present)

 

Rare 1964 Penny Error List

The date freeze and unprecedented production volume — over 6.4 billion coins — stretched quality control thin across multiple facilities and shifts. That created a wider-than-normal range of minting mistakes. Some are worth hundreds. A few hit thousands. Here’s what to look for.

Important Warning: The single most common mistake beginners make is confusing machine doubling with a genuine doubled die error. Machine doubling creates flat, shelf-like smearing on the letters and date — it has virtually no numismatic value. A true doubled die shows rounded, full-relief secondary images with clear separation. When in doubt, consult a specialist before submitting for grading.

1. 1964 DDR (FS-801 And FS-802) Errors

These are the cherrypicking targets of the series. The 1964 Doubled Die Reverse varieties FS-801 and FS-802 happen when the working die gets a misaligned second hub impression during manufacturing. Design elements appear doubled, like they’re slightly out of focus.

FS-801 shows doubling in “UNITED STATES” on the reverse. FS-802 has stronger, more visible doubling on “ONE CENT.” Verified auction records show a DDR FS-802 in MS66 selling for up to $928, and an FS-801 in MS65 reaching $400. Gainesville Coins confirms an MS64 RD DDR at $187 sold through GreatCollections in 2012.

You’ll need at least a 10x loupe. Look for rounded, full-relief doubling that adds width to the letters without flattening the primary image. That’s the opposite of worthless machine doubling.

2. 1964 Penny Struck on a Silver Dime Planchet

This is one of the most dramatic 1964 errors out there. The Mint was producing silver Roosevelt dimes and copper pennies simultaneously, sometimes at the same facility. Every now and then, a silver dime blank (17.9mm, approximately 2.50 grams) slipped into the penny press instead of the standard 19mm, 3.11-gram copper planchet.

You get a coin with Lincoln’s portrait and the Memorial visible, but it’s silvery-white and noticeably smaller — peripheral lettering gets cut off. Weight is the definitive test: a genuine silver planchet error comes in at approximately 2.50g on a precision scale versus the standard 3.11g.

These are classified as Transitional Off-Metal errors. Stack’s Bowers offered a 1964-D struck on a silver dime planchet graded MS62 by PCGS, described as “the final year of the silver planchets used for dimes.” An MS61 example sold for $2,585 at Heritage Auctions in 2013. Values typically range from $1,500 to $7,000 depending on grade and eye appeal. Professional authentication by PCGS or NGC is essential.

3. 1964 Penny Multiple Strike Errors

Multiple strike errors happen when a coin doesn’t eject from the collar after the first hit, taking two, three, or more overlapping impressions. You’ll see ghosted or doubled Lincoln portraits and Memorial images layered on top of each other.

A triple-strike 1964 penny (MS64 RB) sold for $1,440 at Heritage Auctions in 2020. A five-strike 1964 cent hit $5,520 at auction — one of the highest prices ever paid for a 1964 Lincoln cent error outside the SMS category. Standard double-strike examples on copper typically bring $300–$1,000. Double strikes on silver dime planchets combine two error types and command significantly more.

4. 1964-D Repunched Mint Mark (RPM)

RPM errors show up when the “D” punch was applied more than once at slightly different angles during die preparation. You’ll see a secondary “D” partially overlapping the primary mark. Small RPMs bring $5–$75 depending on clarity and grade. Strong RPMs on high-grade Red examples can top $200.

5. 1964 Off-Center Strike Errors

These result from planchet misalignment before the die strikes. The sweet spot for maximum value is 40–60% off-center with the full date still visible — those typically sell for $50–$150 or more. A broadstrike (no collar, flat expanded coin, no rim) brings $15–$50. If the date is missing, value drops sharply no matter how dramatic the misalignment looks.

Also Read: 42 Rare Penny Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

 

Where to Sell Your 1964 Penny?

Your 1964 penny might be hiding serious copper value — check those mint marks, look for errors, and remember that what looks like pocket change could actually be a numismatic treasure.

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

 

1964 Penny Market Trend

*Market Trend Chart showing the number of people paying attention to this coin.

 

FAQ About The 1964 Penny

1. Is The 1964 Penny Worth Anything?

Most circulated 1964 pennies are worth about 2.3 cents in copper melt value — roughly 2.5 times face value. Uncirculated examples in common grades (MS63–MS65) typically sell for $6–$16 in Red condition. But the exceptions are big: a Red MS67 has sold for $7,931, an SMS Special Strike SP67 achieved $19,200 at Heritage Auctions in 2025, and a silver dime planchet error can bring $1,500–$7,000.

2. How Do I Know If My 1964 Penny Is Rare?

Three categories to watch for. First, SMS Special Strike coins have a satin finish — shinier than regular coins but not mirror-like — with unusually sharp details and squared-off rims. Second, error coins like doubled die reverses, silver planchet errors, and multiple strikes each have specific physical tells. Third, high-grade Red examples at MS67 or above are condition rarities even from a multi-billion mintage. If your coin looks unusual, weigh it (silver planchet errors come in at ~2.50g versus the standard 3.11g) and talk to a specialist before submitting.

3. What Is The Rarest 1964 Penny?

The SMS Special Strike, hands down. Only about 20–50 examples survive across all denominations in a complete set. PCGS has certified just 33 Lincoln cents across all color designations, and NGC has certified only 11. Every known example traces back to Mint Director Eva Adams’ estate, auctioned after her death in 1991. The PCGS Price Guide values an SP68 RD at $75,000.

4. How Many 1964 Pennies Were Made?

Over 6.45 billion when you count all facilities and the date freeze. Philadelphia and San Francisco combined for approximately 2,648,575,000 coins. Denver struck 3,799,071,488 — the largest single-year mintage for any Lincoln cent. Production of 1964-dated coins continued into 1965 and in some cases early 1966 to address the national coin shortage.

5. What Does “RD,” “RB,” and “BN” Mean On A 1964 Penny?

These are copper color designations from PCGS and NGC. RD (Red) means at least 95% original bright copper luster — the most valuable, worth up to 10x more than the same coin in Brown. RB (Red-Brown) means between 5% and 94% red surface remains. BN (Brown) means the copper has fully oxidized to a uniform brown. These designations are assigned on top of the numerical grade and have a huge impact on price.

6. What Is The 1964 SMS Penny And Why Is It So Valuable?

The 1964 SMS penny is an experimental prototype struck at Philadelphia that was never publicly released. It has a unique satin finish from single-strike, high-pressure minting on specially polished dies — sharper than a business strike but without proof mirror fields. The coins came from Mint Director Eva Adams’ private collection, surfacing only after her 1991 death. With fewer than 50 intact sets estimated to survive and PCGS certifying only 33 Lincoln cents total, these are among the rarest modern coins. The most recent SP67 RD realized $19,200 at Heritage Auctions in 2025.

7. Can I Still Find A Valuable 1964 Penny In Circulation?

Finding a 1964 penny in pocket change? Easy — billions are still out there in jars, old rolls, and estate collections. Finding a valuable one is another story. SMS Special Strikes were never circulated and only show up through estates or private collections. Error coins are theoretically findable, with silver planchet errors being the easiest to spot in hand — they weigh approximately 2.50g versus 3.11g for standard copper. A portable digital scale accurate to 0.01g is your best screening tool.

8. Does Cleaning A 1964 Penny Increase Or Decrease Its Value?

Cleaning destroys value. Period. PCGS and NGC assign a “Cleaned” or “Details” designation to cleaned coins, which typically cuts market value by 50–90% compared to an original-surface example at the same grade. For an SMS Special Strike or silver planchet error, cleaning could wipe out thousands of dollars. Never clean a coin you think might be valuable — put it in a non-PVC holder and talk to a professional grader.

9. How Do I Tell If My 1964 Penny Has A Real Doubled Die Error Or Just Machine Doubling?

This is the question I get asked most about 1964 pennies, because machine doubling (MD) is the most common false alarm. MD creates flat, shelf-like steps on the sides of letters — the secondary image is lower and wider, and it disappears when you tilt the coin.

A genuine Doubled Die (DDR FS-801 or FS-802) shows a rounded secondary image in full relief beside the main letter, with distinct separation at the corners. The doubling adds width without reducing the height of the primary element. NGC has a detailed guide on this distinction on their website. If you’re not sure, consult an error specialist before submitting — misidentified machine doubling coins come back with no premium and a grading fee paid.

10. What Grading Services Should I Use For A 1964 Penny And What Does It Cost?

PCGS and NGC are the two services that matter for 1964 Lincoln cents. Standard fees run approximately $17 per coin at PCGS and $19 at NGC for modern coins, with bulk discounts available from both.

For most circulated or low-grade uncirculated 1964 cents, the grading fee costs more than the coin is worth. Only submit if you believe you have an MS65 RD or higher, a verified proof with DCAM contrast, a potential SMS Special Strike, or a confirmed error. Photograph your coin before submission and record its weight for error candidates. Authentication by either service is mandatory for any 1964 SMS specimen to be taken seriously at auction.