1978 Penny Value Checker: Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

1978 Penny value ranges from $0.01 face value to $4,313. That record was set by a Grade 70 example sold through Heritage Auctions in June 2008. 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.

 

1978 Penny Value By Variety

Three varieties exist for the 1978 penny, and each one plays differently in the market.

Philadelphia coins have no mint mark and were struck in huge quantities — these are the ones you’ll find in jars and piggy banks. Denver’s “D” cents came out in slightly lower numbers, which gives them a small edge at gem grades. San Francisco only made proofs that year. Those carry real premiums and can turn a lucky find into a serious payday.

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 1978 Penny Worth Money

The 1978-S DCAM 70 sits at the top with $3,720. Second place? A 1978 RD 67 at just $840. That’s nearly a 10x gap between #1 and #2.

Perfect proof condition creates those kinds of jumps. Each grade step from DCAM 65 through DCAM 70 adds serious money. Business strikes below MS67 drop off fast. Tiny certified populations at the top grades are what drive these prices — not the coins themselves, which are common as dirt in lower grades.

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

 

History Of The 1978 Penny — The Last Era of Solid Copper Cents

Pick up a 1978 penny and you’re holding one of the last real copper cents the U.S. ever made.

The composition was 95% copper and 5% zinc — tin had been dropped from the alloy back in 1962. That bronze-like formula had been standard for decades, but by 1978, the clock was ticking.

The Philadelphia Mint alone burned through 765,914.1 pounds of copper striking cents that year. That’s nearly 383 tons of metal from one facility, all for coins worth a penny each.

Here’s something most collectors don’t know: West Point also struck cents in 1978 — an estimated 1.5 billion of them — all without a mint mark. As numismatic expert Walter Breen documented, there’s no way to tell a West Point-struck 1978 cent from a Philadelphia one. Zero distinguishing marks.

On June 7, 1978, the U.S. Treasury officially revoked the ban on exporting or melting U.S. coins. That policy shift stirred up fresh debate about copper’s future in American coinage.

The government had already test-struck aluminum cents back in 1974. Congress killed that idea, but rising copper prices kept the pressure on. By 1982, the Mint switched permanently to zinc cores with a thin copper shell. Solid copper pennies were done.

Numismatic author Q. David Bowers, in his Guide Book of Lincoln Cents (Whitman Publishing, 2008), documents how the Memorial cent’s massive production volumes of the late 1970s were directly tied to inflation-era economic pressures on the U.S. monetary system.

One more fun detail: the Mint introduced a new reverse hub in 1978. If you compare these coins to earlier years, you’ll notice sharper design details on many examples.

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

 

Is Your 1978 Penny Rare? Rarity Chart for All Varieties

Here’s what trips people up: nearly 10 billion business strikes were made, yet the certified population of high-grade 1978 pennies is tiny. According to CoinWeek’s analysis of PCGS and NGC population data, only 1,089 total 1978 Philadelphia cents have been graded by both services combined. Of those, 94% earned the Red (RD) color designation. But only 87 coins hit MS67 RD — and just a single example in the entire PCGS database has ever reached MS68 RD.

That’s condition rarity in a nutshell. The coin is common. A gem with full original red luster is not.

For comprehensive analysis of your penny collection’s actual rarity and value potential, our Coin Identifier and Value App provides detailed assessments beyond basic availability rankings.

 

Key Features Of The 1978 Penny 

Before you examine your coin, here’s a quick glossary. The heads side is the obverse, the tails side is the reverse, the thin side is the edge, the raised border is the rim or collar, and the flat background is the field. The portrait or image is the device, and the words are mottos or legends. Coin blanks are called planchets.

The Obverse Of The 1978 Penny

You’ll see Victor David Brenner’s portrait of Abraham Lincoln facing right. The date “1978” sits to the right at chest level. “LIBERTY” is inscribed on the left behind Lincoln’s neck, and “IN GOD WE TRUST” arches across the top.

Look just below the date for the mint mark — “D” for Denver, or blank for Philadelphia (and West Point, which used no mark). Brenner’s initials “V.D.B.” are tucked beneath Lincoln’s right shoulder, a nod to the original 1909 designer.

The Reverse Of The 1978 Penny

Flip it over and you’ll see Frank Gasparro’s Lincoln Memorial filling the center with its distinctive columns. Look closely inside the Memorial — there’s a tiny seated Lincoln statue. It’s one of the coolest Easter eggs in all of U.S. coinage.

“E PLURIBUS UNUM” appears above the building. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curves along the upper rim. “ONE CENT” sits below the Memorial, and Gasparro’s initials “FG” are near the Memorial’s right corner.

Other Features Of The 1978 Penny

In 1978, the Lincoln Memorial cent was 95% copper and 5% zinc or tin, sometimes a mix of both. This coin weighed 3.11g and measured 19.05mm across (0.75″) with a smooth or plain edge.

A note on color designations — these matter a lot for value: Red (RD) means the coin retains at least 95% of its original mint-red copper luster and must grade MS60 or higher. Red-Brown (RB) means the coin shows between 5% and 95% original red color. Brown (BN) means less than 5% original red color remains. RD is the most valuable designation for 1978 cents.

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

 

1978 Penny Mintage & Survival Data

Philadelphia struck 5,558,605,000 business-strike cents in 1978 (that number includes West Point’s supplemental production, which carries no separate mint mark). Denver added 4,280,233,400 coins with the “D” mark. San Francisco produced 3,127,781 proof coins — all Deep Cameo (DCAM), struck from specially polished dies onto polished planchets.

Both Philadelphia and Denver coins have roughly a 20% survival rate in numismatic condition. That works out to about 1.11 billion and 856 million surviving specimens. Proof coins survive at over 80% because collectors tucked them into protective packaging from day one.

That gap tells the whole story. Business strikes are everywhere. Gem business strikes are a completely different kind of rare.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1978 Penny Value

Grading 1978 pennies has its own challenges. The soft copper surface picks up bag marks and contact scuffs easily. The Memorial’s columns show even minor wear under magnification.

Focus on three things: copper color retention (you want RD), strike sharpness on the Memorial steps, and surface preservation — especially on Lincoln’s cheek and the word “LIBERTY.” Graders also look hard at rim nicks and planchet flaws.

Here’s a practical tip: MS66 RD coins sell for only $25 to $30. That barely covers a grading fee. Don’t bother submitting a 1978 cent unless you genuinely believe it’s MS67 RD or better. Grab a loupe and good lighting before you spend the money.

For quick preliminary assessments, our Coin Identifier and Value App can help identify potential grade ranges before considering professional certification.

 

1978 Penny Value Guides

1978 Lincoln Cent Varieties:

• 1978 No Mint Mark — Philadelphia (and West Point) production; 5,558,605,000 minted
• 1978-D — Denver Mint issue; 4,280,233,400 coins struck
• 1978-S DCAM — San Francisco proof with Deep Cameo finish; 3,127,781 produced

Philadelphia and Denver together pumped nearly 10 billion cents into circulation. San Francisco only made collector-grade proofs, each struck from specially prepared dies on polished planchets.

That production split explains today’s prices. Circulation coins trade near face value unless they’re in superb uncirculated condition. Proofs carry premiums at almost every grade level — they were always meant for collectors, not cash registers.

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

 

1978 No Mint Mark Penny Value

Most people don’t realize that a “Philadelphia” 1978 penny might actually be from West Point. The 5.56 billion official Philly mintage doesn’t include the estimated 1.5 billion supplemental cents West Point struck — all without a distinguishing mark.

Color designation is everything here. Red (RD) specimens with original copper luster command the real premiums. An MS67+RD example set the record at $4,259 at Heritage Auctions on September 4, 2014 — the highest price ever paid for a 1978 Philadelphia cent.

More recently, a 1978 No Mint Mark penny graded MS67+ Red brought $240 in a PCGS-certified auction in 2023. Even below-record grades can generate solid returns. Red-Brown (RB) coins in MS65–MS66 typically bring $10–$20, while Brown (BN) examples in circulated grades trade near face value.

The population numbers tell you why these prices hold up: only 87 examples have ever been graded MS67 RD by PCGS, and just a single coin has reached MS68 RD. I think that’s what makes cherrypicking these so exciting — billions were made, but a top-pop example is genuinely scarce.

Recent auction records reveal significant price volatility at the top grades.

Market activity shows consistent baseline interest with notable spikes during peak collecting seasons, reflecting the coin’s steady but cyclical demand patterns.

 

1978-D Penny Value

Here’s something that surprises a lot of collectors: in gem grades, Denver 1978 cents often outprice Philadelphia. That small “D” below the date identifies Denver’s 4,280,233,400 coins — a lower mintage than Philly, which matters at the top of the grading scale.

The pricing comes down to registry set competition. Fewer top-pop coins means fiercer bidding. The record 1978-D is an MS67 RD that sold for $546 at Heritage Auctions in 2008. A more recent MS67+ RD brought $280 at Heritage Auctions in 2023, showing demand hasn’t faded.

Red-Brown (RB) coins at MS65–MS66 typically bring $10–$30. Even fully toned Brown (BN) examples hold value in high uncirculated grades — MS66 BN pieces have sold for around $100 at major auction houses.

One error to watch for on Denver cents: the 1978-D Doubled Die Obverse (DDO), cataloged as WDDO-001. Look for extra thickness on “IN GOD WE TRUST,” with the strongest doubling on “WE TRUST.” The key diagnostic is a notched lower-right leg on the letter “R” in TRUST — that’s your confirmation.

Auction records show steady price performance with occasional spikes across different collecting cycles.

Market activity reflects consistent collector engagement with surges during peak seasons.

 

1978-S DCAM Penny Value

A PR70 DCAM sold for $4,313 in 2008. A PR69 DCAM typically brings $20–$30. That’s the kind of grade cliff that makes proof collecting so intense.

Deep Cameo — DCAM — means mirror-like fields contrasting sharply with frosted, sculpted design elements like Lincoln’s portrait and the Memorial. The “S” mint mark tells you this is a proof-only issue from San Francisco. These were never meant for circulation.

San Francisco struck 3,127,781 of these coins from specially polished dies onto hand-selected, polished planchets. Nearly all were sold directly to collectors and preserved in original proof sets. That $4,313 record was set by a flawless PR70 DCAM at Heritage Auctions in 2008. We think PR70 examples remain the single best value play in the 1978 series — when they appear, they consistently trade in four figures.

Auction results show strong collector confidence with premiums holding across multiple grade levels.

Market activity confirms sustained enthusiasm among proof collectors.

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

 

Rare 1978 Penny Errors List

High-speed minting — hundreds of coins per minute — means plenty of chances for something to go wrong. From subtle die varieties to dramatic wrong-planchet strikes, any mechanical hiccup could turn an ordinary cent into something worth real money. Here’s every documented 1978 penny error with current values.

1. Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) — Two Named Varieties

Hub doubling happens when a die gets multiple impressions from the hub with a slight misalignment between strikes. You end up with a ghost-like doubling of letters and design elements visible under magnification.

Two named DDO varieties exist for the 1978 Philadelphia cent: 1978P-1DO-001 (subtle doubling) and 1978P-1DO-002 (more dramatic thickness on key elements). Minor DDO varieties typically sell for $25–$50. Well-preserved examples with strong doubling can reach $75–$100. An MS62 RB with a double die error sold for $661 at Heritage Auctions in 2004 — proof that a dramatic, well-documented example can bring serious money.

2. 1978-D Doubled Die Obverse — WDDO-001

Denver’s known DDO variety is cataloged as WDDO-001. The strongest doubling shows on “WE TRUST.” Look for a notched lower-right leg on the “R” in TRUST — that’s the key diagnostic, and die markers confirm genuine examples.

Lincoln cent specialists actively hunt this one. Confirmed examples in MS65 RD typically trade for $30–$75 depending on doubling prominence and market timing.

3. Struck on a Dime Planchet — Wrong Denomination Error

This is one of the rarest 1978 penny errors. A cent gets struck on a blank intended for a Roosevelt dime. The result weighs only 2.27 grams instead of the standard 3.11 grams, looks noticeably smaller and thinner, and has copper-nickel composition instead of bronze.

In 2006, an MS64 double denomination sold for $1,035. More recently, an MS63 RD 1978-D struck on a dime planchet sold for $384 at Heritage Auctions in 2023. If you suspect you have a wrong-planchet example, get it authenticated by PCGS or NGC.

4. Struck on a Nickel Planchet — Extreme Rarity

Even scarcer than the dime-planchet error. A 1978 cent struck on a Jefferson nickel planchet weighs approximately 5 grams — way heavier than a normal cent. These typically bring $2,500–$5,000 or more at auction depending on condition and eye appeal.

You can spot it immediately: Lincoln’s design on an obviously wrong-sized, wrong-colored planchet, with portions of the design missing at the edges because cent dies and nickel blanks don’t match up.

5. Struck 45% Off-Center

For accurate striking, the blank has to sit dead center between the dies. At production speeds, blanks sometimes miss that sweet spot. The more dramatic the misalignment, the more valuable the error.

A 10% off-center 1978 penny with a visible date sells for $25–$40. At 50% off-center with a complete date and mint mark, expect $150–$300. A documented 45% off-center 1978 in MS63 BN sold for $105. An even more dramatic 70% off-center 1978-D graded MS64 RB brought $175.

6. Double Struck 80% Off-Center

Sometimes a coin that should have ejected from the press gets hit a second time. When that second strike is also dramatically off-center, you get overlapping designs, a distorted shape, and a coin that looks like two pennies tried to share the same space.

This particular 1978 example had an additional Liberty impression at 80% off-center on the obverse, with the denomination distorted on the reverse. Graded Uncirculated Details RB due to damage, it sold for $170.

7. Repunched Mint Mark (RPM)

In 1978, mint marks were still punched into dies by hand. That manual process left room for wobbles, misalignments, and repunches — where the first placement was off and had to be struck again, leaving a faint ghost of the earlier attempt.

Some 1978-D RPM examples show the first “D” dramatically sideways or offset from the final “D.” Values range from $3–$10 for minor RPMs to $30 in MS65 for dramatic, clearly visible examples.

8. BIE Die Crack Error — Lincoln-Specific Variety

This one’s a favorite among entry-level collectors. A small die crack forms between the “B” and “E” in “LIBERTY” on the obverse, creating a raised vertical line that looks like the letter “I” — so “LIBERTY” appears to read “LIBIERTY.”

It’s caused by metal fatigue in the die during production. BIE examples on 1978 pennies are known and actively collected. Values typically range from $5–$20 depending on the crack’s prominence and the coin’s condition.

9. Cud Die Break

When a chunk of a die breaks away — usually at the rim — every coin struck afterward gets a raised blank lump where the missing piece was. These are called cuds, and they show up as irregularly shaped raised masses along the coin’s edge.

An MS63 RB 1978 cud die break sold through Heritage Auctions for $160 in 2021. Small die cracks add only a few dollars. Dramatic cuds with substantial missing area at the rim command real premiums.

10. 40% Brockage Obverse

A brockage happens when a previously struck coin gets stuck on a die face. The next blank enters the press and gets hit by both the normal die and the stuck coin, which transfers a mirror-image impression of itself.

On this 1978 example, the stuck coin covered 40% of the blank below, creating a dramatic partial mirror image alongside the normal design. Graded MS62 RD, it sold for $125.

11. Struck Through Capped Die

This is the companion to the brockage. Here, a coin adhered to the die surface and gradually flattened with repeated strikes, producing increasingly blurry impressions on every subsequent coin.

In this 1978 example, the struck coin received a blurry obverse design with faint reverse traces. Graded MS65 RD, it is worth about $65. The original capped die coin itself would have shown a mirrored inverse of the obverse on both sides.

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

 

Where to Sell Your 1978 Penny — Best Options in 2026

Got a 1978 penny you think might be valuable? The selling landscape has changed dramatically — today’s best results come from reaching the right collector audience.

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

 

1978 Penny Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About The 1978 Penny Value

1. What is a circulated 1978 penny worth today?

About two to three cents — that’s its copper melt value. Federal law technically prohibits melting U.S. cents for their metal, but many dealers pay above face value for pre-1982 copper cents on a speculative basis. In terms of collector value, circulated examples carry no numismatic premium.

2. What makes a 1978 penny valuable to collectors?

Three things: color designation (RD is highest), grade (MS67+ for business strikes, PR70 for proofs), and errors. A standard MS65 RD 1978 cent is worth maybe $35–$50. An MS67 RD is worth hundreds. An MS67+ RD sold for $4,259 at Heritage Auctions in 2014. Errors like wrong-planchet strikes can add $200–$5,000 or more.

3. What does RD, RB, and BN mean on a 1978 penny?

These are color designations from PCGS and NGC. RD (Red) means at least 95% original copper-red luster — the most valuable. RB (Red-Brown) means 5%–95% original red remains. BN (Brown) means less than 5% red survives. All three require the coin to grade MS60 or higher.

4. How many 1978 pennies have been graded MS67 RD by PCGS?

Only 87 examples of the 1978 Philadelphia cent have reached MS67 RD across PCGS and NGC combined, according to CoinWeek’s population analysis. Just a single coin in the entire PCGS database has ever hit MS68 RD. Gem-grade 1978 cents are genuinely rare despite the billions produced.

5. Is the 1978-D penny worth more than the no-mint-mark version?

In gem grades, often yes. The record 1978-D is $546 (MS67 RD, Heritage Auctions, 2008), while the Philadelphia record is $4,259. More recently, top Denver examples at MS67+ have sold for $280. Pricing reflects registry set demand and certified top-population sizes. In circulated or lower uncirculated grades, both varieties are worth about the same.

6. What is the 1978-S penny, and is it the same as a proof coin?

Yes — the 1978-S was struck exclusively as a proof at San Francisco. Never released for circulation. Proof coins are struck from specially polished dies onto polished planchets, giving them mirror-like fields and frosted devices. Deep Cameo (DCAM) is the top designation, indicating the sharpest contrast between mirror fields and frosted devices. The record 1978-S DCAM is $4,313 for a PR70 DCAM sold at Heritage Auctions in 2008.

7. What is the BIE error on a 1978 penny?

A die crack forms between the “B” and “E” in “LIBERTY,” creating a raised line that looks like the letter “I.” The inscription appears to read “LIBIERTY.” It’s caused by metal fatigue in the die. BIE 1978 pennies typically sell for $5–$20 depending on crack prominence and condition.

8. Did West Point strike 1978 pennies, and how can I identify one?

Yes — West Point struck an estimated 1.5 billion cents in 1978 to supplement Philadelphia. But these coins carry no mint mark. As Walter Breen documented, there’s simply no way to tell them apart. If you have a no-mint-mark 1978 cent, it could be from either facility — both are valued identically.

9. Is it legal to melt a 1978 penny for its copper?

No. Federal regulations have prohibited melting U.S. one-cent coins for their metal content since 2006. Interestingly, the U.S. Treasury revoked a separate older prohibition against exporting or melting coins on June 7, 1978 — but that policy change didn’t remove the barriers that would later apply to circulating cents.

10. What are the most valuable 1978 penny errors and what are they worth?

Ranked by approximate auction potential: (1) Wrong planchet on a nickel blank — $2,500 to $5,000+; (2) Wrong planchet on a dime blank — $200 to $400 in uncirculated grades (an MS63 RD example sold for $384 at Heritage in 2023); (3) Dramatic DDO with strong doubling — up to $661 for the right example (Heritage Auctions, 2004); (4) Extreme off-center strikes (70%+) with full date — $175 to $500+; (5) Cud die breaks — $100 to $160. Always get PCGS or NGC authentication for any error valued above $100.