1980 Penny Coin Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

In 1980, the Lincoln Memorial cent composition was still 95% copper. Three mints minted these coins. Those in Denver and Philadelphia produced regular strike cents, while San Francisco struck proofs. The 1980 penny value depends on the grade and can go from $0.18 to over a few thousand dollars for the uncirculated coins.

1980 Penny Value Chart
Condition	1980 No Mint Mark penny	1980 D penny	1980 S penny
MS 65	$5	$5	/
PR 65	/	/	$2

History of the 1980 Penny

America celebrated Lincoln’s 100th birthday in 1909. For that occasion and the celebration, the US Mint replaced the Indian head cent design with Abraham Lincoln’s portrait. Since then, the penny look has stayed the same, dedicated to the 16th President of the United States.

Abraham Lincoln was one of the most worshiped US Presidents and an eloquent and skillful politician. He earned the nation’s respect and remembrance by saving the Union and creating a possibility of freedom for enslaved ones.

The original design of the Lincoln penny was Victor D. Banner’s work. He was a coin designer and engraver who made a coin which artistic appearance was so popular that it remained unchanged until 1959.

However, the US Mint officials asked for the coin’s reverse redesigning in 1959 to commemorate 150 years of Lincoln’s birth. In honor of this anniversary, designer Frank Gasparro created the Memorial cent with Lincoln’s statue inside. It was the first coin featuring the same man on both sides. 

1980 Penny Types
Location	Year	Minted
Philadelphia	1980 no mint mark penny	7,414,705,000
San Francisco	1980 penny (proof)	3,554,806
Denver	1969 D penny	5,140,098,660
Total	/	12,558,358,466

The next reverse redesign appeared in 2009 to honor two centuries since Lincoln was born. This year, the US Mint produced coins with four different reverse designs, representing different periods of his life. They show the following:

• A log cabin
• A young President reading
• Lincoln as a young lawyer
• The US Capitol in making

The last change of the reverse design was in 2010 when new cents featured a union shield. An American painter Lyndall Brass created it, while sculptor and engraver Joseph Menna implemented it.

Besides these reverse side variations, Lincoln cent underwent a few composition changes. From 1909 until 1982, the cent contained 95% copper except for a short period during WWII. These coins were zinc-plated steel.

In 1982, the Lincoln cent composition changed again due to the copper price increase. Since then, Lincoln cents planchets have been made of copper-plated zinc. 

Also read: 12 Most Valuable Lincoln Penny Worth Money

Features of the 1980 Penny

The Lincoln pennies’ features, design, and composition have changed several times since 1909. For instance, the reverse’s design changed four times. The first was in 1959 when the reverse was changed from wheat stalks to the Memorial. As you can guess, coins minted in 1980 are in a group of Memorial Lincoln cents.

The obverse of the 1980 Penny

Looking at the obverse side of the 1980 penny, you can see Abraham Lincoln’s portrait dominating the design. This coin look has stayed unchanged since 1909 when Victor David Banner created it.

Lincoln’s profile is in the center of the coin’s obverse, facing right. Above it, just below the rim, is the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. The LIBERTY is on the left side of the field, in line with Lincoln’s neck.

The minting year 1980 is visible on the lower right side of the coin, in front of Lincoln’s chest, while the mint mark is below the year. Under Lincoln’s right shoulder, you can see the Banner’s initials, VDB.

The reverse of the 1980 Penny

The look of this side of the 1980 Lincoln penny appeared in 1959 when Frank Gasparro’s creation replaced wheat stalks. The dominant detail on the reverse side is the Lincoln Memorial with President’s statue inside.

On the top of the Memorial is the motto in Latin, E PLURIBUS UNUM, showing the unity of American states. Along the upper edge is the UNITED STATES oF AMERICA, while the ONE CENT denomination is in the center lower part. Frank Gasparro’s initials, FG, are positioned by the Memorial’s lower right corner.

1980 Penny Details
Face value	One cent ($0.01)
Shape	Round
Compound	Copper with a small percentage of zinc or tin
Coin thickness	0.0598 inches (1.52 mm)
Coin diameter	0.750 inches (19.05 mm)
Coin weight	0.109702 ounces (3.11 g)
Edge	Plain

Other features of the 1980 Penny

The 1980 pennies are round-shape coins with a plain edge. They weigh 0.109702 ounces (3.11 g) and have a diameter of 0.750 inches (19.05 mm). Each penny’s thickness is 0.0598 inches (1.52 mm), while the composition is copper with 5% of other metal. This reddish metal makes the coins’ color appealing and diverse, allowing tones that vary from brown to red.

Also read: 13 Most Valuable Wheat Penny Worth Money

1980 Penny Grading

Coin grading is a way to determine pennies’ condition. Experts evaluate their value by checking their appearance and looking for scratches, holes, corrosion, strike quality, contact marks, and errors.

The coins with the most prominent signs of wear are those in Poor grade, and are not collectible. Uncirculated collectible coins are ranked from Good to AU, while the most desirable pennies are those in the mint state.

#	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

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?

1980 Penny Value Guides

The Memorial cents from 1980 are not considered valuable, and their prices vary depending on grade, going from 0.18 to a couple of dollars. Only a few scarce coins can cost a lot.

1980 No Mint Mark Penny Value

In 1980, the Philadelphia mint produced a total of 7,414,705,000 pennies. Their value depends on a grade, and the price of the MS 60-ranked pieces is $0.50. Those with higher rates are more expensive and cost approximately:

• $0.75 for the 1980 penny in MS 61 grade
• $1 for the 1980 penny in MS 62 grade
• $2 for the 1980 penny in MS 63 grade
• $3.50 for the 1980 penny in MS 64 grade
• $5 for the 1980 penny in MS 65 grade
• $7.50 for the 1980 penny in MS 66 grade

The most valuable 1980 cents are ranked MS 67, and their price is at least $10. One of these specimens reached $2,233 at Heritage Auctions in January 2017.

1980 D Penny Value

The Denver mint produced 5,140,098,660 cents from the regular strike in 1980. The average price of the 1980 D pennies in MS 60 grade is $0.50. Higher-rated coin’s value is a bit different, so you should count on the following:

• The 1980 D cents in MS 61 grade cost $0.75
• The 1980 D cents in MS 62 grade cost $1
• The 1980 D cents in MS 63 grade cost $2
• The 1980 D cents in MS 64 grade cost $3.50
• The 1980 D cents in MS 65 grade cost $5
• The 1980 D cents in MS 66 grade cost $7.50

The value of the 1980 D Lincoln cents in MS 67 grade is about $10. However, the price of one specimen sold at Heritage Auctions in September 2007 was $1,093.

1980 S Penny Value (proof)

San Francisco struck 3,554,806 proofs in 1980. Those from PR 60 to PR 63 grades are worth $0.25 to $1. Higher-graded coins cost $1.50 to $8.50, and even those ranking PR 69 are worth a modest $25.

On the other hand, the most valuable are the 1980 PR 70 pennies, with a price range from $1,500 to an auction record of $3,680.

Also read: 17 Most Valuable Indian Head Penny Worth Money

Rare 1980 Penny Errors List

Imperfections in a coin’s design are considered minting errors. Whether they are barely visible to the naked eye or so significant to affect the overall coin shape and design, they make them costly. The 1980 pennies have a few standard imperfections, including:

Doubled die obverse

The DDO error occurs because of a misalliance between the hub and the working die during the hubbing process. In this case, it is visible on the obverse coin’s side, usually on lettering and the minting year, 1980.

No one knows which is the exact number of minted DDO Lincoln pennies in 1980, but they can reach high prices. For instance, one of the DDO error coins in MS 65 grade was sold for $715 at Great Collections in 2014.

Cent struck on a dime planchet

Sometimes during the minting process, the wrong planchet ends up amongst cent planchets. It usually happens when it gets stuck in transporting bin’s crack. Once the stuck planchet gets released, it mixes with penny planchets.

That is how the 1980 Lincoln penny got struck on a dime planchet in the Denver mint. Since the dime planchet composition is copper-nickel clad, you can quickly recognize this error thanks to the penny’s silver color.

Besides, this error coin is lighter and smaller in dimensions than the regular cents and has reeded edges atypical for this coinage type.

Cent overstruck on a dime

This error occurred by striking one coin over another one. In this case, the 1980 Lincoln cent was stuck over the 1980 dime. Therefore, you can see elements of both coins’ designs on one piece’s surface.

You can see the obverse of the 1980 penny that was struck over the dime reverse. A Lincoln profile and LIBERTY from the penny are visible along with the denomination, ONE DIME, in the lower part of the obverse.

Only the first two numbers of the minting year are visible because the word AMERICA covers another two.

The reverse is particularly interesting with the Lincoln Memorial over Roosevelt’s profile. Most of the elements, such as the mint mark, denomination, and date, are incomplete and shuffled.

This coin is unique, so you can’t precisely determine its price. However, one similar cent from 1996 with this error type was sold for $558.13 at an auction in 2014.

Also read: 11 Most Valuable Wheat Penny Errors

Where to Sell Your 1980 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)

FAQ about the 1980 Penny

What makes a 1980 Penny rare?

The 1980 Memorial cents are widely available unless those with errors. As always, some imperfection pieces that occur during minting are collectible and often more expensive than regular coins without any flaws.

Which 1980 Penny are the costliest?

• In January 2003, the 1980 S DCAM penny in PR 70 grade reached a $3,680 price at Heritage Auctions
• In January 2017, the 1980 red penny in MS 67+ grade reached a $2,233 price at Heritage Auctions
• In September 2022, the 1980 S DCAM penny (Thomas Cleveland MSS) in PR 70 grade reached a $2,195 price on eBay
• In July 2003, the 1980 brown penny in MS 63 grade reached a $1,840 price at Bowers & Merena
• In September 2007, the 1980 D red penny in MS 67 grade reached a $1,093 price at Heritage Auctions.
• In May 2014, the 1980 red-brown DDO penny in MS 65 grade reached a $715 price at Great Collections
• In August 2018, the 1980 red DDO penny MS 65 grade reached a $500 price on eBay
• In August 2013, the 1980 red penny in MS 65 grade reached a $358 price at Great Collections
• In September 2005, the 1980 red-brown penny in MS 62 grade reached a $345 price at Heritage Auctions
• In January 2019, the 1980 D red-brown penny in NGC Genuine grade reached a $290 price on eBay
• In April 2018, the 1980 red-brown DDO penny in MS 64 grade reached $261 on eBay
• In May 2021, the 1980 brown DDO penny in MS 64 grade reached a $260 price on eBay
• In March 2023, the 1980 D brown penny in MS 67 grade reached $124 price on eBay
• In August 2014, the 1980 brown DDO penny in AU 58 grade reached a $99 price at Great Collections

How much is the 1980 Penny worth?

The face value of the 1980 No Mint mark penny is $0.01. The MS 60-ranked coins cost $0.20, while you need to pay about $160 for those with the MS 67 grade.

What are the priciest Lincoln Penny?

• The 1943 D Wheat reverse bronze cent (brown) in MS 64 grade – $840,000
• The 1943 S Wheat reverse bronze cent (brown) in MS 63 grade – $504,000
• The 1944 S Wheat reverse steel in MS 66 grade – $408,000