1989 Penny Coin Value: Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

1989 Penny value ranges from $0.01 face value to $8,400. That record was set by a Grade 69 example sold through Heritage Auctions in July 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 buyers are paying today.

 

1989 Penny Value By Variety

This chart breaks down 1989 penny values by grade. If you already know your coin’s grade, jump to the Value Guides section below for exact pricing.

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

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1989 Penny Worth Money

The 1989-D in MS69 Red owns this list. A PCGS-slabbed example hammered for $8,400 at Heritage Auctions in July 2025. PCGS has only graded four coins at MS69 Red for the 1989-D — so each one that crosses the auction block is a major event for registry set collectors chasing modern Lincoln cents.

The gap between MS68 and MS69 can mean hundreds of dollars. On the proof side, a perfect PR70 DCAM 1989-S brought $1,380 at Heritage. Meanwhile, MS66–67 examples sit around $20–$34. One grade point changes everything with these coins.

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

 

History of the 1989 Penny

By 1989, the Mint had been striking zinc-core cents for seven years. The 1982 switch happened because copper prices made each penny’s metal worth more than one cent. The new process was well-established by now, but the year still produced some genuine surprises.

Three mints combined for 12,610,222,305 pennies: Philadelphia struck 7,261,535,000, Denver produced 5,345,467,111, and San Francisco contributed 3,220,194 proof specimens. That’s over 12.6 billion coins — enough to give roughly 50 pennies to every person on Earth that year.

Frank Gasparro’s Lincoln Memorial reverse, which debuted in 1959, would run through 2008. Here’s a fun detail: Gasparro placed a tiny Lincoln statue inside the Memorial on the reverse. Grab a magnifying glass and look between the central pillars. Lincoln appears on both sides of his own coin.

Worth noting: the U.S. Mint struck its very last circulating Lincoln cents in 2025, auctioned as historic “Omega” sets by Stack’s Bowers Galleries. The 1989 penny is now part of a fully closed chapter.

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

 

Is Your 1989 Penny Rare?

To explore detailed rarity assessments and current market valuations for these and other Lincoln cent varieties, collectors can leverage our Coin Value Checker APP for informed collecting decisions.

 

Key Features of the 1989 Penny

Victor David Brenner designed the Lincoln penny’s obverse, first issued in 1909. In 1959, the reverse got a makeover — Frank Gasparro’s Lincoln Memorial replaced the classic wheat ears.

The Obverse of the 1989 Penny

Lincoln faces right at center, with IN GOD WE TRUST arching above. LIBERTY sits to Lincoln’s left. The date and mint mark (if present) appear to his right.

Look at the truncation of Lincoln’s shoulder — you’ll see Brenner’s initials, VDB. Those tiny letters caused a firestorm when the coin launched in 1909. The Mint removed them, then quietly added them back in 1918.

The Reverse of the 1989 Penny

Flip it over and you’ll see Frank Gasparro’s Lincoln Memorial. Grab a loupe and look between the central pillars — there’s a tiny Lincoln statue inside. Lincoln on both sides. That’s a neat trick.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA arches above the Memorial, ONE CENT appears below, and E PLURIBUS UNUM runs beneath the country name. Gasparro’s initials, FG, are located to the right of the monument’s base.

Other Features of the 1989 Penny

The 1989 Lincoln penny has a plain (smooth) edge and a composition of 97.5% zinc with a thin 2.5% copper plating. This replaced the older solid bronze alloy in 1982.

It weighs 2.5 grams (0.08818 oz), measures 19.05 mm (0.75 inches) in diameter, and is 1.52 mm (0.05986 inches) thick. The copper plating gives it that familiar reddish look, but exposure to air tones the surface toward red-brown (RB) and eventually brown (BN).

Grading note: PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) assign 1989 pennies one of three color designations based on surviving original luster: RD (Red, 95% or more original color), RB (Red-Brown, 5–94% original color), or BN (Brown, less than 5% original color). Red coins command the highest premiums. Always check the color designation — it matters as much as the numeric grade.

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

 

1989 Penny Mintage & Survival Data

Philadelphia crushed it with over 7.2 billion coins. Denver trailed at 5.3 billion. San Francisco? Just 3.2 million proofs — less than 0.03% of total 1989 cent production.

Roughly 29–30% of Philadelphia and Denver circulation pennies still exist. Compare that to the proofs: an impressive 85.5% of San Francisco’s output survived, about 2.75 million coins out of the original 3.22 million. Collectors bought those proof sets and tucked them away. That’s exactly what you’d expect.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1989 Penny Value

Grading a 1989 penny comes down to strike quality, luster, and surface preservation. Circulated coins grade from G-4 (heavy wear) through AU-58 (slight wear on the highest points only). Uncirculated coins use the Mint State scale from MS-60 to MS-70.

One thing I’ve noticed: the 1989-D often shows slightly weaker strikes on Lincoln’s beard and hair compared to Philadelphia issues. Pay close attention to those areas on Denver coins. For San Francisco proofs, the PR scale applies, and you want the DCAM (Deep Cameo) designation — strong contrast between frosted devices and mirror-like fields. That’s where the money is.

You can also instantly identify and evaluate your coins using our Coin Value Checker APP, which provides real-time grading estimates and current market values.

 

1989 Penny Value Guides

Three main varieties to know:

• 1989 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia) — Regular circulation strike
• 1989-D (Denver) — Regular circulation strike
• 1989-S Proof (San Francisco) — Collector proof coins with DCAM finish

Philadelphia and Denver pumped out over 12.6 billion coins for everyday commerce. San Francisco focused strictly on mirror-finish proofs — each one struck multiple times with polished dies, producing frosted devices against deeply mirrored fields.

No mint mark on a 1989 penny? That’s Philadelphia. The Philly Mint traditionally skips the mint mark on pennies (except for a special 2017 issue marking the Mint’s 225th anniversary).

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

 

1989 No Mint Mark Penny Value

Here’s a number that puts things in perspective: 7,261,535,000 pennies from Philadelphia in 1989. That’s the highest output of any mint that year. Most circulated examples are worth face value. Maybe a few cents. But top-grade survivors? Completely different story.

An MS68 Red Philadelphia specimen hammered for $4,113 in 2013 — the pre-sale estimate was only $425. If you’re examining one of these, look for the VDB initials at the base of Lincoln’s portrait. That’s designer Victor David Brenner’s mark, present on every Lincoln cent since 1909.

Recent auction records confirm steady collector demand for premium examples.

Here’s how this coin is performing in today’s market.

Market activity score: 53/100 as of Oct 2026 — up 3 points from Jul 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

 

1989-D Penny Value

Would you pay $8,400 for a penny? Someone did. A PCGS-graded 1989-D MS69 Red sold at Heritage Auctions in July 2025 for exactly that. Only four coins sit at that top-pop grade, making each one a trophy piece for registry set collectors.

Denver struck 5,345,467,111 pennies in 1989 — second among the three mints. Standard circulated examples are everywhere. But at the MS69 Red level, this coin is genuinely rare. An earlier MS69 RD example had realized $1,024 at Heritage Auctions on August 20, 2020.

The most extraordinary 1989-D error is a coin struck on a pre-1983 copper planchet weighing 3.1 grams instead of the standard 2.5 grams. One sold for $3,525 at Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ August 11, 2016 Rarities Night sale. An MS65 example of the same error type reached $7,500 in 2018.

Auction records show what collectors are actually paying for 1989-D varieties.

Here’s a chart to help you understand 1989-D penny market activity.

Market activity score: 56/100 as of Oct 2026 — up 1 point from Jul 2026. 12-month peak: 67 (Nov 2025).

 

1989-S DCAM Penny Value

Most 1989-S proofs look great. That’s the point — they were made to look great. But “great” and “perfect” are miles apart. A PR70 DCAM sold for $1,380 on September 17, 2002 at Heritage Auctions. That’s the top recorded price for this variety.

San Francisco struck 3,220,194 proof pennies in 1989, all copper-plated zinc. Every proof penny since 1968 carries the “S” mint mark. Each 1989-S was struck multiple times with polished dies and planchets, then sealed in protective cases — the 22nd consecutive year of proof production at San Francisco.

When you’re shopping for these, always look for the DCAM designation. That stands for Deep Cameo — strong contrast between frosty raised devices and mirror-like fields. Plain CAM (Cameo) means lighter contrast and less value. I think DCAM is the only way to go if you’re buying 1989-S proofs seriously.

Auction records show how 1989-S DCAM pennies have performed across major sales.

Market Activity data reveals a fascinating spike in March 2025 when trend data more than doubled to over 40, followed by renewed vigor in July-August 2025 near 40 — savvy collectors might consider timing their purchases during quieter months when competition is less intense.

Market activity score: 53/100 as of Oct 2026 — up 6 points from Jul 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

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

 

Rare 1989 Penny Error List

Over 12.6 billion 1989 pennies were struck. With numbers like that, mistakes happened. Here are the errors and varieties worth cherrypicking.

1. Off-Center Strike

This happens when a planchet isn’t seated properly under the die. The design shifts off to one side, and the offset is measured as a percentage of the total design area displaced.

Coins at 3–5% off-center are cheap — a few dollars. The sweet spot is 45–65% off-center with the full date still showing. Those run $75 to $200. Dramatic 75–80% examples with a visible date can hit $150–$300 at error coin auctions. Lose the date, though, and you’re looking at $10–$30 regardless of how wild the displacement looks.

2. Struck on a Dime Planchet

Every once in a while, a dime planchet wandered into the penny press. You’ll spot these immediately. They weigh only 2.268 grams (vs. the normal 2.5 grams) and measure 17.91 mm in diameter (vs. 19.05 mm).

The smaller blank means the design gets cut off at the edges. Plus, the silver-colored clad composition jumps out against a pile of copper-toned cents. A 1989 penny struck on a dime planchet graded MS66 has sold for $998 at auction. Typical examples range from $300 to $1,500 depending on planchet type and condition.

3. Struck on a Copper (Bronze) Planchet

This is the big one. A Denver cent struck on a leftover pre-1983 bronze planchet. These weigh approximately 3.1 grams instead of the standard 2.5 grams. A precise digital scale is your best friend here.

You can also see a color difference — copper planchet errors have a richer, deeper orange-brown tone than standard zinc-core cents. Try the drop test too: copper pennies ring with a higher pitch on a hard surface, while zinc pennies sound dull. Verified examples range from $3,525 (Stack’s Bowers, 2016) to $7,500 (2018, MS65 grade). Only a handful are confirmed to exist.

4. Wide AM Variety

This one flies under the radar in older references. The 1989-D Wide AM happened when a proof reverse die — with wider spacing between the “A” and “M” in AMERICA — was accidentally used to strike regular circulation coins.

Here’s how to check. Look at AMERICA on the reverse under 10x magnification. On a normal 1989 penny, the bases of the A and M nearly touch. On the Wide AM, there’s clear daylight between them. Don’t confuse true doubled dies (crisp, well-defined doubling) with machine doubling (flat, shelf-like). Wide AM varieties for this era can bring strong premiums in higher grades.

5. Doubled Die Obverse or Reverse (DDO / DDR)

Doubled dies happen during die manufacturing when design elements get impressed twice at slightly different angles. The doubling can show up on the date, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, or Lincoln’s portrait details.

DDO affects the obverse. DDR affects the reverse. Subtle doubling might add $10–$50. Strong, clearly separated doubling commands significantly more. Always compare under magnification against verified reference images — that’s how you separate a real doubled die from worthless post-mint damage.

6. Fold-Over Strike

These are dramatic. A planchet gets caught in an odd position during striking and literally folds back on itself. The result is a coin that looks like someone bent it in half — except it happened at the Mint.

Fold-overs are scarce and attract serious error collectors. Prices range from $960 to over $1,200 depending on how severe the fold is and the coin’s overall grade.

7. Improper Annealing

Before striking, planchets get heated and cooled repeatedly to reach the right hardness. When Denver’s annealing process went wrong in 1989, the resulting pennies came out with unusual dark or streaky patches on the surface.

These are worth more than standard examples because of their odd appearance. Values depend on how distinct and extensive the discoloration is. They’re not flashy errors, but they’re legitimate Mint-made varieties.

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

 

Where to Sell Your 1989 Penny?

Whether you’ve found a copper planchet error worth thousands or a pristine high-grade specimen hiding in pocket change, the 1989 penny proves that even modern coins struck by the billions can become genuine numismatic treasures. Value isn’t always about age — it’s about recognizing the exceptional within the ordinary.

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

 

1989 Penny Market Trend

Market interest: 8,970 collectors tracking this coin as of Oct 2026 — up 1,000 from Mar 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

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

 

FAQ about 1989 Penny Value

1. What is the most valuable 1989 penny ever sold?

$8,400 for a 1989-D MS69 Red at Heritage Auctions in July 2025. PCGS has graded only four coins at that top grade for the Denver mint. With an original mintage over 5.3 billion, that’s a condition rarity of the highest order.

2. How do I know if my 1989 penny is copper or zinc?

Weigh it. A standard 1989 zinc-core penny comes in at exactly 2.5 grams. If yours weighs approximately 3.1 grams, you may have the extremely rare copper (bronze) planchet error from Denver. You can also try the drop test — copper rings higher, zinc sounds dull. Always confirm with an accurate scale before getting excited.

3. What does DCAM mean on a 1989-S penny?

DCAM stands for Deep Cameo. It means the proof coin shows strong contrast between frosty raised devices and deeply mirrored fields. It’s the most desirable designation for proof coins. CAM (Cameo) indicates lighter contrast and less value.

4. What is the 1989 Wide AM penny and how do I spot it?

The 1989-D Wide AM happened when a proof reverse die was accidentally used for regular business strikes. On a normal 1989 penny, the “A” and “M” in AMERICA nearly touch at their bases — that’s Close AM. On the Wide AM, you’ll see clear daylight between them. Use 10x magnification and compare to verified reference photos. This variety is actively sought by Lincoln cent collectors and brings a solid premium in higher grades.

5. Which 1989 penny is worth the most money among common grades?

The 1989-D in MS69 Red is the ultimate prize — only four graded by PCGS at that level. For more accessible collecting, both Philadelphia and Denver cents become meaningfully valuable at MS67 Red and above. The 1989-S PR70 DCAM has sold for $1,380 and sits at the top of the proof series for this year.

6. Are all 1989 pennies made of zinc?

Nearly all. Since mid-1982, pennies have been 97.5% zinc with a thin 2.5% copper plating. The exception is the 1989-D copper planchet error — leftover pre-1983 bronze blanks that accidentally entered Denver’s production line seven years late. Extremely rare. Worth $3,500 to $7,500 depending on grade.

7. What does the color designation RD, RB, or BN mean for 1989 penny values?

PCGS and NGC assign color designations based on how much original red mint luster survives. RD (Red) means 95% or more — the most valuable. RB (Red-Brown) means 5–94%. BN (Brown) means less than 5%. A 1989-D MS65 BN is worth far less than a 1989-D MS65 RD. We always recommend prioritizing red examples if you’re buying for value.

8. How many 1989-S proof pennies were made and how many survive today?

San Francisco produced exactly 3,220,194 proof pennies in 1989. Because collectors bought and preserved these in sealed proof sets, an estimated 85.5% survive — roughly 2.75 million coins. That makes most proof grades widely available. Perfect PR70 DCAM examples, though, remain scarce and command the strongest premiums.

9. Can I find valuable 1989 pennies in pocket change?

Unlikely, but not impossible. Most 1989 pennies in circulation are heavily worn and worth face value. Coins pulled from bank rolls or found in lightly circulated condition could still grade MS63–MS65 RD, worth a few dollars. Off-center strikes occasionally turn up. The copper planchet error and Wide AM variety require deliberate searching with a scale and magnifying glass — you won’t stumble onto those by accident.

10. What is the 1989 penny’s melt value?

About $0.0079 to $0.0089 — well under one cent. Unlike pre-1982 copper pennies (which contain roughly 2 cents’ worth of copper), the zinc core makes the metal value basically nothing. Don’t melt them anyway — it’s illegal under U.S. law. The collector value of high-grade or error 1989 pennies always dwarfs any possible melt value.