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

While the U.S. Mint cranked out over 12.6 billion Lincoln cents in 1989, making them seem utterly common in everyday circulation, these zinc-core pennies hold surprises for collectors who know what to look for.

Most 1989 pennies are worth their face value, but from just 23 cents in Good condition to over $11 in pristine Mint State for both Philadelphia and Denver varieties. San Francisco proof specimens, though produced in limited quantities at $3.89, represent the most accessible entry point for collectors seeking premium 1989 pennies.

We’re breaking down exactly which 1989 pennies are worth keeping and which mint marks will actually pay your bills.

 

1989 Penny Value By Variety

This chart shows 1989 penny values across different grades. 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 1989 Penny Worth Money

The Most Valuable 1989 Penny Chart reveals a striking hierarchy where the 1989-D RD 69 reigns supreme at $1,024, nearly double its nearest competitor—the 1989 RD 68 at $564. Denver mint specimens dominate the top tier, with both MS69 and MS68 grades securing prominent positions at $1,024 and $384 respectively.

Interestingly, the proof coins from San Francisco show an inverse relationship between grade and value in some cases, with the DCAM 60 fetching $290 while the perfect DCAM 70 brings only $175, suggesting that market dynamics for proof coins differ from business strikes.

The chart’s floor sits at just $20-$34 for MS66-67 grades, demonstrating how dramatically a single grade point can impact value—the jump from MS68 to MS69 can mean a difference of hundreds of dollars, making condition paramount for collectors seeking investment-grade specimens.

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

 

History of the 1989 Penny

The 1989 Lincoln penny represents a significant chapter in American numismatic history, seven years after the U.S. Mint’s dramatic composition change. In 1989, the three mints produced a combined total of 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. The 1982 transition from 95% copper composition to copper-plated zinc (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) was driven by rising copper prices that made the metal content worth more than the coin’s face value.

By 1989, the zinc-core production process was well-established, yet fascinating errors still occurred. The most remarkable was the discovery of 1989-D cents struck on pre-1983 bronze planchets, with one example selling for $3,525 at auction. Stack’s Bowers Galleries noted it was “remarkable for an error of this type to exist on a coin so far removed in time (seven years) from the changeover in composition”. These bronze planchets, weighing 3.1 grams instead of the standard 2.5 grams, likely remained hidden in mint equipment since 1982.

The 1989 penny maintained Frank Gasparro’s Lincoln Memorial reverse design, which had adorned cents since 1959. While most 1989 pennies remain common, the year exemplifies how modern coins can achieve significant value through condition rarity or minting errors, demonstrating that numismatic treasures aren’t confined to ancient dates.

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 CoinValueChecker APP for informed collecting decisions.

 

Key Features of the 1989 Penny

Victor David Brenner designed the Lincoln pennies’ obverse and reverse, and the US Mint issued these coins from 1909 to 1958. The following year, the reverse side was re-designed, and officials chose Frank Gasparro’s idea of placing the Memorial instead of wheat ears.

The Obverse of the 1989 Penny

The 1989 penny obverse is identical to the first coins minted to honor the tragically assassinated 16th American President. His portrait occupies the central part of this coin side, surrounded by IN GOD WE TRUST from above.

Besides, the simple obverse includes the date and the mint mark on the right, and LIBERTY struck on the left. The Brenner’s initials, VDB, are placed at the cut-off of the Lincoln’s shoulder after years of intense media controversy.

The Reverse of the 1989 Penny

Unlike original pennies minted for the first 50 years, these from 1989 show the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse. Frank Gasparro was an inventive artist who decided to place a small President’s statue inside the building.

You can see it between central pillars in the very center of the coin. The coin rim surrounds inscriptions UNITED STATES oF AMERICA written above the Memorial and ONE CENT struck below it.

There are also letters FG, representing the artist’s initials. They are located to the right of the monument’s foot, while E • PLURIBUS • UNUM • is underneath the country name.

Other Features of the 1989 Penny

The 1989 Lincoln pennies with the Memorial on the reverse are lovely round one-cent coins with a plain edge. Like other pennies minted after 1982, they contain zinc and copper in a 97.5%: 2.5% ratio.

Their weight was lowered in 1982 from 0.1097 ounces (3.11 g) to only 0.08818 ounces (2.5 g). That was even less than the War Time steel cents’ mass of 0.09524 ounces (2.7 g).

On the other hand, 1989 pennies have kept a standard diameter of 19.05 mm (0.75 inches) and a thickness of 1.52 mm (0.05986 inches).

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

 

1989 Penny Mintage & Survival Data

Looking at the 1989 penny production data, the Philadelphia mint dominated with over 7.2 billion coins struck—significantly outpacing Denver’s 5.3 billion. The San Francisco mint contributed just 3.2 million proof coins with the DCAM designation.

Survival rates vary dramatically across mint marks: while roughly 29-30% of regular circulation pennies from Philadelphia and Denver remain today, an impressive 85.5% of the San Francisco proofs have survived, reflecting their collectible nature and careful preservation by owners. This means approximately 3.7 billion 1989 pennies are still in existence today out of the original 12.6 billion minted.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1989 Penny Value

Professional grading for 1989 pennies focuses on strike quality, luster retention, and surface preservation. Circulated examples typically grade from G-4 (heavily worn) through AU-58 (slight wear on high points), while uncirculated coins range from MS-60 to MS-70.

The 1989-D often shows weaker strikes on Lincoln’s beard details compared to Philadelphia issues. San Francisco proofs are graded on the PR scale, with Deep Cameo (DCAM) contrast being most desirable.

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

 

1989 Penny Value Guides

1989 Penny Categories:

• 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 churned out massive quantities for everyday commerce—over 12.6 billion combined—while San Francisco focused exclusively on producing mirror-finish proofs for collectors. These proof coins, struck multiple times with polished dies, showcase frosted devices against deeply mirrored fields.

From 1965-1967, no U.S. coins carried mint marks due to the Coinage Act of 1965. Philadelphia traditionally doesn’t use mint marks on pennies (except in 2017 for the 225th anniversary), so ‘no mint mark’ typically indicates Philadelphia. Denver coins often exhibit slightly softer strikes, particularly noticeable in Lincoln’s beard details.

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

 

1989 No Mint Mark Penny Value

The 1989 Philadelphia Mint produced an astounding 7,261,535,000 Lincoln cents, making it the highest producer among the three mints that year. One MS68-graded specimen with red luster achieved a remarkable auction record of $4,113 in 2013, far exceeding its professional estimate of $425.

The “VDB” initials near the bottom of Lincoln’s portrait represent designer Victor David Brenner’s signature mark, a traditional feature since 1909. Unlike Denver and San Francisco mints, Philadelphia coins historically carried no mint mark unless specifically required by law or design changes. 

Recent auction records confirm consistent collector interest in premium examples.

Market activity provides a more intuitive understanding of how this coin is performing in today’s market.

 

1989-D Penny Value

The Denver Mint produced 5,345,467,111 pennies in 1989, marking the second-highest production among the three mints that year.

A remarkable 1989-D specimen struck on a pre-1983 copper planchet weighing 3.1 grams instead of the standard 2.5 grams sold for $3,525 at Stack’s Bowers Galleries’ August 11, 2016 Rarities Night sale. This error occurred seven years after the composition change from bronze to zinc, making it remarkably unusual.

According to data, an MS69RD specimen achieved $1,024 on August 20, 2020 at Heritage Auctions. These coins display three distinct color variations: red, red-brown, and brown toning.

Auction records reveal the actual collector demand for 1989-D penny varieties.

Here’s a chart to help you get a clear understanding of 1989-D penny market activity.

 

1989-S DCAM Penny Value

The 1989-S proof penny was exclusively struck at the San Francisco Mint with a mintage of 3,220,194, made from copper-plated zinc. The highest recorded auction price for this coin was $1,380 for a perfect PR70 DCAM specimen sold on September 17, 2002 at Heritage Auctions.

Since 1968, all proof coins have been exclusively produced at the San Francisco Mint, gaining the coveted “S” mint mark. Each 1989-S proof penny was struck multiple times using specially polished dies and planchets, with the coins sealed in protective plastic cases etched with “United States Mint Proof Set”. This represented the 22nd year of continuous proof penny production at San Francisco since the mint’s proof program revival.

Auction records show the consistent performance of 1989-S DCAM Penny examples across major sales venues.

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.

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

 

Rare 1989 Penny Error List

Despite being a modern coin, the 1989 pennies often come with various imperfections. Considering technological progress, the list of errors that occurred during minting is surprisingly high for a less than 25-year-old coin. Let’s see.

1. Off-center

This error happens in the case of an improperly centered coin while a die strikes it. Such a penny has a shifted design, which is measured in percentages. The cheapest pieces are those with 3% to 5% off-center, while those with 10% to 20% moved design cost about $20 to $90.

Collectors prefer specimens with about 45% to 65% shifted design, but even those with higher deviation from the standard appearance are collectible when the date is present.

2. Penny struck on a dime planchet

As a result of human error, sometimes a dime planchet ended up in the machine during the 1989 Memorial penny production. You can immediately recognize such an error as soon as you notice the coin because it looks entirely weird.

These coins never weigh the standard 2.5 g (0.08818 ounces), but 2.268 g (0.08 ounces), making them smaller and lighter. Their diameter is also different. Unlike regular pennies with a diameter of 19.05 mm (0.75 inches), these coins’ diameter is 17.91 mm (0.705).

Expectedly, such cents are incomplete, with missing inscriptions along the edge. Besides, they have atypical silver coloration, making them recognizable in a bunch of copper-toned pennies. These relatively rare coins can cost approximately $350 to $700, depending on their grade.

3. Penny struck on a copper planchet

The 1989 cents are coins made of zinc alloy, but some pieces from Denver were minted on the copper planchet. Mint workers quickly noticed their mistake, and only a few such pieces ended up in circulation. Such a rare and valuable specimen can cost $3,500 to $7,500.

4. Fold-over strike

These deformed pennies occurred when the planchet was positioned in a weird way, resulting in bending or folding during minting. Such coins are relatively rare, and some collectors find them interesting. Therefore, their price range is from $960 to over $1,200.

5. Improper annealing

Pennies with this error appeared in the Denver mint in 1989. The annealing process implies repeated heating and cooling of the planchet, leaving it appropriately malleable. When this process was improperly done, produced pennies stayed partially discolored and cost more than standard ones.

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

 

Where to Sell Your 1989 Penny?

Whether you’re hunting for a rare copper planchet error worth thousands or simply checking pocket change for high-grade specimens, the 1989 penny proves that even modern coins from an era of 12.6 billion mintage can transform from everyday currency into numismatic treasures—reminding us that value isn’t always about age, but about recognizing the exceptional hiding within the ordinary.

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

 

1989 Penny Market Trend

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

 

FAQ about 1989 Penny

1. What makes a 1989 Memorial penny rare?

Most 1989 Lincoln cents are common coins available at the market at any time at affordable prices. However, a few rare and well-preserved, highest-ranked specimens can be worth a few thousand dollars. Besides, a few interesting errors can reach significant sums at auctions.

2. Which 1989 Memorial penny is worth a lot of money?

• The 1989 MS 68 red penny (Memorial) won an auction record of $4,113 in 2013
• The 1989 S PR 70 DCAM penny (Memorial) won an auction record of $1,380 in 2002
• The 1989 D MS 69 red penny (Memorial) won an auction record of $1,024 in 2020