1990 Penny Value Checker: Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

Most 1990 pennies you find in your change are worth exactly one cent. But one specific variety — missing a single letter — has sold for more than $20,000.

That variety is the 1990 No S Proof penny, and it remains one of the most celebrated modern mint errors in U.S. numismatics (the study and collecting of coins). Understanding the difference between a common cent and this rare treasure starts with knowing what to look for — and that’s exactly what this guide covers.

 

1990 Penny Value By Variety

Here’s how the four 1990 penny types stack up at current market prices. If you already know your coin’s grade, jump to the Value Guides section for exact numbers.

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

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1990 Penny Value Coins

The No S Proof error owns this list. Eight of the ten highest auction results belong to it.

Here’s the wild part: a PR60 No S Deep Cameo sold for $9,988 — beating a near-perfect MS69 Philadelphia strike at $7,200. That shouldn’t happen under normal grading logic. A lower grade beating a higher one? Rarity wins every time.

Even within the No S variety, the price spread is surprisingly tight. From PR63 at $1,860 to PR69 at $6,300, values only increase about 3.4 times across six grade points. Heavily worn examples still hold staggering value because so few exist.

Only two regular circulation strikes crack the top ten: the 1990 Philadelphia MS69 RD (“RD” stands for Red, meaning the coin keeps its original bright copper color) at $7,200 in second place, and the 1990-D MS69 RD at $2,938 in eighth. No standard proof coins made the list at all. Collector demand follows rarity, not perfection.

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

 

History of the 1990 Penny Value: A Landmark Year in U.S. Minting

The 1990 penny isn’t just another year of cent production. It marks the end of an era — and the accidental birth of one of the most valuable modern pennies ever struck.

The Berlin Wall had fallen in November 1989, and the Cold War was winding down. Meanwhile, the U.S. Mint cranked out 11,777,959,092 Lincoln cents across three facilities: Philadelphia produced 6,851,765,000 with no mint mark, Denver struck 4,922,894,533 with a “D” mark, and San Francisco created 3,299,559 proof specimens bearing an “S.”

Composition-wise, the 1990 penny used the same formula adopted in 1982 — a zinc core making up 97.5% of the coin, coated with a thin 2.5% copper layer. Rising copper prices had forced the switch from the old 95% copper penny, whose metal value eventually exceeded face value.

A critical behind-the-scenes change was fully in place by 1990. Starting in 1985, the Mint had begun engraving mint marks directly onto the master hub instead of having workers hand-punch them into individual working dies. By 1990, this was standard across all cent production, theoretically eliminating any future “No S” or similar mint mark errors.

But here’s the thing — that transition created one final window for a mistake. A regular mint-state die without an “S” was accidentally sent to San Francisco and used as a proof die. Since staff expected the mint mark to already be on the die, nobody caught it. The result was the legendary 1990 No S Proof cent.

Jim Gullen of New York spotted the error on July 18, 1990, just weeks after the coins reached collectors’ hands. His discovery set off a nationwide frenzy of proof-set searching that honestly continues to this day.

After 1990, the hub-engraved mint mark system made a repeat of this error essentially impossible. That makes the 1990 No S Proof penny the last significant mint mark error of its kind in U.S. cent history.

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

 

Is Your 1990 Penny Value Worth More Than Face Value?

The key difference lies in whether your penny has proof quality and lacks the expected mint mark. Use our Coin Identifier and Value App to instantly assess your coin’s specific variety and rarity rating.

 

Key Features That Determine Your 1990 Penny Value

The 1990 penny sits at a turning point in Mint production — the year hub-applied mint marks became standard for cents. Knowing the physical features, especially the color designation system, is what separates a one-cent coin from a four-figure treasure.

The Obverse Of The 1990 Penny

Victor David Brenner’s iconic Lincoln portrait faces right — the longest-running portrait design in U.S. coinage history, unchanged since 1909.

“In God We Trust” curves above Lincoln’s head. “Liberty” appears behind his neck on the left. The date “1990” sits in front of Lincoln’s chest, and the critical mint mark position is directly below — empty for Philadelphia strikes, “D” for Denver, and “S” for San Francisco proofs.

Look at the shoulder truncation and you’ll spot Brenner’s initials “VDB.” Those were controversially removed after 1909 and quietly restored in 1918. On proof coins, every design element looks especially sharp and deeply defined, with a frosted, almost three-dimensional quality.

The Reverse Of The 1990 Penny

Flip it over and you’ll see Frank Gasparro’s Lincoln Memorial design with Lincoln’s seated statue visible between the central columns. Fun fact: this is the only U.S. coin to feature the same president on both sides.

“United States of America” arcs along the upper rim, with “E Pluribus Unum” (meaning “out of many, one”) beneath it. “One Cent” anchors the bottom, and Gasparro’s initials “FG” appear near the memorial’s right corner. This design served the cent from 1959 through 2008.

Other Features Of The 1990 Penny and Color Designations

The 1990 penny was 97.5% zinc with a 2.5% copper plating, measuring 19.05mm in diameter and weighing 2.5 grams, with a plain (smooth) edge and no reeds.

For uncirculated examples, grading services assign a color designation based on how much original copper luster remains. This single factor often matters more to your coin’s value than the numeric grade itself.

The three color designations are: RD (Red) — the coin retains 95% or more of its original bright copper luster and is the most valuable; RB (Red-Brown) — between 5% and 95% of the original red color remains, showing mixed tones; and BN (Brown) — less than 5% of the original luster survives, giving the coin a fully toned appearance.

Here’s why RD is so tough to maintain on 1990 pennies. The zinc core is prone to forming microscopic gas bubbles beneath the copper plating. Those bubbles expand over time and create surface blisters — instantly costing the coin its RD status. That’s why an MS-67 RD example might be worth $25 or more, while the identical coin in MS-67 BN often brings under $5.

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

 

1990 Penny Value: Mintage and Survival Data

Philadelphia’s 6.85 billion mintage beat Denver’s 4.92 billion by 39%. San Francisco contributed just 3.3 million proofs — only 0.028% of total 1990 cent output. Every San Francisco penny is comparatively rare by mintage alone.

Survival estimates put both Philadelphia and Denver at roughly 2.1 billion specimens each in circulation and collections. But those equal numbers hide a gap: Philadelphia retains about 30.6% of its original mintage, while Denver preserves about 42.7%. That 12-point difference suggests Denver coins saw less wear or stronger collector retention over 35 years.

San Francisco proofs have the highest survival rate at an estimated 85.5%, since collectors tend to store them carefully. The No S DCAM error’s survival is unknown but estimated at fewer than 200 pieces out of approximately 3,700 originally struck — a survival rate far below 6%. To put that in perspective, you could fit every known survivor in a single coin album page.

Worth remembering: 1990 proof sets were sold directly to collectors by the U.S. Mint, so most were carefully stored and never spent. The No S penny was distributed in two types of proof sets: the standard 1990 Proof Set and the 1990 Prestige Proof Set, which also included the Eisenhower Centennial commemorative dollar. If you’ve got an unopened set of either type, you could still have an unexamined No S specimen inside.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1990 Penny Value

Most circulated 1990 pennies are worth only face value, while uncirculated examples in Red (RD) condition range from around 10 to 36 cents. The exception is the extremely rare 1990 No S Proof penny, which commands anywhere from $2,000 for impaired examples to over $20,700 for pristine specimens.

The most important step is distinguishing a regular Philadelphia cent (which also has no mint mark) from the No S Proof. A proof coin will show mirror-like fields and frosted, sharply defined design elements — a regular circulation cent will look flat and dull by comparison. Use the Coin Identifier and Value App to verify authenticity and identify rare mint errors instantly.

 

1990 Penny Value Guides

Four distinct varieties exist for the 1990 penny. Three were intentional; the fourth was an accident worth thousands.

Your starting point is always the mint mark below the date on the obverse. That tells you which facility struck it and whether it’s a proof or circulation coin.

The four main types of 1990 pennies are:

• 1990 No Mint Mark – Regular circulation penny from Philadelphia Mint
• 1990-D – Circulation penny from Denver Mint with “D” mint mark
• 1990-S – Proof penny from San Francisco Mint with “S” mint mark
• 1990 No S – Rare proof penny from San Francisco missing the “S” mint mark

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

 

1990 No Mint Mark Penny Value

How much is a common penny really worth? Depends entirely on the grade — and the color.

Philadelphia struck 6.85 billion of these in 1990, making it the most common variety by far. The Mint traditionally omits the “P” designation on one-cent coins. PCGS CoinFacts notes that 1990-P cents come well struck and are abundant through MS67. Only at MS68 and above do they become genuinely scarce — and that’s where the real money starts.

Color makes a huge difference here. An MS-69 RD (Red) commanded $7,200 at Heritage Auctions in June 2018, confirmed by PCGS as the auction record for this variety. An MS-69 BN (Brown) of the same date sold for $4,300 in April 2022. Same wear level, different color retention — nearly 40% less money.

For lower grades, circulated examples are worth face value. Uncirculated coins in MS-63 to MS-65 RD range from around $0.10 to $1.00. A PCGS-recorded MS68 RD sold for $660 at Heritage Auctions, showing the premium kicks in hard at that grade threshold.

To understand how this type translates into actual value, the chart below records the actual price of auctions.

Market activity patterns reflect steady collector interest, with notable peaks corresponding to major auction events and grading submissions.

 

1990-D Penny Value

Think 4.9 billion coins means nothing special? Check the top grades first.

Denver struck 4,922,894,533 pennies in 1990 — 42% of total production that year and the second most common variety. Through MS67, these are everywhere. But at MS68 in full Red, fewer than 200 pieces are known. That’s a dramatic condition rarity. A PCGS-graded 1990-D MS68 RD sold for $1,020 at Heritage Auctions, and the all-time record stands at $2,938 for an MS69 RD at Legend Rare Coin Auctions in May 2021.

Color quality matters just as much for Denver cents as Philadelphia. RD coins show brilliant cartwheel luster but are vulnerable to tiny copper spots and plating blisters from the zinc core. RB examples mix partial luster with more stable toning. BN pieces have fully chocolate-brown surfaces — most stable over time but rarely seen at the highest grades.

One extremely rare Denver variety deserves a mention: a 1990-D cent struck on a pre-1982 bronze planchet (weighing the old 3.11 grams instead of 2.5 grams) has been documented. This wrong-planchet transitional error would be a uniquely valuable find. Stack’s Bowers sold a comparable 1989-D struck on a pre-1983 cent planchet for $22,325 in February 2014, giving you a benchmark for what these ultra-rare transitional errors can bring.

Historical auction records show the premiums top-grade 1990-D pennies command.

Below is a look at collector demand and market activity for this Denver Mint issue.

 

1990-S DCAM Penny Value

A perfect PR70 for under $70? That’s the 1990-S DCAM in a nutshell.

San Francisco produced 3,299,559 proof pennies in 1990, the smallest mintage among all three facilities. None entered regular circulation — these were made exclusively for collector sets. Planchet blanks were burnished in vats filled with 6mm stainless steel beads to create those watery, mirror-like fields. Die faces were scrubbed with horsehair brushes, and raised design elements were laser-frosted for the contrasting cameo look.

DCAM stands for “Deep Cameo” — the most dramatic version of this contrast. Think heavily frosted white devices against deeply reflective, almost black-mirror fields. Like fresh whipped cream on a black granite countertop. A CAM (Cameo) designation indicates lighter frosting and less contrast, which collectors find less desirable.

I think this is the best entry point into the 1990 proof penny series. A PR70 DCAM sold for $2,358 at Heritage Auctions in 2004, but with over 500 examples now certified at that perfect grade, prices have settled around $65. Heritage Auctions sold a PR70 DCAM for $147 in 2015, and David Lawrence Rare Coins sold the same grade for $66 in 2021 — more supply keeps pushing prices down.

PR69 DCAM specimens, with nearly 6,000 known, trade for only $12. Technically flawless coins for pocket change. That’s a sharp contrast to regular MS69 circulation strikes, which can bring hundreds.

Auction records across grades tell the story of availability and collector preferences for this proof issue.

The chart below shows continued attention to these technically refined coins over the past year.

 

1990 No S Penny Value

Among all 1990 Lincoln cents, two issues stand above everything else: the famous No S Proof Deep Cameo and the scarce No S FS-101 doubled die. These are cornerstone pieces for serious collectors.

1990 No S DCAM Penny Value

This is the coin that launched a thousand proof-set searches.

Jim Gullen of New York first identified the error on July 18, 1990, and it immediately drew national attention. San Francisco had accidentally used a proof die prepared without its mint mark. An estimated 3,700 coins were struck before the error was caught. The U.S. Mint destroyed 145 examples, leaving specialists to estimate fewer than 200 genuine specimens survive today.

You can recognize this coin by its brilliant mirrored fields, deeply frosted devices, squared rims, and — most critically — the complete absence of the “S” mint mark beneath the date. Don’t confuse it with a regular Philadelphia cent, which also lacks a mint mark. The No S Proof always displays that unmistakable mirror-and-frost proof finish.

The No S Proof was distributed in two types of 1990 proof sets: the standard 1990 U.S. Proof Set and the 1990 Prestige Proof Set, which also contained the Eisenhower Centennial commemorative silver dollar. Any unopened set of either type could potentially contain this error.

Auction results confirm the coin’s status. PR68 specimens routinely bring $4,000 to $6,000. A PR69 Deep Cameo reached $20,700 at Heritage Auctions in 2004 — the all-time record. Even impaired or low-grade examples bring close to $2,000. Rarity trumps condition every time with this variety.

This remains the only Lincoln proof cent struck from 1909 to the present that lacks a mint mark. That distinction will never be repeated.

Auction results provide concrete benchmarks for this coin’s performance at competitive bidding.

The frequency of market activity reflects ongoing interest in this particular type.

If you suspect you have a 1990 No S DCAM penny, verify its authenticity and check for other valuable varieties using the Coin Identifier and Value App, which instantly identifies rare mint errors and provides current market values.

1990 No S FS-101 DCAM Penny Value

If you see “FS-101” on a slab, that’s a Cherrypicker’s Guide designation — the Fivaz-Stanton reference system collectors use to catalog die varieties.

FS-101 identifies this as the primary obverse die type for the No S issue. It shares all the hallmark features of the No S DCAM: mirror-like fields, frosted devices, squared rims, and the missing “S” mint mark.

The coin was discovered within roughly 30 days of its release into 1990 proof sets, earning a “First Strike” designation on some holders. That label indicates early certification, not the actual production date. Its visual impact and near-impossible rarity quickly made it a centerpiece for modern Lincoln proof collections.

All genuine 1990 No S proofs belong to the FS-101 variety, but not every grading label lists this catalog number. When it does appear on the holder, it gives sophisticated buyers immediate recognition and can command a small additional premium.

The following auction records chronicle prices achieved across various grades.

Market activity throughout the year shows where this coin stands among collectors.

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

 

Rare 1990 Penny Value Error List

The No S Proof gets all the headlines, but nearly 12 billion pennies were struck in 1990. That kind of volume guarantees other minting mistakes slipped through. Some of them are worth real money.

1. Off-Center Strikes

Off-center strikes happen when the planchet isn’t properly centered under the die. You’ll see the design shifted toward one edge with a blank crescent on the opposite side.

Value depends on two things: how far off-center and whether the date is visible. Specimens 10–50% off-center with a clear date command $50 to $200. Missing the date? Usually $5 to $20. The rarest examples — over 50% off-center with the date still showing — can bring $300 or more.

2. Broadstrike Errors

Ever see a penny that looks too wide? That’s a broadstrike. The coin was struck outside its retaining collar — the ring that normally keeps it at 19.05mm. Without that collar, metal spreads outward, creating a wider, flatter coin.

Unlike off-center errors, broadstrikes keep all their design elements. They’re just spread across a larger diameter. These 1990 broadstrike pennies typically trade for $15 to $50, with the most dramatic examples at the higher end.

3. Die Cracks and BIE Errors

After striking millions of coins, dies develop stress fractures. Those fractures leave raised lines on every coin they strike.

The collector favorite for Lincoln cents is the “BIE” error — a vertical die crack between the “B” and “E” in LIBERTY that looks like the letter “I.” These 1990 BIE pennies are worth $5 to $25. Clearer, more prominent cracks bring the higher prices.

4. Wrong Planchet / Transitional Error

This is the holy grail of 1990 cent errors after the No S. Before 1982, Lincoln cents were 95% copper and weighed 3.11 grams — heavier than today’s 2.5-gram zinc-core coins. If a stray old-composition blank ended up in the production line, you’d get a 1990 Lincoln cent on copper.

A 1990-D cent reportedly struck on a 3.11-gram bronze planchet has been documented. For comparison, Stack’s Bowers sold a 1989-D struck on a pre-1983 copper planchet for $22,325 in February 2014. If you have any 1990 cent weighing 3.1 grams instead of 2.5 grams, submit it to PCGS or NGC immediately.

5. Struck-Through Errors

Struck-through errors occur when something — grease, a cloth fiber, loose metal debris — sits on the die or planchet during striking. The object blocks part of the design, leaving a recessed void or smeared area.

Grease-filled errors are the most common type on 1990 cents. Letters or numbers just look flat and featureless. Minor examples bring $5 to $25. Dramatic struck-throughs that obscure major design elements can command $50 to $150.

6. Clipped Planchet Errors

These happen when the blanking press punches too close to the edge of the metal strip — or overlaps a previously punched hole. The result is a curved or straight missing section on the finished coin.

Curved clips (the most common type) on 1990 pennies typically bring $10 to $30. Straight clips and dramatic double clips — where two sections are missing — can command $40 to $100 or more. Look for a visible “Blakesley effect,” which is a weak strike opposite the clip. That confirms the clip is genuine and not post-mint damage.

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

 

Where To Sell Your 1990 Penny for Maximum Value

For common 1990-P and 1990-D pennies in circulated grades, your local coin shop or eBay is the most practical option. For certified MS-68 or higher examples, Heritage Auctions, Stack’s Bowers, or GreatCollections will reach the widest audience of serious collectors. Any suspected 1990 No S Proof should always be submitted to PCGS or NGC for authentication before attempting to sell, as fakes and altered Philadelphia cents do exist.

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

1990 Penny Value Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About The 1990 Penny Value

1. What is the most valuable 1990 penny?

The 1990 No S Proof Deep Cameo penny, with fewer than 200 known to exist. A PR69 DCAM set the all-time record at $20,700 at Heritage Auctions in 2004. Even damaged examples routinely bring $2,000 or more.

2. How can I identify a genuine 1990 No S Proof penny?

Look for mirror-like fields combined with a heavily frosted, almost three-dimensional Lincoln portrait — that’s the “Deep Cameo” (DCAM) contrast. The coin also has sharp, squared rims and razor-precise details from multiple strikes with specially prepared dies.

A No S penny was never released into circulation. If your coin has no mint mark but shows normal flat luster (not mirror-like), it’s just a common Philadelphia cent worth face value. Grab a loupe at 5x or 10x and the difference is obvious — proof surfaces are unmistakable.

3. What does “RD,” “RB,” and “BN” mean for 1990 penny values?

These are color designations from PCGS and NGC for uncirculated Lincoln cents. RD (Red) means 95% or more original bright copper luster — most valuable. RB (Red-Brown) means 5% to 95% original color remains. BN (Brown) means less than 5% original luster survives.

The price gap is enormous: a 1990-P in MS-67 RD can be worth $25 or more, while the same coin in MS-67 BN may bring under $5.

4. Why are high-grade 1990 pennies hard to find in Red (RD) condition?

Zinc blistering. The 1990 penny’s zinc core forms microscopic gas bubbles beneath the thin copper plating. Those bubbles destroy the surface and kill the Red designation.

Even coins that grade RD when first slabbed can tone to Red-Brown over years if stored poorly. That’s why PCGS-certified 1990-D examples at MS-68 RD number fewer than 200 specimens — condition rarities despite billions originally struck.

5. Were any 1990 pennies made of silver?

No. All 1990 Lincoln cents were struck on copper-plated zinc planchets (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper).

Some may appear silver because the copper plating wore off, exposing the zinc core. Others were privately plated with chrome or another metal after leaving the Mint — those are altered coins worth nothing to collectors. Weigh any suspicious “silver” 1990 penny: a genuine one weighs exactly 2.5 grams.

6. How do I find a 1990 No S penny? Where do they come from?

Only from 1990 U.S. Proof Sets and 1990 Prestige Proof Sets. Never from circulation.

Search any unopened 1990 proof sets you find at estate sales, coin shows, or online. Most sets have been checked over the past 35 years, so odds are slim — but a small number of sealed sets likely remain unopened. Don’t crack one open without first confirming it appears untouched, since opened sets may have been searched and restocked with ordinary coins.

7. What other 1990 penny errors should I look for?

Beyond the No S Proof, cherrypick for off-center strikes ($50–$200 with date visible), broadstrikes ($15–$50), clipped planchets ($10–$100), and struck-through grease errors ($5–$150).

The big prize is a 1990-D cent struck on a pre-1982 bronze planchet — it would weigh 3.11 grams instead of the normal 2.5 grams. Comparable coins have sold for over $20,000. Any 1990 cent that feels heavier than normal is worth a trip to the digital scale.

8. Should I clean my 1990 penny before having it graded?

Never. This is rule number one in coin collecting. Cleaning creates microscopic scratches that destroy numismatic value instantly.

A cleaned coin gets a “details” grade from PCGS or NGC (like “MS-65 RD Details — Cleaned”), which tanks its market value compared to an unaltered coin. Even a dirty, dull coin is worth far more in its original state. Store 1990 pennies in archival-quality, inert holders away from humidity and direct air contact.

9. What is the difference between CAM and DCAM on 1990-S proof pennies?

Both describe the frosted contrast on proof coins. DCAM means stronger, more dramatic frosting — heavily white devices against deeply reflective fields. CAM means lighter frosting and less contrast.

For 1990-S proofs, DCAM is both more desirable and more common, thanks to the Mint’s laser-frosting technology from the late 1980s. Unlike earlier eras when frosting faded after 50–100 strikes, San Francisco maintained consistent DCAM quality through the entire 1990 run. DCAM examples command higher prices than equivalent-grade CAM coins.

10. Is it worth submitting my 1990 penny to PCGS or NGC for grading?

Grading typically costs $20 to $50 or more per coin once you factor in membership, submission, and shipping fees. That only makes sense if your coin could be worth significantly more.

For common circulated 1990-P or 1990-D cents, don’t bother. For uncirculated coins that look MS-67 RD or higher, a suspected No S Proof, or any dramatic error (off-center, wrong planchet, clipped), we strongly recommend professional grading. Any suspected 1990 No S penny should go to PCGS or NGC right away — counterfeits exist (usually altered Philadelphia cents), and certification is the only way to confirm authenticity and unlock full market value.