1993 Penny Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

The 1993 penny has emerged as a compelling investment opportunity in modern numismatics, driven by the collector market’s premium for coins that have defied three decades of natural oxidation.

While standard circulated examples trade near face value, the investment appeal lies in condition scarcity—pristine MS69 red specimens can command over $18 from their humble $0.14 Good condition value, with the zinc-core composition creating a condition rarity that transforms common mintage into numismatic treasure for forward-thinking collectors.

 

1993 Penny Value By Variety

The 1993 penny value chart below provides a comprehensive overview of what these coins are worth across different mint marks and conditions.

From circulated examples found in pocket change to pristine mint state specimens and special proof versions from San Francisco, this chart reveals the surprising range of values these modern Lincoln cents can achieve. Understanding these values is essential for collectors and anyone curious about whether their 1993 pennies might be worth more than face value.

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 1993 Penny Worth Money

The most valuable 1993 pennies chart reveals a striking dominance of high-grade specimens in red condition, with the 1993-D MS69 RD achieving an impressive $4,600—demonstrating how Denver coins can surpass their Philadelphia counterparts despite higher mintages.

Philadelphia’s MS69 RD follows at $3,120, while the surprise entry of a 1993-S Proof DCAM at $650 shows that even modern proof errors or exceptional specimens can compete with business strikes. The dramatic value hierarchy illustrates a crucial numismatic principle: when billions of coins are minted, achieving and maintaining near-perfect preservation becomes the ultimate challenge that creates rarity.

What’s particularly fascinating is how even lower-graded proof coins with exceptional Deep Cameo contrast can outperform higher-graded business strikes, showing that visual appeal sometimes trumps technical grade.

The dominance of red designation coins throughout the chart reflects the market’s premium for original mint luster preserved against three decades of potential oxidation on zinc-core planchets.

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

 

History of the 1993 Penny

The penny struck in 1993 is one of the series known as Lincoln pennies. More specifically, it’s a modern Lincoln penny, a series that began in 1959.

Its nickname comes from the image on the obverse, a portrait of the assassinated president, Abraham Lincoln. The first ever Lincoln pennies were struck in 1909. That year marked a century since Lincoln’s birth. And it was also an historic occasion in the history of US currency.

That’s because it was the first time a real person had ever appeared on a US coin. Until then, the “heads” side had usually featured Lady Liberty. It was a conscious change from the coins of monarchies like Britain, which bore the head of the king or queen.

But as plans to commemorate the centenary firmed up, the idea of a Lincoln coin gained popular support.  And an artist by the name of Victor David Brenner was commissioned to design the new penny.

The first Lincoln pennies had a design of two ears of wheat on the reverse. But fifty years on, it was time for a change. A new design, depicting the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, was the replacement. And that’s the same image you’ll find on your 1993 penny.

The modern Lincoln penny also differs from the original in its composition. The first coins were made of bronze – 95 per cent copper, with the remaining 5 per cent a mixture of tin and zinc.

There was a change in 1943, when the wartime demand for copper necessitated the creation of a steel penny. But the following year, the penny reverted to its original composition.

Then in 1982, the recipe changed again. This time, the bronze was replaced with zinc. But to keep the new coins the same color, the zinc was plated in copper. It’s this composition that was used for the 1993 penny, and it’s still being used to this day.

If you compare your 1993 penny to a pre-1982 version, you’ll immediately feel the difference. The newer coin is much lighter. And it sounds different if you drop it on a wooden surface. The older penny will ping off the wood, while the 1993 version has a plasticky sound.

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

 

Is your 1993 Penny rare?

For comprehensive analysis of your penny collection’s rarity and potential value, our CoinValueChecker App provides detailed assessments based on current market data.

 

Key Features of the 1993 Penny

Let’s examine the distinctive features of the 1993 penny that help identify this modern Lincoln cent and determine its potential value.

The Obverse of the 1993 Penny

The obverse – or “heads” side – of the 1993 penny will be familiar to anyone who uses American coins. Its portrait of Abraham Lincoln has been gracing the one-cent piece since 1909. That makes it the longest-running design in the history of US coins.

Roosevelt played a key role in the inception of the Lincoln penny. And it was probably his contact with Brenner that saw the artist commissioned to design the coin.

Brenner’s portrait depicts Lincoln’s head and shoulders in profile. He faces to the right as the coin is viewed. And if you look closely at the cut-off at the bottom of the portrait, you’ll see the artist’s initials.

Above the portrait is the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST”. The date is to its right, while the word “LIBERTY” is on the left.

Pennies struck in Denver or San Francisco will be marked with a “D” or an “S” respectively, while those from Philadelphia are unmarked. If your coin has a mint mark, you’ll find it just beneath the date.

The Reverse of the 1993 Penny

The building on the reverse of the 1993 penny is the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC. The image also includes the statue of Lincoln in the middle of the portico. That makes the Lincoln Memorial penny one of the few US coins to have an image of the same person on both sides.

The design was first used in 1959 to mark 150 years since Lincoln’s birth. It was created by the Mint’s Chief Engraver, Frank Gasparro, whose monogram is inscribed to the lower right.

The country name is inscribed above the image, curving parallel to the upper coin edge. Below that, just above the roof of the portico, appear the Latin words “E PLURIBUS UNUM”. They mean “From the many, one”, and refer to the country’s birth as a union of states.

The denomination appears at the bottom of the coin, curving parallel to the lower edge.

Other Features of the 1993 Penny

While the 1993 penny is made mostly of zinc, the copper cladding means individual coins vary in color. When copper is new, it’s a rich red shade. But as it’s handled or exposed to the air, that color changes gradually to brown.

The color of Lincoln pennies is very important when it comes to their value. The independent coin grading agencies assign a color classification to all copper coins.

To do that, they use a strict criterion. That’s the percentage of the total surface area, on both sides of the coin, to be either red or brown.

If a coin is red over at least 95 per cent of its total surface area, it counts as red. If it’s brown over the same proportion, it’s a brown coin. And anything in the middle is classed as red and brown.

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

 

1993 Penny Mintage & Survival Data

The 1993 penny mintage and survival data reveals massive production volumes that define modern coinage, with Philadelphia striking nearly 5.7 billion and Denver producing over 6.4 billion coins—combining for more than 12 billion pennies released into circulation.

Despite these staggering mintage numbers, survival rates of approximately 37% for Philadelphia and 33% for Denver specimens indicate that billions have been lost, damaged, or removed from collectible condition over the past three decades. The proof coins from San Francisco, with just 3.4 million minted, demonstrate an impressive 85.5% survival rate, reflecting their protected status as collector items from inception.

The survival distribution chart illustrates the overwhelming dominance of business strikes in today’s market, with Philadelphia and Denver coins sharing equal representation while proof specimens remain a tiny fraction of available examples.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1993 Penny Value

Accurate 1993 penny valuation requires systematic examination of mint mark (Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco proof), color designation (RD/RB/BN), and grade condition.

Red specimens maintaining 95%+ original luster can command $3,120-$4,600 in MS69 grades, while Red-Brown and Brown designations typically trade near face value. The zinc-core composition with thin copper plating creates exceptional susceptibility to spotting and oxidation, making high-grade preservation critical to value determination.

San Francisco Deep Cameo proofs feature mirror fields and frosted devices, with PR70 specimens reaching premium valuations. The dramatic value disparity reflects preservation challenges over three decades.

The CoinValueChecker App delivers professional-grade analysis through advanced image recognition—identifying varieties, assessing condition, and providing real-time market valuations instantly.

 

1993 Penny Value Guides

• 1993 No Mint Mark Penny (Philadelphia)
• 1993-D Penny (Denver)
• 1993-S Proof DCAM Penny (San Francisco)

The 1993 penny varieties represent distinct collecting paths that cater to every budget and specialization within modern numismatics.

Philadelphia and Denver business strikes dominate circulation finds, yet their value spreads reveal fascinating market dynamics—from face value in average condition to four-figure prices for pristine MS69 red specimens that have defied three decades of environmental exposure. San Francisco’s proof offerings include both standard red proofs and coveted Deep Cameo specimens with dramatic contrast between frosted devices and mirror fields.

Error varieties add another dimension to collecting, with doubled dies and off-center strikes commanding substantial premiums across all three mints.

Whether you’re searching pocket change for high-grade business strikes, pursuing registry-quality proofs, or hunting valuable minting errors, the 1993 penny series offers multiple avenues for discovery and potential profit in today’s evolving collector market.

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

 

1993 No Mint Mark Penny Value

The 1993 No Mint Mark penny represents Philadelphia’s massive contribution during America’s economic recovery, with nearly 5.7 billion coins struck as the nation emerged from the early 1990s recession.

The value hierarchy for 1993 Philadelphia pennies demonstrates the extreme importance of color preservation. Red (RD) specimens maintaining 95% or more of their original mint brilliance command extraordinary premiums—MS69 red examples can reach nearly $4,000.

In contrast, Red-Brown (RB) and Brown (BN) examples typically trade near face value unless they possess rare mint errors like the famous 1993 Doubled Die Obverse.

This dramatic disparity reflects the collector market’s premium for coins that have defied three decades of natural oxidation. The zinc-core composition with thin copper plating makes these coins highly susceptible to spotting and environmental damage, creating a condition rarity that transforms common mintage into numismatic treasure.

Recent auction records reveal consistent collector competition for high-grade red specimens, demonstrating sustained market recognition of condition scarcity despite massive original mintages.

Market activity data shows notable spikes throughout 2024-2025, particularly in March when trading volume surged, reflecting growing collector awareness of this modern penny’s investment potential.

 

1993-D Penny Value

The 1993-D penny represents Denver’s record-breaking production during America’s economic recovery, with over 6.4 billion coins struck—the highest mintage among all 1993 varieties.

The “D” mint mark beneath the date identifies this Denver issue, though these coins often trade at slight discounts to Philadelphia counterparts despite Denver’s higher mintage for 1993.

The 1993-D’s zinc-core composition creates significant preservation challenges, as the thin copper plating is highly susceptible to environmental damage.

This natural degradation has made fully red (RD) specimens increasingly scarce, with MS69 RD examples reaching around $2,300. The auction record stands at $4,600 for an MS69 specimen sold in June 2010, demonstrating how exceptional preservation can multiply value exponentially.

Red-Brown (RB) specimens showing partial oxidation typically trade for under $100 even in high grades, while Brown (BN) examples generally fetch modest premiums above face value.

The auction record chart illustrates the dramatic value curve that rewards patient collectors who can identify superior strikes among billions of survivors.

Market activity data reveals sustained collector engagement with periodic surges, reflecting the ongoing hunt for condition-census examples that represent the pinnacle of modern penny preservation.

 

1993-S Proof DCAM Penny Value

The 1993-S Proof DCAM penny represents San Francisco’s exclusive collector production with a limited mintage of 3.4 million specimens featuring Deep Cameo contrast between frosted devices and mirror fields.

The coin maintains the post-1982 zinc-core composition, which presents unique preservation challenges even for proof coins.

Despite being immediately sealed in protective cases with an 85.5% survival rate, these proofs can develop milk spots or hazing over time. The value hierarchy shows modest but steady appreciation—PR69 DCAM examples typically trade between $10-$18, while PR70 DCAM creates notable premiums, typically trading around $35.

According to records, the highest auction price for a proof specimen reached $650, demonstrating how perfect Deep Cameo specimens can multiply value even for modern proofs.

The price progression chart reveals modest but steady appreciation across grades, with perfect PR70 specimens commanding only modest premiums over near-perfect examples.

Market activity shows consistent collector interest with periodic spikes, particularly during peak collecting seasons when registry set builders actively seek top-graded examples to complete their modern proof penny collections.

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

 

Rare 1993 Penny Error List

While billions of 1993 pennies were struck across three mint facilities, the high-speed production necessary to meet circulation demands inevitably created fascinating minting errors. These mistakes, ranging from dramatic doubled dies to off-center strikes, transform ordinary pocket change into numismatic treasures worth hundreds or even thousands of times face value. Here are the most significant 1993 penny errors that collectors actively pursue:

1. 1993 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)

The 1993 DDO variety displays prominent doubling on Lincoln’s portrait and the inscriptions, particularly visible on “LIBERTY” and the date where secondary impressions create a distinctive shadow effect. This error occurred when the die received multiple impressions at slightly different angles during the hubbing process, creating clear separation between design elements.

Red specimens with strong doubling can command over $650 in high grades, as the brilliant copper surface provides maximum contrast to showcase the doubled features, making this one of the most visually striking errors from the 1990s.

1993 Doubled Die Reverse (DDR)

The 1993 DDR features dramatic doubling on the Lincoln Memorial, with the columns and steps showing clear secondary impressions that give the building an almost three-dimensional appearance.

The doubling extends to “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “ONE CENT,” creating a spectacular display across the entire reverse.

This variety is particularly prized when found on proof coins, where the mirror fields and frosted devices amplify the visual impact of the doubling, with some examples reaching several hundred dollars depending on the strength of the doubling and overall preservation.

3. 1993 Off-Center Strike

Off-center strikes occur when the planchet isn’t properly seated in the collar during striking, resulting in designs that are shifted dramatically from their intended position. The 1993 off-center errors range from minor 5-10% shifts that show slight crescents of blank planchet, to dramatic 50% or greater displacements where half the design is missing entirely.

Values increase exponentially with the percentage off-center, with the most desirable examples showing a complete date while being 25-50% off-center, commanding prices from $25 to over $200 depending on the dramatic nature of the error.

4. 1993 Struck on Wrong Planchet

Among the rarest 1993 errors are coins struck on incorrect planchets intended for other denominations, such as dime planchets or foreign coin blanks that accidentally entered the penny production line. These wrong planchet errors create fascinating specimens with the penny design on undersized or oversized blanks, often with different metal compositions visible at the edges.

When authenticated, these errors can reach four-figure values, as they represent dramatic mint mistakes that escaped quality control and entered circulation.

5. 1993 Die Crack and Cud Errors

Die cracks appear as raised lines on the coin’s surface when fractures develop in the striking die, while cuds form when pieces of the die actually break away, leaving blob-like raised areas on the struck coins.

The 1993 penny die cracks range from minor lines across Lincoln’s bust to dramatic breaks that span the entire coin, with major cud errors that obliterate portions of the design being particularly valuable. These progressive die failures document the intense pressure of producing billions of coins, with significant examples worth $50 to $300 depending on size and location.

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

 

Where to Sell Your 1993 penny ?

Ready to turn your 1993 penny discovery into cash? Whether you’ve found a pristine red specimen worth thousands or an exciting error variety, today’s vibrant collector market offers multiple exciting venues to maximize your treasure’s value—from online marketplaces buzzing with eager bidders to local coin shows where enthusiasts hunt for their next great find. Happy selling, and may your penny bring you profits far beyond its humble one-cent face value!

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

 

1993 Penny Market Trend

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

 

FAQ about the 1993 Penny

 1. What makes a 1993 penny rare?

Despite over 12 billion 1993 pennies being minted, true rarity emerges from exceptional preservation and minting errors. The zinc-core composition with thin copper plating makes these coins highly susceptible to spotting, oxidation, and environmental damage, meaning specimens that retain their original brilliant red luster after three decades are extraordinarily scarce.

Significant minting errors like the 1993 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO), which displays prominent doubling on “LIBERTY” and the date, transform ordinary pocket change into coveted collectibles. Off-center strikes, wrong planchet errors, and die cracks add further collecting interest.

Even proof specimens from San Francisco, despite being made specifically for collectors, become rare in perfect Deep Cameo condition due to the zinc’s tendency to develop milk spots or hazing over time.

The paradox of the 1993 penny is that massive production numbers make finding one easy, but finding one in exceptional condition or with dramatic errors makes it genuinely rare.

2. Is a 1993 penny worth anything?

In the vast majority of cases, a 1993 penny will be worth only its face value. But if it’s a red coin in excellent uncirculated condition, or it has an interesting error, it can be worth more.

Mint state coins range in value from a dollar to almost $5,000, depending on their condition and mint mark. Error coins can be worth anything from a few dollars to five figures, depending on the rarity of the error.