2002 Penny Coin Value: Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

2002 Penny value ranges from $0.01 face value to $6,613. That record was set by a Grade 66 example sold through Heritage Auctions in May 2003. 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 collectors are paying today.

 

2002 Penny Value By Variety: Philadelphia, Denver & San Francisco

Three mints struck 2002 pennies—Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (D), and San Francisco (S, proof only). Most are worth face value. The real money shows up at the top grades and on error coins.

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 2002 Penny Value Worth Money

The coin sitting at #1 isn’t what you’d expect. It’s not a perfect-grade business strike or a flawless proof. It’s a 2002-S penny that was accidentally struck on a Roosevelt dime planchet—smaller than normal, silvery instead of copper, and completely wrong in every way that makes it completely right for error collectors. PCGS graded it PR66 DCAM, and it hammered for $6,613 at Heritage Auctions in May 2003.

Below that freak coin, the list follows a more predictable pattern. Philadelphia and Denver MS69 RD examples lead the business strikes at $186 and $132 respectively. PCGS has slabbed only 111 of the 2002-P in MS69 RD—that’s true top-pop territory out of 3.26 billion minted. Drop to MS68 and you’re looking at $20–$25. MS67 coins trade around $18–$22. Here’s a quirk worth noting: a perfect PR70 DCAM proof trades at roughly $92, which is actually less than a business strike MS69. Standard PR69 and PR68 DCAM proofs sit near $14–$17. If you’re just getting started collecting, those proofs are a bargain way to own a certified coin.

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

 

History Of The 2002 Penny Value And Lincoln Memorial Design

By 2002, the Lincoln Memorial reverse had been on the penny for 44 years straight. Victor David Brenner’s 1909 Lincoln portrait still graced the obverse. Frank Gasparro’s Memorial design still held down the back.

Gasparro won an internal Mint competition for the reverse and served as Chief Engraver from 1965 to 1981. His initials “FG” sit at the lower-right base of the Memorial building. Fun fact: the position of those initials is actually one of the quickest ways to spot a Wide AM variety. On proof-style dies, the “FG” sits noticeably closer to the building than on standard business-strike dies.

The coin’s composition had been copper-plated zinc since 1982—97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper—weighing 2.5 grams instead of the old 3.11 grams for pre-1982 copper cents. Pick up a 1981 and a 2002 back to back. You’ll feel the difference instantly.

Production was enormous. Philadelphia struck about 3.26 billion coins. Denver cranked out 4.03 billion. That’s over 7.2 billion pennies for circulation. San Francisco added just 2,277,720 proof specimens for collector sets.

The 2002 penny landed six years before the Memorial design was retired in 2008, replaced by the 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial series and eventually the Shield reverse still in use today. I think what makes 2002 interesting for error hunters is the timing—the Mint was phasing in tighter quality control, but the old systems hadn’t fully caught up yet. Errors that slipped through are scarcer than earlier years, which makes the survivors more collectible.

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

 

 

Is Your 2002 Penny Value High Or Low? Rarity Chart

Use our Coin Identifier and Value App to evaluate any 2002 pennies you discover and determine their current market significance beyond standard face value.

 

Key Features That Affect Your 2002 Penny Value

In the coin world, the heads or front side of a coin is called its obverse while the back or tails side is the reverse and the thin side is the edge. The edge sometimes has ridges called reeds, and it often has a raised border called a rim or collar. The images on a coin are called devices while the words are mottos or legends. The blank disc that makes a coin is called a planchet.

The Obverse Of The 2002 Penny

Lincoln faces right, designed by Victor David Brenner in 1909. “LIBERTY” sits behind his neck on the left. “IN GOD WE TRUST” arcs along the top rim.

The date “2002” appears in front of Lincoln’s chest. The mint mark (D for Denver, nothing for Philadelphia) sits directly below the date. Look closely at Lincoln’s shoulder truncation—you’ll spot Brenner’s tiny “VDB” initials. They were famously yanked off the coin from 1909 to 1918 after public outcry over their size, then quietly added back in 1918 at a much smaller scale.

The Reverse Of The 2002 Penny

Flip it over and you’ll see Frank Gasparro’s Lincoln Memorial, introduced in 1959. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curves along the top rim, “E PLURIBUS UNUM” sits below that, and “ONE CENT” runs across the bottom.

Look between the Memorial’s central columns—Lincoln’s seated statue is visible inside. That makes this the only regular U.S. coin showing the same person on both sides. Gasparro’s “FG” initials appear on the right side of the Memorial’s base. On the rare Wide AM variety (covered in the Errors section), those initials sit closer to the building than on standard circulation coins.

Other Features Of The 2002 Penny

The 2002 penny weighs 2.5 grams and measures 19.05 millimeters in diameter with a smooth, plain edge. It’s 97.5% zinc with 2.5% copper plating—looks like copper, but it’s mostly zinc underneath.

Thickness comes in at 1.52 millimeters. This copper-plated zinc makeup has been standard since 1982, replacing the heavier 95% copper alloy used from 1909 through 1981.

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

 

2002 Penny Value: Mintage & Survival Data

Philadelphia struck 3,260,800,000 pennies. Denver beat that with 4,028,055,000. Combined, that’s over 7.28 billion pennies for circulation. San Francisco added just 2,277,720 proofs for collectors.

About half the business strikes still survive after two decades—roughly 1.63 billion from Philadelphia and 2.01 billion from Denver. To put that in perspective, there are enough surviving 2002 pennies to give one to every person in North America and still have leftovers. That’s why circulated examples are worth a cent.

Proof coins tell a different story. A 93.1% survival rate means over 2.1 million specimens are still out there in collections. Collectors buy proof sets and store them properly, so very few get lost or damaged.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 2002 Penny Value

Knowing your 2002 penny’s true worth starts with identifying key details: the mint mark (P, D, or S) under the date, surface luster, and strike sharpness.

Most circulated examples remain at face value, while uncirculated pieces range from $1–$8 depending on color grade. Special varieties like the Wide AM error—where the A and M in AMERICA don’t touch—can command significant premiums. Proof coins from San Francisco also carry added value.

Instead of spending hours studying grading charts and tracking market prices, get instant, accurate results with our Coin Identifier and Value App to check the grade directly.

 

2002 Penny Value Guides By Mint And Grade

2002 Penny Varieties

• 2002 No Mint Mark (Philadelphia) – 3.26 billion minted for circulation
• 2002-D (Denver) – Approximately 4.03 billion minted, highest production of the year
• 2002-S Proof DCAM (San Francisco) – About 2.28 million proof coins for collectors

Three varieties, three mints. Philadelphia and Denver combined for over 7.28 billion circulation strikes. San Francisco only made proofs—Deep Cameo (DCAM) coins with mirror-like fields and heavily frosted devices.

Color designation splits each variety into separate value tiers. Red (RD) means at least 95% of the original bright copper luster survives. Red-Brown (RB) means 5%–95% red remains. Brown (BN) means less than 5% original red is left. A Red-certified MS65 penny can be worth three to five times more than the same grade in Brown. Always check color first when you’re evaluating your 2002 Penny Value.

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

 

2002 No Mint Mark Penny Value: Philadelphia Business Strikes

Here’s a number that sounds impossible: 3,260,800,000 pennies from one facility in one year. Yet only 111 have been slabbed MS69 RD by PCGS. Nothing grades higher. One of those MS69 coins sold for $156 in a 2019 auction.

MS67 RD specimens are easy to find and cheap. MS68 gets trickier—scarce enough to attract competitive bidding, but not so rare that you’ll empty your wallet. MS69 RD is where the real conditional rarity kicks in.

Color makes a huge difference to your 2002 Penny Value here. Red (RD) coins with full original copper brilliance dominate the premium market. Red-Brown (RB) examples typically sell for 40–60% of comparable RD prices. Brown (BN) coins appeal mostly to budget collectors filling holes—an MS68 BN brought just $21 on eBay in July 2021, while an MS68 RD commands many times more.

Recent auction results show consistent demand for high-grade specimens.

Market activity remained steady through winter, experienced a sharp spike in early spring, then moderated through the summer months.

Market activity score: 44/100 as of Oct 2026 — down 3 points from Jul 2026. 12-month peak: 47 (Jul 2026).

 

2002-D Penny Value: Denver Business Strikes

Think all 2002-D pennies are worth a cent? A die cap error from Denver sold for $1,450 at Stacks Bowers in 2007. Even standard business strikes can surprise you—an MS69 RD hammered for $376 at Heritage Auctions in January 2015, more than $140 above typical MS69 pricing.

Denver led all three mints with 4,028,055,000 pennies struck. A standard MS65 Red goes for about $4.10. Nothing exciting. But at the top grades, everything changes fast.

Red (RD) specimens show Denver’s quality control at its best—full blazing copper surfaces with no toning. Red-Brown (RB) coins display warm chocolate undertones and typically sell for 30–50% of RD values at comparable grades.

Brown (BN) examples flood the market. An MS68 BN sold for just $21 on eBay in July 2021. An MS68 RB brought $29 in September 2022. That gap shows you exactly why color grade is the first thing serious buyers check when evaluating 2002-D Penny Value.

Auction records show relatively stable pricing over the years, with occasional bumps from shifting collector interest.

Market activity spiked dramatically in March 2025 after maintaining steady levels through winter, then moderated in spring before rising again during the summer months.

Market activity score: 46/100 as of Oct 2026 — down 4 points from Jul 2026. 12-month peak: 50 (Jul 2026).

 

2002-S DCAM Penny Value: San Francisco Proof Coins

Can you own a certified, gorgeous coin for under $15? With 2002-S proofs, absolutely. PR69 DCAM examples trade near $14. Even PR70 DCAM coins sit around $54. We think these are some of the best values in modern numismatics for new collectors.

San Francisco minted 2,277,720 proof pennies in 2002, all for collector sets. Polished planchets got multiple strikes from specially prepared dies, producing that Deep Cameo contrast—mirror-like fields with heavily frosted devices. Lincoln’s portrait shows razor-sharp detail. The Memorial’s columns pop off the surface.

The king of the entire 2002 penny series is a San Francisco coin, though—and it’s a wrong-planchet freak. Penny dies accidentally struck a blank meant for a Roosevelt dime. The result was smaller than normal, silvery instead of copper, and absolutely one-of-a-kind. PCGS graded it PR66 DCAM, and it sold for $6,613 at Heritage Auctions in May 2003. Standard PR66 DCAM examples? Those trade in the $5–$10 range.

Auction records reflect steady demand for proof specimens, with premium examples consistently pulling stronger prices.

Market activity doubled in March 2025 after maintaining baseline levels through winter, then fluctuated moderately before surging again in July.

Market activity score: 50/100 as of Oct 2026 — up 3 points from Jul 2026. 12-month peak: 53 (Aug 2026).

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

 

Rare 2002 Penny Value Errors List With Pictures

Older coins have lots of mint mistakes that can double or even triple the resale price of a coin. But modern pieces are typically computerized, and the digital process drastically cuts down the presence of mint errors.

That said, 2002 is actually a notable year—the U.S. Mint’s enhanced quality control was still being phased in, meaning some errors did escape. Here are the most important 2002 Penny errors and what they’re worth.

1. Wide AM Variety Error

This is the cherrypicker’s dream in the 2002 series. It only exists on Philadelphia (no mint mark) pennies. On a normal 2002 circulation cent, the A and M in AMERICA nearly touch at their bases—that’s the correct “Close AM” for business strikes.

The Wide AM happened because Philadelphia accidentally used a proof-style reverse die for some circulation coins. On proof dies, the A and M sit noticeably farther apart, and Gasparro’s “FG” initials at the Memorial base are closer to the building. Grab a loupe and compare the spacing under good light. Well-preserved Wide AM specimens sell for $50–$300 depending on grade, with pristine MS65+ examples reaching up to $500.

2. Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) Error

DDO errors happen during die production. The master hub stamps the working die twice with a slight shift between impressions. Every coin that die strikes then carries the doubling.

On 2002 pennies, look for a shadow or echo effect on Lincoln’s profile, the date “2002,” or the word “LIBERTY.” Each recognized DDO variety gets cataloged by CONECA (Combined Organizations of Numismatic Error Collectors of America). Minor varieties needing magnification add $10–$30. Strong doubling visible to the naked eye can push a coin to $100–$500 depending on grade.

3. Wrong Planchet Error

Wrong planchet errors happen when penny dies strike blanks meant for other denominations. The most famous 2002 example—the 2002-S proof penny struck on a Roosevelt dime planchet—sold for $6,613 at Heritage Auctions in 2003. That’s the highest price any 2002 penny has ever brought.

If you find a circulation-strike wrong planchet on a dime blank, it’ll look silvery instead of copper, weigh less than normal, and show incomplete rims. Clear dates and readable features bring the strongest prices.

4. Struck 60% Off-Centre Error

Off-center strikes happen when the planchet isn’t seated properly between the dies. The blank shifts before impact, or the feeder mechanism misfires.

You get a coin with the design pushed to one side and a blank crescent on the other. The percentage tells you how far off—60% off-center means 60% of the design is still visible. Collectors pay the most when the date is fully readable despite the dramatic misalignment.

5. Die Cap Error

A die cap forms when a struck coin sticks to one of the dies and won’t eject. That stuck coin becomes a cap over the die face. Every planchet fed into the press after that gets a distorted, mushy impression from the capped surface.

These are wild-looking coins—raised rims, off-center devices, bowl-like curvature. Error specialists love them. A 2002-D penny graded MS65 with a die cap error sold for $1,450 at a Stacks Bowers auction in 2007.

6. Broadstruck Error

A broadstrike happens when the restraining collar die is missing or malfunctions during striking. Normally that collar holds the planchet in place and shapes the edge. Without it, metal flows outward freely.

The result is a coin wider than the standard 19mm diameter, thin and spread out, with weak or irregular rims. A 2002-P broad strike sold for $1,630 at a Goldberg Coins auction in 2020. Well-centered broadstrikes with full design details bring the best money.

7. Clipped Planchet Error

Clipped planchets happen when the blanking press punches overlapping holes in the metal strip. You end up with a coin missing a curved or straight bite from its edge.

Curved clips from overlapping punch holes are more common and sell for less than straight clips. Values for 2002 clipped planchet errors range from $25–$1,150 depending on clip size, placement, and overall grade.

8. Lamination Error

Lamination errors show up when the copper plating separates from the zinc core. Gas pockets or impurities trapped during plating cause bonding failures—copper and zinc expand at different rates, so the layers can split apart.

Peeling laminations reveal the dull gray zinc underneath and create a dramatic look you can’t miss. Values for 2002 lamination errors range from $15–$980. Big, obvious peel-offs command the strongest premiums.

9. Doubled Die Reverse (DDR) Error

Same concept as DDO, but on the back of the coin. During die production, the hub shifts slightly between impressions, creating doubling that transfers to every coin struck by that die.

On 2002 Memorial pennies, DDR typically shows as doubled letters in “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” or “ONE CENT,” or doubled columns on the Memorial building. Most 2002 DDR pennies sell for $15–$75. Clear, dramatic examples can reach $100–$200 in grades of MS65+.

10. BIE Die Crack Error

This one’s a collector favorite because it’s easy to spot. A die crack forms between the B and E in “LIBERTY,” creating a raised bump that looks like the letter “I.” It makes LIBERTY appear to read “LIBIETY” under magnification.

Die cracks are normal wear on high-production dies. BIE errors are popular with variety collectors because you don’t need expensive equipment to find them—a decent loupe does the job. Values for 2002 BIE pennies range from $5–$15 depending on crack prominence and coin grade.

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

 

Where To Sell Your 2002 Penny Value Coins

Ready to turn that 2002 penny into cash? Whether you’ve got a pristine MS69 or an intriguing error coin, finding the right buyer makes all the difference. Online platforms offer convenience and competitive prices, but each has its quirks.

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

 

2002 Penny Value Market Trend

Market interest: 3,300 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 The 2002 Penny Value

1. How Much is a 2002-D Penny Worth?

Most circulated 2002-D pennies are worth one cent. Uncirculated Red (RD) specimens range from about $0.80 at MS63 up to $376 for the record MS69 RD sold at Heritage Auctions in 2015. An MS65 RD typically sells for around $4.10. An MS68 Brown (BN) brought just $21 on eBay in July 2021—color designation drives the price more than anything else.

2. What Is the Wide AM Error on a 2002 Penny, and How Much Is It Worth?

The Wide AM only shows up on Philadelphia (no mint mark) pennies from 2002. The Mint accidentally used a proof-style reverse die for some circulation strikes. On Wide AM coins, the A and M in AMERICA are spaced farther apart, and the “FG” initials sit closer to the Memorial base. Well-preserved examples sell for $50–$300, with pristine MS65+ coins reaching up to $500.

3. How Many 2002 Pennies Were Made?

Philadelphia produced 3,260,800,000. Denver struck 4,028,055,000. San Francisco made 2,277,720 proofs. That’s roughly 7.29 billion circulation coins plus over 2.27 million collector proofs.

4. What Does the PCGS Population Tell Us About the 2002 Penny’s Rarity?

PCGS has certified just 111 examples of the 2002-P in MS69 Red (RD), with zero graded higher. Out of 3.26 billion minted, finding one with near-perfect surfaces is genuinely hard. That’s conditional rarity—a common date that becomes rare at the highest grades.

5. What Is the Most Valuable 2002 Penny Ever Sold?

$6,613, paid at Heritage Auctions in May 2003. The coin was a 2002-S proof struck on a Roosevelt dime planchet by mistake. PCGS graded it PR66 DCAM. It’s smaller than normal, silvery colored, and one-of-a-kind.

6. How Does Color Grade (RD, RB, BN) Affect My 2002 Penny Value?

Color is one of the biggest price drivers for copper coins. Red (RD) means 95%+ original copper luster. Red-Brown (RB) means 5%–95% red remains. Brown (BN) means less than 5% original red. An MS65 RD can be worth three to five times more than the same coin in MS65 BN. Always check color under good light first.

7. How Much Does a 2002 Penny Weigh?

2.5 grams. That’s the standard weight since 1982 when the composition switched to copper-plated zinc (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper). Pre-1982 pennies weigh 3.11 grams. The weight difference also helps identify wrong-planchet errors—a 2002 penny struck on a dime planchet will weigh significantly less than 2.5 grams.

8. What Does a 2002 Proof Penny Look Like Compared to a Regular Penny?

Night and day. A 2002-S proof has mirror-like reflective fields paired with frosted, matte-finish devices. That contrast—called DCAM or Deep Cameo at maximum intensity—gives it a dramatic two-tone look you can see without magnification. Regular circulation pennies from Philadelphia and Denver have uniform, satiny luster across the whole surface without that mirror effect.

9. Is a 2002 Die Cap Error Penny Worth More Than a Standard MS69?

Often, yes. A 2002-D die cap error graded MS65 sold for $1,450 at Stacks Bowers in 2007. A standard MS65 RD goes for roughly $4. Even though the die cap carries a lower numeric grade, its visual drama and extreme rarity make it far more desirable to error specialists. A standard MS69 RD typically sells for $132–$186, so the die cap outperforms it at a much lower grade.

10. What Does a 2002 Penny Look Like?

Lincoln’s right-facing portrait on the front with “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and the date “2002.” The back shows the Lincoln Memorial with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and “ONE CENT.” You can see Lincoln’s seated statue through the Memorial columns—making this the only standard U.S. coin featuring the same person on both sides. Smooth edge, copper appearance, 19.05mm diameter, 1.52mm thick.