2013 Penny Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

The 2013 Lincoln Shield penny demonstrates compelling investment potential through condition rarity rather than scarcity, despite over 7 billion coins minted that year.

While circulated examples remain at face value, premium grades reveal significant appreciation—MS condition specimens command $29.98 for Philadelphia issues and $9.12 for Denver variants, with Deep Cameo proofs reaching $4.33.

MS67 condition or higher specimens are very scarce and hard to find, creating genuine scarcity in high-grade examples that drives collector demand and investment potential in modern penny collecting.

 

2013 Penny Value By Variety

The 2013 Lincoln Shield penny was minted at three facilities—Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco—with each variety offering different collectible values depending on condition and rarity.

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 2013 Penny Worth Money

The most valuable 2013 pennies demonstrate how condition dramatically impacts worth, even among modern coins with billion-piece mintages.

The 2013 Shield RD MS68 leads at $576, representing the finest known Philadelphia example and highlighting the premium collectors pay for exceptional preservation. Proof coins show different value patterns, with the 2013-S Shield DCAM PR70 reaching $144, reflecting the specialized San Francisco production process.

Denver mint coins occupy multiple positions, with the 2013-D Shield RD MS68 valued at $84 and lower grades ranging from $8 to $28 depending on preservation quality.

The data reveals clear grade premiums, where single-point improvements can double or triple values. Most examples in MS65-MS67 range between $8-28, while only the finest specimens achieve triple-digit prices. These rankings illustrate how modern penny collecting focuses on condition rarity rather than mintage scarcity.

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

 

History Of The 2013 Penny

The 2013 Lincoln cent emerged during a pivotal period in American numismatic history, representing both continuity and economic challenge.

As the fourth year of the Union Shield reverse design, this penny solidified the permanent replacement of the iconic Lincoln Memorial that had adorned the reverse since 1959.

The year 2013 marked a significant milestone in penny production costs, with the U.S. Treasury reporting a $55 million loss as manufacturing costs approached 1.8 cents per coin. This economic pressure reflected broader debates about the penny’s viability in modern commerce.

The Union Shield design, created by artist Lyndall Bass and sculpted by Joseph Menna, was chosen to represent Lincoln’s preservation of the United States as a unified country. This design provided thematic closure following the commemorative 2009 Bicentennial series, emphasizing Lincoln’s greatest achievement of keeping the nation united.

Despite economic challenges, the 2013 penny achieved massive circulation through Philadelphia and Denver mints, with San Francisco producing proof versions for collectors.

This high-volume production established the Shield design’s place in America’s evolving currency landscape, marking the eighth consecutive year of production costs exceeding face value.

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

 

Is Your 2013 Penny Rare?

Use our CoinValueChecker App to assess any 2013 Shield pennies you encounter.

 

Key Features Of The 2013 Penny

The 2013 Lincoln Shield penny showcases classic American design elements combined with modern minting techniques. This copper-plated zinc coin maintains traditional Lincoln imagery while featuring the relatively new Union Shield reverse, creating a distinctive appearance that collectors and everyday users easily recognize.

The Obverse Of The 2013 Penny

The obverse continues Victor David Brenner’s timeless Lincoln portrait, first introduced in 1909. Lincoln faces right with the inscriptions “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “LIBERTY,” and the date “2013” prominently displayed. Brenner’s initials “VDB” appear in tiny letters on Lincoln’s shoulder, maintaining the design’s historical authenticity and artistic heritage.

The Reverse Of The 2013 Penny

The reverse features Lyndall Bass’s Union Shield design, expertly sculpted by Joseph Menna. Thirteen vertical stripes represent the original colonies, while a flowing banner displays “ONE CENT.”

The inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” complete the patriotic design, with both artists’ initials “LB” and “JM” flanking the banner.

Other Features Of The 2013 Penny

The 2013 penny measures 19.05 millimeters in diameter and weighs 2.5 grams, composed of 97.5% zinc with a thin copper plating. Mint marks appear below the date when present—”D” for Denver or “S” for San Francisco proof coins, while Philadelphia issues bear no mint mark, following traditional U.S. minting conventions.

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

 

2013 Penny Mintage & Survival Data

The 2013 penny achieved extraordinary production volumes, dominated entirely by business strike coins intended for circulation.

Philadelphia’s facility produced an impressive 3.75 billion coins without mint marks, while Denver added another 3.32 billion pieces bearing the “D” designation. This combined output of over 7 billion pennies flooded the American economy with Shield cents.

In stark contrast, Rather than mass production, San Francisco facility concentrated on creating premium quality pieces for collectors. The result was just 1.27 million proof coins with “S” mint marks—a tiny fraction compared to the billions produced elsewhere. This specialized focus explains why proof versions command higher prices in today’s market.

While numismatists have carefully documented population data for older penny series, the 2013 varieties remain largely untracked. Meanwhile, the coin’s recent vintage and the billions still in active circulation make accurate survival estimates nearly impossible to determine. 

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 2013 Penny Value

Assessing your 2013 penny’s worth begins with examining its condition and origin. Check for the mint mark—P or D—positioned below the date to identify where it was struck. Most circulated 2013 pennies remain at face value, but uncirculated coins with pristine surfaces and full red luster can reach $1-$5.

Pay attention to strike quality and any unusual characteristics like die cracks or misaligned dies that could increase collector appeal. Proof versions and error coins carry additional premiums in today’s market. Our CoinValueChecker App will check the grade directly.

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

 

2013 Penny Value Guides

The 2013 Lincoln Shield penny was produced in three distinct varieties across different U.S. Mint facilities, each targeting specific distribution channels and collector markets. Understanding these varieties helps collectors identify which 2013 pennies hold premium value beyond face value.

Main 2013 Penny Varieties:

• 2013 No Mint Mark Shield (Philadelphia)– 3,750,400,000 minted; circulated worth face value, uncirculated 10-30 cents
• 2013-D (Denver)– 3,319,600,000 produced; most worth face value, uncirculated command modest premiums
• 2013-S DCAM Shield (San Francisco)– 1,274,505 proof coins; typically worth $2-5, top grade sold for $291

Each variety serves different purposes in the numismatic marketplace, from everyday circulation coins to premium collector pieces designed for proof sets and specialized collections.

 

2013 No Mint Mark Shield Penny Value

The 2013 Philadelphia penny demonstrates how condition dramatically affects value, even among modern coins with billion-piece mintages. While most circulated examples remain worth face value, exceptional preservation creates significant collector interest and premium prices.

Red (RD) specimens preserve original copper luster and command the highest prices, with the record MS68RD example selling for $576 in 2018.

Red-Brown (RB) coins display mixed coloration from partial toning, trading at moderate discounts to full red pieces. Brown (BN) examples show complete color change but still attract collectors in higher grades.

High-grade examples remain surprisingly scarce despite the massive mintage. Most of the 3.75 billion coins suffered handling damage during circulation and distribution. This reality transforms preservation into rarity—finding truly pristine specimens requires searching through thousands of coins.

Consequently, collectors pay substantial premiums for gem-quality examples, proving that even common modern pennies can achieve significant value when condition meets collector demand.

Auction records reveal volatile pricing patterns with notable peak performance followed by market corrections in recent years.

Market activity demonstrates relatively stable engagement levels with occasional surges of heightened collector interest.

 

2013-D Shield Penny Value

The 2013-D penny stands out among Denver productions due to its massive 3.32 billion mintage, making it exceptionally abundant yet surprisingly challenging in top grades.

While most examples circulated extensively, finding gem-quality specimens requires considerable effort. These coins remain common through MS66, but MS67 examples demand serious searching. MS68 specimens become genuinely scarce, requiring collectors to examine thousands of coins from original rolls.

Color designations play crucial roles in determining value.

Red (RD) examples preserve original mint brilliance and command premium prices, with the record MS69RD specimen achieving $2,750 in 2019.

Red-Brown (RB) coins show partial toning from environmental exposure, typically trading at moderate discounts. Brown (BN) examples exhibit complete color transformation but maintain collectibility in higher grades due to their scarcity in pristine condition.

Despite the enormous production numbers, the 2013-D demonstrates how condition rarity creates value. Most coins suffered handling damage during distribution, making truly exceptional examples surprisingly difficult to locate in the numismatic marketplace.

Auction records show fluctuating prices with periods of stronger and weaker performance.

Market activity displays steady engagement with occasional interest surges.

 

2013–S DCAM Shield Penny Value

The 2013-S DCAM Shield penny represents the pinnacle of modern proof coin production, combining specialized San Francisco Mint craftsmanship with dramatic visual contrast.

Deep Cameo designation requires exceptional contrast between frosted design elements and mirror-like background fields. Only 1,274,505 proof coins were produced, making this variety significantly scarcer than business strikes.

The DCAM finish creates striking visual appeal through advanced proof manufacturing techniques. Dies receive special treatment to achieve frosted devices, while backgrounds maintain brilliant mirror surfaces.

While proof coins can exhibit color variations over time, DCAM specimens typically preserve their original appearance due to protective packaging and careful handling during production and storage.

Auction records confirm collector appreciation for top-quality examples. The record PR70DCAM specimen achieved $291 in 2019, demonstrating premium values for perfect examples.

Lower cameo designations and regular proof finishes command more modest prices but remain collectible due to their specialized production methods and limited mintage compared to circulation coins.

Historical sales reveal varied pricing performance with notable inconsistencies across different time periods.

Trading volume reflects fluctuating collector engagement with shifting activity levels throughout different periods.

2013-S Shield Lyndall Bass Penny

The 2013-S Shield Lyndall Bass penny represents a unique collector designation that honors the original designer of the Union Shield reverse.

This special PCGS certification combines the standard San Francisco proof coin with recognition of Lyndall Bass, the artist who created the Shield design that debuted in 2010 and has remained in use since then.

This variety offers collectors direct connection to the coin’s artistic heritage. PCGS provides special certification services that acknowledge original designers, creating premium collectible versions of standard issues. The Lyndall Bass designation transforms an ordinary proof penny into a numismatic tribute to American coin artistry.

Auction records demonstrate collector interest in this designer-recognition variety. The highest-graded PR70 example achieved $138 in November 2015, reflecting the premium that specialized certifications can command.

The combination of artistic significance and limited certification availability makes these coins particularly appealing to collectors who appreciate both modern numismatic history and the individuals behind iconic coin designs.

Market activity demonstrates variable collector engagement with pronounced interest spikes followed by more moderate participation levels.

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

 

Rare 2013 Penny Errors List

Based on available documentation, specific 2013 penny error varieties are not extensively catalogued. However, Lincoln pennies from this era can exhibit standard error types common to the series. Here are the primary error categories found on Lincoln Shield cents:

1. BIE Errors

BIE pennies feature a vertical die crack between the “B” and “E” of “LIBERTY” that resembles the letter “I.” These errors result from aging coin dies developing cracks during extended use. Values typically range from $5 to $15 depending on the crack’s prominence and coin condition.

2. Doubled Die Errors  

Doubled die varieties show design elements appearing twice due to die production issues. On 2013 pennies, doubling may appear in Lincoln’s eye, coat, tie, or lettering, with clear examples visible to the naked eye valued between $25 to $50.

3. Off-Center Strikes

Off-center errors occur when planchets aren’t properly positioned during striking. Examples off-center by 3-5% have minimal premium value, while coins 10% or more off-center are worth $5-10. Dramatic 50% off-center pieces may reach $50-100 if the complete date and mintmark remain visible.

4. Die Deterioration Errors

Various die wear errors including die cracks, dropped letters, and filled dies occur when dies exceed their optimal lifespan. Values depend on the error’s visibility and location, with more prominent defects in key design areas commanding higher premiums.

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

 

Where To Sell Your 2013 Penny?

Whether your 2013 penny fetches face value or hundreds depends on choosing the right marketplace. Each selling venue offers distinct advantages and drawbacks that could significantly impact your final payout.

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

 

2013 Penny Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About The 2013 Penny

1. Is a 2013-D penny rare?

No, the 2013-D penny is not rare. Denver minted 3.32 billion pieces, making them extremely common in circulation. You can easily find these pennies in everyday pocket change, and most are worth only face value.

The abundance changes only in exceptional conditions – while lower uncirculated grades remain readily available, finding perfect MS68 specimens requires searching thousands of coins and can command significant premiums.

2. How much does a 2013 penny weigh?

The 2013 penny weighs 2.5 grams and measures 19.05 millimeters in diameter. It’s composed of 97.5% zinc with a thin copper plating, following the modern penny composition introduced in 1982.

This zinc-core construction with copper plating replaced the earlier bronze composition, making modern pennies significantly lighter while maintaining the familiar copper appearance that collectors and the public recognize.

3. How much is a 2013-S Shield worth?

The 2013-S Shield proof penny typically ranges from $2-5 for standard examples, with only 1,274,505 pieces produced exclusively for collectors.

The highest-graded PR70DCAM specimen achieved $291 in 2019, representing exceptional quality with perfect contrast between frosted design elements and mirror-like fields. Values depend heavily on grade and cameo designation, with Deep Cameo examples commanding premiums over regular proof finishes.