2019 Penny Value Checker: Errors List, “D”, “S”, “W” & No Mint Mark Worth

2019 penny value ranges from $0.01 face value to $3,606. That record was set by a perfect grade 70 coin, sold through Heritage Auctions in June 2019. Upload a photo below to get a quick value range for yours. You can also scroll down to check recent eBay sales and see what collectors are paying right now.

 

2019 Penny Value By Variety

The 2019 penny series shows dramatic value differences depending on mintmark, finish, and condition — as the chart below makes clear. If you already know your coin’s grade, jump straight to the Value Guides section below for exact pricing.

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

 

Top 6 Most Valuable 2019 Penny Worth Money

The top auction results for 2019 pennies tell a clear story: mintmark and condition together determine whether your coin is worth a dollar or several thousand.

The 2019-W Shield RD MS70 leads all results at $3,606, a price driven entirely by the coin’s historic “first W mintmark” status combined with flawless preservation. A perfect MS70 — meaning no detectable imperfections even under 5x magnification — is the highest grade on the 70-point Sheldon scale used by PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation).

Philadelphia is not far behind: a 2019 no-mint-mark Shield RD 69 fetched $2,575 at auction, proving that even ordinary circulation strikes can command serious premiums in near-perfect condition. The 2019-D Shield RD 69 from Denver achieved $1,400, while the 2019-W Shield DCAM (Deep Cameo — meaning frosted design elements against mirror-like fields) PR70 proof reached $467.

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

 

History of the 2019 Penny

The 2019 Lincoln cent turned 110 years old — a milestone the U.S. Mint chose to celebrate in an unprecedented way. To honor the anniversary, the Mint announced it would include a special bonus penny in each of its three major annual collector sets, with each coin featuring a finish unique to the set it accompanied.

The biggest headline was the “W” mintmark. While West Point had actually produced business-strike cents without a mintmark from 1974 to 1986 (to supplement Philadelphia’s enormous output), 2019 marked the first time any Lincoln cent carried a “W” mintmark on the coin itself, as journalist Paul Gilkes reported in Coin World on February 25, 2019.

Three distinct West Point finishes were created: an uncirculated version for the Uncirculated Mint Set, a standard proof for the Proof Set, and a reverse proof — only the second reverse proof cent in U.S. history — for the Silver Proof Set. None of these coins was ever sold individually by the Mint or released into circulation.

Beyond the West Point issues, 2019 continued the Union Shield reverse design that sculptor Lyndall Bass introduced in 2010. Philadelphia and Denver each struck roughly 3.5 billion circulation cents, while San Francisco produced 1,689,216 traditional Deep Cameo proofs for standard proof sets. The U.S. Mint also reported that each 2019 penny cost 1.99 cents to produce — nearly twice its face value — a fact that adds a small historical footnote to this anniversary year.

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

 

Is Your 2019 Penny Rare?

Verify the complete rarity profile for any 2019 penny variety in your collection through our Coin Identifier and Value App comprehensive assessment tools.

 

Key Features of the 2019 Penny

Knowing what to look for on a 2019 penny helps you quickly tell apart a common circulation coin from one of the coveted West Point varieties. Here’s a quick tour of both sides and the coin’s specifications.

The Obverse Of The 2019 Penny

The obverse (heads side) features sculptor Victor David Brenner’s left-facing portrait of Abraham Lincoln, a design so enduring it has appeared on every cent since 1909 — making it the longest-running portrait in U.S. Mint history.

“LIBERTY” appears along the left rim and “IN GOD WE TRUST” curves above Lincoln’s head. The date “2019” sits to the right, with the mintmark — P, D, S, or W — appearing directly below it.

The Reverse of The 2019 Penny

The reverse displays Lyndall Bass’s Union Shield design, introduced in 2010, showing a shield with 13 vertical stripes — one for each original state — unified under a single horizontal bar at the top.

“E PLURIBUS UNUM” (Latin for “out of many, one”) appears on that horizontal bar, while “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” arcs along the upper rim. A scroll across the shield reads “ONE CENT,” and designer initials “LB” (Lyndall Bass) and “JFM” (sculptor Joseph Menna) appear at the scroll ends.

Other Features of the 2019 Penny

The 2019 penny measures 19.05 millimeters in diameter and weighs 2.50 grams. Its composition is copper-plated zinc — 97.5% zinc with a thin 2.5% copper outer layer — a formula the Mint adopted in 1982 when the cost of copper made an all-copper cent impractical.

All 2019 pennies have a plain (smooth) edge, which is standard for Lincoln cents. The coin’s modest melt value of approximately $0.009 means collector premiums come entirely from condition, mintmark, and rarity — not metal content.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 2019 Penny Value

Color designation is one of the biggest factors in 2019 penny values. Coins graded RD (Red) retain at least 95% of their original copper-red mint color, which makes them the most desirable; RB (Red-Brown) coins keep 5–94% original color, and BN (Brown) coins have lost most of their original luster entirely. A Red example can be worth 20–30% more than an equivalent Red-Brown, and far more than a Brown specimen.

Beyond color, contact marks on Lincoln’s face and cheek, luster quality, and strike sharpness all affect the final grade. For the West Point varieties, the specialized proof and reverse proof finishes require their own evaluation criteria separate from standard Mint State grading.

For instant grade assessment of your 2019 pennies, use our Coin Identifier and Value App to quickly evaluate condition and potential value without the guesswork.

 

2019 Penny Value Guides

Six distinct varieties make up the 2019 penny series, spanning two circulation strikes and four premium collector issues. The table below lists each type so you can quickly identify which coin you have before diving into the individual value sections.

2019 Penny Types:

• 2019 No Mint Mark Shield Penny (Philadelphia)
• 2019-D Shield Penny (Denver)
• 2019-W Shield Penny (West Point)
• 2019-W Reverse Proof Shield Penny (West Point)
• 2019-W DCAM Shield Penny (West Point)
• 2019-S DCAM Shield Penny (San Francisco)

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

 

2019 No Mint Mark Shield Penny Value

Philadelphia struck 3,542,800,000 of these coins — over 3.5 billion — making it the most common 2019 penny variety by far. The absence of a mintmark is normal for Philadelphia cents; the only exception was 2017-P, which briefly carried a “P” to mark the Mint’s 225th anniversary.

Circulated examples are worth face value only. Uncirculated coins in typical MS63–MS65 grades trade for just 10–40 cents, but the grade ladder rises sharply at the top: MS67 Red examples can reach $30, MS69 Red specimens have sold for $2,500–$2,600 at auction, and a flawless MS70 Red commands several thousand dollars.

The RD (Red) color designation is critical here. Red means the coin retains at least 95% of its original bright copper color — something that becomes increasingly rare as coins age or are handled. RB (Red-Brown) and BN (Brown) examples at the same grade can be worth 20–30% less.

Market engagement remains steady with consistent activity patterns reflecting ongoing collector interest in high-grade specimens.

 

2019-D Shield Penny Value

Denver produced 3,497,600,000 cents in 2019 — slightly fewer than Philadelphia, which creates a minor production edge for the D-mint coins at top grades. The “D” mintmark sits directly below the date “2019” on the obverse.

Denver cents have a well-documented reputation among advanced collectors for inconsistent strike quality compared to Philadelphia issues. This means strong Red examples showing sharp details and full original color are harder to find and earn a real premium when they do surface: MS67 Red examples trade for around $30, while exceptional MS69 Red specimens have fetched $1,400 at auction.

As with all Lincoln cents, the RD color designation carries extra weight for Denver coins precisely because pristine copper color preservation is more challenging from this facility. Brown (BN) or Red-Brown (RB) examples at the same numerical grade can be worth considerably less.

Professional auction records reveal the dramatic premium structure that rewards exceptional preservation.

Market activity shows consistent collector particular emphasis on superior striking quality and color retention.

 

2019-W Shield Penny Value

The “W” mintmark below the date identifies this as the historic uncirculated West Point issue — the first Lincoln cent to ever carry that “W.” Importantly, while West Point did strike pennies from 1974–1986, those coins carried no mintmark, so 2019 represents a true numismatic first for a “W”-marked cent, as confirmed by Coin World in February 2019.

This variety was distributed exclusively as a bonus coin inside 2019 Uncirculated Mint Sets, individually wrapped in clear U.S. Mint plastic. The satin finish gives it a look distinct from both normal circulation strikes and mirror-like proofs, placing it in a unique collecting category. It was never sold separately or released into pocket change.

A perfect MS70 Red example reached $3,606 in June 2019, setting the early benchmark for this inaugural variety. More typical uncirculated examples trade for $12 or more, reflecting strong ongoing demand for this historic piece despite an approximate mintage of about 1,300,000 coins across the Uncirculated Mint Set production run.

Certified auction results showcase the immediate market recognition this milestone variety achieved.

Collector enthusiasm remains high with market action reflecting sustained appreciation for this numismatic landmark.

 

2019-W Reverse Proof Shield Penny Value

A reverse proof is the visual opposite of a traditional proof coin. Instead of frosted design elements on mirror-like fields, a reverse proof has mirror-bright design elements — Lincoln’s portrait, the shield — set against frosted, textured background fields. The result looks almost like a photographic negative of a normal proof.

This was only the second reverse proof Lincoln cent ever produced. Its mintage of 412,708 makes it the scarcest of the three 2019-W varieties, distributed exclusively through 2019 Silver Proof Sets in individual U.S. Mint plastic packaging. Typical examples in PR68 condition are valued around $18, while superior preservation commands meaningfully higher premiums.

Market activity reflects steady demand from proof collectors who value both traditional quality and commemorative importance.

 

2019-W DCAM Shield Penny Value

DCAM stands for Deep Cameo — it’s the top designation for proof coins, describing heavily frosted design devices set against deeply mirrored, glass-like fields. This creates the sharpest possible visual contrast and is what most collectors specifically seek when buying proof coins.

The 2019-W DCAM was distributed through standard 2019 Proof Sets with a mintage of 601,364 — the highest of the three West Point varieties and therefore the most accessible. Still, its status as part of the historic first “W”-mintmark cent series keeps collector interest strong. A perfect PR70 DCAM example reached $467 at auction according to PCGS records, establishing early market pricing for this finish.

Auction venues have consistently recognized the unique appeal and technical achievement this finish represents.

Market patterns show strong collector interest in this distinctive and historically significant proof innovation.

 

2019-S DCAM Shield Penny Value

San Francisco is the traditional home of U.S. proof coinage, and the 2019-S DCAM continues that legacy. The “S” mintmark below the date identifies these coins, which feature frosted design elements against deeply mirrored fields — the DCAM (Deep Cameo) designation collectors prize most.

The San Francisco Mint struck 1,689,216 proof specimens, distributed through 14-coin proof sets. Each coin was carefully handled throughout manufacturing and packaging to ensure the pristine mirror finish arrives undamaged. Recent auction activity includes a specimen that sold for $273 in 2025, and typical examples in PR65 condition are worth around $2.60, with higher grades commanding meaningfully more.

Market dynamics show reliable collector engagement with proof specimens demonstrating exceptional visual contrast.

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

 

Rare 2019 Penny Error List

Despite the Mint’s modern quality controls, errors do escape into the marketplace — and 2019 pennies are no exception. Here are six error types to check for, including several not covered in most guides.

1. Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) Errors

A Doubled Die Obverse — shortened to DDO — happens during the die-making process when the hub (the master tool) stamps the design into a die at two slightly different positions, leaving doubled images on every coin that die produces. It is not the same as machine doubling, which is flat and shelf-like in appearance; a true DDO shows raised, separated letter edges under magnification.

On 2019 pennies, DDO doubling most commonly appears on “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “LIBERTY,” and the date numerals. Circulated examples with visible doubling fetch $5–$50, while strong uncirculated DDO examples sell for $50–$200 or more, and exceptional MS67+ specimens can reach several hundred dollars at specialized auctions.

2. Doubled Die Reverse (DDR) Errors

The DDR is the reverse-side equivalent of the DDO, where doubling shows up on the Union Shield, “ONE CENT” scroll, or the letters in “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” Because the reverse lettering is smaller and less prominent than obverse inscriptions, DDR doubling is easier to miss and requires a good 5x–10x loupe to confirm.

Circulated 2019 DDR pennies typically trade for $3–$30 depending on how visible the doubling is. Uncirculated examples with prominent doubling can command $50–$150, and dramatic high-grade specimens may exceed $200 at specialized auctions.

3. Strike-Through Errors

Strike-through errors happen when a foreign object — grease, cloth fibers, a fragment of debris, or even a strand of hair — gets between the die and the planchet at the moment of striking. The object blocks metal flow, leaving a smooth, featureless impression on the coin’s surface where that design element should appear.

The most frequently seen strike-through on 2019 Lincoln pennies affects the letters “BU” in “E PLURIBUS” on the reverse. Circulated examples sell for around $5, while mint state specimens reach up to $30 depending on the size and placement of the struck-through area.

4. Off-Center Strike Errors

Off-center errors occur when the planchet (the blank coin disc) is not properly centered in the striking collar, so the die hits off to one side. The result is a coin with a blank crescent of unstriked metal on one side and a shifted, often partially-cut design on the other.

Values depend heavily on how far off-center the coin is. Minor misalignments of 5–10% are worth $5–$20. Dramatic off-centers of 40–60% — especially those still showing the full date “2019” — can reach $50–$200 or more. Some 2019 Lincoln pennies also exhibit the related “broad struck” error, where the coin is struck outside its collar entirely, leaving an oversized diameter and a flat or missing rim, worth $18–$40 depending on condition.

5. Plating Blister & Split Plating Errors

Because modern Lincoln cents since 1982 are copper-plated zinc (not solid copper), they are uniquely prone to plating errors. A plating blister appears as a small raised bubble on the coin’s surface, caused by gas trapped between the zinc core and its thin copper outer layer during the minting process.

Small, scattered plating blisters on 2019 pennies typically sell for $5–$15. Larger, more prominent blisters in uncirculated condition fetch $20–$30, with one documented 2019 plating blister example selling for $30. The related split plating error — where the copper layer peels away from the rim or letter edges to expose the silvery zinc underneath — sells for $5–$15 for minor cases.

6. BIE Die Crack Error

The “BIE” is a charming mini-variety specific to Lincoln cents. It forms when a small vertical die crack develops between the letters “B” and “E” in the word “LIBERTY” on the obverse, creating what looks like a tiny extra letter “I” between them — hence the name.

BIE errors on 2019 pennies are a fun, affordable entry point for error collectors, typically valued between $5 and $20 depending on the clarity of the crack and the coin’s overall grade. A letter-on-rim off-center error on a 2019 penny sold for $100 at auction, showing that unusual die-related varieties can punch well above typical BIE prices when the right buyer is present.

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

 

Where to Sell Your 2019 Penny?

Now that you know which 2019 pennies are worth selling, the next step is choosing the right marketplace. Options range from local coin shops for quick sales to major online auction houses for top-grade specimens where competitive bidding maximizes returns.

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

 

2019 Penny Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About The 2019 Penny Value

1. What makes a 2019 penny valuable?

Three factors drive 2019 penny values: mintmark, condition, and color designation. West Point “W” mintmark coins are most valuable due to their historic status as the first Lincoln cents to carry that mark, with a perfect MS70 Red example selling for $3,606. For Philadelphia and Denver coins, exceptional preservation in grades like MS69 Red ($2,500–$2,600) or MS69 RD Denver ($1,400) creates the biggest premiums. Color matters too — a Red (RD) coin retaining 95%+ original copper color is worth 20–30% more than an equivalent Red-Brown (RB) specimen.

2. How can I tell which mint made my 2019 penny?

Check the obverse (heads side) just below the date “2019.” No mintmark means Philadelphia; a “D” means Denver; an “S” is San Francisco; and a “W” identifies the prized West Point variety. Philadelphia cents carry no mintmark as a long-standing tradition — the sole exception being the 2017-P commemorative issue. The mintmark position has stayed the same since the Lincoln cent debuted in 1909.

3. Are 2019-W pennies found in pocket change?

No — all three 2019-W varieties were sold exclusively inside U.S. Mint annual collector sets and were never released to Federal Reserve Banks for circulation. The uncirculated version came in the 2019 Uncirculated Mint Set, the standard proof in the 2019 Proof Set, and the reverse proof in the 2019 Silver Proof Set. If you find one, it came from a collector, not a cash register.

4. What is the difference between the three 2019-W penny varieties?

Each 2019-W cent has a different finish tied to a different annual set. The uncirculated version has a satin finish and came in the Uncirculated Mint Set (approx. 1,300,000 mintage). The DCAM proof has heavily frosted design elements against mirror-like fields and came in the standard Proof Set (601,364 mintage). The reverse proof flips the formula — mirror-bright devices against frosted fields — and came in the Silver Proof Set (412,708 mintage), making it the rarest and most visually distinctive of the three.

5. What 2019 penny errors are worth the most money?

Wrong planchet errors — where a penny was accidentally struck on a dime or nickel planchet — can be worth hundreds to thousands of dollars and are the highest-value 2019 errors to look for. Strong Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) errors showing clear separation on “IN GOD WE TRUST” or “LIBERTY” sell for $50–$200+ in uncirculated grades. A letter-on-rim off-center error on a 2019 penny sold for $100. Off-center strikes at 40–60% with a visible full date can also reach $50–$200 depending on grade.

6. How do I spot a 2019 doubled die penny?

Use a 5x to 10x magnifying loupe and examine “IN GOD WE TRUST” first — this is where DDO doubling typically appears most clearly as raised, separated letter edges. Also check “LIBERTY” and the “2019” date digits. For DDR (Doubled Die Reverse), focus on the vertical stripes of the Union Shield and the letters in “ONE CENT.” Genuine doubled dies show consistent, raised separation across the affected area. Machine doubling, by contrast, looks flat and mushy — it has no collector value.

7. Is a 2019 penny with no mintmark rare?

No — the Philadelphia no-mintmark 2019 penny had a mintage of 3,542,800,000, making it one of the most common modern coins in existence. A circulated example is worth exactly one cent. Value only appears in high uncirculated grades: MS65 examples trade for around $0.40, MS67 Red for about $30, and MS69 Red for $2,500+. The coin becomes collectible only through exceptional preservation, not rarity.

8. What does RD, RB, and BN mean on a 2019 penny grade label?

These are color designations used by PCGS and NGC to describe how much original copper-red color a cent retains. RD (Red) means at least 95% of the original red color is preserved and is the most desirable. RB (Red-Brown) means 5–94% original color remains. BN (Brown) means the coin has lost nearly all its original color. A 2019-D Shield Penny graded MS65 RD can be worth 20–30% more than the same coin graded MS65 RB, so always check for the color suffix on a certified coin’s label.

9. How much did it actually cost the Mint to make a 2019 penny?

The U.S. Mint reported that each 2019 penny cost 1.99 cents to produce — almost exactly double its one-cent face value. This “negative seigniorage” (producing a coin for more than it’s worth) has been a running source of debate over whether the penny should be eliminated. The Mint generated $318.3 million in total seigniorage in 2019 from all denominations combined, with higher-value coins offsetting the penny’s loss.

10. Should I clean my 2019 penny before having it graded?

Absolutely not — cleaning a coin destroys its numismatic value. PCGS and NGC will give cleaned coins a “details” grade (for example, “MS65 RD Details — Cleaned”) rather than a clean numeric grade, and these coins sell for a fraction of their unaltered counterparts. Even gentle rubbing with a cloth removes microscopic metal and kills original luster. Store your best examples in a non-PVC plastic flip or a proper coin holder and let professionals at PCGS or NGC evaluate them as-found.