2020 Penny Value Checker: Errors List,“D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

What appears to be an ordinary 2020 penny in your pocket change could actually be worth significantly more than one cent.

While most modern pennies barely exceed face value, 2020 Lincoln Shield cents show notable premiums across different mint marks and conditions. The 2020 No Mint Mark penny (Philadelphia) can reach $760 in top Mint State condition, the Denver mint version (2020-D) tops out at an impressive $5,040 at auction, and the 2020-S proof penny with Deep Cameo (DCAM) finish — meaning maximum contrast between mirror-like fields and frosted design elements — commands up to $695.

Even in well-circulated “Good” condition, these pennies trade for 14 to 23 cents — representing a 1,300% to 2,200% return over face value. What makes these particular 2020 pennies more valuable than typical years, and how can collectors identify which ones are worth keeping? Let’s explore every factor that determines the true value of 2020 pennies.

 

2020 Penny Value By Variety

This comprehensive value chart reveals the dramatic price variations among different grades and types of 2020 pennies. 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 3 Most Valuable 2020 Penny Worth Money

The 2020 penny market reveals how grading precision dramatically impacts modern numismatic values. The chart’s $5,040 auction price for the 2020-D Shield RD MS68 — recorded at Heritage Auctions in January 2021 — represents the pinnacle of preservation quality for a Denver Lincoln cent.

A 2020-P Shield RD MS69 specimen achieved $760 at Heritage Auctions in 2021. Despite having a higher numerical grade, it commands a lower premium than the 2020-D MS68, illustrating that mint production volumes and survival rates matter as much as condition numbers.

Meanwhile, the 2020-S DCAM PR69’s $695 price reflects collectors’ appreciation for the striking black-and-white contrast between mirrored fields and frosted devices that define Deep Cameo (DCAM) — the highest cameo designation awarded by grading services like PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company).

 

History of the 2020 Penny

The 2020 penny is a Lincoln Shield cent, a design introduced in 2010 when designer Lyndall Bass’s Union Shield reverse replaced the longtime Lincoln Memorial reverse that had appeared since 1959. Bass won a competitive U.S. Mint design competition, and his shield has remained on the Lincoln cent ever since.

The obverse portrait is far older — Victor David Brenner created it in 1909 for Lincoln’s centennial birthday, making it one of the longest-running coin designs in American history.

The 2020 penny emerged from one of the most extraordinary years in American history, not because of any design change, but because it was struck during the COVID-19 pandemic. When lockdowns hit in early 2020, the United States experienced an unprecedented nationwide coin shortage.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell told the House Financial Services Committee that “the flow of coins through the economy has gotten all — it’s kind of stopped.” Daniel Socks, Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, called it a “perfect storm,” noting that businesses that relied on coins — laundromats, vending machines, parking meters — had largely shuttered, while consumers avoided physical cash out of fear of surface transmission.

On July 23, 2020, the Federal Reserve formally established the U.S. Coin Task Force to address the crisis. Financial institutions began offering free coin kits to customers, and major retailers got creative — Chick-fil-A offered free sandwiches in exchange for coins, while casinos offered free slot machine play to customers who deposited loose change.

The Federal Reserve imposed allocation caps on coin orders by financial institutions starting in June 2020, rationing the available supply. Those caps weren’t lifted until 2021, when circulation patterns began to normalize — though they never fully returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Against this backdrop, the U.S. Mint dramatically ramped up penny production, delivering a combined 8.174 billion Lincoln cents in 2020 — up 11.7% from the previous year. The Philadelphia Mint struck 3,605,800,000 pennies, while the Denver Mint struck 4,781,800,000. The San Francisco Mint focused exclusively on 823,909 collector-grade proof specimens.

One additional 2020 penny variety that most collectors overlook is the 2020-W. The West Point Mint struck a limited number of proof pennies bearing the “W” mint mark — a nod to the 75th anniversary of World War II’s end — with a mintage of approximately 11,000 coins. These are genuinely scarce and can sell for $30 to $100 or more in top grades.

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

 

Is Your 2020 Penny Rare?

For collectors seeking coins with genuine scarcity and investment potential, our Coin Value Checker App provides instant access to comprehensive rarity rankings and current market data across all series.

 

Key Features Of The 2020 Penny

The 2020 penny showcases enduring American numismatic craftsmanship through its distinctive Union Shield design and meticulous construction standards.

This copper-plated zinc composition coin demonstrates remarkable clarity in both Lincoln’s classic portrait and the patriotic shield imagery, reflecting the U.S. Mint’s commitment to quality during challenging pandemic-era production circumstances.

The Obverse Of The 2020 Penny

The coin’s obverse presents Abraham Lincoln in a timeless right-facing profile that has remained virtually unchanged since Victor David Brenner’s original 1909 design — now over 115 years old and the longest continuously-used presidential portrait on any U.S. coin.

The inscriptional layout follows established tradition: “IN GOD WE TRUST” curves gracefully above Lincoln’s portrait, while “LIBERTY” flows behind his profile. The year “2020” appears prominently to the right of Lincoln’s collar, and Brenner’s signature “VDB” initials are discretely positioned on the shoulder truncation area of the portrait.

The Reverse Of The 2020 Penny

The reverse features Lyndall Bass’s Union Shield, which symbolizes Lincoln’s preservation of a unified nation during the Civil War. The shield displays thirteen vertical stripes representing the original colonies, unified by a horizontal bar bearing the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” (Latin for “Out of Many, One”).

“UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” forms an arc around the coin’s upper edge, while a banner bearing “ONE CENT” stretches across the shield’s midsection, integrating seamlessly with the patriotic composition.

Other Features Of The 2020 Penny

The 2020 penny measures exactly 19 millimeters in diameter and weighs 2.5 grams. Its metal composition is 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper — the same copper-plated zinc formula the U.S. Mint has used since 1982, when rising copper prices forced the composition change from the earlier solid 95% copper alloy.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 2020 Penny Value

When evaluating Lincoln cents, professional graders examine three key color designations that dramatically affect value. Red (RD) coins retain 95% or more of their original orange-red mint luster and command the highest premiums. Red-Brown (RB) coins have lost between 5% and 95% of that original color due to oxidation, earning moderate premiums. Brown (BN) coins retain less than 5% original red color and are worth the least, though they still exceed face value.

Beyond color, graders inspect Lincoln’s hair texture for wear patterns, check the fine vertical lines on the Union Shield for completeness, assess contact marks in the open field areas, and evaluate letter sharpness in “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.”

Most uncirculated 2020 pennies fall within the MS60–MS65 range (MS = Mint State, the 60–70 scale used for uncirculated coins), with MS63–MS64 being the most common grades for coins showing typical bag marks and minor contact points. The PCGS population for 2020-P MS69RD is approximately 15 coins, and for 2020-D MS69RD fewer than 10 coins are known — making these elite grades genuinely rare.

For an accurate assessment, use our Coin Value Checker App to instantly check your coin’s grade and current market value.

 

2020 Penny Value Guides

The 2020 Lincoln Shield penny was produced in three distinct varieties across different U.S. Mint facilities:

• 2020 No Mint Mark Shield Penny (Philadelphia Mint) — 3,605,800,000 struck
• 2020-D Shield Penny (Denver Mint) — 4,781,800,000 struck
• 2020-S DCAM Shield Penny (San Francisco Mint) — 823,909 struck

Philadelphia and Denver produced billions of coins for everyday circulation, while San Francisco focused exclusively on premium proof editions featuring Deep Cameo (DCAM) contrast. Each variety carries unique mint marks and production characteristics that directly influence both market availability and collector value.

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

 

2020 No Mint Mark Shield Penny Value

The Philadelphia Mint struck 3,605,800,000 pennies in 2020, adding no mint mark — Philadelphia cents have never carried a “P” mint mark. Despite this enormous mintage, pandemic-era production disruptions created subtle quality advantages at the high end of the grading scale.

Reduced die usage frequency resulted in sharper initial impressions, and slower production speeds improved copper plating consistency — meaning the first coins off each die were unusually crisp. Quality control teams, working reduced capacities, also had more time per coin, contributing to superior surface quality in the early production runs.

The result: while circulated examples hold merely face value, and typical Mint State coins grade in the MS63–MS65 range, true premium survivors are extraordinarily scarce. The PCGS population for 2020-P MS68RD is approximately 200 coins, and for MS69RD, only around 15 coins are known — representing roughly 0.0000004% of the total mintage. A 2020-P MS69RD achieved $760 at Heritage Auctions in 2021, a premium of 76,000% over face value.

Red-Brown (RB) varieties typically trade 20–30% below their Red (RD) counterparts, while Brown (BN) specimens represent the most affordable entry point into the series.

The Shield penny series has demonstrated remarkable vitality in today’s collecting market, with market activity revealing sustained collector interest that defies traditional assumptions about modern coinage.

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

 

2020-D Shield Penny Value

The Denver Mint struck 4,781,800,000 pennies in 2020 — 1.18 billion more than Philadelphia — yet paradoxically, pristine high-grade Red specimens from Denver are harder to find than their Philadelphia counterparts. This is the “condition scarcity paradox”: Denver’s massive production entered wider distribution channels, subjecting more coins to handling damage before collectors could pull them.

The PCGS population for 2020-D MS68RD stands at approximately 150 coins, and for MS69RD, fewer than 10 coins are known to exist. That scarcity at the top grades drove a 2020-D MS68RD to $5,040 at Heritage Auctions in January 2021 — making it the single most valuable business-strike 2020 penny ever recorded at auction.

Understanding color preservation is critical for Denver penny collectors. When fresh from Denver’s presses, these coins display brilliant orange-red copper surfaces. Once RD coins enter the market, copper’s reactive chemistry begins oxidation within hours. When 5% to 95% of original red is lost, the coin earns the Red-Brown (RB) designation — a spectrum from warm orange-brown patches to deep chocolate toning. Brown (BN) specimens retain 5% or less original color. Store coins in cool, dry environments; professional encapsulation in inert plastics provides optimal protection against further oxidation.

Current market activities reflect intensifying collector recognition of true condition rarity within this seemingly abundant modern issue.

 

2020-S DCAM Shield Penny Value

The San Francisco Mint produced 823,909 proof pennies in 2020 — a controlled collector mintage less than 0.02% the size of Denver’s production run. These coins were not made for circulation; they were crafted specifically for proof sets sold to collectors.

The 2020-S proof pennies represented a significant quality improvement over the 2019 edition. Collectors had widely complained about 2019-W Lincoln cents exhibiting orange blemishes, rim tarnishing, and rust-like damage — forcing returns of entire proof sets at substantial cost to the Mint. San Francisco responded with two major manufacturing upgrades for 2020.

First, the Mint transitioned from loose poly bag insertion to precision-engineered protective capsules, eliminating direct contact between premium coins and packaging materials during shipping. Second, advanced mold preparation using fine chemical etching created a deeper, more uniform frosted effect on design devices, while diamond compound polishing achieved an outstanding mirror finish on coin fields.

These refinements produce the defining characteristic of a Deep Cameo (DCAM) proof: jet-black mirror-like fields surrounding stark-white frosted design elements. The PCGS PR70DCAM population for 2020-S exceeds 3,000 coins — reflecting how careful collector handling keeps proof survival rates high — while the PR69DCAM is the most common top-quality designation. A PR69DCAM has realized $695 at auction, while standard PR68DCAM examples typically sell for $10–$16.

San Francisco also produced 2020-S Cameo (CAM) examples — a step below DCAM in contrast intensity — alongside the coveted DCAM specimens. Color designations (RD, RB, BN) apply to proof cents as well, with RD commanding the highest premiums.

Current market dynamics reflect collector appreciation for the reliability improvements that distinguish this year’s production from previous problematic releases.

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

 

Rare 2020 Penny Error List

Error coins are regular 2020 pennies where something went wrong in the manufacturing process. Every type listed below has been documented on 2020 Lincoln cents. Die variety research by specialists such as John Wexler of Wexler’s Die Variety News has catalogued several confirmed doubled die varieties for this year.

1. Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) and Doubled Die Reverse (DDR) Errors

A Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) occurs when the working die receives a misaligned second hubbing during manufacture, creating a doubled impression in the design. On 2020 pennies, confirmed DDO varieties show doubling in Lincoln’s eye, date numerals, and “LIBERTY” lettering — all visible without magnification on the strongest examples.

A Doubled Die Reverse (DDR) shows the same doubling on the shield elements and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” text. Strong DDO and DDR examples on 2020 cents can sell for $25 to $150 depending on the degree of spread, with the most dramatic examples listed in Wexler’s Die Variety News registry.

2. Off-Center Strike Errors

An off-center strike occurs when the planchet (the blank metal disk) is not properly centered between the dies at the moment of striking, leaving part of the coin design missing and an area of blank metal visible. Minor off-center strikes of 5–10% add modest value of $10–$25, but dramatic examples are far more desirable.

A 2020 penny struck 50% or more off-center — where the date is still visible — can sell for $100 to $300, because the date visibility confirms the year and series. Examples approaching 80–90% off-center with a visible date are the rarest and most valuable off-center strikes in this series.

3. Wrong Planchet Errors

Among the most dramatic and valuable 2020 penny errors are wrong planchet strikes — coins accidentally struck on a blank intended for a different denomination. A 2020 Lincoln cent struck on a Roosevelt dime planchet (which is smaller and clad, not copper-plated zinc) is immediately recognizable by its smaller diameter and silver-colored appearance.

Wrong planchet errors are rare on any modern U.S. coin. Confirmed wrong planchet 2020 cents can fetch $300 to $600 or more at auction, depending on the denomination of the host planchet and the visual drama of the mismatch. Heritage Auctions and Stack’s Bowers are the primary auction houses handling significant modern Lincoln cent errors.

4. Misaligned Die (MAD) Errors

A Misaligned Die (MAD) error occurs when the obverse and reverse dies are not properly aligned, causing the designs to appear rotated relative to each other. The correct orientation has both sides upright when flipped vertically (coin rotation); any deviation is measurable and affects value.

Minor rotations of 15–45 degrees typically add $8–$20 in collector value. Dramatic misalignments of 90–180 degrees (a quarter- or half-turn) are considerably more desirable, with specimens potentially worth $40–$150 depending on the precise degree of rotation.

5. Repunched Mint Mark (RPM) Errors

A Repunched Mint Mark (RPM) occurs when a mint mark is punched into a die more than once, with the second punch slightly offset from the first — leaving a doubled or shifted mint mark visible under magnification. On the 2020-D penny, D/D RPM varieties have been documented where the “D” mint mark shows a secondary impression.

RPM varieties on 2020 pennies typically sell for $15–$50 for well-defined examples, making them accessible entry-level error coins for beginning collectors. A loupe or magnifier of 5x–10x power is sufficient to identify these.

6. Weak Strike and Filled Die Errors

Weak strike errors result from insufficient striking pressure or worn dies, creating coins with missing or softened design elements. On 2020 pennies, this commonly affects Lincoln’s hair details, facial features, or the fine vertical lines within the Union Shield.

Filled die (also called “die clog”) errors occur when grease or metal debris fills a recessed area of the die, preventing the metal from flowing into that area and leaving a blank or mushy spot on the finished coin. Partially missing design elements due to weak strikes add $5–$12 in value; dramatic examples where major portrait or shield elements are absent can reach $25–$60.

7. Planchet Defect Errors

Manufacturing flaws in the metal blanks themselves create varied error types. Clipped planchet errors result from incomplete punching of blanks from the metal strip, leaving a curved or straight bite taken out of the coin’s edge. Lamination errors occur when the zinc core separates from the copper plating, creating visible peeling or a flaking surface.

Straight clips affecting 5–15% of the coin sell for $10–$25, while curved clips or multiple clips bring $30–$80. Lamination errors showing metal peeling away from the coin’s surface generally command $8–$30, with larger affected areas bringing higher premiums.

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

 

Where to Sell Your 2020 Penny

Understanding your 2020 penny’s potential value is just the foundation — successfully converting these modern rarities into cash requires choosing the right marketplace. The best platforms depend on the type of coin you have.

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

 

2020 Penny Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About the 2020 Penny Value

1. Which 2020 pennies are worth collecting?

The most collectible 2020 pennies fall into three categories. First, high-grade Red (RD) specimens graded MS67 or above by PCGS or NGC, since the PCGS MS69RD population is only ~15 coins for Philadelphia and fewer than 10 for Denver. Second, the 2020-S DCAM proof pennies, particularly PR69DCAM and PR70DCAM examples. Third, confirmed error coins — DDO varieties, off-center strikes, wrong planchet errors, and RPM varieties — which can be worth $25 to $600 depending on the type and severity.

2. Why did the 2020-D penny sell for $5,040 when Denver made more coins than Philadelphia?

The $5,040 Heritage Auctions price for a 2020-D MS68RD in January 2021 reflects the condition scarcity paradox: Denver struck 4.78 billion pennies versus Philadelphia’s 3.61 billion, but Denver’s larger production entered wider commercial distribution channels, exposing far more coins to handling damage. This makes pristine MS68RD Denver specimens statistically rarer to locate than Philadelphia equivalents, driving a higher price at the elite grade level.

3. What distinguishes 2020-S proof pennies from regular circulation strikes?

The 2020-S proof pennies were produced exclusively for collectors at the San Francisco Mint, using polished dies and specially prepared planchets struck multiple times at slow speed. This process creates mirror-like fields (the flat background areas) and frosted, white-appearing design devices. Deep Cameo (DCAM) is the highest cameo designation, awarded when that contrast is maximum. Unlike circulation strikes, these were packaged immediately in protective capsules and never used as money, so most survive in top condition. A PR69DCAM example has sold for $695.

4. How do I tell if my 2020 penny has a Doubled Die error?

A Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) on a 2020 penny shows doubled or spread design elements on the front of the coin. Examine Lincoln’s eye, the date “2020,” and the word “LIBERTY” under 5x–10x magnification — strong DDO varieties show clearly separated doubling in these areas. A Doubled Die Reverse (DDR) shows doubling on the shield’s vertical stripes or the “E PLURIBUS UNUM” motto on the back. Confirmed DDO and DDR varieties for 2020 cents are catalogued in Wexler’s Die Variety News. Strong examples can sell for $25–$150.

5. What do the color designations RD, RB, and BN mean for 2020 penny values?

RD (Red) means the coin retains 95% or more of its original orange-red mint luster — the highest-value color designation for Lincoln cents. RB (Red-Brown) means 5% to 95% of original red remains, with a mix of orange and brown toning — worth 20–30% less than an RD at the same numerical grade. BN (Brown) means less than 5% original red color survives — the lowest tier, though still worth a premium over face value in high Mint State grades. These designations are assigned by PCGS and NGC and are printed on the holder alongside the numerical grade.

6. Are 2020 pennies made of real copper?

No. The 2020 penny is 97.5% zinc with only a thin copper plating of 2.5%. The U.S. Mint switched from solid 95% copper cents to this copper-plated zinc composition in 1982, when rising copper prices made the older composition economically impractical. A pre-1982 penny feels slightly heavier (3.11 grams) than a post-1982 cent (2.5 grams) — a simple way to tell them apart without magnification.

7. How do I know if my 2020 penny is proof or business strike?

Proof coins from the San Francisco Mint have distinctly different visual characteristics from circulation strikes. Under any light, a proof coin’s fields (the flat background areas) appear as a perfect mirror — you can see your own reflection clearly. The design devices (Lincoln’s portrait, the shield) look frosty white and matte. A business strike from Philadelphia or Denver has a satin or slightly glossy surface but lacks this intense contrast. Proof 2020 pennies also carry an “S” mint mark under the date, while Philadelphia issues have no mint mark and Denver issues bear a “D.”

8. What auction houses sell high-value 2020 pennies?

The two primary auction houses for significant 2020 Lincoln cents are Heritage Auctions and Stack’s Bowers. Heritage Auctions recorded the top auction result for this date: a 2020-D MS68RD that sold for $5,040 in January 2021 and a 2020-P MS69RD that realized $760 the same year. For PCGS- and NGC-certified error coins — DDO, off-center, and wrong planchet varieties — both Heritage and Stack’s Bowers reach the widest audiences of specialist collectors and consistently achieve prices well above eBay or dealer offers.

9. How should I store my 2020 penny to preserve its Red (RD) color designation?

Copper oxidation is the enemy of Red (RD) color designation. Never handle coins with bare fingers — skin oils transfer chemical compounds that accelerate toning. Store raw coins in coin flips made from inert (non-PVC) polyethylene or Mylar plastic; PVC holders release gases that cause green spotting over time. For premium coins, professional encapsulation by PCGS or NGC in their sonically-sealed holders provides the best long-term protection, as the inert environment inside the slab dramatically slows oxidation. Keep all coins away from humidity, temperature fluctuations, and atmospheric pollutants — a cool, dry environment is ideal.