2022 Penny Coin Value: Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

2022 penny value ranges from $0.01 face value to $2,128. That record belongs to a coin graded 67, sold through Heritage Auctions in January 2023. 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 buyers are paying today.

 

2022 Penny Value By Variety

Your 2022 penny’s value comes down to which variety you have. Each mint and coin type trades at different prices.

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 7 Most Valuable 2022 Penny Value Worth Money

The top sale for a 2022 penny is a Shield MS67+RD that hammered for $2,128 at auction in January 2023. That’s a modern cent—from pocket change to four figures—all because of grade and color designation.

Special labels push prices higher on top of the grade. First Strike coins have sold between $57 and $611. Proof pieces with First Day of Issue or Deep Cameo (DCAM) labels—frosted devices against mirror-like fields—bring $17 to $104.

Grade jumps tell the real story. MS68RD examples range from $59 to $499 depending on mint mark and certification details. A perfect PR70 proof can hit $100 to $104. Denver coins show up three times in the top results, with one MS68RD bringing $499. The takeaway for 2022 pennies is simple: RD color designation and the right certification label are what drive the money.

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

 

2022 Penny Value History: Production Costs and Design Legacy

Here’s the absurd part about the 2022 penny: each one cost the U.S. Mint roughly 2.1 cents to make and ship. The government lost money on every single cent. By 2025, that cost ballooned to approximately 3.69 cents per coin, fueling even louder calls in Congress to kill the denomination—something Canada already did back in 2013.

The 2022 Lincoln cent marks the thirteenth year of the Union Shield reverse, introduced in 2010. That design replaced both the Lincoln Bicentennial series and the Lincoln Memorial reverse used since 1959. Lyndall Bass designed it, Joseph Menna sculpted it, and their initials “LB” and “JFM” appear on the reverse. Most people never notice them.

The Union Shield was picked to honor Lincoln’s role in holding the country together. The imagery draws on Civil War-era symbolism, and it was also easier to manufacture than the detailed Memorial design.

Composition-wise, the 2022 penny uses the same zinc-core formula introduced in 1982: 97.5% zinc with 2.5% copper plating, weighing 2.5 grams. Philadelphia struck approximately 3.1 billion circulation pennies. Denver added roughly 2.4 billion more. That’s nearly 5.5 billion cents combined. San Francisco only made proofs for collectors.

Historical note: In 2025, the U.S. Mint officially halted circulating penny production after 232 years, auctioning the last 232 commemorative “Omega Penny” sets through Stack’s Bowers Galleries. Sets sold for $50,000–$80,000 each, and the final coins struck—along with their dies—fetched $800,000. This makes the 2022 penny one of the last few years of traditional circulating Lincoln cents, adding long-term historical significance for collectors.

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

 

Is Your 2022 Penny Value Higher Than Face?

Check any 2022 pennies with our Coin Identifier and Value App to identify this potentially valuable variety.

 

Key Features That Affect Your 2022 Penny Value

Knowing what to look for on your 2022 penny—design details, mint marks, specs—helps you figure out what it’s actually worth. Here’s a breakdown of both sides.

The Obverse Of The 2022 Penny

Victor David Brenner’s Lincoln portrait has been on the cent since 1909—over 116 years and counting, the longest-running presidential coin design in U.S. history. Look beneath Lincoln’s shoulder for Brenner’s tiny initials “VDB.” Every Lincoln cent has them.

Lincoln faces right. “LIBERTY” runs along the left edge, “IN GOD WE TRUST” sits above his head, and “2022” appears on the right. Philadelphia coins have no mint mark at all. Denver coins show a small “D” just below the date. That little letter is the first thing you should check—it’s your quickest clue to which variety you have.

The Reverse Of The 2022 Penny Value Shield Design

Flip it over and you’ll see the Union Shield designed by Lyndall Bass, in use since 2010. Thirteen vertical stripes represent the original colonies, tied together by a horizontal banner reading “E PLURIBUS UNUM” across the top.

“ONE CENT” appears on a ribbon below the shield. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curves along the upper rim. Look at the very bottom for the tiny initials “LB” (Lyndall Bass) and “JFM” (sculptor Joseph Menna). Variety hunters always check those initials first—die varieties often show up in that area.

Other Features Of The 2022 Penny Value Specification

The 2022 penny weighs exactly 2.5 grams with a 19.05-millimeter diameter and a plain (smooth) edge. It’s 97.5% zinc with 2.5% copper plating—the “copper-plated zinc” formula that replaced the older 95% copper composition in 1982.

That zinc core matters. If the copper plating is missing or damaged, you might be holding a valuable plating error. The giveaway is a silvery streak or patch where the zinc shows through.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 2022 Penny Value

Start by checking the mint mark beneath the date on the front: no mark means Philadelphia, “D” means Denver, “S” means San Francisco proof. Since these are recent coins, condition ranges from beat-up pocket change to pristine mint state.

Circulated 2022 pennies are worth face value. Uncirculated examples with sharp strikes and full luster might bring $0.50–$3. Keep an eye out for errors like doubled dies, off-center strikes, or blank planchets—details on the most valuable ones are below. You can also let our Coin Identifier and Value App check the grade directly for accurate valuation.

 

2022 Penny Value Guides

Three varieties exist for the 2022 Lincoln penny, each made for a different purpose.

2022 Lincoln Penny Varieties：

• 2022 No Mint Mark Shield — Philadelphia Mint production. Circulated examples worth face value; uncirculated range 10–30 cents. MS67+ examples have reached $2,128 at auction.
• 2022-D Shield — Denver Mint with “D” mint mark under date. Common in circulation; MS68RD specimens have sold for $499.
• 2022-S DCAM Shield — San Francisco proof coins for collectors only. Feature Deep Cameo (DCAM) contrast: frosted design against mirror-black fields. PR70RD examples have achieved $119.

Philadelphia and Denver made coins for everyday commerce. San Francisco only struck proofs for collector sets. Proof specimens carry big premiums over circulation strikes, and condition plus certification can multiply the final price dramatically.

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

 

2022 No Mint Mark Shield Penny Value

With approximately 3.1 billion struck, you’d think every 2022 Philadelphia penny is worthless. Most are. But at the top grades, real money shows up fast.

Color designation is the biggest value driver at every grade level. Red (RD) coins keep their original copper luster and command the highest prices—a 2022 MS67+RD hit $2,128 at PCGS auction in January 2023, the record for this issue. These coins have bright, untoned surfaces with full mint luster.

Red-Brown (RB) coins show partial oxidation, mixing original copper color with brown toning that usually starts at the edges and high points. They’re less valuable than full Red but still attract collectors who like naturally toned pieces at friendlier prices. Brown (BN) specimens have fully changed color and are the cheapest certified option, though they’re still scarce in premium grades since the coin is so recent.

Mint State (MS) grades apply to coins that never circulated, rated MS-60 (lowest) through MS-70 (theoretically perfect). For 2022 pennies, the practical ceiling is MS68.

Recent auction records show clear grade-based premium variations.

Activity patterns show consistent baseline engagement with notable intensity spikes.

Market activity score: 37/100 as of Sep 2026 — down 13 points from Jun 2026. 12-month peak: 50 (Jun 2026).

 

2022-D Shield Penny Value

Can you tell a Philadelphia penny from a Denver penny without looking at the mint mark? Probably not. But that tiny “D” beneath the date changes the market entirely. Denver struck approximately 2.4 billion cents in 2022, actually making it the higher-production mint that year.

Red (RD) examples with full original copper brilliance bring the best prices. A 2022-D MS68RD sold for $499 at auction in July 2022. These coins show bright, lustrous surfaces with zero oxidation or toning.

Red-Brown (RB) coins have partial surface oxidation—patches of original copper mixed with brown areas. They trade at a discount to full Red. Brown (BN) specimens offer the cheapest entry point for collectors who want a slabbed Denver example.

Here’s a tip for beginners: MS-65 (Gem Uncirculated) means strong luster with just a few light contact marks. At MS-65, both the Philadelphia and Denver pennies trade around $0.40. Jump to MS-67 or MS-68, though, and prices surge to $100–$499. That’s where the money is.

Auction results show notable price variations across platforms. Similar grades achieve inconsistent pricing.

Market activity displays periodic intensity spikes. Trading patterns show variable collector engagement levels.

Market activity score: 40/100 as of Sep 2026 — down 3 points from Jun 2026. 12-month peak: 47 (Jul 2026).

 

2022-S DCAM Shield Penny Value

You won’t find this one in your pocket change. The 2022-S DCAM penny was struck exclusively at the San Francisco Mint as a proof for collectors—never released into circulation. San Francisco has specialized in proof production since the 1970s, using fresh dies and multiple strikes to produce dramatically sharper detail than business strikes.

DCAM stands for Deep Cameo. It means Lincoln’s portrait has heavy frosting that pops against mirror-black fields, creating a three-dimensional look. NGC calls the same thing “Ultra Cameo” (UCAM). The lesser “Cameo” (CAM) label describes lighter frosting with less contrast. DCAM always brings more money than CAM at the same grade.

Color still matters even on proofs. Red (RD) specimens are the most desirable—a perfect PR70RD sold for $119 on eBay in September 2023, and a PR69RD DCAM First Strike has been listed by dealers for $104. Red-Brown (RB) examples trade at moderate discounts. Even a fully brown PR70BN brought $88 in May 2022, proving top-grade proofs attract premium prices regardless of color.

PR65 is the entry-level proof grade, worth approximately $2.60 for a 2022-S coin. PR69 and PR70 sit at the top. The “PR” prefix (Proof) replaces “MS” (Mint State) for these specially struck collector coins.

Auction records reveal limited trading history for this specialized proof variety.

Market activity patterns show steady baseline engagement with one notable surge period.

Market activity score: 37/100 as of Sep 2026 — up 2 points from Jun 2026. 12-month peak: 40 (Jul 2026).

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

 

Rare 2022 Penny Value Errors List

A manufacturing error can turn a one-cent coin into a $50, $100, or even $375 collectible. Since 2002, the Mint has tightened quality control, so fewer errors escape production. That makes the ones that slip through even more desirable.

Every error listed below has been confirmed on actual 2022 Lincoln cents. Some you can spot with the naked eye. Others need a 5x–10x loupe. Always get a potential error authenticated by PCGS or NGC before buying or selling—post-mint damage gets mistaken for genuine errors all the time.

1. Doubled Die Errors (DDO / DDR)

Doubled dies happen during die production when the hub impresses the design at slightly different angles. You’ll see visible doubling on text, dates, or design elements—”LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and the shield details are the usual suspects on modern Shield cents. Grab a loupe. Major doubling visible to the naked eye brings the biggest premiums.

Subtle doubling runs $25–$50. Prominent examples hit $100–$150 or more. A 2022-D with strong DDR showing doubling on “ONE CENT” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” is worth at least $50 uncirculated, around $25 circulated. Shield doubling is particularly scarce in this series.

2. Die Break and BIE Errors

When a die develops cracks from wear, metal fills those cracks during striking and creates raised lines on the finished coin. Minor hairline cracks add $5–$25. Dramatic cuds—big raised blobs at the rim—can bring $100–$300 or more.

The famous “BIE” variety is a Lincoln cent specialty: a die chip between the “B” and “E” in “LIBERTY” creates what looks like an extra letter “I,” so it reads “LIBIERTY.” Worth $5–$25 typically. One dramatic 2022-D die crack running through the shield design has been valued at up to $390 because of its size and prime location.

3. Off-Center and Striking Errors

Off-center errors happen when the planchet sits crooked in the press, leaving part of the design missing. A 10% off-center barely shifts the design. A 50% off-center leaves half the coin blank. The date must still be visible for maximum value.

Modest off-centers bring $15–$25. Dramatic 50% examples top $100. A 2022-D penny with a 20% off-center strike combined with a partial collar error—one side of the edge looks thicker than the other—is valued at $14–$20. Related errors include broadstrikes (struck outside the collar) and die clashes (dies strike each other with no planchet between them).

4. Struck-Through Errors (“Lincoln’s Assassination”)

Struck-through errors occur when debris—grease, wire, cloth fiber—gets trapped between the die and planchet during striking. The foreign object leaves its outline on the finished coin. Minor ones bring $10–$30. Dramatic examples go much higher.

One wild 2022-P struck-through has been nicknamed “Lincoln’s Assassination” by collectors. The impression looks like a bullet aimed at Lincoln’s forehead. An uncirculated Brilliant Red specimen is valued at $18–$20. Another oddity, the “Feeder Finger Error,” shows the impression of the press’s feeder mechanism on the coin surface—a rare mechanical curiosity that I think is one of the more fascinating modern errors.

5. Defective Plating and Zinc Core Errors

These errors are unique to post-1982 copper-plated zinc cents. They’re impossible on the older solid copper coins. They happen when a planchet either skips the copper electroplating step entirely or gets an incomplete coating, exposing the silvery zinc core underneath.

Some 2022-D specimens show the reverse completely missing its copper layer, leaving a bright zinc streak exposed. The two-tone look—copper on one side, silver on the other—makes them instantly recognizable. Values vary depending on how much plating is missing and overall condition.

6. Grease Fill / Missing Design Errors

When grease coats part of a die, it fills the recessed areas and blocks metal from flowing into those spaces during striking. The result is a coin with partially or completely missing design elements.

A dramatic 2022 Lincoln Shield penny with “UNITED STATES” entirely missing from the reverse has been documented and valued at up to $375. We think grease fills are some of the most underappreciated errors out there—they’re visually striking and easy to spot. A related 2022-P penny with an “Extra V” error—an unexplained additional letter impression near Lincoln’s portrait—is worth approximately $30 circulated and $45 or more uncirculated.

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

 

Where To Sell Your 2022 Penny Value at Top Price

Successfully selling your 2022 penny requires understanding various marketplace options, from local coin dealers to online auction platforms. Each venue offers distinct advantages regarding fees, audience reach, and selling convenience.

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

 

2022 Penny Value Market Trend

Market interest: 7,010 collectors tracking this coin as of Sep 2026 — up 900 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 2022 Penny Value

1. Is a 2022 penny worth anything?

Most circulated ones? Just a cent. Uncirculated examples typically bring 10–30 cents. But professionally graded high-grade coins can top $100. A 2022-D MS68RD achieved $499 at auction, and a 2022 MS67+RD reached $2,128 in January 2023. Proofs and error varieties also carry premiums.

2. Where is the mint mark on a 2022 penny?

Look beneath the date on the front. Philadelphia pennies have no mint mark. Denver pennies show a small “D.” San Francisco pennies display an “S,” but those were only made as proofs for collectors—you won’t find them in circulation.

3. Are 2022 pennies rare?

Not as a whole. Philadelphia struck approximately 3.1 billion and Denver approximately 2.4 billion—nearly 5.5 billion combined. But high-grade specimens at MS67 and above are genuinely scarce because of bag marks from production and distribution. San Francisco proofs are scarcer, and error varieties are a completely different kind of rare regardless of total mintage.

4. What does “RD” mean on a 2022 penny, and why does it matter?

RD stands for Red—it means the coin retains at least 95% of its original copper-plated luster. RB (Red-Brown) means 5%–94% original color. BN (Brown) means below 5%. A 2022 MS67RD might be worth $100+, while the same coin graded MS67BN could sell for a fraction of that. Color designation directly multiplies a modern penny’s value.

5. What is a Deep Cameo (DCAM) proof penny worth in 2022?

The 2022-S DCAM proof shows heavy frosting on Lincoln’s portrait against mirror-polished fields—the gold standard for proof appearance. In PR65, a 2022-S is worth approximately $2.60. A PR69RD DCAM First Strike can fetch $104, and a perfect PR70RD example sold for $119 on eBay in September 2023. DCAM always beats standard Cameo (CAM) at the same grade.

6. What are the most valuable 2022 penny errors to look for?

The big ones: “Crying Lincoln” doubled die with die chop ($40–$50), off-center strike with partial collar ($14–$20), “Lincoln’s Assassination” struck-through ($18–$20), missing reverse lettering grease fill (up to $375), and the 2022-D shield die crack (up to $390). For doubled dies, the more prominent the doubling—especially on “LIBERTY” or shield details—the higher the value.

7. Who designed the 2022 penny’s reverse?

Lyndall Bass designed the Union Shield reverse, and U.S. Mint sculptor Joseph Menna sculpted it. Their initials “LB” and “JFM” appear on every 2022 Shield cent. The obverse Lincoln portrait dates to 1909, by Victor David Brenner, whose “VDB” initials sit beneath Lincoln’s shoulder. Three artists spanning over a century on one coin.

8. Is the 2022 penny historically significant since the U.S. Mint stopped making pennies?

Yes. The U.S. Mint officially halted circulating penny production in 2025 after 232 years. The last circulating pennies were auctioned as “Omega Penny” sets through Stack’s Bowers Galleries, with sets selling for $50,000–$80,000 each. That finality is already driving collector interest in recent-year Lincoln cents, including 2022 issues—especially high-grade RD examples and certified errors.

9. How do I tell if my 2022 penny has a valuable doubled die error?

Grab a 5x–10x loupe and good lighting. Check “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” the date, and the shield stripes on the reverse. Genuine doubled dies show a distinct second outline or shadow image offset slightly from the main design. Mechanical doubling—a common post-strike distortion—looks flatter and shinier. Genuine doubled dies have rounded, distinct secondary images. Naked-eye-visible doubling is worth $100–$150+. Subtle examples bring $25–$50.

10. Should I clean my 2022 penny before submitting it for grading?

Never. Cleaning strips the original surface and luster—exactly what PCGS and NGC grade for. A cleaned coin gets a “details” designation that can slash value by 50–70% compared to an uncleaned example at the same grade. For a 2022 Red (RD) penny, cleaning can kill the RD designation entirely. Store valuable coins in soft holders or inert flips, and handle only by the edges.