2024 Penny Value Checker: Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth

The 2024 Lincoln Shield penny is now officially the last full year of U.S. circulating penny production. On November 12, 2025, the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia struck its final circulating cent, ending a tradition that began in 1793.

That single historical fact changes everything for collectors. What was once a common modern coin is now the last of its kind — and collector demand has already started to rise.

 

2024 Penny Value By Variety

Three varieties exist for the 2024 Lincoln Shield penny: Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (“D”), and the San Francisco (“S”) proof with a Deep Cameo (DCAM) finish.

Worn examples are worth face value. A perfect MS68 Red Philadelphia cent brought $1,690 at auction in March 2024. If you know your coin’s grade, check the exact price in the Value Guides section below.

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

 

History of The 2024 Penny

On February 9, 2025, President Trump posted on Truth Social: “For far too long, the United States has minted pennies which literally cost us more than 2 cents. This is so wasteful!” That post sealed the 2024 penny’s place in history.

He told Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to stop production. By May 2025, the Treasury confirmed it would halt minting once blank planchet stock ran out. The final circulating penny was struck on November 12, 2025, at the Philadelphia Mint — with Secretary Bessent and Treasurer Brandon Beach watching it happen.

So the 2024 issue is the last full calendar year of U.S. penny production. The Mint lost $85.3 million producing nearly 3.2 billion pennies in fiscal year 2024, at a cost of 3.69 cents per coin — up 20.2% from the year before. That cost had been above face value for 19 consecutive fiscal years.

The Shield reverse replaced the Lincoln Memorial in 2010 after 51 years. Here’s a fun detail: the Commission of Fine Arts originally picked a wheat sheaf design, but it got pulled because it looked too much like a 1924 German pfennig. And the very first Shield pennies actually showed up in Puerto Rico in January 2010, weeks before the mainland release, because the island had a severe coin shortage. The 2024 issue marks the 15th consecutive year of the Shield reverse — a design now permanently tied to the penny’s final chapter.

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

 

Is Your 2024 Penny Rare?

About 3.23 billion were struck. That sounds like the opposite of rare. But with modern coins, condition is everything.

The 97.5% zinc composition with only a few microns of copper plating means these coins are soft. They pick up bag marks and contact dings the second they hit the counting machines. Finding a fully Red (RD) example at MS67 or higher is genuinely tough. Most coins get beat up before they ever leave the Mint’s facility.

To check specific grades or spot valuable error varieties, our Coin Identifier and Value App provides comprehensive analysis and current market pricing.

 

Key Features of The 2024 Penny

This is the 15th and final full year of the Shield reverse — a coin that bookends Lincoln’s legacy with the end of America’s penny era.

The Obverse Of The 2024 Penny

Lincoln faces right — the same portrait Victor David Brenner designed in 1909 for Lincoln’s 100th birthday. You’ll see “2024” to Lincoln’s right, “LIBERTY” on his left, and “IN GOD WE TRUST” along the upper rim.

Look near Lincoln’s right shoulder for the tiny initials VDB. Those were removed from the original 1909 VDB pennies after public backlash over their size, then quietly brought back in 1918. On the 2024 issue, modern striking gives you especially crisp detail in Lincoln’s hair and beard.

The Reverse Of The 2024 Penny

Flip it over and you’ll see the Union Shield — 13 vertical stripes for the original colonies, topped by a horizontal bar representing federal unity. A scroll across the shield reads “ONE CENT.”

Down at the shield’s tip, look for the designer initials “LB” and “JFM” — that’s Lyndall Bass and Joseph Menna. “E PLURIBUS UNUM” arcs above, and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” runs along the outer edge. This design replaced the Lincoln Memorial reverse that had been on pennies since 1959.

Other Features Of The 2024 Penny

The 2024 penny is 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper, with the zinc core making up 99.2% of the interior. It weighs exactly 2.50 grams, measures 19.05 mm in diameter, and has a plain (unreeded) edge.

That copper layer is barrel electroplated on — just a few microns thick. New coins look bright red (RD), but even brief humidity exposure can push a coin into Red-Brown (RB) or Brown (BN) territory. That color shift costs you real money at sale time.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 2024 Penny Value

Start by checking three things: the mint mark location (below the date on the obverse), the coin’s color (Red, Red-Brown, or Brown), and its surface condition under good lighting.

Most circulated 2024 pennies are worth face value — $0.01. Uncirculated examples at MS65 Red (RD) are worth around $0.40 to a few dollars. The value jumps dramatically at MS67 RD, which commands $15 to $50, and MS68 RD, which is extremely rare and has sold for over $1,600 at auction. For quick and accurate assessment, use the Coin Identifier and Value App to identify errors and determine your coin’s grade through instant photo analysis.

 

2024 Penny Value Guides

Three mints produced 2024 pennies — Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco — each creating a distinct variety.

Philadelphia (no mint mark) and Denver (“D”) were struck for everyday circulation. San Francisco (“S”) made proof-only specimens with the Deep Cameo (DCAM) finish — frosted devices against mirror-like fields — sold exclusively through official collector sets. Note that the 2024-S penny in the Silver Proof Set is made of copper-plated zinc, not silver.

Color designations matter greatly for Lincoln cents:

• RD (Red): Full original copper color — the highest-value designation. Required for premium pricing at all grades.
• RB (Red-Brown): Mixed original red and brown toning. Values typically 40–75% lower than RD at the same grade.
• BN (Brown): Fully toned brown. The lowest designation, found on most circulated coins.

Available 2024 Penny Varieties:

• 2024 No Mint Mark Shield (Philadelphia)
• 2024-D Shield (Denver)
• 2024-S DCAM Shield (San Francisco Proof)

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

 

2024 No Mint Mark Shield Penny Value

How do you know it’s a Philly coin? No mint mark. Look below the date — if that space is blank, it came from Philadelphia. That’s been the case since 1793, with one exception: the 2017 commemorative issue carried a “P” for the first time ever.

Registry set collectors are paying close attention to this one. An early auction brought $1,690 for a 2024-P MS68 RD on March 24, 2024, when the certified population was nearly zero. The market has settled since then as more coins get submitted to PCGS and NGC. If you’re hunting die varieties, any doubled die obverse (DDO) findings from the 2024-P can be tracked through Wexler’s Shield Cent Doubled Die Files.

Here’s the price contrast that matters: an MS66 RD is worth a few dollars at most. Step up to MS67 RD and you’re looking at $15 to $50 — a 5x to 10x jump for one grade point. That cliff exists because automated handling at the mint beats up the soft zinc surfaces on virtually every coin. Finding one that survived untouched is the challenge.

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

 

2024-D Shield Penny Value

A lot of people assume Denver and Philly coins are interchangeable. They’re not — especially at top grades. The “D” mint mark sits below the date on the obverse. Denver’s high-speed presses crank out roughly 12.5 coins per second, and combined Denver-Philadelphia production hit approximately 3.23 billion pennies in fiscal year 2024 — that’s 57.5% of all U.S. coins produced that year.

This was the third straight year of declining penny production. The 2024 mintage was less than half what we saw in 2021. PCGS records show the auction record for a 2024-D MS67 RD is $153, achieved at an eBay auction on October 11, 2024. An MS66 RD sells for a fraction of that. One grade point, huge price gap.

Even as production dropped, pennies remained Denver’s highest-volume coin in 2024 — each one costing 3.69 cents to make. Billions of coins at a net loss. That’s the math that finally killed the penny.

The chart below will better help you understand how this coin is performing in the market.

 

2024-S DCAM Shield Penny Value

You won’t find this one in your pocket change. The 2024-S proof penny comes exclusively from the San Francisco Mint, sold only through official U.S. Mint collector sets. The “S” mint mark below the date tells you exactly where it was made.

Deep Cameo (DCAM) describes that gorgeous contrast — frosted raised devices against mirror-like fields. San Francisco achieves this with specially prepared dies and multiple strikes under higher pressure than business strikes get. A collector paid $47 for a PR70-DCAM 2024-S penny in September 2024, showing early demand for top-grade proofs.

By default, the 2024-S is the scarcest 2024 penny. San Francisco’s proof runs are tiny compared to the hundreds of millions struck for circulation. In PR65 condition, you’re looking at about $2.60. Perfect PR70 DCAM examples have already pulled premiums above $30. I think these will continue climbing as the “last year” story gains traction.

The market activity chart reveals how collectors respond to these exclusive releases throughout the year.

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

 

Rare 2024 Penny Error List

Errors happen when something goes wrong during striking, and they can turn a one-cent coin into something worth serious money. The 2024 Lincoln cent has already produced documented errors that collectors are actively cherrypicking from rolls and bags.

Since 2024 is the last full year of circulating penny production, every new error discovery carries extra weight. Here’s what’s been confirmed so far:

1. 2024-D Penny Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) Error

A DDO happens when the working die gets multiple hub impressions at slightly different angles. You end up with letters, numbers, or portrait details that show a clean “shadow” or “echo” next to the original design.

On 2024-D pennies, collectors have found doubling on the *VDB* initials and the word *LIBERTY*. One confirmed example sold for $117 in an August 2024 eBay auction. Stronger, more visible doubling always brings higher prices.

Here’s the key skill: telling a real DDO from worthless machine doubling (MD). True doubled dies show rounded, separated design elements. Machine doubling looks flat and shelf-like with no depth. Learn the difference and you’ll save yourself a lot of disappointment.

2. 2024-D Penny Reverse Grease Struck-Through Error

When grease, oil, or debris clogs part of the die before striking, those details don’t transfer to the coin. The affected area looks soft or completely blank while everything else stays sharp. These only happen on freshly struck coins, so the rest of the surface is mint-state quality.

Heritage Auctions sold a 2024-D penny with a reverse grease struck-through error for $190 in March 2024. That’s one of the priciest single 2024 penny errors on record. The more prominent the affected area — shield stripes, large lettering — the more you can expect to get.

3. 2024-D Penny Missing VDB Initials Error

This is a specific type of grease struck-through that hits the tiny *VDB* initials at the base of Lincoln’s portrait. Grease fills that part of the die, and the initials just don’t show up. Smooth surface where VDB should be.

Examples with completely missing VDB initials have sold on eBay for $51 to $58, with better-condition pieces going higher. Grab a 5x or 10x loupe and check this spot on any sharp, uncirculated 2024 penny you come across.

4. 2024-D Penny Retained Die Break (Cud) Error

A retained die break — collectors call it a “cud” — happens when part of the die cracks but stays in place during striking. Metal flows into the fracture and creates a thick, raised blob on the finished coin.

This error has been documented on 2024-D pennies and draws strong collector interest. The premium jumps when the cud lands on a prominent area like Lincoln’s face or the date. Those high-visibility cuds are among the most collectible 2024 die break errors out there.

5. 2024-D Penny “W-Shaped Gouge” Die Error

This one’s hard to miss. A sharply raised “W”-shaped mark appears on Lincoln’s coat near the shoulder area. It was likely caused by an accidental deep scratch or gouge in the working die.

Every coin struck from that damaged die carries the identical raised mark, making it easy to authenticate. It got attention fast after discovery and ranks among the highest-priced 2024-D penny errors documented so far. Strong examples can reach several hundred dollars depending on overall coin condition.

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

 

Where To Sell Your 2024 Penny

Whether you have a common circulation strike or a rare error variety, choosing the right platform to sell your 2024 pennies can significantly impact your return. Consider your penny’s condition, variety, and current market demand when selecting your selling venue to maximize your profit potential.

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

 

2024 Penny Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About The 2024 Penny

1. How much is a 2024 penny worth?

Most circulated 2024 pennies are worth $0.01. Uncirculated MS65 Red (RD) coins run about $0.40. At MS67 RD, you’re looking at $15 to $50. A documented MS68 RD Philadelphia cent sold for $1,690 on March 24, 2024.

Errors add another layer. A 2024-D doubled die obverse brought $117, and a grease struck-through reached $190 at Heritage Auctions.

2. Is a 2024-S penny rare?

Yes. San Francisco only makes proof specimens for collector sets — none go into circulation. Total mintage is a tiny fraction of the billions struck at Philadelphia and Denver.

In PR65 condition, the 2024-S is worth about $2.60. A perfect PR70 Deep Cameo (DCAM) example sold for $47 in September 2024.

3. Why is the 2024 penny historically important?

It’s the last full calendar year of circulating U.S. penny production. President Trump ordered the halt in February 2025, and the final circulating cent was struck on November 12, 2025. The Treasury had been losing money on pennies since 2006, with 2024 losses totaling $85.3 million on 3.2 billion coins. Every 2024 date and mint mark now carries genuine collector significance.

4. What is the color designation for a 2024 penny and why does it matter?

Lincoln cents get one of three color grades: Red (RD), Red-Brown (RB), or Brown (BN).

RD means full original copper luster — highest premiums at every grade. RB shows mixed red and brown toning, typically selling for 40–75% less than RD at the same grade. BN is the most common and cheapest. For maximum value, you want RD coins stored in inert holders away from humidity.

5. What does “MS” or “PR” grade mean on a 2024 penny?

MS means Mint State — for business strikes that never circulated. PR means Proof — for specially made collector coins like the 2024-S. Both use the Sheldon Scale from 60 (lowest uncirculated) to 70 (perfect).

PCGS and NGC are the two major grading services that assign these grades and seal coins in tamper-evident “slabs.” Getting a coin slabbed matters once you’re dealing with 2024 pennies worth more than a few dollars.

6. What errors should I look for on a 2024 penny?

The big ones: Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) with doubling on “LIBERTY” or VDB, reverse grease struck-through ($190 at Heritage Auctions in March 2024), missing VDB initials ($51–$58 on eBay), retained die break (cud), and the “W-shaped gouge” on Lincoln’s coat.

Use a 10x loupe. Real doubled dies show clean, rounded doubling. Machine doubling looks flat and shelf-like — it’s worth nothing.

7. Should I clean my 2024 penny to improve its appearance?

Never. This is the single fastest way to destroy a coin’s value.

Abrasives strip the thin copper plating. Chemical cleaners darken the exposed zinc. PCGS and NGC graders spot cleaned surfaces immediately, and your coin gets a “details” grade that tanks its market value. Store uncirculated coins in inert mylar flips or certified slabs.

8. Is the 2024 penny made of copper?

Not really. It’s 97.5% zinc with a thin copper plating. The switch from 95% copper happened in mid-1982 when copper prices got too high. The zinc core is 99.2% of the coin’s interior, and the copper layer is just a few microns thick. That’s why circulated 2024 pennies turn dull or brown so quickly — the plating wears off fast.

9. How does the 2024 penny compare to Canada’s last penny in collector value?

Canada killed its penny in 2012. After that, final-year issues and error coins saw rising collector interest over the following years. PCGS President Stephanie Sabin referenced this trend when speaking to Newsweek in February 2025, noting that discontinued coins typically see “a resurgence of interest.” I think the 2024 U.S. penny sits in that same historically significant spot.

10. Where can I find the current certified population for 2024 pennies at PCGS or NGC?

Population data is still building as coins keep getting submitted. For live numbers, visit the PCGS Population Report at pcgs.com/pop and search for the 2024 Lincoln Shield Cent (PCGS #936054 for the Philadelphia RD, #941225 for the Denver RD, and #941585 for the San Francisco DCAM Proof). For NGC, check the NGC Coin Census at ngccoin.com/census.

Values at MS68 especially can shift as more coins get slabbed. Always check current census data before making big buying or grading decisions.