1984 Penny Coin Value: How Much Is It Worth?

Lincoln pennies are common and inexpensive coins often seen in circulation that are typically uninteresting for serious collectors. Moreover, those minted in 1984 are among the most frequently encountered you can find.

Only beautifully toned pieces and those with rare errors can be worth something. That makes estimating the 1984 Penny value a job for professionals. The other option is to check your coin in detail to discover potentially pricey specimens.

1984 penny value chart

Condition 1984 No Mint mark penny 1984 D penny 1984 S penny
Mint state 65 $0.33 $0.33 /
Proof 65 / / $4.52

1984 Penny Value Guides

Even though three mints struck 13,723,383,016 Lincoln pennies in 1984, only those in Philadelphia and Denver minted coins from the regular strike. Thanks to high mintage, most of these pennies are abundant on the current coin market, and you can buy them for less than a dollar.

The San Francisco mint produced only proof coins this year. However, even their value is not particularly high despite their relatively low mintage of 3,065,110 pieces.

1984 No Mint Mark Penny Value

1984 No Mint Mark Lincoln Penny

Most people consider 1984 Lincoln pennies worthless since it is a modern and widely spread coin. However, only those from circulation cost $0.01, while the price of pieces in the mint state is significantly higher than the face value struck on the reverse.

The Philadelphia mint produced 8,151,079,000 pennies in 1984. You should pay $0.20 to $17 for excellently preserved pieces, but those in the highest grades are even more pricey and typically worth about $60.

1984 Lincoln penny value

Condition 1984 No Mint mark RD penny 1984 D RD penny
MS 60 $0.20 $0.10
MS 61 $0.25 $0.12
MS 62 $0.30 $0.15
MS 63 $0.35 $0.20
MS 64 $0.50 $0.30
MS 65 $1 $0.40
MS 66 $5 $3.75
MS 67 $17 $18
MS 68 $60 $160

As always, collectors are prepared to pay more for unique pieces. For instance, the beautiful 1984 MS 69 RD Lincoln penny was sold at Bowers & Merena auction for $5,750 in 2010.

The 1984 MS 65 BN Lincoln penny was worth less, and one collector paid $2,760 for it in 2003 at the same auction.

The 1984 MS 63 RB Lincoln penny was the least expensive since it reached only $201 at Heritage Auctions in 2003. However, it is still a pretty high price for a one-cent coin, isn’t it? 

1984 D Penny Value

 

1984 D Lincoln Penny

You can buy most of the surviving Lincoln pennies of 5,569,238,906 produced in the Denver mint in 1984 for $0.10 to $18. Only those in the MS 68 grade are worth about $160. However, some rare, beautifully toned specimens can be costly.

Coins with beautiful red toning are the most collectible, so it is not surprising that one collector set aside $4,025 for the 1984 D MS 68 RD Lincoln penny in 2008 at Heritage Auctions.

On the other hand, coins with less attractive toning reached lower prices. One 1984 MS 60 Lincoln brown penny won an auction record. One collector paid $47 for it at in 2009 Heritage Auctions. Despite its better condition, the most pricey red-brown piece was paid a modest $20 on eBay in 2021.

1984 S proof Penny Value

1984 S proof Lincoln Penny

The San Francisco mint didn’t produce regular Lincoln pennies in 1984 but was assigned to strike 3,065,110 proof coins.

1984 proof Lincoln penny value

Condition 1984 S RD DCAM proof penny
PR 60 $0.20
PR 61 $0.20
PR 62 $0.20
PR 63 $0.20
PR 64 $0.25
PR 65 $1
PR 66 $2.50
PR 67 $3
PR 68 $4
PR 69 $5
PR 70 $150

Most of these pieces have a value of $0.18 to $5, but rare coins in perfect condition can reach the price of $150. One 1984 S PR 70 DCAM Lincoln penny won the auction record in 2002. It was sold at Heritage Auctions for an impressive $1,380.

1984 Penny Errors

Doubled Die Ear

1984 Lincoln Penny Doubled Die Ear

The 1984 Lincoln penny has one recognizable and valuable imperfection. Coins with a Doubled Die Ear error on the obverse have a visible doubling on Abraham Lincoln’s ear.

These coins are rare, particularly those struck in the Philadelphia mint. Most collectors are prepared to set aside a few hundred dollars for this scarce piece, provided it is well preserved.

Besides the President’s ear, you can find coins with a doubling on his beard or a bowtie. About 2,000 of these pennies are officially graded, and most are with MS 65 rating. They are typically worth $225, but you can expect those in high grades to be more pricey.

1984 Lincoln penny value

Condition 1984 BN penny with a double ear error 1984 RB penny with a double ear error 1985 RD penny with a double ear error
MS 60 $100 $120 $120
MS 61 $100 $130 $130
MS 62 $105 $135 $135
MS 63 $110 $145 $155
MS 64 $120 $150 $165
MS 65 $130 $160 $175
MS 66 $140 $180 $275
MS 67 $200 $240 $450
MS 68 / / $1,400

The most expensive is the 1984 DDO MS 68 RD Lincoln penny, paid $3,910 at Heritage Auctions in 2009. However, you can find some other coins for relatively high prices.

For instance, the 1984 DDO MS 68 BN Lincoln penny won an auction record in its category after one collector paid $904 for it in 2020 at Heritage Auctions. The one in MS 66 grade with attractive red-brown toning was sold for $403 at a David Lawrence RC auction in 2009.

 

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