1968 Penny

Notes:

Copper Penny Color Guide

Use the visual guide below do decide your pennies color.

3.04 million proofs were issued here at the S mint in 1968. This was the first year since 1955 that the cent or penny was minted at all 3 mint main current mints...the p..d..s... This means that the total number of pennies minted per mint location dropped as they are now spread across 3 facilities. This is also the first year that the S mint handled the proofs.

1968 Error Penny Guide

In terms of errors 1968 has some unusual ones. Click the image to enlarge and see the diagram. Read below the image for more details on these errors.

1968 Off-Center Strike Error Penny

When a die strikes a planchet off center it creates offcenter strikes. Its very simple to understand but still fun to collect. Off center strikes are known to exist by up to 90% off center. Image example is probably about 30% off center.

1968 Penny Struck on Type 2 Dime Planchet

When a dime planchet is struck with a rim created it's now called a type II planchet. The example showed is of a type 2 dime planchet being struck by a 1968 Lincoln Cent die.

1968 Penny Struck on Production Dime

This one is slightly different from the error above. In this example a fully minted and created dime somehow made its way into the pile of penny planchets and was then struck a second time with a penny die.

1968 Clipped Planchet 1 Cent

The planchets are punched from metal sheets and then struck again a portion is cut away. This curved clip is known to error collectors as a clipped planchet error.

1968 DDO or DDR 1C

Double Die Obverse and or Double Die Reverse coins are fairly common. Look closely at the dates and the word liberty for strange edges.

Mintages

Price Chart

Rates listed here refer to professionally graded and slabbed coins. If new to collecting the prices below might not make sense.

Prices below are for the RD (Red) version of this coin. Use reduced rates if the coin has been professionally marked as Red Brown or Brown.

• Grade MS61 = $3-$5
• Grade MS62 = $5-$8
• Grade MS63 = $7-$11
• Grade MS64 = $13-$21
• Grade MS65 = $15-$25
• Grade MS66 = $38-$63
• Grade MS67 = $75-$125

Prices below are for the Red Brown 1968 Lincoln Cent.

• Grade MS61 = $2-$3
• Grade MS62 = $3-$5
• Grade MS63 = $5-$8
• Grade MS64 = $7-$11
• Grade MS65 = $9-$15
• Grade MS66 = $23-$38
• Grade MS67 = $60-$100

Reduced rates below are for 1968 P Penny with Brown coloration.

• Grade MS63 = $2-$3
• Grade MS64 = $3-$5
• Grade MS65 = $6-$10
• Grade MS66 = $17-$28
• Grade MS67 = $47-$78

Is the list above a little overwhelming? If so, take 5 minutes to learn all about Coin Grading.

It's also important to note...Prices are subject to the same supply and demand laws as everything else. Coins sold at the same auction house 10x, would fetch drastically different bids each session. To raise your chances of receiving top dollar read How to Get the Most for your Coins.

We've personally researched these values. If you enjoy our content please return the favor and share this page with your friends.

How much is a 1968 Penny worth?

In Average Circulated (AC) condition it's worth around 5 cents, one in certified mint state (MS+) condition could bring as much as $15 at auction. This price does not reference any standard coin grading scale. So when we say Average Circulated, we mean in a similar condition to other coins circulated in 1968, and mint state meaning it is certified MS+ by one of the top coin grading companies. *** [?].

What are your coins really worth?

Use the handy-dandy calculator below to find the real value of any lincoln penny in your collection.

Specs & Design

This coin has a total mass of 2.5 g, a diameter of 19.05 mm, and a thickness of 1.52 mm. It's edge is Smooth, and the coins are composed of 95% Copper Pre 1982, 97.5% Zinc, 2.5% Copper after 1982.

Designer: Victor D. Brenner (obv), Lyndall Bass (rev)

Front (Obverse): The obverse or front of this coin contains the bust of President Lincoln the 16th president of the United States. The words In God We Trust are engraved in an arching manner on the top most portion of this coin. The date is present along with the mint mark. If the mark is missing the coin was issued from the Philadelphia mint. With the exception of 2017 P, the only year to contain a P mint mark to honor the 225th anniversary of the United States Mint.

Back (Reverse): The reverse of this coin has been described as Lincoln Memorial design. Nice clean lines on the steps and buildings are important for a decent grade. The Lincoln Memorial replaced the reverse after the last Wheat Cent was issued in 1958.