The penny minted in 1917 is one of the oldest versions. The only way to successfully determine the 1917 penny coin value is to assess its condition. Plus, it is necessary to determine the mint where the particular coin was struck and whether there is a visible error on its surface.
1917 Lincoln Penny History
The Lincoln penny design was the work of sculptor Victor David Brenner, who created this coin in 1909. Interestingly, it has been minted until these days, with a few changes in appearance, composition, and weight.
The first thing you can see on the coin obverse is a former President Lincoln’s profile. On one side is the inscription LIBERTY, while on the other is the minting date. Above Lincoln’s head is the motto IN GOD WE TRUST.
1917 Lincoln penny |
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| Face value | One cent ($0.01) |
| Compound | 95% copper and 5% tin or zinc |
| Coin thickness | 0.07677 inches (1.95 mm) |
| Coin weight | 0.10970 ounces (3.11 g) |
| Coin diameter | 0.75 inches (19.05 mm) |
| Shape | Round |
| Edge | Plain |
The ONE CENT value occupies the middle of the coin reverse. Below is the inscription the UNITED STATE OF AMERICA, while the upper rim is inscribed with the Latin saying E PLURIBUS UNUM. Wheat stalks stretch along the right and left edges.
1917 Lincoln Penny Types
In 1917, three mints produced this penny, including Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver. As usual, only coins minted in the second two places had mint marks.
1917 Lincoln penny |
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| Location | Year | Minted | Value |
| Philadelphia | 1917 | 196,429,785 | $0.1 to $0.5 |
| San Francisco | 1917 S | 32,620,000 | $1 to $5 |
| Denver | 1917 D | 55,120,000 | $1 to $8 |
| Total | / | 284,169,785 | / |
All three mints produced 284,169,785 pennies in 1917. However, you will hardly find this coin in the mint state today since a significant number was in circulation for a long.
1917 Lincoln penny
The 1917 Lincoln penny without a mint mark came from the Philadelphia mint. Precisely 196,425,785 of these coins were struck that year, so it is pretty common on the current market.
1917 Lincoln penny value* |
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| Quality | 1917 | 1917 S | 1917 D | 1917 DDO |
| Good | $0.3 | $0.5 | $0.9 | / |
| Very good | $0.4 | $0.7 | $1.1 | / |
| Fine | $0.5 | $1.1 | $1.9 | $250 |
| Very fine | $2.2 | $2.7 | $5 | $495 |
| Extra fine | $4.4 | $11 | $38 | $1,106 |
| AU | $11 | $27 | $54 | $1,768 |
| MS 60 | $17 | $81 | $89 | $3,051 |
| MS 63 | $35 | $172 | $137 | $6,347 |
*by USA Coin book
Due to the large production, you can find this penny at an affordable price of only 10 to 50 cents. However, you can sell a 1917 Lincoln penny with an MS 65 rating for almost $400.
1917 S Lincoln penny
The S mint mark struck on the 1917 S Lincoln penny indicates that the coin came from San Francisco. This mint produced 32,620,000 pennies that year.
1917 Lincoln penny* |
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| Year | Quality | ||
| Fine | Extra fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1917 | $0.5 | $4 | $10 |
| 1917 S | $1 | $10 | $25 |
| 1917 D | $1.75 | $35 | $50 |
*by JM Bullion
Nowadays, the 1917 Lincoln penny has no great value, and you can come across an excellently rated coin for approximately $5. However, specimens in an MS 65 grade can be worth more than $2,000.
1917 D penny
The Denver mint produced 55,120,000 Lincoln pennies in 1917. These coins were mostly in circulation for years, so there are visible signs of wear on their surfaces.
1917 Lincoln penny value* |
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| Year | Quality | |||
| Good | Fine | Extra fine | Uncirculated | |
| 1917 | $0.1 | $0.4 | $3.7 | $10 |
| 1917 S | $0.5 | $0.9 | $10 | $56 |
| 1917 D | $0.5 | $2 | $33 | $46 |
An MS 65 specimen is always expensive and can cost up to $900. On the other hand, you can buy a coin in low grades for about $8
1917 Penny Rarities and Key Dates
Occasionally, you can see a penny with an error appearing on the coin market. Such coins are rare, and collectors are willing to set aside significant money to provide one for their collections. There are several scarce errors minted in 1917.
1917 DDO Lincoln penny
The double die obverse penny came from the Philadelphia mint. Such a coin has the date and phrase IN GOD WE TRUST duplication. In most cases, you will quickly recognize this error type.
Collectors estimate that there are about 200 such pennies. Their value varies, depending on the preservation levels. A coin in good condition is worth about $150, while an MS 65 rating piece can bring you more than $24,000.
1917 Lincoln penny value* |
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| Quality | 1917 | 1917 S | 1917 D |
| Good | $0.15 | $0.4 | $0.5 |
| Very good | $0.2 | $0.65 | $0.75 |
| Fine | $0.3 | $1 | $1.25 |
| Very fine | $1.5 | $2 | $4.25 |
| Extra fine | $3.75 | $9.25 | $20 |
| Uncirculated | $11.5 | $31.25 | $33.5 |
| Brilliant uncirculated | $15.5 | $61 | $61 |
1917 Lincoln penny with a die crack (die cud)
You can notice bumps or stains on the coin’s surface, regardless of its condition. The cause of these errors is most likely cracks in the matrix. Such pennies are not pricey, and you can get one for $3 to $150, depending on its grade.
1917 off-center Lincoln penny
Coins with this error are rare. The off-center position can vary, determining their value. For instance, pennies shifted by 50% relative to the center are typically worth several hundred dollars.
The piece struck only 5% to 10% off-center is less valuable, and you can buy one for $10 to $20.
1917 Lincoln penny with the re-punched mint mark
Re-punched mint marks are the results of the double punch. Collectors are always interested in those pieces, so an average 1917 Lincoln penny with this kind of error can bring you approximately $5 to $20.
1917 Penny Value Grading
The best option to determine your penny value is to rely on expert judgment. However, you can also use an available evaluation system to assess the coin condition yourself.
Uncirculated – A coin in an uncirculated condition was never in public use, so it kept its mint luster and delicate texture over the entire surface. There are also no signs of wear, and all the relief details are visible.
1917 Lincoln penny value* |
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| Quality | 1917 | 1917 S | 1917 D | 1917 DDO |
| Good | $0.15 | $0.15 | $0.25 | $100 |
| Very good | $0.2 | $0.25 | $0.3 | $126 |
| Fine | $0.25 | $0.3 | $0.35 | $400 |
| Very fine | $0.3 | $0.35 | $0.4 | $850 |
| Extra fine | $1.5 | $4 | $8 | $1,150 |
| AU | $5 | $30 | $33 | $1,300 |
| MS 60 | $50 | $45 | $75 | $1,600 |
| MS 63 | $99 | $276 | $150 | $1,840 |
| MS 64 | $149 | $359 | $373 | $5,750 |
| MS 65 | $373 | $2,070+ | $900+ | $24,150 |
*by Coin HelpU
Extra fine – This penny was in circulation for a short time, so you can’t notice any significant damage visible to the naked eye. However, an expert will see slight scratches on the coin surface and some signs of wear on the relief.
For instance, the Lincoln profile’s sharpest lines are typically lost, and you can probably recognize partial color changes.
Fine – A coin that spent some time circulating will receive this rating. You can spot visible signs of wear over the penny surface and atypically uneven coin edge.
Most relief details are flattened, like the Lincoln coat’s collar and details on his shirt and neck. However, it is possible to identify most of the relief details.
1917 Lincoln penny value* |
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| Quality | 1917 | 1917 S | 1917 D | 1917 DDO |
| Good | $0.4 to $0.5 | $0.5 to $0.7 | $0.75 to $1.3 | $130 to $172 |
| Very good | $0.4 to $0.6 | $0.7 to $1.3 | $1.5 to $2.3 | $150 to $262 |
| Fine | $0.5 to $1 | $1.5 to $2.2 | $3.4 to $4.9 | $240 to $336 |
| Very fine | $2 to $5 | $2.6 to $11.2 | $5.4 to $24.3 | $390 to $748 |
| Extra fine | $5 to $10 | $12.1 to $20.6 | $40.5 to $53 | $1,250 to $1,580 |
| AU | $14.8 to $19.4 | $27 to $73 | $48.6 to $78 | $1,620 to $3,160 |
| MS 60 | $17.5 to $21 | $81 to $97 | $78 to $94 | $3,440 to $3,950 |
| MS 61 | $23 to $27.5 | $105 to $126 | $97 to $117 | $3,750 to $4,310 |
| MS 62 | $25.6 to $30.8 | $123 to $142 | $109 to $130 | $4,750 to $5,500 |
| MS 63 | $32.4 to $38.9 | $162 to $195 | $130 to $156 | $7,500 to $8,620 |
| MS 64 | $54 to $65 | $221 to $254 | $156 to $187 | / |
| MS 65 | $156 to $187 | $618 to $715 | $390 to $448 | / |
Good – This grade shows that the coin was in circulation for a long time, so there are numerous noticeable signs of wear on its surface. Lincoln’s profile details are flattened, and his shirt and coat lines are no longer clear. However, the letters and dates are still visible and legible.
Summary
If you want to add the 1917 Lincoln penny to your collection, there is no need to spend much money. There are three types available on the coin market, and their value will vary, depending on the mint they were produced. However, a rare penny with an error can be a challenge for your budget.
