1971 S Lincoln Penny Proof

Notes:

1971 S Copper Penny Color Guide

Red is the most valuable color for the 1971 S Penny. RB (red brown) is a close second worth about 20% less than its RD counterpart.

Key Points of Interest

• Minted at P (no mint mark), D (Denver), S (San Francisco)
• Proofs have S mint mark
• 95% copper and 5% zinc
• DDO FS-101 common error worth $$$
• RD (red) most valuable color by far

1971 Penny Errors

While 1971 had less errors than the previous year there are still quite a few to be found and note. DDO FS-101 is the one to really remember.

1971 1c Clipped Planchet $25-$200

Clipped planchet errors love come in a few different flavors if you will. Curved clip looks similar to a cookie cutter, while straight clipped looks more like the cut was made with a pair of scissors. Both are worth between $25-$200 making these errors fairly affordable for the collector.

1971 1c DDO FS-101 (Double Die Obverse) $50-$3,000

If you are going to remember one error from this list then the 1971 1c DD0 (FS-101) is by far the one to remember. 1971 has a plethora of DDO (Double Die Errors) and they are worth searching for in our opinion. Some have sold for around $3,000 at online auctions and in person. The key deciding factor here is coin condition and color. MS-66 RD DD0 would take the cake, but lesser MS-64 DDO Red Browns should still be professionally graded as they are likely worth the fee before attempting to resell.

How to identify DDO Errors?

Look closely at the words liberty and the date. If you see what appears to be something like a tracing error on either side you might want to take a closer look.

1971 1c Off Center Error $15-$150

Off center errors occur in most coin series and the 1971 Lincoln 1c coin is no exception to the rule. These are some of the easier to spot, and also some of the most affordable for collectors looking to buy a coin error for the year. They regularly sell online and in person for $15-$150 USD.

1971 Cent Quick Guide

Mintages

How much is a 1971 S Lincoln Penny Proof worth?

In Average Circulated (AC) condition it's worth around 20 cents, one in certified mint state (MS+) condition could bring as much as $30 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 1971, and mint state meaning it is certified MS+ by one of the top coin grading companies. *** [?].

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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.