1978 D Penny

Notes: The 1978 Penny had several errors for the year. Double Strikes (Double Struck) were somewhat common this year. Double strikes look something akin to two partial coins that have been smashed together. The 1978 penny also has an error where the Penny was struck on a Dime Planchet. This means the coin was struck on a copper nickel blend and not a copper blend. These tend to look like old dimes, with a penny face. Offcenter strikes were also common this year. Off center and Double Strikes can easily be confused. Off center strikes will have a blank crescent moon or flat area on the coin without detail.

Key Notes for 1978 Lincoln Pennies

These are the key points for you to remember about these coins.

1. P, D, S minted with proofs from S
2. no unique or major errors to note
3. RD (red) most coveted of colors
4. 95% copper and 5% zinc

Most Common 1978 1c Errors

Click the image below to see full resolution detailed collage of the most common 1978 1c errors

Struck on 10c Planchet ($200-$550)

This error is widely distributed and there appear to be more of these than you would normally see in a year. This might not be the case however. This error occurs when a 10c planchet (blank) makes its way into the penny hopper and is struck by the 1c 1978 die. This coin will weight something like 2.3 g

Struck Off Center ($25-$195)

Off center strikes occur when the die strike misaligns with the planchet. These errors are common.

Struck Off Center ($25-$195)

Off center strikes occur when the die strike misaligns with the planchet. These errors are common.

Rare 1978 Penny Sold for $588

Price Chart

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

Values listed here are the 1978 D RD (red) in color Lincoln cent.

• Grade MS62 = $2-$4
• Grade MS63 = $5-$9
• Grade MS64 = $9-$15
• Grade MS65 = $15-$25
• Grade MS66 = $34-$56
• Grade MS67 = $143-$238

• Grade MS62 = $2-$3
• Grade MS63 = $3-$5
• Grade MS64 = $6-$10
• Grade MS65 = $11-$19
• Grade MS66 = $24-$40

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.

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How much is a 1978 D Penny worth?

In Average Circulated (AC) condition it's worth around 30 cents, one in certified mint state (MS+) condition could bring as much as $23 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 1978, 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.