1987 Lincoln Penny Value No Mint Mark: Worth More Than One Cent?

The 1987 Lincoln Penny (No Mint Mark) is worth anywhere from $0.05 in circulated condition to over $150 in high-grade mint state condition. While most of these coins found in pocket change are only worth their face value, certain specimens can be quite precious to collectors.

What Is the 1987 Penny With No Mint Mark?

In 1987, the United States Mint produced billions of Lincoln Cents to satisfy the nation’s demand for commerce. If you look at your 1987 penny and notice there is no small letter “D” or “S” under the date, it simply means that the coin was struck at the Philadelphia Mint. Historically, the Philadelphia Mint did not use a mint mark on pennies.

Finding one of these in your kitchen jar or between car seats is incredibly common. To determine if yours is special, you can use a free coin identifier app to quickly check for rare varieties. Because billions were made, only those in exceptional, “like-new” condition or those with rare striking errors command a high price.

When you are looking at your copper-plated zinc penny, you are seeing a piece of history from an era when the U.S. Mint was perfecting the composition of the cent. Since 1982, pennies have been primarily zinc with a thin copper coating, making the 1987 issue lighter than the older, solid copper versions. Using the CoinKnow app can help you distinguish between a standard strike and a high-grade investment piece.

1987 Philadelphia Penny Grading and Colors

When it comes to the value of a 1987 penny, “Grade” is everything. Professional graders look at the amount of wear on Lincoln’s hair, the sharpness of the pillars on the Lincoln Memorial, and the original luster. For pennies, color classification is also vital: Red (RD), Red-Brown (RB), and Brown (BN).

A “Red” penny is one that still looks like it just came out of the minting press, with at least 95% of its original orange-red copper color. These are the most sought after. For a detailed breakdown, the 1987 Lincoln Penny MS-RD price data shows a significant jump in value for coins that achieve a grade of MS-67 or higher.

Factors That Impact 1987 Penny Values

The primary enemy of a 1987 penny is “Zinc Rot.” Because these coins are made of a zinc core, even a small scratch in the copper plating allows moisture to enter and corrode the coin from the inside out. This often appears as small bubbles or black spots on the surface. Coins with zinc rot have no collector value beyond one cent.

However, if you find a coin that is perfectly preserved and free of these “bubbles,” you might be looking at a “Mint State” coin. These are coins that never entered circulation. If you aren’t sure if your coin is “Red” or “Brown,” the CoinKnow app’s image recognition can provide a second opinion on the state of the metal.

The rarity of high-grade 1987 pennies is due to the high production volume; the minting dies were often used until they were worn down, leading to “mushy” details on many coins. A sharp, crisp strike is what collectors pay for. You can find more 1987 penny value details by researching auction records for top-tier specimens.

Rare 1987 Penny Errors to Look Out For

Errors are where the real money is for the average collector. While the 1987 Philadelphia penny doesn’t have many famous “varieties” like the 1955 Doubled Die, there are “mechanical” errors that occur during the striking process. These unique mistakes can make a common coin worth dozens or hundreds of dollars.

One common error is the “Off-Center Strike,” where the coin blank was not properly aligned in the press. If 10% to 50% of the design is missing, the value increases significantly. Another is the “Broadstruck” error, where the coin is flatter and wider because the retaining collar was missing during the strike.

Lastly, look for “Die Cracks” or “Cuds.” These occur when the steel die used to stamp the coin breaks, leaving a raised blob of metal on the coin’s surface. These errors are highly collectible and often found by everyday Americans simply by paying close attention to their change.

Tips for Selling Your 1987 Pennies

If you believe you have found a high-value 1987 penny, your first step should be to protect it. Place it in a PVC-free plastic flip or a small envelope to prevent further scratches. Rubbing the coin or trying to clean it with chemicals will destroy its value instantly; collectors prefer “original” surfaces, even if they are dark.

Before spending money on professional grading fees (which can cost $20-$50 per coin), use digital tools like CoinKnow to get an estimate. Most 1987 pennies are not worth the cost of professional grading unless they are essentially flawless. If your coin is truly valuable, selling through a reputable auction house or a local coin shop is usually safer than online marketplaces.

Remember that the market for modern pennies fluctuates. What is worth $100 today might be worth $80 next year, or $150. Keeping an eye on recent sales of “MS-67 RD” specimens will give you the best idea of when to sell. Most people find that keeping these coins as part of a “Lincoln Memorial” album is a reward in itself.

FAQ

Q: Why does my 1987 penny have no mint mark?

A: A 1987 penny with no mint mark was struck at the Philadelphia Mint. During this time, the Philadelphia facility did not use a “P” mint mark on pennies, which is standard for most years in the Lincoln Cent series.

Q: Is a 1987 Lincoln Penny made of copper?

A: Not entirely. After mid-1982, the U.S. Mint began making pennies with a core of 99.2% zinc and 0.8% copper, then plating the entire coin in pure copper. A 1987 penny only contains about 2.5% copper by total weight.

Q: How can I tell if my 1987 penny is an error coin?

A: Look for unusual features like double-printed letters, parts of the design that are missing, or a coin that isn’t perfectly round. Using a magnifying glass or a coin identification app can help you spot these small details that indicate a minting error.

Q: What is the highest price ever paid for a 1987 penny?

A: While common in circulation, specimens in MS-68 RD condition have sold at auction for over $250. However, most high-grade coins typically sell in the $20 to $60 range depending on the specific auction and the coin’s eye appeal.