The 1968-S Lincoln Penny is worth anywhere from $0.10 in well-worn condition to over $25 or more in pristine mint state grades. If you found one of these coins in a jar, a drawer, or an old collection, you might be sitting on something worth a second look. Let’s break down exactly what this coin is worth and why.
What Makes the 1968-S Lincoln Penny Special
The “S” in 1968-S stands for San Francisco, the mint that produced this particular penny. During the late 1960s, the U.S. Mint was ramping up production to fight a national coin shortage, and the San Francisco facility was back in full swing after a period of reduced activity. That historical context matters because it affects both the coin’s availability and its collector appeal.
If you want a quick way to identify your coin and check its details, using the best coin identifier app can save you a lot of guesswork. These tools let you snap a photo and get instant feedback on what you have.
The 1968-S Lincoln Penny features the classic Victor D. Brenner obverse design showing Abraham Lincoln’s profile, with the Lincoln Memorial reverse that debuted in 1959. These coins were struck in 95% copper composition, giving them a warm reddish tone when uncirculated. The total mintage for the 1968-S was approximately 261 million coins, which is substantial but still leaves room for higher-grade examples to command real premiums among collectors.
1968-S Lincoln Penny Value by Grade
The condition of your coin is everything when it comes to value. Coin dealers and collectors use a grading scale from 1 to 70, and even small differences in grade can mean big differences in price. Here’s a general breakdown of what 1968-S pennies are worth at various grades:
| Grade | Condition | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| Good (G-4) | Heavy wear, design visible | $0.10 – $0.25 |
| Fine (F-12) | Moderate wear, details clear | $0.25 – $0.50 |
| Extremely Fine (EF-40) | Light wear on high points | $0.75 – $1.50 |
| Mint State (MS-63) | Uncirculated, minor marks | $3 – $8 |
| Mint State (MS-65) | Gem uncirculated | $10 – $25+ |
| MS-67 Red (Top Grade) | Superb gem, full red luster | $100 – $300+ |
For the most current auction and retail data, you can check out real-time 1968-S Lincoln Penny price data in mint state red grades to see where the market stands right now.
Red, Red-Brown, and Brown — Why Color Matters
One thing many beginners don’t realize is that for copper coins like the 1968-S Lincoln Penny, color designation plays a huge role in value. Grading services like PCGS and NGC assign one of three color labels to uncirculated copper coins:
– Red (RD): Full original mint luster, no toning. Highest value.
– Red-Brown (RB): Mix of original red and some toning. Mid-range value.
– Brown (BN): Fully toned, no original red remaining. Lowest value among uncirculated examples.
A 1968-S penny graded MS-65 Red can be worth several times more than the same coin graded MS-65 Brown. If your coin still has that bright, coppery-red shine, that’s a great sign. CoinHix is a handy tool for researching color-designated coin prices and understanding how these distinctions affect what dealers and collectors are willing to pay.
Error Coins and Special Varieties of the 1968-S Penny
Like many coins of this era, the 1968-S Lincoln Penny has a few varieties and mint errors that attract serious collector attention. Doubled die obverse errors, where the date or lettering shows a doubling effect, are among the most sought-after finds. Even a minor doubled die can push a coin’s value well above face value, and a strong example in high grade can fetch hundreds of dollars.
Die cap errors, off-center strikes, and broadstrikes occasionally appear in the market too. These are much rarer and require careful authentication. If you think you’ve found an error coin, resist the urge to clean it — cleaning a coin almost always reduces its value. Instead, have it professionally examined.
You can get a thorough look at detailed 1968 penny value information including varieties and error coins to help determine if your coin falls into one of these premium categories.
Should You Get Your 1968-S Penny Graded?
For most circulated 1968-S pennies, professional grading through PCGS or NGC is probably not worth the cost. Grading fees typically start around $20–$30, so unless your coin appears to be in uncirculated condition with strong color, the expense may outweigh the benefit.
However, if your coin looks like it was never spent — no wear, bright red luster, no major scratches — it could be a great candidate for grading. Top-end examples have sold at auction for significant premiums. CoinHix makes it easy to research recent sales so you can decide whether submitting your coin makes financial sense before spending money on grading fees.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know if my 1968-S penny is valuable?
A: Start by checking the mint mark — an “S” below the date confirms it’s the San Francisco issue. Then look at the condition. If it’s uncirculated with original red color, it’s worth more. You can use CoinHix or another coin pricing tool to check current values based on grade.
Q: Is a 1968-S penny rare?
A: Not especially rare — over 261 million were minted — but higher-grade examples with full red luster are genuinely hard to find and can be worth $25 to $300 or more depending on the grade. Error coins are the true rarities in this series.
Q: Should I clean my 1968-S Lincoln penny before selling it?
A: Absolutely not. Cleaning removes the original surface and drastically reduces a coin’s value in the eyes of collectors and dealers. Leave it exactly as you found it and consult a professional if you’re unsure of its grade or condition.
