You can surely notice that 1954 Lincoln pennies can have different mint marks, depending on the mint that produced them this particular year. Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver mint made almost 420 million of these coins in 1954. However, Philadelphia minted less than 72 million coins, which is the 8th lowest production rate over the whole series.
The designer of the 1954 Lincoln penny was Victor D. Brenner, and this coin had the same look like every other Lincoln penny type. Their standard diameter is 0.75 inches (19 mm) with a weight of 0.1 troy ounces (3.11 g). You can find these coins in different conditions, but let’s determine an average 1954 Lincoln penny value on the current coin market.
1954 Lincoln Penny
The Lincoln penny is probably the most notable American coin due to the long production and the time of active use. For most collectors, older Lincoln pennies recently became a must-have piece of every collection.
The 1954 Lincoln penny fits that tendency impeccably, and this moment is an excellent opportunity to get your hands on one.
1954 Lincoln penny |
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Location | Year | Minted | Value |
Philadelphia | 1954 | 71,640,050 | 10 to 25 cents and more |
Philadelphia proof | 1954 | 233,300 | $2 |
San Francisco | 1954 S | 96,190,000 | 3 to 5 cents and more |
Denver | 1954 D | 251,552,500 | 3 to 5 cents and more |
Total | / | 419,382,550 | / |
The front side of the 1954 Lincoln penny portrayed Abraham Lincoln’s face positioned in the middle. To one side of Lincoln’s image is a raised engraving denoting the printing date, while the word LIBERTY is stamped on the left side.
Finally, you can see the angling expression IN GOD WE TRUST over Lincoln’s head.
The reverse of the Lincoln penny doesn’t include any particular symbolism in the middle, but only two raised engravings. One of them is the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, while the ONE CENT words represent the coin value.
You will also see two single stalks of wheat along the coin rim, which is why most Americans use the term the Wheat Penny for this coin. The Latin expression E PLURIBUS UNUM arches over the coin backside top.
1954 Lincoln Penny Grading
Collectors are usually professionals with tons of experience, and they will pay extra attention to every detail to get the best price for each coin. Unfortunately, it is possible to find some of the 1954 Lincoln pennies in your pocket that are worth absolutely nothing.
On the other side, some of them are highly collectible pieces and can cost a couple of tens of dollars. As always, details make the difference, so the coin’s condition and visible signs of wear will determine the precise value of each penny.
1954 Lincoln penny value by USA Coin book |
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Quality | 1954 | 1954 S | 1954 D |
Good | $0.05 | / | / |
Very good | $0.10 | / | / |
Fine | $0.15 | $0.05 | $0.05 |
Very fine | $0.27 | $0.10 | $0.10 |
Extra fine | $0.38 | $0.13 | $0.13 |
About uncirculated | $0.50 | $0.22 | $0.22 |
Mint state 60 | $0.65 | $0.55 | $0.55 |
Mint state 65 | $2.22 | $1.10 | $1.10 |
Proof 63 | $22 | / | / |
Uncirculated condition
An uncirculated coin has no visible signs of wear to its surface. Lincoln’s forehead and the area stretching out to his eyebrow are first inclined to damage. The best option is to start grading by checking for any imperfection and absence of brilliance.
1954 Lincoln penny value by JM Bullion |
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Coin | Extra fine quality | Uncirculated quality |
1954 Lincoln penny | $0.35 | $0.45 |
1954 S Lincoln penny | $0.12 | $0.20 |
1954 D Lincoln penny | $0.12 | $0.20 |
Always double-check Lincoln’s forehead covered with a fine grain surface, creating radiance in uncirculated coins. Additionally, it is crucial to notice typically high and low parts noticeable stretched out to his eyebrow. The whole surface should be shiny without smooth metal parts.
As you already know, any wear signs will rapidly show once a coin enters flow. Therefore, brilliant gloss is always a bonus for the 1954 Lincoln penny in mint state. In such a case, you can’t see many imprints upsetting the surface or dulling the shine as a result of long use.
1954 Lincoln penny toning
The measure of toning will determine the precise uncirculated grade among different coins in mint state. The presence of toning doesn’t demonstrate specialized judgment to the absence of wear but appears on all copper coins over time.
Pennies in uncirculated grade have no wear signs over the surface, and you can discover undisturbed surfaces by looking under the existing toning changes. Lincoln’s forehead stays with a unique, high-profile texture on perfect coins, and his eyebrow shows no smoothing signs.
1954 Lincoln penny value by CoinStudy |
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Coin | Good quality | Fine quality | Extra fine quality | Uncirculated quality |
1954 Lincoln penny | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.04 | $0.65 |
1954 S Lincoln penny | $0.03 | $0.03 | $0.05 | $0.45 |
1954 D Lincoln penny | $0.02 | $0.02 | $0.04 | $0.4 |
Toning changes the look and eye allure of these old pennies, and this brilliant fresh gloss is highly desirable among collectors. A decently toned coin can be in a few shades of brown and red. For the most part, brown is the most undesirable.
Extra fine condition
Surfaces of light wear are present on an extra fine graded Lincoln penny. Generally speaking, its appearance is pleasing with decently highlighted subtle details.
1954 Lincoln penny value by Hobbizine |
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Quality | 1954 | 1954 D | 1954 S |
Good | $0.05 | $0.05 | $0.05 |
Very good | $0.05 | $0.05 | $0.05 |
Fine | $0.08 | $0.08 | $0.08 |
Very fine | $0.09 | $0.09 | $0.09 |
Extra fine | $0.11 | $0.11 | $0.11 |
Uncirculated | $0.15 | $0.15 | $0.15 |
Brilliant uncirculated | $0.31 | $0.31 | $0.31 |
Fine condition
Wheat pennies in fine grade are accessible in large amounts nowadays. Such a coin shows the wear of the most intense elements. Lincoln’s hair presently connects with his temple, while the forehead straightens with the eyebrows. Unfortunately, you can unmistakably notice a loss of most high-profile components.
1954 Lincoln Penny Value
1954 Lincoln penny without a mint mark
The 1954 Lincoln pennies produced in Philadelphia don’t have a mint mark. Such a coin in very fine condition is usually worth around $0.25. On the other hand, an extra fine graded penny will reach a higher price by approximately 10 cents, so you can expect to get at least $0.35 for it.
Pennies in uncirculated condition will cost a bit more, and most MS 63 grade pieces will be worth around $0.60. On the other hand, coins in the same uncirculated state but graded MS 65 will quickly sell for at least $2.
1954 S Lincoln penny and 1954 D Lincoln penny
The 1954 D wheat penny and 1954 S wheat penny are very similar when discussing their price. Both of them are worth around $0.10 in very fine condition. Coins in an extra fine state are worth about $0.12 each.
In uncirculated conditions, their value goes up to $0.50 for coins with an MS 63 grade. On the other hand, uncirculated coins with a higher quality of MS 65 are usually worth about $1.
1954 proof Lincoln penny
The Philadelphia mint produced 233,300 proof Lincoln pennies in 1954. These coins in a PR 65 condition can reach more than $10 in some cases, but it is worth spending more time looking for brilliant pieces. Keep in mind that spotless and flashy pieces’ prices can be significantly higher.
1954 Lincoln proof penny value by Greysheet |
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Quality | Price |
PR 60 | $2.15 to $2.45 |
PR 61 | $2.65 to $3.25 |
PR 62 | $4 to $4.85 |
PR 63 | $5.4 to $6.5 |
PR 64 | $6.75 to $8 |
PR 65 | $8 to $9.7 |
MS 66 | $13.5 to $16.2 |
MS 67 | $33.75 to $40.5 |
The 1954 proof Lincoln wheat penny is highly attractive for series collectors. These enthusiasts will gladly add it to their proof coins collections since they are usually affordable even for collectors on the budget.
Auction History
1954 Lincoln pennies often take part in auctions since they are widely popular among collectors. Basically, you can effortlessly find these coins in all possible conditions, including those in mint states.
As you can guess, they never set records when it comes to the price. However, you can sell them for a decent amount of money, given their availability and metal composition.
For instance, one 1954 Lincoln penny in an MS 67 condition was sold at auction for an impressive $350 in September this year. As you can notice, that price wasn’t even in the top 20 auction records.
In the same period, a 1954 S Lincoln penny with MS 67+ grade reached $1,175. However, it didn’t beat the record from 2013. The highest auction price for one of these coins of a fantastic $1,880 was reached in August that year.
The 1954 D Lincoln penny’s highest price was $7,638. That MS 67+ grade coin was sold at auction in February 2015.
Summary
You can notice that 1954 Lincoln pennies are present in both circulated and uncirculated conditions because of the high mintage that year. In other words, only a few coins can make you rich. Coins with proof grades can bring you some money, but the truth is that the most pieces you can find are of the lower graded and practically without any value.