With more than a hundred strikes, the 1964 penny isn't very uncommon. Some of these coins may still be in circulation despite being minted more than 5 billion pieces.
The 1964 penny has a face value, just like every other piece of American currency. The colors, the coin's rarity, its condition if it is an error variant, and its historical significance, however, will primarily determine the actual amount a coin collector is willing to pay for this particular piece. We refer to that idea as numismatic value.
The use of silver in coinage and industry was absurdly high in the early 1960s. Subsequently, 90% of the circulating silver pieces were hoarded by people who thought the price of silver would rise. This caused a currency shortage in the United States.
Thus, the entire manufacture of 90% silver currency was stopped. The Kennedy half dollars, which were produced from 1965 and 1970, were the only ones to contain silver, and even then, only 40% of them therefore, this historical significance plays a huge role in the 1964 penny value.
This practice of hoarding coins can occasionally spread to other metals , such as 95% copper coins like the 1964 penny. It's interesting to note that collectors were thought to be the root of the scarcity rather than people melting the coins to keep the silver content.
For coin collectors and the numismatic community at large, mint markings are extremely important.
The Philadelphia Mint and the Denver Mint, two US Mint locations, produced the 1964 penny coins that were put into circulation. The Denver-produced coins, known as the 1964-D Penny, have the distinctive "D" mint mark below the mint year on the obverse side, whereas the Philadelphia-produced coins lack any mint marks.
Director of the US Mint Eva Adams also planned to release a limited mint batch of coins in 1965. It would cover other coins in addition to the Lincoln Memorial cent. The goal was to appease coin collectors who were stockpiling currency and prevent scarcity. The San Francisco Mint manufactured these special sets, which were formally introduced in 1965 and continued until 1967.
Nevertheless, after Adams's death and the sale of her house, a handful of these sets bearing the 1964 mint year were discovered at her estate. The existence of the 1964 SMS Penny (San Francisco Set) is still being determined. Adams may have ordered them as test runs for the special sets that would be released the following year, according to one explanation. These coins were made in San Francisco, although they bore no mint markings.
In honor of the 100th birthday of former President Lincoln, the Indian Cent was replaced in 1909 with the well-known Lincoln Cent design. It was the first for an American coin featuring a president.
Obverse: Displays the 1909 Victor David Brenner-designed effigy of President Abraham Lincoln.
Reverse: The nickname "Wheat Penny" originated from the reverse, which from 1909 until 1958, featured two sheaves of wheat. The reverse featured a picture of Frank Gasparro's Lincoln Memorial, which was created to honor the previous president's 150th birthday, and it was shown from 1959 to 2008. The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surround the coin's edges, and directly beneath it is the nation's motto, E. PLURIBUS UNUM, which translates to "out of many, one".
Following 2010, the reverse displays the Union Shield, which stands for Abraham Lincoln's intention to keep the United States of America a one, cohesive nation.
A copper penny's hue will determine how much it is worth since it indicates to a numismatic expert how well-preserved the coin is.
A brilliant reddish-orange color will be seen on a freshly minted copper coin. The coin tarnishes due to a reaction with natural gasses in our atmosphere when it is exposed to air.
Consequently, the coin will command a higher premium than comparable ones with a tone that is closer to brown, the brighter and more reddish-orange it appears.
This red coin still has most of its former brilliance. This appealing color, which is typically shortened to "RD," is highly valued by coin collectors since it shows that the coin is well-preserved. Coins of this caliber are supposed to be worth a few dollars more than similar ones.
It is typically shortened to "RB" and indicates that the coin has begun to tarnish. This includes instances when certain sections of the coin have turned brown yet still have an orange-red hue.
Represented as "BN," it is usually entirely covered in a deep brown tone on its whole surface and has lost most of its brilliance. Additionally, it suggests that the coin may not be as "new" as its Red counterpart due to air exposure.
The phrase "uncirculated" describes a coin's state in which its mint state has been maintained. They are often assigned a Sheldon Grading scale grade of between MS60 and MS70. The condition of a coin is communicated using a universally recognized language through coin grading.
Your cent was minted at the Mint plant in Philadelphia if it lacks a mint mark. Examine the area below the date on the obverse. Should the letter "D" be absent, you possess a Philadelphia penny.
Philadelphia produced about 2.5 billion pennies with the year 1964 on them. With the 1964 dies, it is thought that almost a billion of them were really struck the following year.
Standard 1964 pennies are still rather common due to their high mintage. Furthermore, the great majority are just worth what they seem.
For red coins to be more valuable, they must be in excellent shape. For red and brown coins, the requirements are much more stringent. Furthermore, even the finest brown coins are typically worth less than $1 unless they have a fascinating flaw.
Grades for coins range from 1 to 70. One is an identifiable coin in bad shape, and seventy is a perfect example.
A graded MS66+ red and brown 1964 Philadelphia penny is the best known example. The PCGS has only verified one sample at that level. And it's worth a meager forty bucks.
The finest grade red coins are significantly rarer and worth more. For instance, a graded MS66+ is approximately $60. However, increase the value by 0.5 points to MS67, and it soars to $1,100.
The PCGS has recognized the finest red 1964 pennies, which are graded MS67+. These are worth an incredible $13,500, and there are three of them.
| Grade | Coin Type | Value | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS63 | Red | $6 | "MS" stands for Mint State |
| MS63 | Red-Brown | $2 | Reddish-brown version of the penny |
| MS66+ | Red-Brown | $40 | The finest example verified by PCGS at this grade |
| MS66+ | Red | $60 | A step higher than red-brown versions |
| MS67 | Red | $1,100 | Significant value increase at MS67 |
| MS67+ | Red | $13,500 | Three known examples graded at MS67+ |
Nearly 3.8 billion pennies were created in 1964 at the Denver Mint, more than at the Philadelphia Mint.
Values are comparable to Philadelphia pennies in most grades. Furthermore, if your coin isn't red, it probably won't be worth much unless it has an intriguing flaw.
1964 red Denver coins are valued at $6 at MS63, the same as Philadelphia pennies. The value is $20, which is a few dollars more at MS65.
The values start to rise sharply at MS67. The PCGS values a 1964 Denver penny in that grade at $650.
Similar to Philadelphia pennies, MS67+ is the grade assigned to the best known instances. At this point, there is a tie between five coins, each worth about $4,750.
| Grade | Coin Type | Value | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS63 | Red | $6 | Same as the Philadelphia mint |
| MS65 | Red | $20 | Slightly higher value than the Philadelphia mint |
| MS67 | Red | $650 | Significant value increase |
| MS67+ | Red | $4,750 | Five known examples graded at this level |
The Philadelphia Mint facility struck a modest quantity of pennies in 1964, presumably for Special Mint Sets.
Special Mint Sets were typically made in years when no proof coins were struck and were marketed toward collectors. However, proof pennies were produced by the Philadelphia Mint in 1964. Therefore, it's kind of unclear why the special strike pennies were ever made.
Although the quantities struck are unknown, it is believed to be very small—perhaps a few dozen coins. That implies that they are extremely valuable if you can find one.
They can be distinguished from proof and normal pennies by their finish. They look satiny, not as glossy as the proofs, but still very distinct from regular coins. Usually well struck, they have sharp, square edges.
Gradings begin at SP60 since these coins were never intended to be circulated. An example at that level is valued at $1,300 by the PCGS. Values increase gradually, peaking at $11,500 at SP65. The highest quality grade is SP67, where a penny is valued at approximately $20,000.
| Grade | Coin Type | Value | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| SP60 | Special Mint | $1,300 | Special Mint coins start at SP60 |
| SP65 | Special Mint | $11,500 | Gradual increase in value |
| SP67 | Special Mint | $20,000 | Highest grade, extremely rare and valuable |
In 1964, the Philadelphia Mint produced nearly 4 million proof pennies, making them far more accessible than special striking pennies. They have a glossy finish and crisp detailing and were made using specially made dies and finely polished planchets. Furthermore, all are in uncirculated condition because they were intended for collectors.
The value of a proof 1964 cent graded PR60 is about $6, and prices go up to PR68 over time. The PCGS values a coin in such grade at $85.
Better-quality pennies are hard to come by. A higher graded example has a value of roughly $375. Also, one proof has received a flawless PF70 certification. That is valued at $12,500 by PCGS.
| Grade | Coin Type | Value | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| PR60 | Proof | $6 | Proof coins begin at PR60 |
| PR68 | Proof | $85 | Gradual value increases with higher grades |
| PR69 | Proof | $375 | Better quality proof coins |
| PF70 | Proof | $12,500 | Only one coin certified at this flawless level |
In conclusion, while most 1964 pennies may only be worth their face value, certain factors like mint marks, errors, and conditions can significantly increase the 1964 Penny value. Whether you have a rare mint set or a well-preserved red penny, it's worth taking a closer look at your coin. Even though many 1964 pennies are common, a few can be worth a fortune. So, if you're a collector or just curious, examining your pennies could lead to an exciting discovery!
1. How can I tell if my 1964 penny is valuable?
In order to ascertain the 1964 penny value, thoroughly inspect it for any mint marks (a tiny letter designating the mint, such as "D" for Denver) and look for any obvious flaws, such as double striking, misalignment, or unique characteristics on the coin. A 1964 penny with a "D" mint mark and a significant error may be worth significantly more than its face value, particularly if it is in excellent condition.
2. What is the rarest 1964 penny?
A typical uncirculated 1964 penny is worth $1–$2, although the majority of circulated pennies are only worth $0.01. Particularly rare 1964 pennies, such as the "SMS" (Special Mint Set) variety rated MS68, have commanded a price tag of close to $27,500 from PCGS. At auction, a single 1964 D penny can bring well over $10,000 when in high grade and condition.
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