A single 1968-D penny sold for $8,035 in May 2025 — yet billions of these cents are worth little more than face value. The difference comes down to mint mark, color grade, and a handful of genuine error varieties. This page shows you exactly how to tell them apart.
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Select your mint mark, condition, and any errors below. The calculator uses verified auction data to estimate your coin's current market value.
Step 1 — Mint MarkType what you observe — our analyzer will flag potential varieties and guide your next step.
Head back and get an instant estimate based on your specific mint, grade, and errors.
The 1968-S Proof Doubled Die Obverse is the most valuable and most faked variety of the year. Use this four-point checklist to assess your coin before spending on grading.
Check all features you can confirm on your coin:
The table below compares all major varieties across four condition tiers. For a detailed 1968 penny identification walkthrough with step-by-step grading reference, see this complete guide to recognizing 1968 cent varieties. Values reflect verified auction data and current market ranges.
| Variety | Worn (G–VF) | Circulated (EF–AU) | Uncirculated (MS63–65) | Gem MS (MS66–67+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 No Mint Mark (P) RD | $0.05–$0.15 | $0.25–$1 | $1–$13 | $50–$3,360 |
| 1968-D RD | $0.05–$0.25 | $0.50–$2 | $1–$9 | $165–$8,035 |
| 1968-S RD (Business Strike) | $0.10–$0.50 | $0.50–$2 | $2–$15 | $100–$3,995 |
| 1968-S Proof PR (RD) | — | — | $5–$20 | $50–$2,400+ |
| 1968-S Proof DDO FS-101 | — | — | $25–$200 | $300–$1,000+ |
| 1968-D/D RPM FS-501 | $1–$5 | $10–$50 | $50–$150 | $200–$275 |
| DDR FS-801 | $5–$20 | $20–$100 | $75–$200 | $200–$500+ |
| Off-Center Strike (date visible) | $10–$30 | $20–$60 | $50–$150 | $150–$300+ |
| Silver Dime Planchet Error | $10,000–$12,000+ (must weigh ~2.50g to confirm) | |||
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Minting mistakes turned ordinary 1968 Lincoln cents into collector prizes worth many times face value. Below are the five most important varieties in descending rarity and value — from the flagship proof doubled die to the mechanical misfires that escaped the coin shortage production lines. Each entry covers what caused the error, how to find it, and what the market pays today.
The 1968-S Proof DDO FS-101 (PCGS catalog #38173) is the signature variety of the entire year. It was created during die production at the San Francisco Mint when the working die received two slightly misaligned hubbing impressions, embedding a doubled image permanently into the die steel.
Visually, the doubling concentrates on LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST. On strong specimens you can see a distinct shadow on the L-I-B-E-R-T-Y letters without any magnification — a rare trait that distinguishes it immediately from the thousands of machine-doubled proofs that fool beginners. True FS-101 doubling is rounded and raised, not flat or shelf-like.
This variety exists exclusively on proof coinage — San Francisco produced 3.04 million proofs in 1968, but DDO specimens represent a small fraction of that run. Values climb sharply with grade and cameo contrast: PR66 examples trade around $200–$500, while PR67 and PR68 pieces with Deep Cameo designation have reached $1,000+. All major grading services (PCGS, NGC, ANACS) attribute this variety on the holder label.
This is the rarest and most dramatic error of the 1968 cent series. A stray 90% silver dime planchet — left over from pre-1965 production or found in transitional stock tote bins — entered the penny press at the Denver Mint and received a full Lincoln cent impression.
The resulting coin is visually unmistakable when you know what to look for: the coin is silver in color throughout (not plated), measurably smaller (approximately 17.9mm vs. the standard 19mm), and noticeably lighter at around 2.50 grams versus the normal 3.11 grams. Because the planchet was designed for a dime, the Lincoln cent design is centered on a smaller blank, causing the design to crowd the rim.
Authentication is straightforward: weigh the coin to 0.01g precision. Any silver-colored 1968-D penny weighing 3.11g is almost certainly post-mint altered and worth nothing. Genuine examples have sold for approximately $11,000 at auction, confirmed by multiple independent sources. PCGS issues an authentic error certificate for confirmed specimens.
The 1968-D/D RPM FS-501, nicknamed "D/D West," is the most popular and most attainable variety in the 1968 Lincoln cent series. Before computerized die production, mint workers hand-punched mint marks into softened working dies using steel letter punches. An initial placement that was off-center required a second punch — creating the visible double impression.
On the FS-501, the secondary D impression sits to the west (left) of the primary mint mark. Under 10× magnification, this appears as a complete second vertical bar inside the curve of the primary D — not simply a fuzzy or thickened edge, which would indicate ordinary die wear. Strong specimens show clear separation between the two impressions. CONECA has documented approximately 15 different 1968-D RPM varieties, with FS-501 being the most prominent.
Values are accessible compared to the DDO or planchet error, making FS-501 a popular entry point for variety collectors. Circulated examples bring $10–$50; the premium is concentrated in uncirculated Red specimens (MS65+), where PCGS-certified pieces have achieved $228–$275 at auction. The variety is cataloged on VarietyVista for reference comparison images.
The 1968-D DDR FS-801 is the strongest documented doubled die reverse for the Lincoln cent series in this year. Where the DDO affects the obverse portrait and motto, the DDR FS-801 strikes the reverse die — the hub made two offset impressions on the working reverse die, embedding doubled detail into the Lincoln Memorial design elements.
The diagnostic features concentrate on the reverse legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, the E PLURIBUS UNUM inscription, and the vertical columns of the Lincoln Memorial building. Under magnification, the column edges appear doubled with a clearly offset second image. Reverse doubling is typically subtler than obverse doubling, but strong FS-801 examples show distinct secondary lettering visible at 10× magnification.
Market activity for the DDR FS-801 places circulated examples at $20–$100 and uncirculated Red specimens at $75–$200+, with gem grades occasionally reaching $500+. A 1968 DDR MS65 Red example sold for $285 in May 2023. As with all doubled dies, the premium scales sharply with both grade and the strength of the doubling — weak secondary images have limited collector appeal.
Off-center strikes occur when a blank planchet is not properly seated in the die collar before the press fires. The coin receives its full impression from the dies, but since the planchet was shifted, part of the design falls outside the coin's edge while an unstruck blank crescent appears on the opposite side. These errors escaped quality control on the high-speed production lines running around the clock during the coin shortage recovery.
Value depends on two factors: the degree of off-center (expressed as a percentage) and whether the date remains legible. A coin with 10% off-center shift might look like a minor alignment defect; a 50%+ shift with a full blank crescent and complete date visible is dramatically more desirable. Coins where the date has been struck off the edge have significantly reduced collector appeal regardless of percentage.
The 1968 cent off-center market ranges from $10–$30 for minor 5–10% shifts in any condition, to $50–$150 for dramatic 25–50% misalignment with full date, and $150–$300+ for extreme examples approaching 90% off-center that retain the date clearly. Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco examples all appear on the market, with documented cases cited across multiple numismatic references.
Go back to the calculator, check the matching error box, and get an instant value estimate based on your condition and mint.
| Mint | Mark | Mintage (Business Strike) | Proof Mintage | Relative Scarcity (MS67+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | None | 1,707,880,970 | — | Very Difficult (PCGS: 4 at MS67+RD) |
| Denver | D | 2,886,269,600 | — | Very Difficult (NGC: 2 at MS68RD) |
| San Francisco | S | 258,270,001 | 3,041,506 | Scarce (lowest business-strike mintage) |
| Total | — | 4,852,421,571 | 3,041,506 | — |
Lincoln's hair and jacket folds are flat or nearly gone; the rim may merge with lettering. Given the 1968 coins already suffer from worn-hub softness, distinguishing genuine circulated wear from production softness requires careful comparison to reference images. Dates and lettering remain legible.
$0.05–$0.25 typicalHigh points on Lincoln's cheekbone and the wheat stalks show slight friction. Original luster is partially interrupted. AU coins retain traces of luster in protected areas. Grading 1968 cents in this range is tricky — even sharp AU examples can look slightly flat due to die fatigue rather than wear.
$0.25–$2 typicalNo wear on any surface under 10× magnification. Cartwheel luster is present but may show contact marks, bag marks, or weak strike softness. Color designation matters enormously here: an MS65 Red is worth 5–10× an MS65 Brown at the same numerical grade. Most survivors trace to 1968 Mint Sets.
$1–$15 typicalNearly perfect surfaces with minimal contact marks, strong cartwheel luster, and original red color preserved. Given the inherent strike weakness, an MS66+ 1968 cent with sharp hair detail and full Red designation is genuinely scarce. MS67+RD examples have sold for $3,360–$8,035 at major auctions.
$50–$8,035 for MS67+RD📷 CoinHix matches your coin's surface and strike to graded reference examples in its database — a coin identifier and value app.
The right venue depends on your coin's value tier. A worn 1968-D worth 10 cents and a PCGS MS67+RD worth thousands need completely different selling strategies.
Best for PCGS- or NGC-certified coins in MS66+ Red or genuine error coins (DDO, planchet error). Heritage reaches the most competitive buyer pool. Expect 15–20% seller's commission but top realized prices. Consignment thresholds apply — contact them for coins valued above $500.
Ideal for raw uncirculated examples, lower-grade error coins, and circulated S-mint business strikes. Browse current sold prices and active 1968 penny listings on eBay to anchor your asking price before listing. For coins under $100, raw eBay sales often outperform grading fees.
Quick, convenient, no shipping risk. Expect 50–70% of retail for common material. Bring your best coin first to establish credibility. Local dealers are best for circulated rolls, bulk common dates, and when you need cash quickly without auction delays. Get multiple quotes before accepting.
The r/coins and r/Numismatics communities are active for show-and-tell and informal valuation. For actual sales, r/CoinsMarket has active buyers. Photos must be sharp and show both sides clearly. Community members will help identify machine doubling vs. real DDO before you spend money on grading.
If you believe your coin is a genuine 1968-S Proof DDO FS-101, a silver planchet error, or an MS66+ Red business strike, submit to PCGS or NGC before listing. The holder adds authentication, standardizes the grade buyers trust, and typically increases realized price by 2–5× for genuine rarities. Grading fees start around $17–$22 per coin for standard tier; turnaround is 30–90 days depending on tier selected.