1947 Lincoln Penny (2024)

Notes:

Copper Penny Color Guide

Extra Information

The 1947 penny, also known as the Lincoln cent, is a United States coin that was produced by the U.S. Mint from 1909 to the present day. The 1947 penny features an image of President Abraham Lincoln on the obverse (front) of the coin, and a depiction of the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse (back) of the coin. The 1947 penny has a diameter of 19mm, a weight of 3.11 grams, and a composition of 95% copper and 5% zinc. It was the first year that the U.S. Mint used a new composition for the penny, changing from a composition of 95% copper, 5% zinc and tin to 95% copper and 5% zinc. The 1947 penny was minted in large numbers, with over 282 million produced that year across all three U.S. Mint locations: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. While the 1947 penny is not particularly rare or valuable, it remains a popular coin for collectors who appreciate its design and historical significance.

Errors

There are no major errors or varieties known to exist for the 1947 Lincoln cent. There are lamination, clipping, and die crack errors however. Nothing specific to 1947 however.

Mintages

How much is a 1947 Wheat Penny worth?

In Average Circulated (AC) condition it's worth around 15 cents, one in certified mint state (MS+) condition could bring as much as $35 at auction. This price does not reference any standard coin grading scale. So when we say Average Circulated, we mean in a similar condition to other coins circulated in 1947, and mint state meaning it is certified MS+ by one of the top coin grading companies. *** [?].

What are your coins really worth?

Use the handy-dandy calculator below to find the real value of any wheat penny in your collection.

Specs & Design

This coin has a total mass of 3.11 g, a diameter of 19.05 mm, and a thickness of 1.55 mm. It's edge is smooth, and the coins are composed of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc..

Designer: Victor D. Brenner

Front (Obverse): The front or obverse of this coin contains the bust of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States. If a mint mark is present it will be on the bottom right just under the year. If no mint mark is present the coin was minted in Philadelphia. With D standing for Denver, and S standing for San Francisco. The words IN GOD WE TRUST follow the top arch of the coin nicely framing Lincolns head, and the word LIBERTY sits just left of President Lincolns Colar.

Back (Reverse): The reverse of the Wheat Penny, also known as the Wheat Cent contains two wheat stalks, the words One Cent, and the Latin phrase E PLURIBUS UNUM which means Out of many, one. The reverse image would later change in 1959.