Penny · 1986
1986 Penny Value
A 1986 penny is worth $0.01 to $0.52 in circulated condition, depending on its mint mark and wear.
Prices updated:
About the 1986 penny
The 1986 cent is a regular circulation issue, struck in copper plated zinc, weighing 2.5 g, 19.05 mm across, from a design by Victor David Brenner. It was struck at Philadelphia, Denver — 8,934,262,191 coins in all.
For scale, 1986 mintage was 10% lower than in 1975, when 9,956,751,442 were struck.
Denver made the fewest at 4,442,866,698, against 4,491,395,493 from Philadelphia.
Value chart by grade
| Mint mark | Mintage | G | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No mint mark | 4,491,395,4934491.4M | $0.02 | $0.05 | $0.12 | $0.12 | $0.12 | $0.12 | $0.52 |
| D | 4,442,866,6984442.9M | $0.01 | $0.05 | $0.12 | $0.12 | $0.12 | $0.12 | $0.35 |
What the grades mean
Grades run G to UNC, then MS60–MS70, where most value sits. How coin grading works →
How to identify your 1986 penny
What if it has already been cleaned?
Still identifies the same — you lose the premium. Don't try to fix it.
Where is the mint mark
It sits on the obverse, just below the date. No letter means Philadelphia — normal, not rare. What the letter means →
Proof and collector versions
Alongside the coins made for circulation, the Mint sold 1 collector version of the 1986 1986 penny — proofs and special finishes struck at San Francisco and sold directly in sets.These never entered circulation, so if your coin came out of a till or a jar it is not one of them. They carry an S mint mark and a mirror or satin finish that is obvious next to an ordinary coin. The scarcest was struck in 3,010,497.
| Format | Mint | Mintage | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proof | S | 3,010,4973M | $2.32 |
What to do with your 1986 penny
Don't clean it
Leave the surface alone — see the warning above.
Is it worth grading?
Grading costs roughly $50–100 per coin. Against a mintage of 8,934,262,191 and a best circulated value of $0.52, the fee is more than the coin returns. Keep it raw unless it is exceptional or you suspect a variety.
Where to sell
Dealer: fastest, pays least. Auction: best for coins worth $100+. eBay: most buyers, most fees.
Specifications
1 Cent "Lincoln Memorial Cent" (copper plated zinc)
- Composition
- Copper plated zinc
- Weight
- 2.5 g
- Diameter
- 19.05 mm
- Thickness
- 1.3 mm
- Edge
- Plain
- Designer
- Victor David Brenner
- Mints
- United States Mint of Philadelphia, United States Mint of Denver, United States Mint of San Francisco (collector issues only)
FAQ
How much is a 1986 penny worth?
A circulated 1986 penny is worth $0.01 to $0.52 depending on condition and mint mark.
How many 1986 pennies were made?
About 8,934,262,191 in total — Philadelphia 4,491,395,493, Denver 4,442,866,698.
Are there rare 1986 penny varieties?
No varieties are catalogued for this date.
What is the S penny from 1986?
An S mint mark on a 1986 penny means a collector coin from San Francisco — 1 proof and special-finish versions were sold in sets rather than released into circulation. The scarcest was struck in 3,010,497. They are not found in change.
Should I get my 1986 penny graded?
Grading costs roughly $50–100 per coin. For this date the best circulated examples guide at $0.52, from a mintage of 8,934,262,191 — the fee is many times what the coin returns, so keep it raw unless you suspect a genuine error.
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