Penny · 1988
1988 Penny Value
A 1988 penny is worth $0.02 to $0.36 in circulated condition, depending on its mint mark and wear.
Prices updated:
About the 1988 penny
The 1988 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 — 11,346,550,443 coins in all.
For scale, 1988 mintage was 14% higher than in 1975, when 9,956,751,442 were struck.
Denver made the fewest at 5,253,740,443, against 6,092,810,000 from Philadelphia.
Value chart by grade
| Mint mark | Mintage | G | VG | F | VF | XF | AU | UNC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No mint mark | 6,092,810,0006092.8M | $0.03 | $0.05 | $0.08 | $0.12 | $0.12 | $0.17 | $0.36 |
| D | 5,253,740,4435253.7M | $0.02 | $0.05 | $0.06 | $0.10 | $0.10 | $0.10 | $0.34 |
What the grades mean
Grades run G to UNC, then MS60–MS70, where most value sits. How coin grading works →
How to identify your 1988 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 1988 1988 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 3,262,948.
| Format | Mint | Mintage | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proof | S | 3,262,9483.3M | $2.69 |
What to do with your 1988 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 11,346,550,443 and a best circulated value of $0.36, 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 1988 penny worth?
A circulated 1988 penny is worth $0.02 to $0.36 depending on condition and mint mark.
How many 1988 pennies were made?
About 11,346,550,443 in total — Philadelphia 6,092,810,000, Denver 5,253,740,443.
Are there rare 1988 penny varieties?
No varieties are catalogued for this date.
What is the S penny from 1988?
An S mint mark on a 1988 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 3,262,948. They are not found in change.
Should I get my 1988 penny graded?
Grading costs roughly $50–100 per coin. For this date the best circulated examples guide at $0.36, from a mintage of 11,346,550,443 — the fee is many times what the coin returns, so keep it raw unless you suspect a genuine error.
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