1986 Penny Value Guide: From Face Value to Rare Error Treasures

These high mintage figures explain why most 1986 pennies remain common and affordable today. With over 8.9 billion cents produced between the Philadelphia and Denver mints, these coins were thoroughly distributed in circulation and remain easy to find decades later.

Doubled Die Errors

Doubled die errors occur during the die manufacturing process, resulting in a doubling effect on design elements. On 1986 pennies, look for doubling in:

• The word LIBERTY
• The date 1986
• IN GOD WE TRUST inscription
• Lincoln’s eye, ear, or bow tie
• Memorial columns on the reverse

Some doubled die 1986 pennies can be worth $25 to $100 or more, depending on the prominence of the doubling and the coin’s condition.

Off-Center Strikes

When a planchet isn’t properly positioned between the dies during striking, an off-center error occurs. The value of an off-center 1986 penny depends on:

• Percentage of off-centering (higher percentage generally means higher value)
• Whether the full date is visible
• Overall condition of the coin

Off-center 1986 pennies with 20-50% off-centering can sell for $50-$150, while more dramatic examples may fetch even more.

Die Cracks and Die Breaks

As dies wear and develop cracks, these imperfections transfer to the struck coins. Notable die cracks on 1986 pennies appear as raised lines across the coin’s surface. Major die breaks (sometimes called “cud errors”) occur when a piece of the die breaks away, resulting in a raised, blank area on the coin.

Values for die cracks and breaks vary widely based on size and location, ranging from just a few dollars for minor cracks to $50+ for major breaks or cuds.

Wide AM Variety

One of the most sought-after 1986 penny varieties is the “Wide AM” error. This refers to the spacing between the A and M in “AMERICA” on the reverse. Most 1986 pennies have a close AM, but rare examples with a wide gap between these letters can be worth up to $260 or more in uncirculated condition.

Wrong Planchet Errors

Extremely rare and valuable are 1986 pennies struck on incorrect planchets. These might include:

• Struck on nickel planchets
• Struck on foreign coin planchets
• Struck on copper planchets (instead of zinc-copper)

A 1986 penny struck on the wrong metal can be worth thousands of dollars. One notable example of a 1986 penny struck on an experimental planchet reportedly sold for $16,000 at auction.

Mint Mark Identification

First, check if your 1986 penny has a mint mark:

• No mint mark: Produced at the Philadelphia Mint
• D mint mark: Produced at the Denver Mint
• S mint mark: Produced at the San Francisco Mint (proof coins only)

The mint mark on 1986 pennies appears below the date on the obverse (front) side of the coin.

Magnified Examination

Use a coin magnifier (at least 5x magnification) to carefully examine:

1. All lettering and numerals for signs of doubling
2. The spacing between AM in AMERICA
3. The entire coin surface for die cracks or unusual marks
4. The rim for any irregularities

Weight and Composition Test

Standard 1986 pennies should weigh approximately 2.5 grams and be composed of zinc with a thin copper plating. Coins with significantly different weights may indicate a wrong planchet error or other valuable variety.

Coin Grading Services

The most respected third-party grading services for U.S. coins include:

1. Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) - pcgs.com
2. Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) - ngccoin.com
3. American Numismatic Association Certification Service (ANACS) - anacs.com

These services authenticate coins, grade their condition on a 70-point scale, and encapsulate them in tamper-evident holders. Graded coins typically command higher prices than ungraded examples, especially for rare varieties and errors.

Understanding Coin Grades

1986 pennies are typically graded on this scale:

• MS65-MS70: Gem uncirculated condition with few or no imperfections
• MS60-MS64: Uncirculated but with some marks or flaws
• AU50-AU58: Almost Uncirculated with minimal wear
• XF40-XF45: Extremely Fine with light wear
• VF20-VF35: Very Fine with moderate wear
• F12-F15: Fine with considerable wear
• G4-G6: Good with heavy wear
• AG3: About Good with very heavy wear
• P1-P2: Poor with extreme wear, barely identifiable

For most 1986 pennies, only those in MS65+ grades or with significant errors will command substantial premiums.

Online Marketplaces

• eBay: The most popular platform for coin sales, offering wide exposure
• Heritage Auctions: ha.com - Specializes in rare and valuable numismatic items
• Great Collections: greatcollections.com - Auction platform focused on certified coins

Coin Dealers and Shows

• Local coin shops often purchase valuable coins
• Coin shows bring together dealers and collectors and provide opportunities for in-person evaluation
• American Numismatic Association dealer directory: money.org/dealer-directory

Coin Collecting Forums

• CoinTalk: cointalk.com
• Coin Community Forum: coincommunity.com

For 1986 pennies with significant errors or in exceptional condition, consider having them professionally graded before selling to maximize their value.

A 1986 penny with no mint mark (from the Philadelphia Mint) is typically worth between $0.05 and $0.10 in circulated condition. Uncirculated examples may bring $2 to $8, depending on their grade. However, if your no-mint-mark 1986 penny has an error or variety like doubling, off-center strike, or the Wide AM variety, it could be worth significantly more, ranging from $20 to several hundred dollars.

Most 1986 pennies aren't rare or particularly valuable due to their high mintage numbers. What makes a 1986 penny valuable are manufacturing errors and varieties such as:

- Doubled die errors (particularly on LIBERTY or the date)
- Off-center strikes
- Wide AM variety (spacing between A and M in AMERICA)
- Wrong planchet errors (struck on incorrect metal)
- Die breaks or major die cracks

Additionally, perfectly preserved examples in mint state condition (MS67 or higher) can command premiums from collectors seeking top-grade examples for registry sets.

A 1986-D penny (minted in Denver) generally has similar values to its Philadelphia counterpart. In circulated condition, it's worth about $0.05 to $0.10. Uncirculated specimens range from $2 to $8 depending on condition. As with all pennies, error varieties like doubled dies, off-center strikes, or die breaks can significantly increase value, potentially into the hundreds of dollars for major errors.

The most valuable 1986 penny on record reportedly sold for around $16,000 at auction. This was an extremely rare error specimen struck on an experimental planchet with unusual metal composition. Other high-value 1986 pennies include major doubled die errors and significant off-center strikes, which can sell for hundreds or occasionally thousands of dollars depending on their rarity and the coin's condition.

No, 1986 pennies are not made of solid copper. They are composed of 97.5% zinc with a thin 2.5% copper plating on the outside. The U.S. Mint changed the composition of pennies in 1982 from 95% copper to the zinc-core format due to rising copper prices. However, extremely rare 1986 pennies might exist that were accidentally struck on pre-1982 copper planchets, and these would be valuable error coins worth potentially hundreds or thousands of dollars.

To identify the Wide AM variety on a 1986 penny:

1. Examine the reverse (tail side) of the coin with a magnifying glass
2. Look at the word "AMERICA" at the bottom
3. Focus on the letters "A" and "M"
4. On standard 1986 pennies, the A and M are close together
5. On the rare Wide AM variety, there's a noticeable gap between these letters

This variety is quite rare for 1986 pennies and can be worth $200+ in uncirculated condition. For confirmation, consider having potentially valuable specimens authenticated by a professional grading service.

On a 1986 penny, the mint mark is located on the obverse (front) side of the coin, below the date. If your 1986 penny has a "D" in this position, it was minted at the Denver Mint. If there is no mint mark present, the coin was produced at the Philadelphia Mint. Proof pennies from 1986 will have an "S" mint mark, indicating they were struck at the San Francisco Mint specifically for collector sets.

For most standard 1986 pennies in circulated condition, there's minimal financial incentive to hold onto them as they're worth only a few cents. However, it's worth checking your 1986 pennies for errors and varieties that could make them more valuable. Additionally, uncirculated examples may appreciate modestly over time. For beginning collectors, 1986 pennies are affordable additions to a Lincoln cent collection, so they might have personal value beyond their monetary worth.

For the average collector, standard 1986 pennies represent an affordable addition to a Lincoln cent collection. For those lucky enough to find error varieties like doubled dies, off-center strikes, or the elusive Wide AM variety, these humble pennies can become treasured numismatic specimens worth many times their face value.

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just curious about the change in your pocket, knowing what to look for in 1986 pennies can transform an everyday transaction into a potential numismatic discovery.

Access the Professional Coin Grading Service's comprehensive database entry for 1986 Lincoln cents, including auction records, price guides, and historical information.

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