COINS
United States 1979 Cent USD Copper
Key Facts & Value
Key Fact
Historical significance
The Lincoln penny, introduced in 1909, was the first U.S. coin to feature an African-American on it. It commemorates the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth.
Composition change
In 1982, the penny's composition was changed from 95% copper to 97.5% zinc, with only a thin coating of copper, due to rising metal costs.
Collectible status
The 1979 Lincoln penny is not particularly rare, but certain errors and grades can make them quite valuable among collectors.
Value Fact
The value of a 1979 Lincoln penny typically ranges from a few cents to a couple of dollars, depending on condition and rarity. Uncirculated examples or those with mint errors can fetch higher prices in the collectible market.
Item Details
Official Details
Variation Details
aliw81 Details
Collectibles.com is operated by Collectbase Inc., a Delaware corporation. Collectible valuations, price estimates, and AI-assisted identifications are provided for informational and reference purposes only and do not constitute professional appraisals, financial advice, or guarantees of market value. Trademarks, card images, and intellectual property belonging to third-party rights holders are displayed solely for identification, valuation reference, and collection management purposes; Collectbase Inc. is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any such rights holders. User-generated content reflects the views of individual community members and not those of Collectbase Inc. This platform may earn affiliate commissions on qualifying purchases made through third-party links. The platform is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, and Collectbase Inc. shall not be liable for any damages arising from use of this platform or reliance on its content. For full details governing your use of this platform and our privacy practices, see our Terms of Service and PrivacyPolicy.
© 2026 Collectbase Inc. All rights reserved.
This site and associated apps contain copyrighted material including card images, trademarks, and text belonging to The Pokémon Company International, Nintendo, GAME FREAK inc., Wizards of the Coast, Major League Baseball Properties, Inc., NBA Properties, Inc., NFL Properties LLC, NHL Enterprises, L.P., Topps, Panini America, Inc., Upper Deck, and all other respective rights holders. Such material is displayed solely for the purposes of identification, pricing reference, collection management, and to facilitate the buying, selling, and trading of physical collectibles by collectors. Collectbase Inc. is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by any of the foregoing entities, and no challenge to their intellectual property rights or ownership is intended or implied.