Penny ValuePennies › Penny value chart › 1974
Lincoln Memorial cent1974 Penny Value
When worn, every 1974 penny made for circulation (3 kinds) is typically worth about 4¢.
Check your own 1974 penny
Take a photo of each side. Penny Value helps you narrow down which 1974 penny you have and what to check.
Check your own pennyPenny Value is an Android app for now, so it isn't on the App Store. The values and checks on this page are free to use.Penny Value is an Android app. Open this page on your Android phone to check your own penny with a photo.
Every 1974 penny
Worn = typical value when worn (Good to Very Fine); MS-60 = uncirculated. Values as of Q4 2026 · Penny Value estimates · not an offer to buy.
- 1974Philadelphia · Included in the 4,103,183,000 1974 total; not counted separately.4¢worn
- 1974 Aluminum (pattern)Philadelphia · About 1.57 million were struck in 1973 with the 1974 date; the Mint recalled and destroyed them and none were released. Only a handful are thought to survive.Rarely sold
- 1974-DDenver · 4.2 billion made4¢worn
- 1974-SSan Francisco · 409.4 million made4¢worn
- 1974-S ProofSan Francisco · Proof · 2,612,568 made
The proof penny listed here was sold to collectors in sets, so you won't normally find it in change.
The 1974 Aluminum Penny, pattern was never released for circulation. About 1.57 million were struck in 1973 with the 1974 date; the Mint recalled and destroyed them and none were released. Only a handful are thought to survive.
How to tell them apart
- A very light (about 0.94 g), silver-coloured 1974 cent: 1974 Aluminum (pattern)
- Struck as a test and never released; considered US government property: 1974 Aluminum (pattern)
Mint marks
1974 pennies for circulation were struck in Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (mint mark D) and San Francisco (mint mark S). Some 1974 pennies without a mint mark were also struck at West Point; they look the same as the Philadelphia coins. The mint mark is below the date, on the front.
Questions
How much is a 1974 penny worth?
When worn, every 1974 penny made for circulation (3 kinds) is typically worth about 4¢. These are Penny Value estimates as of Q4 2026, for information only.
Where is the mint mark on a 1974 penny?
1974 pennies for circulation were struck in Philadelphia (no mint mark), Denver (mint mark D) and San Francisco (mint mark S). Some 1974 pennies without a mint mark were also struck at West Point; they look the same as the Philadelphia coins. The mint mark is below the date, on the front.
Is a 1974 penny silver or copper?
Regular 1974 pennies are brass (95% copper, 5% zinc; about 3.11 g). A silver-colored 1974 penny has usually been plated or altered after it left the Mint.
How much does a 1974 penny weigh?
About 3.11 g. Regular 1974 pennies are brass (95% copper, 5% zinc; about 3.11 g).
Is a 1974 penny rare?
No. About 8.7 billion were made for circulation, so a normal 1974 penny is common. Condition (uncirculated, original red color) and errors decide any premium.
What 1974 penny errors are worth money?
No major 1974 variety is listed on this page. Errors such as off-center strikes, die cracks and clipped planchets can happen on any date; their value depends on the error and condition.