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1972-S

Small Cents · Lincoln Memorial Cents · 1959–2008
Regular
Weight3.11 g
Diameter19.05 mm
MintSan Francisco
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 376,939,108
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
Composition95% Copper, 5% Zinc
DesignerVictor D. Brenner / Frank Gasparro
Collector's Key IDCK-657

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About this coinHistory

San Francisco produced approximately 377 million cents for circulation in 1972 with the "S" mintmark. The facility continued its pattern of lower-volume circulation production alongside its growing proof coinage operations.

The 1972-S is not scarce, but its mintage is considerably lower than the Philadelphia and Denver issues. It is available in all grades without difficulty. Collectors who pursue a complete set by date and mintmark include it routinely. San Francisco would stop producing circulation-strike cents in the next few years, making the early 1970s "S" mint cents an interesting subset of the Memorial series.

Price guideReference

Reference data only — not an appraisal.

GradeDescriptionLowHigh
G-4 Good (G) $0.01 $0.01
VG-8 Very Good (VG) $0.01 $0.01
F-12 Fine (F) $0.01 $0.01
VF-20 Very Fine (VF) $0.01 $0.01
EF-40 Extremely Fine (EF) $0.01 $0.01
AU-50 About Uncirculated (AU) $0.01 $0.01
MS-60 Uncirculated (MS)
MS-63 Choice Uncirculated (MS)
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
How much is a 1972-S Lincoln Memorial Cent worth?
In Good condition it runs about $0.01, rising to roughly $0.01 in About Uncirculated. These are reference values, not an appraisal.
How many 1972-S Lincoln Memorial Cents were minted?
376,939,108 were struck.
What is a 1972-S Lincoln Memorial Cent made of?
95% Copper, 5% Zinc, weighing 3.11 g.
What is the melt value of a 1972-S Lincoln Memorial Cent?
Its melt value is its metal content multiplied by the current spot price. See our melt calculator on the metals pages for a live figure.
Is the 1972-S Lincoln Memorial Cent a key date?
It's a more common date overall, though scarcer die varieties may carry a premium — see the varieties list.