Have a photo? Submit it and we'll credit you.

As an eBay Affiliate, Collector's Key may be compensated if you make a purchase through the link(s) above.

1997-D

Small Cents · Lincoln Memorial Cents · 1959–2008
Regular
Weight2.5 g
Diameter19.05 mm
MintDenver
StrikeCirculation strike
Mintage 4,576,555,000
EdgePlain
Alignment↑↓ Coin
CompositionCopper-plated Zinc (97.5% Zinc, 2.5% Copper)
DesignerVictor D. Brenner / Frank Gasparro
Collector's Key IDCK-749

Collection

collectors own this
on want lists

Your collection

Sign in to track this coin.

About this coinHistory

Denver struck over 4.57 billion cents in 1997, bearing the "D" mintmark. The Hale-Bopp comet was visible to the naked eye for much of the spring, the brightest comet in decades. The Heaven's Gate mass suicide in March, carried out by a cult whose members believed they would join an alien spacecraft following the comet, was among the year's most disturbing events.

The 1997-D is common and readily available. Collectors include it as a standard entry. Its mintage, while lower than the peak years of the early 1990s, is still measured in the billions.

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 1997-D 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 1997-D Lincoln Memorial Cents were minted?
4,576,555,000 were struck.
What is a 1997-D Lincoln Memorial Cent made of?
Copper-plated Zinc (97.5% Zinc, 2.5% Copper), weighing 2.5 g.
What is the melt value of a 1997-D 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 1997-D 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.