1868 United States Cent Value

A 1868 United States Cent is worth roughly its melt value to well into four figures depending on its condition. Certified examples in top grades can run far higher.

Public domain image (struck or printed before 1926). Click to enlarge.

1868 United States Cent value by grade

1868 United States Cent value by grade
GradeEstimated value

Estimated retail range. Estimates are modeled from mintage rarity and metal content, not auction records. Actual sale prices vary with certification, eye appeal and market timing.

What is a 1868 United States Cent worth right now?

Pricing for the 1868 United States Cent depends on grade and current collector demand.

1868 United States Cent specifications

Series
United States Coinage
Year
1868
Mint mark
None (Philadelphia)
Mintage
Not recorded
Composition
Nickel
Weight
1.48 g
Diameter
15 mm

Why this coin has no mint mark

The 1868 United States Cent was struck at the Philadelphia Mint, which used no mint mark in this era. If you find no letter where branch-mint coins carry one (check the usual position for this series), you are holding a Philadelphia issue.

What collectors pay for in a 1868 United States Cent

Official mintage figures for the 1868 United States Cent are not well established. The museum-documented specimens behind our specifications provide the physical reference points for the issue, and the market prices it on observed scarcity.

Few series carry the following that supports the 1868 United States Cent. Documented United States coin types preserved in museum collections, with measured specifications for each date, denomination and mint. A coin that thousands of collectors are actively assembling into sets never lacks for a market.

1868 United States Cent inscriptions & design

Obverse

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1868

Liberty hd. l.

Reverse

I

value within wreath

Measured 1868 United States Cent specimens

6 physically measured 1868 United States Cent examples in our reference database. Real measured weights and die axes let you authenticate a coin against the 1.48 g, 15 mm minting standard.

Measured 1868 United States Cent specimens
SpecimenWeightDiameterDie axisReferences
1868 United States Cent #11.48 g15 mm-Judd.608, Pollock.673, Adams.Woodin.700
1868 United States Cent #2-15 mm-Judd.605, Adams.Woodin.698, Pollock.670
1868 United States Cent #3-15 mm-Judd.608, Pollock.673, Adams.Woodin.700
1868 United States Cent #4---Judd.611, Pollock.676, Adams.Woodin.703
1868 United States Cent #5-15 mm-Judd.605, Adams.Woodin.698, Pollock.670
1868 United States Cent #6---Breen.1975

Specifications compiled from documented museum specimens. See our data & methodology page.