1952 United States Cent Value
A 1952 United States Cent is worth roughly $0.03 to $0.30 depending on its condition, with a hard melt-value floor of $0.03 as of 2026-06-01 Certified examples in top grades can run far higher.
Melt estimated at 95% copper (US bronze standard).
1952 United States Cent value by grade
| Grade | Estimated value |
|---|---|
| Melt value floor(metal content, 2026-06-01) | $0.03 |
| Good (G-4) | $0.03 to $0.03 |
| Very Good (VG-8) | $0.03 to $0.03 |
| Fine (F-12) | $0.03 to $0.04 |
| Very Fine (VF-20) | $0.03 to $0.04 |
| Extremely Fine (XF-40) | $0.03 to $0.04 |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $0.04 to $0.05 |
| Mint State (MS-60) | $0.05 to $0.07 |
| Choice Unc (MS-63) | $0.08 to $0.12 |
| Gem Unc (MS-65) | $0.22 to $0.30 |
Estimated retail range, updated 2026-06-13. Estimates are modeled from mintage rarity and metal content, not auction records. Actual sale prices vary with certification, eye appeal and market timing.
How much is a 1952 United States Cent worth today?
In worn but collectible condition (Good-4), a 1952 United States Cent starts around $0.03. From there, value climbs with every grade step: a gem Mint State example (MS-65) can reach $0.30. Most coins found in old collections fall somewhere between Very Fine and About Uncirculated, the middle rows of the table above.
1952 United States Cent specifications
- Series
- United States Coinage
- Year
- 1952
- Mint mark
- None (Philadelphia)
- Mintage
- Not recorded
- Composition
- Bronze
- Weight
- 2.926 g
- Diameter
- 19 mm
Why this coin has no mint mark
The 1952 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.
The value drivers behind this coin
Documented examples of the 1952 United States Cent in our reference database anchor what we know about this issue. Mintage records are incomplete, so collector demand and surviving population drive its market.
Few series carry the following that supports the 1952 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.
1952 United States Cent inscriptions & design
Obverse
IN GOD WE TRUST / LIBERTY / (date)
Lincoln bust r., motto top, date l.
Reverse
E PLURIBUS UNUM / ONE CENT / UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
two wheat stalks
Measured 1952 United States Cent specimens
6 physically measured 1952 United States Cent examples in our reference database. Real measured weights and die axes let you authenticate a coin against the 2.926 g, 19 mm minting standard.
| Specimen | Weight | Diameter | Die axis | References |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 United States Cent #1 | 2.926 g | 19 mm | - | Breen.2203 |
| 1952 United States Cent #2 | 3.031 g | 19 mm | - | Breen.2203 |
| 1952 United States Cent #3 | - | - | - | Breen.2203 |
| 1952 United States Cent #4 | - | - | - | Breen.2203 |
| 1952 United States Cent #5 | - | - | - | Breen.2205 |
| 1952 United States Cent #6 | - | - | - | Breen.2204 |
Specifications compiled from documented museum specimens. See our data & methodology page.
Summary: the 1952 United States Cent is valued between $0.03 and $0.30 as of 2026-06-13. Estimates combine mintage rarity, key-date status and metal content; they are editorial guidance, not an offer to buy.