1972 United States Cent Value

Expect a 1972 United States Cent to trade between about its melt value and well into four figures, driven almost entirely by grade. See the grade table below for exactly where your coin falls.

1972COINCOIN
Illustrative rendering. Photographs of this date are being added.

1972 United States Cent value by grade

1972 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.

Today's value of the 1972 United States Cent

Pricing for the 1972 United States Cent depends on grade and current collector demand.

1972 United States Cent specifications

Series
United States Coinage
Year
1972
Mint mark
None (Philadelphia)
Mintage
Not recorded
Composition
Brass
Weight
52.8853 g
Diameter
77 mm

The missing mint mark, explained

Look for a letter and you will not find one. The 1972 United States Cent is a Philadelphia product, and the main mint did not sign its work at this time.

What makes the 1972 United States Cent valuable

For the 1972 United States Cent, surviving examples tell the story that mint records do not. Museum-documented specimens define the issue for collectors.

There is history in a 1972 United States Coinage as well. Documented United States coin types preserved in museum collections, with measured specifications for each date, denomination and mint. That backdrop keeps the series among the most actively collected in American numismatics.

1972 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

Lincoln Memorial

Measured 1972 United States Cent specimens

5 physically measured 1972 United States Cent examples in our reference database. Real measured weights and die axes let you authenticate a coin against the 52.8853 g, 77 mm minting standard.

Measured 1972 United States Cent specimens
SpecimenWeightDiameterDie axisReferences
1972 United States Cent #152.8853 g77 mm12 h-
1972 United States Cent #2---Breen.2264
1972 United States Cent #3---Breen.2266
1972 United States Cent #4---Breen.2267
1972 United States Cent #5---Breen.2265

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