The 1973-S Lincoln Penny is worth anywhere from $0.01 in worn circulation to over $500 for high-grade Deep Cameo proofs. While most of these pennies found in pocket change are only worth their face value, certain San Francisco strikes hold significant hidden value for everyday Americans.

Condition / Grade	Estimated Value
Circulated (Average Wear)	$0.01 – $0.05
Uncirculated (MS65 Red)	$1.00 – $5.00
Proof Strike (PR69 DCAM)	$15.00 – $45.00
Rare Errors & High Grades	$100 – $2,000+

Why the 1973-S Lincoln Penny is Special

If you’ve recently sorted through a jar of old change and spotted a “S” mint mark under the date, you might be holding a piece of history. In 1973, the San Francisco Mint produced two distinct types of pennies: business strikes intended for general circulation and specialized proof coins for collectors. By using a top coin identifier app, you can quickly determine if your coin is a common cent or a rare specimen.

Most Americans are familiar with the “P” (Philadelphia) or “D” (Denver) pennies, but the “S” mark often sparks excitement. In 1973, San Francisco minted over 317 million pennies for regular use. While this sounds like a lot, it is significantly fewer than the billions produced in Philadelphia or Denver that same year. Because of this relatively lower mintage, many casual collectors wonder if their 1973-S penny is a hidden treasure.

To get an accurate estimate of your coin’s current market worth, many users rely on the CoinKnow app, which provides real-time pricing data. Whether you found it in your attic or received it as change at the grocery store, understanding the difference between a “Business Strike” and a “Proof Strike” is the first step in valuing your 1973-S Lincoln cent.

The Value of 1973-S Business Strike Pennies

Business strikes are the pennies we see every day—the ones meant to be spent. For the 1973-S Lincoln Penny, most circulated examples are only worth one cent because they are made of a 95% copper alloy. However, because they are copper, their “melt value” is actually higher than their face value, usually around 2 to 3 cents depending on the price of raw copper.

For a business strike to be truly valuable, it must be in “Mint State” (MS). This means it looks exactly as it did when it left the mint, with no scratches, fingerprints, or signs of wear. Collectors are specifically looking for “Red” (RD) coins, which retain their original bright copper luster. You can check the current 1973-S Red penny price trends to see how much these pristine coins fetch at auction.

Grade	Designation	Estimated Price
MS63	Brown (BN)	$0.20
MS65	Red (RD)	$5.00
MS67	Red (RD)	$150.00+

1973-S Proof Penny Values and Characteristics

In addition to coins for circulation, the San Francisco Mint produced over 2.7 million Proof sets in 1973. Proof coins are struck using specially polished dies and planchets (coin blanks), resulting in a mirror-like finish and sharp details. These were sold directly to collectors and were never meant to be spent. If you find a 1973-S penny that looks exceptionally shiny, it might be a proof that someone removed from its protective case.

The most valuable of these are known as “Deep Cameo” (DCAM). This refers to a strong contrast between the frosted appearance of Abraham Lincoln’s portrait and the mirrored background. A perfectly preserved 1973-S Proof penny can be surprisingly lucrative. By using the CoinKnow mobile tool, collectors can scan their coins to see if the contrast meets the Deep Cameo criteria.

Proof Grade	Condition Type	Auction Record
PR67	Cameo	$8.00
PR69	Deep Cameo	$40.00
PR70	Deep Cameo	$1,500+

Identifying 1973-S Penny Errors and Varieties

For the “treasure hunters” out there, the biggest paydays come from error coins. Errors occur when something goes wrong during the minting process, creating a unique and rare variation. In 1973, several types of errors were documented, ranging from minor misalignments to major dramatic shifts.

Common errors to look for include “Double Dies,” though 1973 is not known for a major doubled die like the 1972 or 1955 variants. Instead, you might find “Off-Center” strikes, where the image is not perfectly centered on the penny, or “Die Cracks,” which look like raised jagged lines on the surface. For more details on these anomalies, you can read more about the 1973 penny error valuations.

Finding an error 1973-S penny is rare, but they can sell for hundreds of dollars depending on the severity of the mistake. Always inspect your coins under a magnifying glass or a digital microscope to see details that aren’t visible to the naked eye. Even a small “Repunched Mint Mark” (RPM) can add a premium to an otherwise common cent. Using CoinKnow can help you identify these subtle differences and compare them with known error archives.

How Condition and Color Affect 1973-S Penny Value

When it comes to copper coins like the 1973-S Lincoln cent, color is everything. Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC categorize these pennies into three color grades: Brown (BN), Red-Brown (RB), and Red (RD). A “Red” coin is the most desirable because it indicates the coin has been protected from oxygen and moisture, retaining its original mint luster.

Environmental damage, such as green spotting (verdigris) or dark black toning, will significantly lower the value of your penny. Even if the coin has no wear, if it has turned completely brown, it will generally sell for much less than a bright red specimen. This is why mint-wrapped rolls or coins found in original 1973 Proof Sets are usually the most valuable.

Color Grade	Description	Value Impact
Red (RD)	95%+ original copper color	Highest Value
Red-Brown (RB)	5% to 95% copper color	Moderate Value
Brown (BN)	Less than 5% copper color	Lowest Value

Should You Get Your 1973-S Penny Professionally Graded?

One of the most common questions is whether it’s worth spending money to have a 1973-S penny “slabbed” or graded by a professional service. Grading typically costs between $20 and $50 per coin, plus shipping and insurance. Therefore, if your penny is only worth $1 to $10, it does not make financial sense to grade it.

However, if you believe you have a “Condition Census” coin—meaning it is in nearly perfect condition (MS67 or higher for business strikes, or PR70 for proofs)—grading is essential to unlock its full market value. A certified MS67 Red 1973-S penny can sell for over $200, whereas an uncertified one might only bring in $10 because buyers can’t be sure of its exact state.

Before spending money on grading, use resources like the CoinKnow app to compare your coin’s appearance to high-resolution images of graded examples. If your coin has even a tiny scratch on Lincoln’s cheek or a small mark in the field, it likely won’t hit the high grades required to justify the cost of professional authentication.

FAQ

Q: Is the 1973-S penny rare?

A: Generally, no. With over 317 million business strikes and 2.7 million proofs produced, it is quite common. However, finding one in “Mint State” with a bright red color is becoming more difficult, making those specific coins more valuable to collectors.

Q: What is the metal content of a 1973-S penny?

A: A 1973-S Lincoln cent is made of 95% copper and 5% zinc. This is different from modern pennies (made after 1982), which are mostly zinc with a thin copper coating. Because of the copper content, the 1973 penny is heavier and has a small amount of intrinsic metal value.

Q: How can I tell if my 1973-S penny is a proof?

A: Proof pennies have a very shiny, mirror-like background and very sharp, detailed designs. Business strikes (the ones made for circulation) have a more “satin” or duller finish. Even a worn proof will usually have sharper edges than a regular penny.

Q: Where is the mint mark on a 1973-S penny?

A: The “S” mint mark is located on the “heads” side (obverse) of the coin, directly below the timestamp “1973.” If there is no letter, it was made in Philadelphia. If there is a “D,” it was made in Denver.