2011 Penny Value

2011 Penny Design and Overview

After 2009, when the 2009 penny was made for the bicentennial of Lincoln, the US Mint had to come up with a new design, since the custom reverse made for the anniversary was no longer viable.

In 2010, the new design appeared, and while it had the same obverse as the first Lincoln cents a century ago, the reverse was all new.

Obverse (Front): Features Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. Victor David Brenner designed this side (his initials "VDB" appear on Lincoln’s shoulder at the bottom). You should see inscriptions "IN GOD WE TRUST", "LIBERTY", and the year 2011 with the mint mark (P, D, or S) to the right.

Reverse (Back): Shows a Union shield with a scroll draped across it, inscribed "ONE CENT". The new reverse was designed by Lyndall Bass, with engraving by Joseph Menna. The Union Shield symbolizes Lincoln’s preservation of the United States as a single, united country.

Penny 2011 Overview
Country	United States of America
Years of Minting	2010–present (first year of the Union Shield reverse)
Type:	Circulating
Shape:	Round
Composition and metal content	97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper (copper-plated zinc)
Diameter	19.05 mm
Weight	2.5 gram

Fun fact: 2011 was a fruitful year for coin collectors. On the other side of the world, the UK started a beloved Olympic 50p coins series in 2011.

Mint Mark Varieties

Three mint facilities produced pennies in 2011:

P: Philadelphia (no mint mark for most modern pennies, but 2011 proof pennies from Philadelphia do exist).
D: Denver.
S: San Francisco (proof coins only).

Both P and D pennies are circulation strikes, and S ones are made for collectors.

2011 Penny No Mint Mark Value

How to identify: Go to the obverse side. On the right, under the date, is a blank space.
Mintage: ~2,402,400,000.
Approx. Value: Mostly face value (0.01$). In mint state $10+.

A widely circulated variety, still found as a change today.

2011 D Penny Value

How to identify: Go to the obverse side. On the right, under the date, is a D mark.
Mintage: ~2,536,140,000.
Approx. Value: Mostly face value (0.01$). In mint state $10+.

The Denver Mint made slightly more coins than the Philadelphia Mint.

2011 S Penny Value

How to identify: Go to the obverse side. On the right, under the date, is an S mark.
Mintage: ~1,673,010.
Approx. Value: $6, starts in a proof grade.

San Francisco made higher-quality collector’s coins, usually sold in proof sets. Value is typically a few dollars, depending on condition.

2011 Penny Error List

2011 penny errors, plating error on the rim (left) and double dies on the date (right).

Coins with errors are always a great catch. Collectors want them for rarity and for eye appeal. Even common enthusiasts know that error coins are usually worth a lot, and that’s true even for modern bits.

Doubled Die Errors (DDO/DDR)

Doubling can sometimes be seen on the date (2011), "LIBERTY," or the reverse lettering like "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" or "E PLURIBUS UNUM."
These errors are caused when the coin die is impressed twice at slightly different angles.

Off-Center Strikes

Part of the design is missing because the coin blank was not properly centered when struck.
Value depends on how much of the design is missing (5–50% off-center errors are collectible).

Clipped Planchets

A portion of the coin’s edge is missing (looks like a crescent-shaped cut).
Happens when the blank metal sheet is mispunched.

Die Cracks / Die Breaks ("Cuds")

Looks like raised lines or blobs of extra metal caused by cracks or breaks in the die.
Often appear near the edges or on Lincoln’s portrait. If you find some on his nose or face, it is very valuable.

Plating Errors

Since these pennies are copper-plated zinc, sometimes the plating is missing, peeled, or uneven, exposing the zinc underneath.
This creates unusual colors or textures.

As relatively new pieces, these coins might have undiscovered errors that you could find. Take out your collecting supplies, mainly a magnifying glass, and start inspecting. Don’t leave a single coin unturned, as even proof pieces sometimes have an error, and those are extremely valuable.

Before we reach values, we need to keep in mind one big contributor: grading.

Is this new 2011 penny with a shield on the back worth your investment? Let's see. We present a table with approximate values throughout all mint marks and the most important grades.

Mint Mark	Circulation Coins (Average)	Uncirculated / MS60–MS65	Proof (S Mint)
P	1¢ (face value)	$0.10–$1.00	N/A
D	1¢	$0.10–$1.50	N/A
S	N/A	N/A	$2–$7 typically

What is the verdict? In 2011, the mint mark penny value is low, rarely above the face value, and the same is true for the Denver pieces. Logically, S pennies are worth more due to a lower mintage.

Coin ID Scanner

Coin ID Scanner is an app with one big goal: to help users identify coins. To reach this goal, the app uses advanced AI image recognition technology.

Let’s have a glance at the core features:

AI-Powered Coin Identification: Snap a photo of a coin, and the app will instantly identify it, providing details such as country, denomination, mint year, and composition.
Extensive Database: Access information on over 150,000 coins, including rare, commemorative, and international issues.
Value Estimation: Receive current market value estimates based on the coin's condition and rarity.
Collection Management: Organize your coins by saving images and details within the app, allowing you to track and manage your collection efficiently.
Educational Resources: Stay informed with daily numismatic news, tips, and articles to enhance your knowledge of coin collecting.
AI Consultant: Utilize an AI assistant for accurate answers to your numismatic questions.

Coin ID scanner is free and available on Android and iOS.

FAQ

What are the best-selling 2011 Pennies?

The most valuable ones are typically sold in proof sets or have errors, especially doubled dies. These can sell anywhere from $50 to $200+, depending on severity and condition. A few D and S- 2011 cents were sold for $500+ due to a rare red coloration, and got into the top 100 pennies worth money chart.

How Many Designs Did the Lincoln Cent Have?

The Lincoln cent has had several designs since 1909: 1909–1958: Wheat reverse (the “Wheat Penny”), 1959–2008: Lincoln Memorial reverse, 2009: Bicentennial of Lincoln with 4 different reverse designs, 2010–present: Union Shield reverse (the “Lincoln Shield Penny”).

Are 2011 Cents Rare?

No, 2011 pennies are not rare. Billions were minted at Philadelphia (P) and Denver (D) for circulation. S mint proof coins are less common but still widely available in proof sets. Only error coins or perfect uncirculated examples have collector value beyond face value.

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