The 1963 D Lincoln Penny: Features and Values of the Coin

Coin collections are curiously amusing, for each instance refers to a particular event or figure, and these usually represent the most illustrative periods of history. The American past is often carried through pennies, i.e., one of the most widely used coins in the country, which is why these numismatic creations offer a fine background for commemorative programs and other governmental initiatives alike. 

Lincoln Penny 1963 is an appropriate example of the coins that may demonstrate the flair of its time, i.e., the height of the space race and changing society. Time waits for no one, and even the most well-preserved instances inevitably exhibit signs of wear. In this material, we finally focus on the 1963 D Lincoln Penny, a coin that deserves the attention of any collector around the globe. We will talk about its main numismatic details, as well as explain how you can identify the coins simply and quickly.

What is 1963D Penny and When Did It Appear?

First, let us understand what the 1963 Lincoln is. Being a true representative of the Lincoln Memorial Cent series, the 1963 Lincoln Penny obviously refers to a one-cent coin issued in the United States in 1963. Continuing the design first revealed in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Lincoln's birth, the coin depicts Abraham Lincoln on the obverse, i.e., the front side of the plate. The Lincoln Memorial, which replaced the previous iteration on the reverse, was designed commencing in 1959.

As for its mintage, the 1963 penny was produced in considerable quantities at the Denver (D mint mark) and Philadelphia (no mint mark) mints and was composed of 95% copper and 5% zinc, just like 1968 coins. In the early 1960s, during the period when the economy was growing fast, millions of coins were produced to satisfy the newly emerging demands of people worldwide.

Even though it was a widespread currency when it was first struck, collectors may still value well-preserved copies, particularly those with uncommon flaws or in higher grades, which is rare for sure. 

Some Key Characteristics of the 1963 Lincoln Cent

Like any other coin, the Lincoln Penny 1963 has a few distinctive features that may help one identify which item is a true penny and which one is fake or lookalike. Let us briefly cover the most important aspects of the coin for one to be aware of what it looks like and how to identify it properly. 

Obverse Design: The obverse side features a profile of President Abraham Lincoln which was created by sculptor Victor D. Brenner in 1909. The original 1963 wheat penny design was practically the same, so this side of the coin was not altered at all.

Reverse Design: The reverse, in turn, depicts the Lincoln Memorial with a little replica of the Lincoln statue visible from the inside, created by Frank Gasparro in 1959.

Metal Composition: The composition of the 1963 penny's metal was also applicable to the pennies struck before 1982 in general, i.e., 95% copper and 5% zinc. The coin's characteristic reddish-brown hue is a result of its copper-heavy composition.

Mint Marks: As usual in the realm of American coinage, Denver-minted coins have a tiny "D" mint mark beneath the date on the obverse, whereas Philadelphia-minted coins have no mint mark at all.   

Diameter and Weight: According to the local standards, the coin's 19.05 mm diameter and 3.11 gram weight were typical for pennies of that time.

Edge: The 1963 Lincoln Cent has a smooth, plain edge, much as all other U.S. pennies do.

Mintage: The coin was widely circulated, with over 1.7 billion manufactured by the Denver Mint and over 754 million struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1963.

Collectibility Potential of 1 Cent 1963

The condition, mint mark, and presence of any significant flaws are some of the factors that affect the collectibility potential of any coin. Because of its enormous mintage, the 1963 penny value is not regarded as high, yet collectors may find it valuable for several reasons. 

Condition and Grading

Uncirculated or Mint State (MS): The most sought-after coins should be kept in mint condition with little to no wear, particularly those with an MS-65 grade or above. It is even better if these are certified by a respectable grading agency like PCGS or NGC. Such examples might command higher prices (from a few dollars up to $20 or more).

Coins in Circulation: The majority of 1963 pennies that are still in use are worn and bear face values only. However, well-preserved circulated examples in About Uncirculated (AU) or Extremely Fine (EF) states may be worth more, too.

1963 D Lincoln Penny Errors

In general, collectors are especially interested in 1963 pennies with noticeable minting flaws. 1963 d penny error list may include off-center striking, 1963 d penny double dies, die cracks, repunched mint marks, clipped planchets, etc. Depending on how serious and uncommon they are, several of these mistakes might greatly raise the coin's value (from $50 to several hundred dollars) for good.

It is interesting! Due to die wear or misalignment, the 1963 D Penny In God We Trust error is a remarkable anomaly where the motto seems faint, half missing, or doubled.

Metal Value 

As stated by the US Mint officials, the intrinsic metal value of the 1963 penny is higher than that of contemporary pennies because of its high copper content (95%). Although it is banned to melt down pennies in the United States, this fact still increases the appeal of these coins as collectibles with no direct impact on their value on the market.

By the way, silver coins like those from the American Silver Eagles are more expensive because their face value is rather higher.

Do Not Miss a Chance to Find Your Coin!

We always say that coin collecting is a rewarding experience, but this may also be daunting and challenging at first. This is why it might be reasonable to employ additional instruments (especially digital ones) to identify, locate, and analyze coins before they enter the collections you own. As for the applications, Coin ID Scanner is one of those tools that are worth trying for sure.

With just the camera on their smartphone, users can quickly and reliably identify coins from all around the world. The software employs advanced image recognition technologies to reveal full coin information, such as the coin's origin, year, denomination, and possible worth, with a quick snap only. What the app may do is become your personal assistant and spot uncommon or valuable coins that you might otherwise miss.

Apart from coin identification, the Coin ID Scanner app includes features like a numismatic encyclopedia, news delivery (e.g., 1963 D Penny value error updates), and a managing tool to help you digitally store and track your collection. 

Do not miss the opportunity to use this app to find the hidden worth in your collection.

Sources: 

1. https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/1963-d-1c-bn/2885

2. https://www.ngccoin.com/coin-explorer/united-states/cents/lincoln-cents-memorial-reverse-1959-2008/12885/1963-d-1c-ms/