Price Guide for 1970 Cent Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $45.00Uncirculated: $16.00 – $2,464.00
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eBayUncirculated: $5.00 – $1,725.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $22.00 – $700.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $2,820.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $1,149.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $7.00 – $3,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $870.00Uncirculated: $2,415.00
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eBayUncirculated: $45.00 – $3,675.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $650.00 – $1,100.00Uncirculated: $1,500.00 – $5,350.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $36.00 – $24,150.00
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eBayUncirculated: $35.00 – $7,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2,000.00 – $22,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $1,495.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $1,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $12.00 – $2,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3.00 – $4,406.25
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eBayCirculated: $74.99Uncirculated: $2.00 – $403.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $8.00 – $5,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $161.00 – $316.00
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eBayCirculated: $5.49 – $89.00Uncirculated: $12.19 – $250.00
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eBayCirculated: $500.00 – $2,125.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $100.00 – $1,250.00Uncirculated: $1,550.00 – $5,650.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $173.00Uncirculated: $368.00 – $427.00
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eBayCirculated: $2.00Uncirculated: $19.99 – $174.50
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $7.00 – $2,530.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $1,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2.00 – $1,850.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $17.00 – $39.00
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eBayUncirculated: $4.25 – $28.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $13.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $67.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $10.00 – $1,323.00
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eBayCirculated: $51.00Uncirculated: $3.58 – $850.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $26.00 – $900.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $10.00 – $42.00
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eBayUncirculated: $14.08 – $82.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $10.00 – $75.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $8.00 – $121.00
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eBayUncirculated: $4.29 – $395.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2.00 – $240.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $62.70
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $19.00 – $30.00
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eBayUncirculated: $2.00 – $111.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $21.00 – $200.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $30.00 – $456.00
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eBayUncirculated: $11.50 – $429.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $18.00 – $3,250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $49.00 – $881.25
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eBayUncirculated: $7.00 – $1,095.95
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $55.00 – $1,100.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $77.00 – $18,400.00
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eBayUncirculated: $70.00 – $488.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $60.00 – $9,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $7.00 – $431.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $175.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3.00 – $55.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $3,220.00
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eBayUncirculated: $5.50 – $796.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4.00 – $700.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $253.00 – $632.15
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eBayUncirculated: $33.00 – $175.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $24.00 – $825.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $101.05
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eBayUncirculated: $85.00 – $140.49
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $65.00 – $900.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,232.50
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $350.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $219.00 – $324.00
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eBayUncirculated: $102.51 – $1,290.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $160.00 – $550.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $432.00
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eBayUncirculated: $737.90 – $1,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $400.00 – $2,150.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $84.00 – $1,140.00
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eBayUncirculated: $63.00 – $255.51
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $27.00 – $550.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $587.50
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eBayUncirculated: $265.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $30.00 – $850.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $587.50
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $109.00 – $451.00
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eBayUncirculated: $82.59 – $199.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $110.00 – $275.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $99.00 – $360.00
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eBayUncirculated: $164.99 – $395.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $125.00 – $500.00
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eBayUncirculated: $425.00 – $2,950.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $325.00 – $1,100.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3,738.00 – $9,500.00
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eBayUncirculated: $100.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,700.00 – $6,650.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,610.00
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eBayCirculated: $16.43Uncirculated: $7.28 – $275.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1.00 – $5.00Uncirculated: $6.00 – $27.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $70.00Uncirculated: $9.00
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eBayCirculated: $0.99 – $1,000.00Uncirculated: $1.29 – $20.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1.00 – $2.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,880.00 – $8,225.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,850.00 – $6,750.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,680.00 – $18,000.00
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eBayUncirculated: $6,412.49
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2,050.00 – $22,750.00
Design and Specifications of the 1970 Cent
The 1970 Lincoln Cent continued the long-standing tradition of honoring America’s 16th president. This year marked the 61st year of the Lincoln Memorial reverse design, which had been introduced in 1959. The coin played a crucial role in everyday commerce, while also being a popular item among collectors due to its historical significance and accessibility.
| Weight | 3.11 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 19.05 mm |
| Mint Marks | No mint mark (Philadelphia), D (Denver), S (San Francisco) |
| Composition | 95% copper, 5% zinc |
| Obverse Design | Abraham Lincoln's profile facing right, designed by Victor D. Brenner |
| Reverse Design | Lincoln Memorial, designed by Frank Gasparro |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1970 Lincoln Cents significantly impacts their value, particularly for circulation strikes. Uncirculated examples with full original luster and no wear are highly sought after by collectors. For circulation strikes, coins graded MS65 and above can command premium prices, with MS67 examples being quite scarce and valuable.
For proof coins, the presence and quality of cameo contrast between the fields and devices can greatly enhance value. Deep cameo proofs, especially in grades PR68 and above, are particularly desirable and can fetch significant premiums.
Mintage: 1,898,315,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in grades up to MS66, scarce in MS67 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, primarily for high-grade examples
Mintage: 2,891,438,900
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in grades up to MS66, scarce in MS67 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, primarily for high-grade examples
Mintage: 2,632,810
Rarity Scale: Common for proofs
Circulation Status: Not Intended for Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Common in grades up to PR68, scarce in PR69 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for cameo and deep cameo examples
Strike quality is an important factor for 1970 cents. Well-struck coins with sharp details, particularly on Lincoln’s hair and the columns of the Memorial, are more valuable. Color and toning can also impact value, with coins displaying attractive, original red color being most desirable for uncirculated examples.
For proof coins, the absence of contact marks or hairlines is crucial for achieving high grades and maximum value. Collectors also prize proofs with deep, watery fields and frosted devices, characteristics that contribute to the coveted cameo and deep cameo designations.
