Price Guide for 1972 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: $161.00 – $4,600.00Uncirculated: $30.00 – $14,400.00
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eBayCirculated: $148.50 – $168.00Uncirculated: $1.75 – $9,600.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $350.00 – $23,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3.00 – $3,290.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $4,250.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5.00 – $2,850.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $1,955.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1.50 – $900.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4.00 – $185.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3.00 – $3,290.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $2,100.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $6.00 – $3,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $32.00 – $374.00Uncirculated: $34.00 – $1,150.00
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eBayCirculated: $134.99 – $425.00Uncirculated: $60.00 – $860.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $20.00 – $240.00Uncirculated: $240.00 – $750.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $299.00Uncirculated: $6.00 – $1,495.00
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eBayCirculated: $39.98Uncirculated: $4.25 – $660.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4.00 – $325.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $6.00Uncirculated: $24.00 – $374.00
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eBayCirculated: $2.00 – $380.00Uncirculated: $7.19 – $125.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $104.00
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eBayCirculated: $3.00Uncirculated: $8.27 – $325.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $325.00Uncirculated: $31.00 – $2,585.00
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eBayUncirculated: $149.40 – $975.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $250.00 – $2,250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $312.00 – $1,560.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $275.00 – $1,600.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $264.00Uncirculated: $156.00 – $432.00
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eBayCirculated: $20.41 – $359.95Uncirculated: $86.50 – $999.95
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $28.00 – $265.00Uncirculated: $270.00 – $775.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $7.00 – $230.00
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eBayCirculated: $18.50Uncirculated: $0.99 – $638.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $216.00Uncirculated: $168.00 – $12,925.00
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eBayUncirculated: $6.50 – $9,499.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $375.00 – $23,750.00
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eBayUncirculated: $46.00 – $125.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $30.00 – $70.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $55.00 – $399.50
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eBayUncirculated: $44.00 – $296.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $36.00 – $725.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $12.50 – $50.00Uncirculated: $9.50 – $259.00
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eBayCirculated: $16.71 – $60.00Uncirculated: $15.00 – $450.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $12.00 – $15.00Uncirculated: $17.00 – $42.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $14.10 – $188.00
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eBayCirculated: $55.00Uncirculated: $17.00 – $163.50
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $18.00 – $65.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $36.00 – $384.00
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eBayCirculated: $16.50Uncirculated: $10.50 – $1,350.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $25.00 – $1,200.00
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eBayCirculated: $456.57 – $465.02Uncirculated: $0.99 – $1,527.02
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $95.00 – $610.00Uncirculated: $625.00 – $2,250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $881.25 – $2,070.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1,250.00 – $1,995.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $760.00 – $2,100.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3,877.50 – $4,230.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1,400.00 – $2,900.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1.00Uncirculated: $925.00 – $5,750.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $105.00 – $180.00
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eBayUncirculated: $79.95 – $595.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $80.00 – $465.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $11.00
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eBayUncirculated: $27.00 – $109.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $3.00 – $17.00Uncirculated: $20.00 – $175.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $40.00 – $62.00
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eBayUncirculated: $20.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $26.00 – $110.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $79.20 – $204.00
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eBayUncirculated: $41.30 – $575.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $52.00 – $600.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $45.00Uncirculated: $112.00
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eBayCirculated: $35.00 – $60.00Uncirculated: $23.38 – $150.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $5.00 – $13.00Uncirculated: $20.00 – $70.00
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eBayUncirculated: $43.00 – $95.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $35.00 – $100.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $71.50 – $100.00
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eBayUncirculated: $55.00 – $425.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $26.00 – $560.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $31.25 – $99.88
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eBayCirculated: $13.27 – $112.00Uncirculated: $19.99 – $202.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $22.00 – $28.00Uncirculated: $30.00 – $65.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $74.00 – $156.00
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eBayUncirculated: $39.83 – $249.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $35.00 – $100.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $32.00 – $384.00
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eBayUncirculated: $49.55 – $750.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $36.00 – $250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $59.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $5.00 – $7.00Uncirculated: $10.00 – $25.00
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eBayUncirculated: $36.00 – $79.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $15.00 – $35.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $46.00 – $447.00
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eBayUncirculated: $30.00 – $494.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $30.00 – $725.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $10.00 – $116.00
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eBayUncirculated: $6.50 – $89.99
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $18.00 – $210.00Uncirculated: $6.00 – $400.00
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eBayCirculated: $1.00 – $12.00Uncirculated: $0.99 – $417.00
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eBayUncirculated: $28.95
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $16.00 – $276.00Uncirculated: $6.00 – $374.00
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eBayUncirculated: $6.30 – $57.77
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $174.50
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $10.00 – $61.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1.25 – $199.95
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3.00 – $50.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $264.00 – $4,112.50
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eBayUncirculated: $258.00 – $600.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $275.00 – $825.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $51.00Uncirculated: $48.00 – $276.00
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eBayCirculated: $16.50 – $49.99Uncirculated: $26.00 – $265.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2.00 – $24.00Uncirculated: $25.00 – $60.00
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eBayUncirculated: $371.66
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $500.00 – $1,750.00
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eBayUncirculated: $550.99 – $1,226.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $650.00 – $2,750.00
Design and Specifications of the 1972 Cent
The 1972 Lincoln Cent continued the long-standing tradition of honoring America’s 16th president. This year marked the 63rd year of the Lincoln Memorial reverse design, which had been introduced in 1959 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth. The coin played a crucial role in everyday commerce, while also serving as a popular collectible among numismatists.
| 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 | Portrait of Abraham Lincoln, designed by Victor D. Brenner |
| Reverse Design | Lincoln Memorial, designed by Frank Gasparro |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1972 Lincoln Cents significantly impacts their value, especially for circulation strikes. Coins in uncirculated condition (MS60 and above) are more valuable, with premium prices for those grading MS65 and higher. The presence of full original luster and absence of contact marks are crucial for higher grades.
For proof coins, cameo and deep cameo contrasts between the fields and devices can add substantial value. The Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) variety from Philadelphia is highly sought after in all grades, with well-preserved examples commanding significant premiums.
Mintage: 2,933,255,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in lower grades, scarce in MS67 and above
Varieties Errors: Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
Market Demand: Moderate, high for DDO variety
Mintage: 2,665,071,400
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in lower grades, scarce in MS67 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Low to Moderate
Mintage: 3,260,996
Rarity Scale: Common for proofs
Circulation Status: Not Intended for Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Common in PR65, scarce in PR70
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate
The 1972 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) variety is the most valuable and sought-after error for this year. This dramatic doubling is visible on the obverse inscriptions and date, making it one of the most popular Lincoln Cent varieties among collectors.
For regular issues, factors such as strong strike, full steps on the Lincoln Memorial, and attractive natural toning can enhance value. Red coins (those retaining full original mint luster) are more desirable than those that have toned to brown. Proofs with deep cameo contrast are particularly prized by collectors, especially in the highest grades.
