Price Guide for 1980 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 PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $2,232.50
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $224.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5.00 – $8,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $11.00 – $25.00Uncirculated: $7.00 – $1,093.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $479.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4.00 – $1,750.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $161.00 – $360.00
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eBayUncirculated: $125.00 – $500.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $110.00 – $2,600.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $3,680.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $1,800.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3.00 – $1,500.00
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eBayUncirculated: $3.50 – $123.50
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $113.98 – $132.00
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eBayCirculated: $42.00 – $250.00Uncirculated: $69.00 – $260.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $1,840.00
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eBayCirculated: $7.00Uncirculated: $3.25 – $718.80
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $33.00 – $150.00Uncirculated: $11.00 – $345.00
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eBayUncirculated: $3.50 – $125.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $120.00
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eBayCirculated: $39.00Uncirculated: $60.00 – $261.24
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $15.00
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eBayUncirculated: $4.99 – $51.00
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eBayUncirculated: $2,195.00
Design and Specifications of the 1980 Cent
The 1980 Lincoln Cent continued the long-standing tradition of honoring America’s 16th president. This year marked the 71st year of the Lincoln Memorial reverse design, which was introduced in 1959. The coin was minted during a period of significant economic changes, with inflation becoming a major concern in the United States.
| Weight | 3.11 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 19.05 mm |
| Mint Marks | P (Philadelphia), D (Denver), S (San Francisco) |
| Composition | 95% copper, 5% zinc |
| Obverse Design | Abraham Lincoln portrait, designed by Victor D. Brenner |
| Reverse Design | Lincoln Memorial, designed by Frank Gasparro |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1980 Lincoln Cents significantly impacts their value, especially for circulation strikes. Coins in Mint State (MS) grades command higher premiums, with those grading MS67 and above being particularly scarce and valuable. For circulation strikes, look for coins with full, original mint luster and minimal contact marks.
Proof coins are valued based on the quality of the strike, the depth of the mirrored fields, and the absence of handling marks. PR69 and PR70 examples are highly sought after by collectors.
Mintage: 7,414,705,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in most grades, scarce in MS67 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Low, primarily of interest to complete date sets
Mintage: 5,140,098,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in most grades, scarce in MS67 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Low, primarily of interest to complete date sets
Mintage: 3,554,806
Rarity Scale: Common for proof issues
Circulation Status: Not Intended for Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Common in most grades, scarce in PR70
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, popular among proof set collectors
Copper content plays a role in the value of 1980 cents, as the melt value can sometimes exceed face value, though it’s illegal to melt U.S. coins. Coins with attractive, natural toning may command a premium among collectors. Full Steps on the Lincoln Memorial (visible lines on the memorial steps) can also increase value, particularly in higher grades.
While not particularly rare, well-preserved rolls or bags of uncirculated 1980 cents may carry a premium due to their potential for containing high-grade examples. The San Francisco proof issues are generally more valuable than their circulation counterparts, especially in top grades.
