The 1989 D Lincoln Penny represents a very common coin produced by the United States Mint in Denver during a year of high production.
While many people see this coin as a simple cent, collectors study the small "D" letter located under the year for specific reasons.
The Denver Mint manufactured billions of these coins using a combination of copper and zinc to keep the costs of production low.
This coin consists of a core made of 97.5% zinc covered by a thin layer of 2.5% copper and has a total weight of 2.5 grams.
Finding a 1989 D Penny in perfect condition remains a difficult task for many hobbyists because most coins circulated in daily trade for decades.
The "D" mint mark indicates the origin of the coin, serving as a primary factor for determining the starting price in the professional market.
Feature | Description |
Composition | 97.5% Zinc, 2.5% Copper |
Weight | 2.5 Grams |
Diameter | 19.05 mm |
Mint Mark | "D" (Denver) |
Edge | Plain |
Mintage | 5,345,467,111 |
Professional Grading and Its Impact on Price
The value of a 1989 D penny depends heavily on the grade assigned by professional services like PCGS, the coin value checker app, or NGC.
These experts examine every detail of the coin to find even the smallest imperfections using a scale from 1 to 70.
A 1989 D penny graded as MS60 or MS63 usually carries a value close to its face value and reflects its common nature.
The price of the coin starts to rise upon reaching a grade of MS67 because only a small number of pieces survived in such a clean state.
Coins achieving a grade of MS68 are extremely rare and represent the top 0.01% of all 1989 D pennies ever produced.
The following table shows how the price changes based on the professional grade of the coin.
Grade | Estimated Value (USD) |
MS63 | $0.10 - $0.20 |
MS65 | $1.00 - $5.00 |
MS67 | $15.00 - $30.00 |
MS68 | $150.00 - $400.00 |
MS69 | $3,000.00+ |
Record-Breaking Prices for the 1989 D Penny
The highest price ever paid for a 1989 D penny occurred at a professional auction several years ago.
In 2018, a 1989 D Lincoln Penny graded MS69 Red by PCGS sold for a record price of $3,525.
This specific coin showed no visible marks even under high magnification and sold for such a high amount.
Another example graded as MS68 Red sold for approximately $450 in a more recent public sale.
A person can see the massive percentage increase for top-tier quality by comparing these prices to the face value of one cent.
A coin selling for $3,500 represents a 350,000% increase over its original value and demonstrates the power of professional grading.
Annual Price Trends and Market Stability
The market for modern pennies like the 1989 D cent remains stable but shows small changes every year.
The price usually increases by 2% to 5% annually for coins in the MS65 to MS67 range, depending on collector demand.
However, coins in the lower grades often lose value relative to inflation and stay at a flat price for many years.
The demand for MS68 coins fluctuates more and shows occasional drops of 10% when more examples are discovered and graded.
Investors buying these coins focus on "Red" (RD) designations, meaning the coin still has its original bright copper color.
Coins turning "Red-Brown" (RB) or "Brown" (BN) lose about 40% to 60% of their market value immediately.
Color Designation | Typical Value Retained | Market Demand |
Red (RD) | 100% | Very High |
Red-Brown (RB) | 40% - 50% | Moderate |
Brown (BN) | 10% - 20% | Low |
Errors and Varieties of the 1989 D Penny
Errors occurring during the minting process at the Denver facility create the most valuable versions of this coin.
One common error found in 1989 involves the "Double Die Obverse," where the letters and numbers appear doubled.
The 1989 D varieties still attract serious buyers, although they are not as famous as the 1955 or 1972 doubled dies.
Another error involves "Off-Center Strikes," happening when the coin blank is not centered correctly in the machine.
A 1989 D penny struck 10% off-center might sell for $10 to $20, whereas a 50% off-center strike can reach $100 or more.
Missing the "D" mint mark entirely is not possible for this specific Denver issue, though some coins show a very weak "D" due to filled dies.
Coins having a "Clipped Planchet" error, where a piece of the metal is missing, usually sell for $15 to $35.
Why the "D" Mint Mark Matters
The "D" mark serves as an identifier for the Denver Mint, distinguishing it from the Philadelphia Mint, which used no mark in 1989.
The quality of the strike at Denver in 1989 was generally better than in Philadelphia and made "D" pennies easier to find in high grades.
However, the "D" mark itself can be subject to errors, such as "Re-punched Mint Marks" (RPM).
An RPM occurs when the workman strikes the "D" into the die twice and creates an overlapping letter effect — and can be determined with the coin identifier app.
Finding an RPM on a 1989 D penny adds a small premium to the price, usually ranging from $5 to $15 for a raw coin.
The position of the "D" can also vary slightly because workers place it higher or lower depending on the specific die used.