2022 Penny Coin Value (Errors List, “D”, “S” & No Mint Mark Worth)

The 2022 Lincoln penny represents historical continuity and modern collecting opportunity. Featuring the Union Shield reverse introduced in 2010, most examples hold face value, but condition dramatically affects worth.

Most circulated examples hold face value only, but condition dramatically transforms their worth. Professional grading creates substantial value differences—a 2022-D penny achieved $499 in MS68RD condition, while MS-67+ specimens can exceed $100.

Beyond circulation strikes, proof coins and error varieties offer additional collecting dimensions. Whether examining pocket change or building collections, understanding grading standards, mint marks, and market trends distinguishes valuable finds from ordinary cents.

Continue reading to discover varieties, errors, and grading nuances that could transform everyday pennies into numismatic investments.

 

2022 Penny Value By Variety

The value of your 2022 penny depends entirely on which variety you possess, as each mint location and coin type carries distinct market values and collector demand.

From common Philadelphia business strikes to scarce San Francisco proofs and valuable error coins, understanding these classifications is essential for accurate valuation and informed collecting decisions.

Tip: Chart shows Red (RD) prices only. For Brown (BN) or Red-Brown (RB) values, check our CoinValueChecker App for comprehensive information across all color designations.

 

2022 Penny Market Trend

The 2022 penny market demonstrates a transformation from complete dormancy to established collector recognition.

The turning point occurred around late 2021/early 2022, when market engagement experienced a dramatic surge that fundamentally altered the coin’s collecting profile. This peak activity phase represented the coin’s initial discovery and evaluation by the numismatic community.

Following this intense period, activity levels declined from their peak but stabilized at substantially higher levels than the original baseline.

The current engagement pattern shows moderate fluctuations while maintaining consistent collector interest—a clear indication that the 2022 penny has transitioned from an overlooked modern issue to a recognized collecting category.

This evolution pattern reflects how contemporary coins can rapidly gain collector attention once their premium potential becomes apparent, establishing sustained market presence rather than experiencing momentary speculation.

For comprehensive perspective on how the 2022 penny performs relative to other contemporary issues and historical collecting favorites, explore our detailed analysis in the US Coin Market Trend Ranking (Top 100).

 

History Of The 2022 Penny

The 2022 penny continued the economic paradox of modern cent production, costing approximately 2.1 cents to manufacture each coin.

This negative economics has sparked ongoing congressional debates about penny elimination, similar to Canada’s decision to discontinue their cent in 2012, though American tradition and commerce patterns have maintained its production.

The 2022 Lincoln penny represents the twelfth year of the Union Shield design era, which began in 2010. This permanent reverse design replaced the Lincoln Bicentennial commemorative series and the earlier Lincoln Memorial design that had been used since 1959.

The Union Shield reverse was specifically chosen to represent Lincoln’s preservation of the United States as a single unified country. This “Shield of Union” draws from Civil War-era symbolism and offered simpler manufacturing requirements compared to the intricate Lincoln Memorial it replaced.

The 2022 penny maintains the composition established in 1982: 97.5% zinc core with 2.5% copper plating, weighing 2.5 grams. This change occurred when rising copper prices made previous 95% copper cents worth more than their face value.

Production occurred at three U.S. Mint facilities. Philadelphia and Denver struck circulation coins for everyday commerce, while San Francisco exclusively produced proof specimens for collectors through various numismatic products and sets.

Also Read:  10 Most Historic Years of Modern Lincoln Penny (1959-Date)

 

Is Your 2022 Penny Rare?

The 2022 Shield penny breaks recent patterns by achieving “Uncommon” status in Philadelphia production. With a 15 rating and 307th ranking among Lincoln cents, this variety stands out from typical modern issues that fall into common categories.

The Denver mint produced far more abundant quantities. The 2022-D Shield penny earns “Common” classification with an 11 rating, placing it at 920th position. This represents standard modern mintage levels without special collecting interest.

San Francisco’s proof production sits between the two circulation strikes. The 2022-S DCAM Shield penny rates 12 with “Common” status, ranking 820th in the series. Its position above Denver but below Philadelphia reflects moderate proof mintages.

Recent years rarely produce uncommon circulation pennies, making the 2022 Shield penny noteworthy for contemporary collectors. This Philadelphia variety offers genuine scarcity compared to most current production.

Check any 2022 pennies with our CoinValueChecker App to identify this potentially valuable variety.

Comprehensive Lincoln Pennies Key Dates (Rarity Ranking) highlight such exceptions in modern coinage where most dates blend together in common classifications.

 

Key Features Of The 2022 Penny

Understanding the distinctive characteristics of the 2022 penny requires examining both its traditional elements and modern specifications. These features encompass design heritage, symbolic meaning, and technical attributes that collectively define this contemporary Lincoln cent.

The Obverse Of The 2022 Penny

The obverse maintains Victor David Brenner’s iconic Lincoln portrait from 1909, making it America’s longest-running presidential coin design.

Lincoln faces right with “LIBERTY” inscribed along the left edge and “IN GOD WE TRUST” positioned above his head. The date “2022” appears on the right side, while Philadelphia specimens lack mint marks and Denver coins display a small “D” beneath the date.

The Reverse Of The 2022 Penny

The reverse features the Union Shield design introduced in 2010, representing Lincoln’s preservation of national unity. Thirteen vertical stripes symbolize the original colonies, unified by a horizontal banner across the top.

“ONE CENT” appears prominently below the shield, with “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” curved along the upper edge, creating a balanced and symbolic composition.

Other Features Of The 2022 Penny

The 2022 penny weighs exactly 2.5 grams with a 19.05-millimeter diameter and plain edge design. Its composition consists of 97.5% zinc core with 2.5% copper plating, established in 1982 when copper prices rose above face value.

This modern construction provides durability while maintaining the traditional copper appearance collectors and the public expect from American pennies.

 

2022 Penny Grading

Professional grading transforms ordinary 2022 pennies into valuable collectibles, with condition determining whether your coin is worth face value or hundreds of dollars.

Key grading factors include Lincoln’s hair detail, beard definition, and the shield’s stripe clarity on the reverse. Contact marks, scratches, and environmental damage significantly impact final grades.

The grading process evaluates surface preservation, luster quality, and strike sharpness using the 70-point Sheldon Scale, where higher grades command exponentially higher premiums.

Color designation plays a crucial role—Red (RD) specimens retain original copper luster, Red-Brown (RB) show partial oxidation, and Brown (BN) display complete color change, with RD examples bringing the highest values.

For quick and accurate assessment, you can use the CoinValueChecker App to instantly evaluate your penny’s condition and potential value.

Understanding these grading principles forms the foundation for successful penny collecting. For comprehensive guidance on evaluating your coins, explore our detailed section on How to Grade Lincoln Pennies.

 

2022 Penny Value Guides

The 2022 Lincoln penny exists in three distinct varieties, each representing different production purposes and collector markets.

2022 Lincoln Penny Varieties：

• 2022 No Mint Mark Shield– Philadelphia Mint production. Circulated examples worth face value, uncirculated range 10-30 cents
• 2022-D Shield– Denver Mint with “D” mint mark under date. Common in circulation and pocket change
• 2022-S DCAM Shield– San Francisco proof coins for collectors only. Feature Deep Cameo contrast with frosted design against mirror fields

Philadelphia and Denver facilities produced circulation strikes for everyday commerce, while San Francisco exclusively created proof specimens for numismatic products. Understanding these varieties is fundamental to accurate valuation, as proof specimens command significant premiums over their circulation counterparts, with condition and certification dramatically affecting final market values.

 

2022 No Mint Mark Shield Penny Value

The 2022 no mint mark penny represents Philadelphia Mint’s traditional production method, where coins lack mint mark designation. This follows Philadelphia Mint’s general practice of omitting mint marks, a tradition that dates back to its establishment as the nation’s first mint facility in the 1790s.

Despite large-scale production, high-grade specimens remain challenging to locate due to handling damage during circulation release.

Color designation significantly impacts value across all grade levels. Red (RD) examples retain original copper luster and command highest premiums—a 2022 MS67+RD specimen achieved $2,128 at PCGS auction in January 2023. These coins display bright, untoned copper surfaces with full mint luster, representing the most desirable preservation state for collectors.

Red-Brown (RB) coins show partial oxidation. This intermediate color stage exhibits mixed copper and brown toning, often concentrated around edges or high points where oxidation begins. While less valuable than RD specimens, quality RB examples still appeal to collectors seeking attractive, naturally toned coins.

Brown (BN) specimens display complete color change and represent the most affordable option for collectors seeking certified examples, though they remain scarce in premium grades due to the coin’s recent vintage. The brown patina develops uniformly across coin surfaces, creating rich chocolate or mahogany coloration that some collectors prefer for its classic appearance.