2017, Lincoln Memorial Cent: Varieties, Mint Marks, and Value

The 2017 Lincoln Memorial Cent is one of the most searched terms among penny collectors – and also one of the most misunderstood. By 2017, the Lincoln Memorial reverse had been retired for nearly a decade. What you actually find in your pocket change that year is the Union Shield cent, introduced in 2010. That distinction matters, and this article clears it up completely while walking you through the real story of the 2017 Lincoln cent: its varieties, mint marks, error coins, and what drives value in today’s collector market.

The 2017 series also carries a genuinely historic twist. Philadelphia quietly added a “P” mint mark to its Lincoln cents for the first time ever – a one-year-only change that sent collectors scrambling through gas station change trays. Whether you’re a seasoned numismatist or a precious metals investor curious about affordable coin collecting, the 2017 Lincoln cent offers an accessible, low-cost entry point into a hobby that rewards careful attention.

A Quick History: From Memorial to Shield

The Lincoln cent has worn several reverses since Victor David Brenner designed the obverse in 1909 – the first U.S. circulating coin to feature a president’s portrait. Theodore Roosevelt pushed the redesign, and Lincoln’s profile has appeared on the cent ever since.

By 2017, the Shield design – created by Lyndall Bass – was fully standard. The 13 stripes represent the original states. The horizontal scroll reads “ONE CENT.” The arching legend reads “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.” It’s a clean, historically grounded design that most people ignore in their change.

For a deeper look at how Lincoln cent reverses evolved through the Memorial era, see 1980 Lincoln Memorial Cent history – that article covers the copper-to-zinc transition of 1982 and what it meant for collectors.

The 2017 “P” Mint Mark: Why It Matters

The U.S. Mint celebrated its 225th anniversary in 2017. To mark the occasion, the Philadelphia Mint quietly added a “P” mint mark to Lincoln cents – something it had never done in the coin’s 108-year history. Philadelphia cents had always been issued without a mint mark, so collectors assumed any unmarked cent came from Philly by default.

The change was made without a public announcement. Collector Terry Granstaff found one in change at a gas station in Black Mountain, North Carolina, and initially suspected a counterfeit. Word spread fast. The “P” penny became a minor national story.

The frenzy cooled once people realized billions were minted. But the one-year-only story gives the 2017-P a permanent place in Lincoln cent lore. Gem-condition examples – graded MS68 Red by PCGS – have sold at auction for around $4,500. Circulated examples are worth face value. The spread between those two outcomes is what makes grading so important.

The Three 2017 Lincoln Cent Varieties

Every 2017 Lincoln cent shares the same physical specs: 19mm diameter, 2.50 grams, plain edge, copper-plated zinc composition (97.5% zinc core, 2.5% copper outer plating). The differences come down to mint mark and production method.

The “P” and “D” cents entered general circulation. The “S” cents were struck as proofs – mirror-like surfaces, sharp details – and sold in collector sets. Proof cents are not meant for circulation, and their value depends heavily on grade and whether they carry a “First Strike” or “First Day of Issue” designation from a grading service.

Understanding Coin Grades and Why They Drive Value

Most 2017 cents in circulation grade anywhere from Poor-1 to Fine-12. Those are worth a cent. The jump in value happens at Mint State grades – coins that never circulated and retain their original luster.

1. 1. MS60-MS64 RD (Red): Full copper-red color, minor contact marks. Worth a few dollars at most.
2. 2. MS65 RD: Gem quality. Light marks only. Worth $10-$30 for P/D varieties.
3. 3. MS66-MS67 RD: Sharp strike, nearly mark-free. $50-$200 range.
4. 4. MS68+ RD: Essentially perfect. Rare. Auction records reach $4,500 for the 2017-P.
5. 5. Proof SP69-SP70 (S mint): Mirror fields, cameo contrast. $20-$100 depending on designation.

“RD” means the coin retains full red copper color – the most desirable designation. “RB” (red-brown) and “BN” (brown) indicate oxidation, which reduces value significantly. Store coins away from humidity and air to preserve that red color.

PCGS and NGC are the two major third-party grading services. A coin in a PCGS or NGC slab sells for substantially more than a raw (ungraded) coin of identical quality. For the 2017-P, the premium on a slab at MS67 or above is real and meaningful.

Error Coins: The Hidden Jackpots

High-mintage years still produce errors. Billions of strikes mean the Mint’s quality controls catch most problems – but not all. Collectors who know what to look for can find valuable errors in circulation.

A 10x loupe is your best tool. Check the date, “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and the shield stripes on the reverse. Genuine doubling shows distinct, separated elements – not a blurry or mushy look, which indicates die wear instead.

For comparison on how errors played out in an earlier Lincoln cent year, the 1942 Lincoln Wheat Penny varieties article covers doubled dies and mint mark errors in useful detail.

PCGS & NGC Coin Verification – Accurate Precious Metals Refineries

Collecting Strategy: How to Hunt and Build a Set

Building a complete 2017 Lincoln cent set – P, D, and S – costs almost nothing if you’re patient.

One practical note: the 2017-P is common in change but people often don’t notice the “P.” Most people have never looked at a penny carefully. That’s your edge.

How the 2017 Cent Fits Into a Broader Collection

The 2017 Lincoln cent sits at the end of a long, well-documented series. Collectors building type sets – one example of each major reverse design – need a Shield cent, and 2017 is a natural choice given the historic “P” story.

If you’re newer to Lincoln cents, the valuable Lincoln pennies mint marks guide on our site covers the key dates and rarities across the entire series – from the 1909-S VDB through the modern Shield issues.

Compared to precious metals, cents offer a completely different risk profile. Gold is currently around $4,850 an ounce. Silver sits near $82 an ounce. A top-grade 2017-P penny might fetch $4,500 – but most 2017 cents are worth exactly one cent. The upside is in finding gems before others do, not in metal content. Zinc melt value is essentially zero from a collector’s standpoint.

That said, numismatics and precious metals collecting complement each other well. Many PM investors start buying coins for the metal and discover the numismatic side later. The 2017 cent is a low-risk way to learn grading, variety hunting, and market dynamics before applying those skills to more expensive coins.

Common Myths About the 2017 Lincoln Memorial Cent

A few other myths worth addressing directly:

The “P” mint mark does not automatically make a coin valuable. With 4.36 billion minted, the story is historic but the supply is enormous. Only high-grade, well-preserved examples command real premiums.

Proof “S” cents are not always worth more than circulation “P” cents. In gem grades, a 2017-P MS68 RD has outperformed many proof examples at auction. Mintage tells part of the story – condition tells the rest.

Early concerns about counterfeit 2017-P cents were understandable given the surprise of the mint mark. But a genuine 2017-P weighs 2.50 grams and measures 19mm. A basic postal scale and a ruler resolve most authenticity questions quickly.

Selling Coins and Precious Metals: Where Accurate Precious Metals Fits In

If you’ve been roll hunting and accumulated coins worth grading – or if you hold gold, silver, or other precious metals you’re ready to sell – knowing where to go matters as much as knowing what you have.

Accurate Precious Metals has operated out of Salem, Oregon for more than 12 years. With over 1,000 five-star customer reviews, the team handles everything from bullion bars and numismatic coins to jewelry, diamonds, and scrap metal. Unlike a pawn shop, Accurate Precious Metals is a specialized precious metals dealer – pricing is based on live spot rates and genuine market knowledge, not a generalized offer designed to cover all categories.

For anyone looking for the best gold buyer near me, Accurate Precious Metals stands apart from general buyers because of its depth of expertise and transparent process. Items are evaluated for metal content through XRF analysis and thoroughly examined before any offer is made.

Local customers in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest can visit the Salem location directly. Customers anywhere in the United States can use the mail-in service – Accurate Precious Metals provides a free insured shipping kit, GIA-informed appraisal, and fast payment once your items are received and assessed. There’s no need to settle for a local pawn shop offer when a trusted specialist is accessible nationwide.

Whether you’re selling a gold chain, a silver bar, or even a collection of numismatic coins, both options are available: walk in at the Salem, Oregon location, or ship your items safely using the mail-in program. Call (503) 400-5608 or visit AccuratePMR.com to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

1. Littleton Coin Company – 2017-S Lincoln Head Cent
2. CoinValueChecker – How Much Is a 2017 Penny Worth
3. Greysheet – 2017-D Shield Lincoln Cent Prices
4. PCGS CoinFacts – 2017-P Lincoln Shield Cent
5. Wikipedia – Lincoln Cent Mintage Figures