Price Guide for 1971 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 – $1,380.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $315.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $6.00 – $275.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $3,290.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.10 – $4,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $10.00 – $1,750.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $15.00 – $127.00Uncirculated: $42.00 – $10,925.00
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eBayUncirculated: $13.95 – $675.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $185.00 – $5,750.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $36.43 – $755.00Uncirculated: $7.00 – $17,250.00
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eBayUncirculated: $6.50 – $7,900.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4.00 – $3,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $4,406.25
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eBayCirculated: $10.00Uncirculated: $0.99 – $4,080.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $11.00 – $4,600.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $35.00 – $127.00Uncirculated: $89.00 – $253.00
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eBayCirculated: $60.00Uncirculated: $153.00 – $353.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $5.00 – $120.00Uncirculated: $135.00 – $750.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $21.00 – $75.00
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eBayUncirculated: $199.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $173.00 – $748.00
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eBayUncirculated: $375.00 – $550.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $100.00 – $1,250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $763.75
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1,150.00 – $2,600.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $7.00 – $1,725.00
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eBayCirculated: $16.50 – $149.99Uncirculated: $0.99 – $108.38
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2.00 – $32.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $6.00 – $55.00Uncirculated: $6.00
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eBayCirculated: $11.99 – $23.50Uncirculated: $3.00 – $179.50
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $82.00Uncirculated: $78.10 – $1,265.00
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eBayCirculated: $99.00 – $190.00Uncirculated: $125.50 – $300.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $150.00 – $750.00
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eBayUncirculated: $199.92 – $204.37
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $22.00 – $1,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $31.00
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eBayUncirculated: $2.25 – $74.33
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $42.00 – $101.05
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eBayUncirculated: $1.00 – $42.00
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eBayCirculated: $1.50 – $2.49Uncirculated: $11.50 – $20.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $1,438.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $181.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3.00 – $110.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $21.00 – $276.00
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eBayUncirculated: $7.00 – $165.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $575.00 – $3,220.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $350.00 – $2,600.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $219.00
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eBayUncirculated: $8.00 – $28.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $282.00 – $840.00
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eBayUncirculated: $2.50 – $522.50
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $160.00 – $775.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $408.00
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eBayUncirculated: $399.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $475.00 – $725.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $550.00Uncirculated: $111.63 – $2,990.00
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eBayUncirculated: $228.52 – $1,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $40.00 – $1,300.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $270.00 – $675.00Uncirculated: $199.75 – $9,775.00
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eBayUncirculated: $234.50 – $3,149.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $50.00 – $3,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $528.00 – $3,600.00
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eBayUncirculated: $2,362.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $75.00 – $4,750.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $186.00 – $1,140.00
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eBayUncirculated: $299.00 – $2,999.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $350.00 – $2,450.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $553.00 – $4,700.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $400.00 – $5,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $123.38Uncirculated: $124.00 – $173.00
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eBayCirculated: $51.00 – $157.50Uncirculated: $76.99 – $159.25
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $55.00 – $135.00Uncirculated: $155.00 – $750.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $94.00 – $207.00
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eBayCirculated: $125.00Uncirculated: $105.00 – $205.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $170.00 – $875.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $294.00Uncirculated: $83.00 – $14,950.00
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eBayUncirculated: $158.49 – $1,151.49
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $200.00 – $6,000.00
Design and Specifications of the 1971 Cent
The 1971 Lincoln Cent continued the long-standing tradition of honoring America’s 16th president. This year marked the 62nd year of the Lincoln Memorial reverse design, which was introduced in 1959. The coin played a significant role in everyday commerce, despite increasing production costs due to rising copper prices.
| 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 | Abraham Lincoln's profile facing right, designed by Victor D. Brenner |
| Reverse Design | Lincoln Memorial, designed by Frank Gasparro |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1971 Lincoln Cents significantly impacts their value, especially for circulation strikes. Uncirculated examples with full original luster and no contact marks are highly desirable. For circulation strikes, coins graded MS67 or higher can command substantial premiums due to their scarcity.
For proof coins, the cameo contrast between the frosted devices and mirrored fields is an important factor. Deep Cameo proofs with strong contrast are particularly sought after by collectors.
Mintage: 1,919,490,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in grades up to MS66, scarce in MS67 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Low, primarily of interest to complete date sets
Mintage: 2,911,045,600
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in grades up to MS66, scarce in MS67 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Low, primarily of interest to complete date sets
Mintage: 3,220,733
Rarity Scale: Common for proofs
Circulation Status: Not Intended for Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Common in grades up to PR68, scarce in PR69 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, popular among proof set collectors
Strike quality is an important consideration for 1971 cents. Well-struck coins with sharp details, especially on Lincoln’s hair and the Memorial columns, are more desirable. Color also plays a role in valuation, with coins retaining their original red color (designated RD) being more valuable than those with brown (BN) or red-brown (RB) coloration.
While not particularly rare, error coins such as off-center strikes, doubled dies, or repunched mint marks can significantly increase the value of a 1971 cent. However, these are relatively uncommon for this year.
