Price Guide for 1983 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 PriceCirculated: $420.00 – $450.00Uncirculated: $35.00 – $7,050.00
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eBayUncirculated: $82.00 – $2,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $150.00 – $18,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $8.00 – $1,380.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1.00 – $809.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5.00 – $1,200.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $6.00 – $35.00
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eBayCirculated: $6.49 – $195.00Uncirculated: $4.00 – $475.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4.00 – $10.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $83.00 – $231.00Uncirculated: $57.00 – $312.00
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eBayCirculated: $127.50Uncirculated: $145.00 – $495.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $15.00 – $60.00Uncirculated: $65.00 – $375.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $1,840.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1.04 – $575.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5.00 – $5,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $1,955.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.06 – $1,185.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1.00 – $650.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $258.50 – $2,760.00
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eBayUncirculated: $152.50 – $1,330.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $145.00 – $12,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,080.00 – $1,762.50
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $500.00 – $1,650.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $17.00 – $184.00
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eBayUncirculated: $65.00
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eBayCirculated: $0.99Uncirculated: $42.00
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eBayUncirculated: $75.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $900.00
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eBayUncirculated: $750.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $57.00Uncirculated: $46.00 – $346.63
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eBayUncirculated: $73.52 – $399.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $85.00 – $675.00
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eBayCirculated: $85.50 – $110.00Uncirculated: $52.00 – $315.00
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eBayUncirculated: $22.95 – $140.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $60.00 – $480.00
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eBayUncirculated: $39.99 – $499.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $45.00 – $575.00
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eBayUncirculated: $40.00 – $70.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $504.00 – $1,140.00
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eBayUncirculated: $142.49 – $516.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $65.00 – $1,750.00
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eBayUncirculated: $43.00
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eBayUncirculated: $51.69 – $125.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $630.00
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eBayUncirculated: $74.65 – $240.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $55.00 – $800.00
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eBayUncirculated: $370.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $20.00 – $30.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $329.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $21.00 – $80.00Uncirculated: $90.00 – $260.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $149.00 – $235.00
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eBayUncirculated: $144.50 – $250.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $110.00 – $725.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $51.00Uncirculated: $6.00 – $322.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.30 – $75.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5.00 – $6.00
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eBayUncirculated: $21.50 – $30.00
Design and Specifications of the 1983 Cent
The 1983 Lincoln Cent represents a significant year in the coin’s history. It was the second full year of production for the new copper-plated zinc composition, which was introduced in late 1982 to replace the more expensive copper cents. This change was made due to rising copper prices, making it economically unfeasible to continue producing pure copper cents.
The Lincoln Memorial design on the reverse, introduced in 1959, continued to be used, maintaining the coin’s familiar appearance despite the compositional change.
| Weight | 2.5 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 19.05 mm |
| Mint Marks | P, D |
| Composition | 99.2% zinc, 0.8% copper (copper-plated 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 1983 Lincoln Cents significantly impacts their value, especially for uncirculated examples. While circulated specimens are generally worth face value, coins in Mint State (MS) condition can command premiums.
Strike quality is particularly important for these zinc-based cents, as they often suffer from weak strikes due to the softer metal composition. Coins with full, sharp details are more desirable. Luster is another crucial factor, with coins displaying full, cartwheel luster being highly sought after.
Toning can also affect value, with naturally toned specimens often commanding higher prices among collectors. However, spotting, a common issue with zinc cents, can significantly decrease value.
Mintage: 7,752,355,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in most grades, but scarce in gem (MS65+) condition
Varieties Errors: Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) varieties exist
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for error varieties and high-grade specimens
Mintage: 6,467,199,428
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in most grades, but scarce in gem (MS65+) condition
Varieties Errors: Doubled Die Reverse (DDR) varieties exist
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for error varieties and high-grade specimens
Error coins from 1983 can be particularly valuable. The most notable are the Doubled Die varieties, both obverse and reverse, which can command significant premiums. Other errors like off-center strikes, die cracks, and repunched mint marks can also increase value.
The transitional error from 1982-1983, where a few 1983 cents were mistakenly struck on copper planchets, is extremely rare and valuable. However, authentication is crucial as these are often counterfeited.
Pristine, high-grade examples (MS67 and above) are scarce due to the coin’s composition and minting process, making them valuable to collectors focusing on registry sets or condition rarity.
