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1974 Lincoln Cent Date Guide

Nixon resigns; aluminum cent tested

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1974 overview Mintage, history, and notes for this year's cents

Philadelphia (MS)

Photo Credit: Cotgreave Collection

(click images above to see larger view)

Mintage
4,103,183,000
Mintage Ranking for Type
(59 of 126)

Denver (MS)

Photo Credit: Cotgreave Collection

(click images above to see larger view)

Mintage
4,235,098,000
Mintage Ranking for Type
(54 of 126)

San Francisco (MS)

Photo Credit: Cotgreave Collection

(click images above to see larger view)

Mintage
409,426,660
Mintage Ranking for Type
(117 of 126)

West Point (MS)

Mintage
128,957,523
Mintage Ranking for Type
(126 of 126)

San Francisco (PR)

Mintage
2,612,568
Mintage Ranking for Type
(44 of 54)

1974 in history

1974 in history
  • The Mint tested aluminum cents in 1974 to cut costs, but the idea was abandoned after vending industry objections.
  • Rare 1974 aluminum pattern cents remain legendary among Lincoln cent specialists.
  • President Nixon resigned on August 9 amid Watergate; Gerald Ford became president.
  • Ford pardoned Nixon in September, a controversial decision that may have cost Ford election in 1976.
  • India tested its first nuclear weapon, code-named Smiling Buddha.
  • The Universal Product Code barcode scanned a pack of gum in Ohio for the first time in a store.
  • Lucy fossils discovered in Ethiopia reshaped understanding of early human ancestors.
  • President Ford faced inflation and recession as the economy struggled after the oil shock.

1974 Lincoln cent year notes

Collector notes for 1974 Lincoln cents are being prepared.

Images/Mintage Mint issues and coin images for 1974

Philadelphia (MS)

Photo Credit: Cotgreave Collection

(click images above to see larger view)

Mintage
4,103,183,000
Mintage Ranking for Type
(59 of 126)

Denver (MS)

Photo Credit: Cotgreave Collection

(click images above to see larger view)

Mintage
4,235,098,000
Mintage Ranking for Type
(54 of 126)

San Francisco (MS)

Photo Credit: Cotgreave Collection

(click images above to see larger view)

Mintage
409,426,660
Mintage Ranking for Type
(117 of 126)

West Point (MS)

Mintage
128,957,523
Mintage Ranking for Type
(126 of 126)

San Francisco (PR)

Mintage
2,612,568
Mintage Ranking for Type
(44 of 54)
1974 in history What else was happening that year
1974 in history
  • The Mint tested aluminum cents in 1974 to cut costs, but the idea was abandoned after vending industry objections.
  • Rare 1974 aluminum pattern cents remain legendary among Lincoln cent specialists.
  • President Nixon resigned on August 9 amid Watergate; Gerald Ford became president.
  • Ford pardoned Nixon in September, a controversial decision that may have cost Ford election in 1976.
  • India tested its first nuclear weapon, code-named Smiling Buddha.
  • The Universal Product Code barcode scanned a pack of gum in Ohio for the first time in a store.
  • Lucy fossils discovered in Ethiopia reshaped understanding of early human ancestors.
  • President Ford faced inflation and recession as the economy struggled after the oil shock.
1974 cent notes Collector notes for this year's Lincoln cents

Collector notes for 1974 Lincoln cents are being prepared.

Design types Obverse and reverse engravings in use for 1974

Obverse design types (ODT)

See the design types reference. Design types identify engraved designs; when differing designs create collectible alternatives within a year, see Lincoln cent design varieties.

Design Varieties for 1974 Within-year design differences for 1974

Collectible within-year design differences for 1974 — for example large and small dates, Wide AM or Close AM spacing, transitional designs, or alternate obverse and reverse designs. These are design varieties, not die varieties (doubled dies, RPMs).

See all Lincoln cent design varieties · Die Search for 1974 · Design types (ODT / RDT)

Mint mark types Punch styles used on 1974 Lincoln cents

See the mint mark types reference.

Typical values Series price guide for regular-issue 1974 cents

1974 Lincoln cents from the CopperCoins series price guide (August/September 2026 edition) — approximate values only, not offers to buy or sell. Business strikes show separate BN, RB, and RD lines where priced.

Business strike

Issue G4 VG8 F12 VF20 EF40 AU50
1974-P BN 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0
1974-P RB
1974-P RD
1974-D BN 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0
1974-D RB
1974-D RD
1974-S BN 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0
1974-S RB
1974-S RD
Issue G4 VG8 F12 VF20 EF40 AU50
1974-P BN 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0
1974-P RB
1974-P RD
1974-D BN 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0
1974-D RB
1974-D RD
1974-S BN 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0
1974-S RB
1974-S RD

Proof

Issue PR60 PR61 PR62 PR63
1974-S CAM 0.25 0.85 1.45 2.10
1974-S DCAM
Issue PR60 PR61 PR62 PR63
1974-S CAM 0.25 0.85 1.45 2.10
1974-S DCAM
Articles and videos Related reading and watching for 1974

Videos related to 1974 Lincoln cents

Did You Know #001 - Two Different 1974-S Proof Cents
Die varieties in the catalog Attributed 1974 dies by mint and variety type

Our attribution catalog for 1974—doubled dies, repunched mint marks, and related varieties documented by die number. This is specialist research beyond regular issue Lincoln cents.

Search all 1974 dies Variety value guide for 1974

Catalogued dies for 1974

Number of assigned dies in the CopperCoins catalog, by mint and variety type. Click a count to search that group.

Mint DO Doubled Die Obverse MM Repunched Mint Mark Total
Denver (D) 5 12 17
San Francisco (S) 0 2 2
All mints 5 14 19

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