Obverse (Front) Design: The front of the 1995 Lincoln penny shows Abraham Lincoln’s face looking to the right. This portrait was first made by Victor David Brenner. You’ll see “IN GOD WE TRUST” at the top, “LIBERTY” on the left, and the year “1995” on the right. If there’s a mint mark, it appears just under the date.
Reverse (Back) Design :The back of the coin shows the Lincoln Memorial. If you look closely, you can even see a small statue of Lincoln between the columns. It also has the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” at the top, “E PLURIBUS UNUM” just below, and “ONE CENT” at the bottom.
Main Characteristics
Here’s a quick look at the key details of the 1995 Lincoln penny:
| Feature | Detail |
| Series | Lincoln Memorial Cent |
| Obverse Designer | Victor David Brenner |
| Reverse Designer | Frank Gasparro |
| Years Minted | 1959–2008 |
| Mint Locations | Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco |
| Composition | 97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper |
| Weight | 2.5 grams |
| Diameter | 19.05 mm |
| Thickness | 1.52 mm |
| Edge | Plain |
| Mint Marks | No mark (Philadelphia), D (Denver), S (San Francisco) |
Main Types by Mint Facility
1995 1C – Philadelphia Mint
This version was made in Philadelphia and had a high mintage of 6,411,440,000 coins.
It’s common, but collectors love one special type: the 1995 double die obverse. If you find one of these, it can be very valuable.
One sold at auction for $2,760 in grade MS69RD.
1995-D 1C – Denver Mint
Denver made even more coins – 7,128,560,000.
This version is the most common from 1995. Even though it’s not rare in general, collectors want high-grade coins with a red shine.
A top-grade one sold for $1,880 in MS68.
1995-S 1C – San Francisco Mint
This one was not made for daily use. It was only made as a proof coin for collectors.
It had a low mintage of 2,797,481 and comes with a shiny, mirror-like finish.
One of the best examples sold for $2,530 in PR70.
Value by Grade
The value of a coin depends on its condition. Below is a table showing price estimates based on grade:
| Grade | 1995 | 1995-D | 1995-S |
| Good (G-4) | $0.01 | $0.01 | Not applicable |
| Fine (F-12) | $0.01 | $0.01 | – |
| Extra Fine (XF-40) | $0.05–$0.10 | $0.05–$0.10 | – |
| About Uncirculated (AU-50) | $0.15–$0.50 | $0.10–$0.30 | – |
| Mint State (MS-60) | $1–$5 | $0.50–$2 | – |
| MS-63 RD | $10–$25 | $5–$15 | – |
| MS-65 RD | $35–$100+ | $15–$40 | – |
| MS-67 RD | $300–$800 (for DDO only) | $100–$250 | – |
| MS-69 RD | Up to $2,760 | Rare | – |
| PR-65 | – | – | $3–$8 |
| PR-69 DCAM | – | – | $10–$25 |
| PR-70 DCAM | – | – | Up to $2,530 |
Valuable Errors on the 1995 Penny
1995 Double Die Obverse (DDO)
- This is the most famous error. It shows clear doubling on “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and sometimes the date.
- This type can be seen without any tools.
- A top-grade example sold for $5,053.
Plating Error
- This happens when the copper coating doesn’t cover the zinc properly.
- You might see gray spots, bubbles, or peeling.
- Some coins with this error are worth up to $300.
Close AM Reverse
- Normally, the letters “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” are spaced apart.
- In this rare version, the letters are almost touching.
- It might have been made using the wrong die and is worth about $130.
Off-Center Strike
- This error happens when the coin is not placed right in the press.
- Part of the design may be missing. The more off-center, the more valuable.
- A 1995 penny with this error can be worth up to $100.
Die Break
- This error shows a crack or a raised line on the coin.
- Sometimes it affects the number “9” in the date.
- If it’s clear and affects the date, it can be worth $50 or more.
FAQs
What is the 1995 penny made of?
Mostly zinc with a thin copper coating.
Is the 1995 penny rare?
Most are common, but some errors are rare.
What is a 1995 double die penny?
It has doubled words on the front.
Where was the 1995 penny made?
Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco.
What’s the best 1995 penny to find?
The double die obverse penny.
