What is the value of a 1922 US cent?

Answer 1

1922 cents are considered to be special for a couple of reasons.

First, they were the only denomination struck that year because there was low demand for coins due to an economic slump.

Second and more importantly, some 1922 cents have a significant error and can be quite valuable. That low demand meant only one Mint, Denver, was used to strike cents in 1922. However, on of one of the dies some grease got into the little "D" that forms the mint mark and filled it in so coins struck from that run are missing the letter. They're called "1922 plain" cents to distinguish them from other dates without a mint mark struck at Philadelphia.

To determine what you have, look under the date. If there's an obvious D, you have a normal 1922 cent. If there's no mint mark or a very weak "D", you could have one of the errors but you'd need to have a coin professional inspect it because a lot of counterfeits have been made over the years.

Numismedia lists the following retail values as of 06/2009:

Normal, with a "D":

Very worn condition - $12

Moderately worn - $15

Slightly worn - $25

Almost no wear - $60+

"Plain":

Very worn condition - $670

Moderately worn - $1180

Slightly worn - $2900

Almost no wear - $8000+