The Lincoln penny, also known as the Lincoln Wheat cent, has been around for decades and holds a special place in U.S. coin history. What makes these coins exciting isn’t just their age, but also their potential value. While many of these coins might look like simple pocket change, some are worth thousands due to their rarity or unique features.
In this guide, we’ll go over nine Lincoln pennies that could be hiding real value – and why they’re so valuable.
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1. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny
- What Makes It Valuable: The 1909-S VDB penny was the first Lincoln cent ever minted. Designed by Victor David Brenner, the coin initially featured his full initials, “VDB,” which were later removed. This version, minted in San Francisco, was produced in limited numbers.
- How to Spot It: Look for the “S” mint mark and the “VDB” initials under the year on the reverse side.
- Value Range: $700 – $1,500 (if in excellent condition)
2. 1909-S Lincoln Penny
- What Makes It Valuable: Shortly after production began, Brenner’s initials were removed from the coin, leading to a second, simplified version with only an “S” mint mark. The limited run and scarcity make this coin valuable.
- How to Spot It: It’s similar to the 1909-S VDB, but it lacks the “VDB” initials on the reverse.
- Value Range: $100 – $300
3. 1909-S Over Horizontal S
- What Makes It Valuable: This penny has a rare error called a “Repunched Mint Mark (RPM),” where the original “S” was stamped incorrectly and corrected with another “S” over it.
- How to Spot It: With close inspection, you can see two “S” impressions, one slightly horizontal under the other.
- Value Range: $80 – $270
4. 1914-D Lincoln Penny
- What Makes It Valuable: With only about 1.2 million produced, the 1914-D is one of the scarcest Wheat pennies, especially in mint condition. This penny is often counterfeited due to its high value.
- How to Spot It: Look for the “D” mint mark under the year “1914.”
- Value Range: $200 – $2,500
5. 1917 Double Die Penny
- What Makes It Valuable: A striking error on this penny, known as “doubling,” makes it rare. The letters “Trust” and the year “1917” appear as though they’re doubled.
- How to Spot It: Look closely at the words “In God We Trust” and the date; doubling is visible without a magnifying glass.
- Value Range: $100 – $5,000
6. 1922 No D Penny
- What Makes It Valuable: This penny lacks the “D” mint mark, which is unusual since it was produced at the Denver Mint, where the “D” should have been stamped. This oversight makes it a collector’s favorite.
- How to Spot It: The coin will have no mint mark below the year “1922,” making it easy to spot.
- Value Range: $500 – $20,000
7. 1931-S Lincoln Penny
- What Makes It Valuable: Produced during the Great Depression, this penny was minted in San Francisco with a low mintage of only 866,000 coins. Its scarcity, combined with its history, makes it highly collectible.
- How to Spot It: Look for the “S” mark under the year “1931.”
- Value Range: $70 – $150
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8. 1944-D D Over S Penny
- What Makes It Valuable: This penny is another example of a mint error. The Denver Mint intended to stamp a “D” mark, but there’s evidence of an “S” underneath it. These errors make the coin rare and desirable.
- How to Spot It: Examine the “D” mark closely; you’ll notice an “S” faintly showing beneath it.
- Value Range: $50 – $280
9. 1955 Double Die Penny
- What Makes It Valuable: Known as the “King of Lincoln Cent Varieties,” this penny shows a bold doubling effect on its front lettering and date. The doubling error is easy to spot and makes this coin highly valuable.
- How to Spot It: Look at “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “LIBERTY,” and the year “1955” – all should show clear doubling.
- Value Range: $1,000 – $1,800