How to Use This Guide to Valuable Lincoln Pennies By Year
This guide highlights the Lincoln pennies most likely to be valuable and explains how to identify them by year, mintmark, and error type.
Use the lists and tips to check rolls, albums, and loose coins. If you find a likely rare piece, consider professional grading before selling.
Key Factors That Determine Valuable Lincoln Pennies By Year
Date and mintmark are the first things to check. Certain years had low mintages or special circumstances that make those cents rare today.
Errors and varieties—like doubled dies, wrong-planchet strikes, and die cracks—can add value even for common dates. Grade and condition dramatically affect price.
Date and Mintmark
Look for small mint letters near the date: D for Denver, S for San Francisco. Lack of a mintmark when one is expected can itself be rare.
Errors and Varieties
Common high-value varieties include doubled die obverses, off-center strikes, and incorrect-metal planchets. Learn the visual signs of each variety.
Top Valuable Lincoln Pennies By Year You Should Know
Below are the most sought-after Lincoln cents by year and why they matter. This list focuses on pieces that regularly command premiums either in circulated or uncirculated grades.
- 1909-S VDB — Very low mintage and the designer’s initials (VDB) on the reverse make this a top key date.
- 1914-D — Scarce in higher grades, this Denver issue often sells for substantial sums to date collectors.
- 1922 Plain (No D) — Many 1922 cents show a weak or missing mintmark; truly no-mintmark examples are rare.
- 1931-S — Low mintage and strong collector demand make this San Francisco strike valuable.
- 1943 Bronze Cents (Copper) — Most 1943 cents are steel; a 1943 bronze struck on the wrong planchet is a major rarity.
- 1955 Doubled Die Obverse — One of the most famous modern errors; easily spotted and highly collectible.
Other Dates and Varieties That Pay
There are additional valuable Lincoln pennies across the 20th century including certain 1919 and 1920 varieties, proof-only errors, and modern minting mistakes.
Always check for doubling, repunched mintmarks, and unusual planchet colors or weights.
How to Inspect and Verify Valuable Lincoln Pennies By Year
Start with simple tools: a loupe (10x), accurate scale, and a bright light. Compare suspected coins to reference images from trusted catalogs.
Look for clear signs: deep doubling on the date or letters, copper instead of steel in 1943, or a smooth area where a mintmark should be.
- Use a 10x loupe to inspect the date and mintmark closely.
- Weigh the coin: most Lincoln cents have standard weights depending on composition.
- Photograph the coin for comparison and expert help.
Grading and Selling Valuable Lincoln Pennies By Year
Condition is critical. A single grade step can change value by orders of magnitude, especially for key dates.
For high-value finds, submit to a professional service (PCGS, NGC). Grading provides buyer confidence and typically increases sale price.
Where to Sell
Options include reputable auction houses, specialist coin dealers, and online auction platforms. Each has different fees and audience reach.
Get multiple price opinions before selling a high-value coin. Graded coins usually attract higher and more reliable bids.
Most Lincoln cents from 1959 onward are common, but specific errors like double dies or wrong-planchet strikes can turn a common date into a valuable coin.
Quick Checklist: Identifying Valuable Lincoln Pennies By Year
Use this checklist when sorting pennies from rolls or collections. It helps separate likely winners from common change.
- Check the date and mintmark first.
- Look for obvious doubling on the date or Lincoln’s profile.
- Examine metal color and weight for wrong-planchet errors.
- Compare to reference images before assuming rarity.
- Consider professional grading for potential high-value finds.
Real-World Example: A Roll-Find That Paid Off
A hobbyist searching change discovered a dull 1943 cent with the look of copper rather than steel. After careful inspection and weight measurement, the coin was confirmed as a bronze 1943 planchet error.
They had the coin authenticated and sold it through a specialist auction, receiving a price far above typical circulation value. The find shows why careful visual checks matter.
Final Practical Tips for Collectors
Keep coins in flips or albums and avoid cleaning, which reduces value. Handle coins by the edges when inspecting them.
Build a reliable reference library or use trusted online databases for comparison. Patience and careful study pay off when hunting valuable Lincoln pennies by year.
With the right knowledge and tools you can spot key dates and errors quickly, verify rarity, and make informed decisions about grading and sale. Happy hunting.