Lincoln pennies, also known as Lincoln Wheat cents, were minted between 1909 and 1958. They might seem like regular pocket change, but some of them can be worth a lot of money. Let’s dive into which Lincoln pennies are the most valuable and why collectors are eager to find them.
1. 1909-S VDB
This penny was designed by Victor David Brenner. Initially, he put his full signature on the coin, but that was later changed to just his initials, “VDB.” These initials, along with the ‘S’ mint mark, make these pennies unique. There were only 484,000 made, which is why collectors value them so highly.
Value: $700 – $1,500
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2. 1909-S (No VDB)
When Brenner added his initials to the penny, there was some backlash, so the Mint removed them. The San Francisco Mint produced around 1.8 million coins without the VDB initials, making them rare and valuable.
Value: $100-$300
3. 1909-S Over Horizontal S
This coin has a minting error known as a Repunched Mint Mark (RPM). The “S” was first stamped incorrectly and then corrected, leaving traces of the original mistake. These errors make the coin special, but they can be hard to spot, especially if the penny has been in circulation.
Value: $80 – $270
4. 1914-D
Even though over 1 million of these pennies were minted, not many survived in good condition. By 1914, people were less excited about saving Lincoln cents, making this particular penny rare today. Unfortunately, many counterfeits are out there, so be careful.
Value: $200-$2,500
5. 1917 Double Die
This penny has a noticeable minting error where the text and year appear doubled. You’ll especially see the doubling in the words “Trust” and the year “1917.” Collectors usually need a magnifying glass to identify it, but it’s worth the effort!
Value: $100- $5,000
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6. 1922 No D
This penny is missing the “D” mint mark, which stands for Denver. This error makes the penny super rare. If you ever come across a penny from 1922 without the “D,” you’ve found something valuable!
Value: $500-$20,000
7. 1931-S
During the Great Depression, fewer pennies were made, and the 1931-S is one of the rarest. Only 866,000 were produced, making it highly sought after by collectors today.
Value: $70-$150.
8. 1944-D D Over S
Like the 1909-S error, this penny also has a minting mistake. The letter “S” was supposed to be used, but a “D” was stamped instead. Collectors can spot this error by closely examining the mint mark on the penny.
Value: $50 – $280
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9. 1955 Double Die
This penny is famous for its strong doubling error. You don’t need any special tools to spot the mistake. The words “IN GOD WE TRUST,” “LIBERTY,” and the year “1955” all have noticeable doubling, making this penny a collector’s dream.
Value: $1,000 – $1,800
Ethan is a passionate rare coin collector with years of experience uncovering the stories and history behind unique coins. His insightful articles are a go-to for anyone curious about coin values or their fascinating backstories.