Lincoln cents, introduced in 1909, have undergone various design changes and minting variations, leading to certain modern issues (post-1959) becoming highly valuable. Below is a detailed list of the top 25 most valuable modern Lincoln cents, including their mintage figures, notable errors, approximate market values, highest graded examples, and their rank among collectors.
Key Terms:
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Mint Mark: Indicates the U.S. Mint facility where the coin was produced. ‘S’ denotes San Francisco, ‘D’ denotes Denver, and the absence of a mint mark typically indicates Philadelphia.
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Get the Digital Guide →Mintage: The total number of coins produced for that specific year and mint.
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Notable Errors/Varieties: Specific anomalies or design variations that occurred during the minting process, making these coins particularly valuable to collectors.
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Approximate Value: The estimated market value of the coin in high-grade uncirculated condition, based on recent auction results and market trends.
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Highest Graded Example: The highest grade assigned to known examples of the coin by professional grading services like PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) or NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation). ‘RD’ denotes a coin with full original red luster.
Rank |
Year |
Mint Mark |
Mintage |
Errors/Varieties |
Approximate Value |
Highest Graded Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
1969 |
S |
544,375,000 |
Doubled Die Obverse |
Up to $126,500 |
MS64 RD (PCGS) |
2 |
1970 |
S |
690,560,004 |
Small Date, DDO |
Up to $24,000 |
MS66 RD (PCGS) |
3 |
1992 |
D |
4,448,673,300 |
Close AM Reverse |
Up to $20,000 |
MS67 RD (PCGS) |
4 |
1983 |
None |
7,752,355,000 |
Doubled Die Reverse |
Up to $15,000 |
MS69 RD (NGC) |
5 |
1984 |
None |
8,151,079,000 |
Doubled Ear (Obverse) |
Up to $2,500 |
MS68 RD (PCGS) |
6 |
1995 |
D |
7,128,560,000 |
Doubled Die Obverse |
Up to $2,500 |
MS69 RD (PCGS) |
7 |
1972 |
None |
2,933,255,000 |
Doubled Die Obverse |
Up to $1,200 |
MS67 RD (PCGS) |
8 |
1998 |
None |
5,032,155,000 |
Wide AM Reverse |
Up to $1,000 |
MS67 RD (PCGS) |
9 |
1999 |
None |
5,237,600,000 |
Wide AM Reverse |
Up to $1,000 |
MS67 RD (PCGS) |
10 |
1993 |
None |
5,684,705,000 |
Close AM Reverse |
Up to $800 |
MS67 RD (PCGS) |
11 |
1982 |
D |
6,012,979,368 |
Small Date Copper |
Up to $700 |
MS67 RD (PCGS) |
12 |
1960 |
D |
1,580,884,000 |
Small Date |
Up to $500 |
MS66 RD (PCGS) |
13 |
1982 |
None |
10,712,525,000 |
Small Date Copper |
Up to $500 |
MS67 RD (PCGS) |
14 |
1971 |
None |
1,919,490,000 |
Doubled Die Obverse |
Up to $500 |
MS66 RD (PCGS) |
15 |
1980 |
None |
7,414,705,000 |
Doubled Die Obverse |
Up to $400 |
MS66 RD (PCGS) |
16 |
1994 |
None |
6,500,850,000 |
Doubled Die Obverse |
Up to $350 |
MS67 RD (PCGS) |
17 |
1968 |
S |
258,270,001 |
Doubled Die Obverse |
Up to $300 |
MS66 RD (PCGS) |
18 |
1971 |
S |
525,133,459 |
Doubled Die Obverse |
Up to $300 |
MS66 RD (PCGS) |
19 |
1996 |
None |
6,612,465,000 |
Doubled Die Obverse |
Up to $250 |
MS67 RD (PCGS) |
20 |
1988 |
None |
6,092,810,000 |
Reverse of 1989 |
Up to $200 |
MS66 RD (PCGS) |
21 |
1989 |
None |
7,261,535,000 |
Doubled Die Reverse |
Up to $200 |
MS66 RD (PCGS) |
22 |
1997 |
None |
4,622,800,000 |
Doubled Die Obverse |
Up to $200 |
MS67 RD (PCGS) |
23 |
2000 |
None |
5,503,200,000 |
Wide AM Reverse |
Up to $200 |
MS67 RD (PCGS) |
24 |
1961 |
D |
1,753,266,700 |
Doubled Die Obverse |
Up to $150 |
MS66 RD (PCGS) |
25 |
1964 |
D |
3,799,071,500 |
Doubled Die Reverse |
Up to $150 |
MS66 RD (PCGS) |
Notable Mentions:
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1969-S Doubled Die Obverse: This coin features prominent doubling on the obverse, particularly noticeable on the date and inscriptions. Authentic examples are scarce and highly sought after.
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1970-S Small Date: The small date variety is distinguished by a more delicate and compact date font. Combined with a doubled die obverse, it significantly increases the coin’s value.
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1992-D Close AM Reverse: This variety exhibits a closer spacing between the ‘A’ and ‘M’ in ‘AMERICA’ on the reverse, differing from the standard wide spacing.
VarietyErrors
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