Lincoln Memorial Pennies Valued From 1 Cent To $50,000 And Up
For nearly 50 years now, the Lincoln Memorial has graced the reverse (tails side) of our nation's 
Lincoln penny. Now, believe it or not, we face what is the last year of this highly popular design which has become familiar to all Americans.
Beginning in 2009, the U.S. Mint will embark upon a special, one-year program of 4 different designs for the reverse of the Lincoln penny to honor the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth.
In 2010, the U.S. Mint will begin using a new design for the reverse of Lincoln pennies, permanently replacing the Memorial image.
So, are Lincoln Memorial pennies valuable?
Are Lincoln Memorial pennies worth lots of money?
Will any of them become valuable in the future?
The Value Of Lincoln Pennies
As far as business-strike Lincoln Memorial pennies, the kind struck for circulation (and lacking errors), the short answer essentially is no -- Lincoln Memorial pennies generally are not valuable. In fact, typical pieces are worth only face value if worn, and only a tiny premium if in average uncirculated condition, except for a few cases.
Will Lincoln Memorial pennies become valuable in the future? The precise answer is beyond anyone's guess, but it is safe to assume that Lincoln Memorial pennies, on the whole, will not ever escalate greatly in value, at least for the foreseeable future.
Why? Because many billions of these coins were minted.
Let's look at the previous Lincoln penny reverse design, the wheat penny. Even though the last wheat penny was struck in 1958, the common dates (many with mintages only a half or a third or less than that of any single Lincoln Memorial date and mint mark combination) are worth little more than 5 to 10 cents in worn condition today.
Perhaps pristine, uncirculated Lincoln Memorial pennies may see handsome price increases in future years, but it is safe to say that the average worn Lincoln Memorial penny may not be worth more than a penny for a very long time to come.
Error Pennies Are The Most Valuable
This is not to say there are no Lincoln Memorial pennies worth more than a penny -- or 2 or 10 pennies. Keep an eye out for error pennies
There are many, but doubled-dies are among the most valuable. "Doubled-die" refers to doubling of all or part of a coin's design or lettering.
Doubled-Die Lincoln Pennies
Known doubled-die dates of business-strikes (not proofs) include:
- 1969-S: Check for doubling on the lettering and date on the obverse; quite rare and worth
more than $50,000 in uncirculated grades - 1970-S Large Date: Look for doubling on the date and lettering on the obverse; worth upwards of $250 if uncirculated
- 1972: You will see doubling on the obverse, prominent on the date and lettering; worth at least $200 in uncirculated grades
- 1983: You will see doubling on the reverse-side lettering; starts at around $100-125 in uncirculated grades
- 1984: There is doubling in Lincoln's ear; values start at around $75 in lower uncirculated grades
- 1995: Look for doubling on "In God We Trust" and "Liberty"; prices start at around $10-15 in uncirculated grades
Other Interesting Lincoln Memorial Pennies
Varieties to look for include the following...
- The 1960 large and small date
- 1960-D large and small date
- 1970-S large and small date
- 7 different 1982 varieties:
+ 1982 Copper Large Date
+ 1982 Copper Small Date
+ 1982-D Copper Large Date
+ 1982 Zinc Large Date
+ 1982 Zinc Small Date
+ 1982-D Zinc Large Date
+ 1982-D Zinc Small Date
Generally speaking, these pennies are worth only face value if worn, but can command minimal premiums above face value if uncirculated. Of note are the 1960 small date (with a price tag of around $5 and up if uncirculated) and the 1970-S small date (pulling in over $50 if uncirculated).
Keep in mind that the San Francisco Mint produced business-strike coins (those made for circulation) with mint marks from 1968 through 1975.
Lincoln Penny Mints
Worth noting is the fact that the San Francisco and New York Mint at West Point struck Lincoln pennies years afterward, but did not leave mint marks on these coins. So, one really cannot tell which cents without mint marks were produced at Philadelphia or at the San Francisco or West Point facilities.
By the way, there are no mint marks on any cents dated 1965, 1966, or 1967 -- the U.S. Mint omitted mint marks from all U.S. coins at this time to deter hoarding and collecting activities at a time when the nation suffered a coin shortage.
More About Lincoln Memorial Pennies
There are many great websites for Lincoln Memorial penny collectors to peruse.
Here's more information on determining if your 1982 Lincoln cent is copper or zinc.
A good book on Lincoln pennies is A Guide Book of Lincoln Cents, written by the renowned numismatist Q. David Bowers and published by Whitman.
Here's a history of the Lincoln penny.
Abel,
The Lincoln cents you are talking about are "counterstamped." I have heard of many of these cents showing up, but I don't know who or what company made those state-imprinted Lincoln cents. These may sell for $1-2 each at a novelty coin shop, but the value is variable.
I bought a complete set of lincoln state penny for 1982 at a garage sale in a frame. I know that they are a novelty set. but I would like to know by what company or person stamped the state on them and of course if they are of any value?
Hi, Diane:
There has been some buzz about various Lincoln cent double dies in recent months. Similar pieces were selling for around $20 a couple months ago but prices may be on the way down as more and more of these coins are being discovered.
You may want to check eBay listings to get a more up-to-the-minute idea as to what the market seems to bear right now for the price on a piece like yours.
I have a 2009 penny with a extra finger and thumb My brother in law said it was worth something. He collects coins. I do not. He wants this coin. Is it worth anything? He found the error. (He looks at every penny, I swear)
Hebatz -
Here's the info you're looking for:
http://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/2005/08/lincoln_kennedy.php
http://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/2008/04/lincoln_jfk_kennedy_penny.php
I have a 1975 D penny with a JFK face stamped facing the Lincoln head. Can you tell me where these originated.
By the way, the San Franciscon mint produced business-strike coins with mint marks from 1968 through 1974 not 1975.
Hi, Robert:
The best places to purchase doubled-die pennies would be from coin dealers and coin auctions--check out the internet for lists of both.
Doubled die pennies can cost hundreds of dollars to purchase, but you are right--doubled die pennies are highly sought after and help enhance any collection.
Good luck!
I was wondering where you could find a double die penny? I collect lots of coins and I really want to have the best collection of coins possible. Do you also have a website about how much coins are worth? Are they selling any double die penny in National Mints?
Hi, Ruth:
Yes, I have read lots of questions about this penny and have discovered it is a novelty penny issued by some person or company. It was very likely intended as a commemorative of the Bicentennial in 1976. However, this is not an official mint issue. It may have some value in the novelty coin market, but it really does not have any value in the mainstream market.
I have found a 1975 penny that has the liberty bell outline on the left side of the penny by Lincons face and the outline of the United States on the oppistite side above the date .. Do you know anything about this penny?
Hi, Steve:
I am not well-versed on error coins. I can say, though, that I, too, have heard about the many numerous little die variations, errors, etc. that penny scholars have noted.
If I were in your shoes, I would continue collecting any possible variations and errors you find (especially if you do it for fun). As time goes on, there is a chance today's more "obscure" errors will become popular and relatively scarce. If that is the case, you will certainly be glad you kept an eye out for the minor errors and varities.
If your coins never get listed among the more popular errors or don't climb in value very much, you will still have an interesting collection that may be of value to those who specialize in collecting and studying such pieces. I hope this helps....
Happy collecting!
I am a error lincoln penny collector and was told (via blue book and websites) that wide AM pennies from 1998 to 2000 are worth $10 or so and there are many other errors (1999-2006,)including double dies that do not get much attention at all. Should i ignore these error dates and just look for the well established error coins (1972, 1983,84,95 etc)? I found an error Wide AM (1998) and it is my only find in over a year of looking. Its not just about the money though; it is fun however; i would like to know the general rarity and worth (present and future) of these elusive buggers!
Thanks for your great website and any answer you may provide.
Steve