1969 Penny Value: What Are 1969 Pennies Worth? Find Out Here

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Joshua

Coin Values, Hobbies & Crafts

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1969 Penny Value

Do you collect Lincoln pennies? Think you might have a valuable 1969 doubled die penny?

Or maybe you just found a 1969 penny.

Want to see current 1969 penny values?

1969 pennies can still be found in pocket change, but they’re getting more difficult to find with each passing year.

So, what are 1969 pennies worth?How rare are they?

Here’s everything you want to know about 1969 penny values…

1969 Penny Facts

Unlike pennies made since 1982 (which are mainly zinc), all 1969 Lincoln cents are made from a composition consisting of 95% copper, 5% zinc.

Due to the coin’s high copper content and the value of the metal, any 1969 pennies you find are worth keeping and are generally valued at about 2 cents each. Most 1969 pennies are common.

But there’s a type of 1969 penny that’s worth many times more than its face value, and it’s actually one of the most valuable coins around. It’s the 1969 doubled die penny — worth more than $25,000!

Here’s What You Need To Know About Doubled Die Coins

What is a doubled die anyway? And why is a 1969-S doubled die penny worth so much more than a regular 1969-S Lincoln cent?

A doubled die coin is one of the most popular and widely collected of error coin varieties.

However, a doubled die is not a coin that was struck twice. The United States Mint does strike proof coins for coin collectors generally twice to help bring up minute details on the coin, but these aren’t doubled dies either.

A doubled die coin is one that was struck by a die with a doubled image on it. The doubled image was engraved on the die during the hubbing process — which is where the devices used to stamp coins are created.

Hubbing is actually a pretty interesting process, and if you’re interested in finding out more about what hubs and dies are and how they are created it, be sure to read What Is A Coin Hub?

Now back to 1969 penny values…

What Are 1969 Pennies Worth?

As mentioned above, most worn 1969 pennies are worth only 2 cents for their copper value.

If you found your 1969 Lincoln cent in your spare change, it’s likely rather worn and is therefore worth about 2 cents.

If you have uncirculated 1969 Lincoln cents, proof 1969 pennies, or believe you have a 1969 doubled die cent, here are the values of those pennies — along with mintage numbers (how many of each coin was made):

  • 1969 penny – 1,136,910,000 (1.3 billion) minted; 25 to 50+ cents
  • 1969-D (Denver) penny – 4,002,832,200 (4 billion) minted; 20 to 40+ cents
  • 1969-S (San Francisco) penny – 544,375,000 minted; 40 to 60+ cents
  • 1969-S proof penny – 2,934,631 minted; 70 cents to $1+
  • 1969-S doubled die penny – mintage unknown; $25,000+

*Values are for problem-free coins (no cleanings, holes, porosity, etc.) in uncirculated condition or proof, as with the case of some 1969-S pennies. Circulated pieces are generally worth about 2 cents, with the exception of the 1969-S doubled die penny. 

IMPORTANT: Do You Know The Grade Of Your Penny?

To determine the true value of your 1969 penny, you first need to know what condition (or grade) your coin is in.

Grab a coin magnifier and a copy of the U.S. Coin Grading Standards book. Then, watch this video to see how to grade coins yourself at home:

More Info About 1969 Pennies

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41 thoughts on “1969 Penny Value: What Are 1969 Pennies Worth? Find Out Here”

    • Hi, Shane —

      Would you please provide a photo of your coin so I can provide some further comment?

      Thank you,
      Josh

      Reply

    • Hi, Bridget —

      Did you weigh these pennies to see if they’re copper or zinc? If they’re copper they’re all worth keeping because they would each be worth about 2 cents. None of these coins — which are all large dates, by the way — are especially scarce at this point.

      Keep on checking your change!
      -Josh

      Reply

    • Hi, Ademar —

      This is a regular 1969-S Lincoln cent. It’s worth about 2 cents for its intrinsic metal value.

      Hang on to it!
      Josh

      Reply

    • Hi, Rose —

      I’m afraid I don’t see an accompanying image that will allow me to help you with this. Would you please repost the photo(s)?

      Thank you,
      Josh

      Reply

  9. Hey Josh,

    I have this 1969 S penny that I found. If you could review this that would be great. I think this is a keep, please review and advise. I know they’re the best picture, but it looks like doubling on word liberty and on year also on the mint.
    Thank you
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/277909db411ebfb149d5885c6272e99f973640fce544c0fd413fe7d778cb5002.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/96b37d3ed6ed865b77a6bec6145afbf80009145efdf831e3beb4dcf011a8d572.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2aced9117873cb6cf01ed0027cef377274e48edbc1f379fd00a5065c56b582d0.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/148a8a5830f48be99be2bb012ce95172633dc1379892c8d98427dc49f1be9f52.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/97e328c751282149cb369e6173ab6e7edb994af96e1fa82dd3580f06b81abb1b.jpg

    Reply

    • Hi, Lonna —

      I do see the doubling on your 1969-S Lincoln penny, but unfortunately it’s a common kind known as machine doubling caused by the way the coin was struck. The valuable variety is caused by hub doubling — it’s much sharper and more drastic, and in that case the mintmark is NOT doubled. While your piece may be worth only 2 cents for its copper value, do keep your eyes peeled for the doubled die… People have found them in circulation before!

      Good luck,
      Josh

      Reply

    • Hi, Rachel —

      I’ll be happy to look at a few of them and offer my opinion… Photos in JPG or PNG format up to 2MB should be able to load here in the comments forum.

      Thank you,
      Josh

      Reply

  12. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f6aaa071256ad0f34d7a723388fdd818b4cbf60cc37f0e511e703d58b319a025.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/19582becb168976f610799e98cc42af68b38e85a913e00e1c505c82ddffa9932.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/942f48fba1bc73d96f48f0115757d37695e1613a98c47fe6ad00cc177f7e0f62.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/089b79f0ef68b1dee6862d3b3867bfb62f2c92faa10ba106fdb3e12b1697f64b.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/838aa536352730b09e1d467f2c28d4c6a2eaea6d7b3301caac73734b6d51a2f1.jpg

    Reply

    • Hi, Caren —

      Looks like what you’ve got here is a penny with some type of adhesive or gummy residue that had once also been stuck to the back side of another penny. Safely soaking this coin in acetone for a few moments should help remove the residue.

      Best,
      Josh

      Reply

  15. Hello Josh,
    I’m trying to find out if this 1969S is doubled die or what info because it seems to only have the date and mintmark doubled and a few letters on the obverse are pushed in. Would that be considered mechanical doubling or would it be genuine doubling being Liberty and United States of America aren’t showing the same doubling as the date and mintmark. But very might be doubled throughout with better magnification than that of my loupe? Thanks a mil
    Justin

    Reply

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