Top 10 Rare and Valuable Lincoln Cents Every Collector Should Know About

Collecting Lincoln cents can be both fascinating and rewarding. Some of these pennies, especially those with minting errors or rare mint marks, can be worth thousands of dollars.

Whether you’re a seasoned numismatist or new to coin collecting, this guide covers the top 10 most valuable Lincoln cents and explains what makes each coin unique and desirable.

1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent

This penny, from the inaugural year of the Lincoln Cent series, includes designer Victor David Brenner’s initials, “VDB,” on the reverse. Due to its low mintage of only 484,000, it’s among the most coveted Lincoln cents, with values in uncirculated condition reaching over $2,000.

1914-D Lincoln Cent

The 1914-D Lincoln cent is highly prized because of its limited production at the Denver Mint. With only 1.2 million minted, it’s valued at up to $5,000 in uncirculated condition, especially desirable in high grades.

1922 No D Lincoln Cent (Weak Reverse)

A unique coin missing the “D” mint mark, this penny was mistakenly struck in Denver without the mint mark due to die wear. A specimen in uncirculated condition can be worth up to $25,000, making it a valuable addition to any collection.

1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent

One of the most famous errors, the 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent, was struck in bronze instead of steel, the metal used for pennies during World War II. Only a few exist, and a high-grade example can sell for upwards of $1 million, making it the “holy grail” of Lincoln cents.

1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent

The 1955 Doubled Die is known for its striking doubled image, especially visible in the inscriptions. Due to this prominent error, this penny can fetch between $1,000 and $25,000, depending on its condition.

1969-S Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent

This rare error coin, featuring significant doubling on the obverse, is one of the most valuable Lincoln Memorial cents. With fewer than 100 known to exist, it can be worth between $10,000 and $70,000 in mint condition.

1972 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent

The 1972 version of the doubled die Lincoln cent is less rare than the 1955 and 1969-S varieties, but it’s still highly collectible. Clear doubling is visible on the inscriptions, with values ranging up to $2,500 in pristine condition.

1983 Doubled Die Reverse Lincoln Cent

This unique coin features a doubled image on the reverse side, visible on “ONE CENT” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” It is one of the more modern valuable errors, often fetching up to $1,500 in high grades.

1992 Close AM Lincoln Cent

A subtle error involving the spacing of the letters “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” on the reverse, this penny is highly sought after by collectors. Only a few are known to exist, with values reaching $20,000 or more for coins in excellent condition.

1995 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent

The last notable doubled die in the Lincoln Memorial series, this penny shows doubling on “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY.” Though more common than earlier doubled dies, it still commands values of $50 or more in uncirculated condition.

Coin	Year	Mint Mark	Unique Feature	Estimated Value
1909-S VDB	1909	S	VDB initials, low mintage	$700 – $2,500
1914-D	1914	D	Low mintage	$200 – $5,000
1922 No D (Weak Reverse)	1922	None	Missing “D” mint mark	$500 – $25,000
1943 Bronze	1943	Varies	Bronze planchet error	Up to $1.7 million
1955 Doubled Die	1955	None	Doubled obverse text	$1,000 – $25,000
1969-S Doubled Die Obverse	1969	S	Doubled obverse	$10,000 – $70,000
1972 Doubled Die Obverse	1972	None	Doubled obverse	$300 – $2,500
1983 Doubled Die Reverse	1983	None	Doubled reverse	$200 – $1,500
1992 Close AM	1992	None	Close “AM” in “AMERICA”	Up to $20,000
1995 Doubled Die Obverse	1995	None	Doubled obverse	$15 – $50

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