Key dates are low mintage years. Key dates in the Lincoln cent series are the 1909-S V.D.B., 1909-S, 1914-D, 1922-D No D, 1924-D, and 1931-S. These dates are highly sought after by collectors and command a premium price even in lower grades.
What is a key date on a Lincoln cent?
Key dates are low mintage years. Key dates in the Lincoln cent series are the 1909-S V.D.B., 1909-S, 1914-D, 1922-D No D, 1924-D, and 1931-S. These dates are highly sought after by collectors and command a premium price even in lower grades.
What is a Lincoln cents coin?
This versatile little coin has been struck by the United States Mint since 1909, and over the years has become one of the most popular coins in the whole world. The values of many Lincoln cents far exceed their face value, making them highly demanded by both collectors and investors.
What are the different issues of the Lincoln cent series?
Key-Date issues of the Lincoln cent series include the 1909-S V.D.B., the 1909-S, the 1914-D and the 1931-S. Semi-Key Dates, in great demand but not among the scarcest issues, include the "S" mint mark Lincolns of 1910-1915 as well as the 1924-D and 1926-S cents.
Why are there small digits in the date on some Lincoln cents?
The first Lincoln cents struck at the Philadelphia Mint in 1960 featured small digits in the date. The mint became concerned that the small interior of the "0" might break off the dies – cylindrical steel shafts with recessed images that impress raised images on the coin blanks.
What years of Lincoln pennies are valuable?
The 10 Most Valuable Lincoln Pennies1998-P Wide AM: $25.1995-D Doubled Die: $50.1970-S Small Date High 7: $60.1984-P Doubled Die Ear: $250.1960-D Small D Over Large D: $200-$500.1983-P Doubled Die Reverse: $400.1992-D Close AM: $500.1999-P Wide AM: $540.More items...
What are key dates on coins?
Definition of key date : a coin that is the rarest or otherwise most difficult of its series to obtain The 1909-S wheat penny is considered a key date by collectors.
Which Wheat pennies are key dates?
The major Lincoln Wheat cent key dates include: 1909-S. 1909-S VDB. 1914-D....These include:1909.1911-D.1912.1912-D.1913-D.1915-D.1916-D.1916-S.More items...•
What 1970's pennies are worth money?
0:2716:151970's PENNIES WORTH MONEY TO LOOK FOR IN YOUR ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd this 1970. Large date San Francisco minted Lincoln cents sold for over $1,800 now here's justMoreAnd this 1970. Large date San Francisco minted Lincoln cents sold for over $1,800 now here's just another example of the same exact coin. However. It's got a little bit higher grade.
What coins are collectors looking for?
Top 10 Coins Worth Collecting01 of 10. 1909-S V.D.B. Lincoln Cent. ... 02 of 10. 1921 Peace Dollar. ... 03 of 10. 1878-CC Morgan Silver Dollar. ... 04 of 10. 1914-D Lincoln Cent. ... 05 of 10. 1955/55 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent. ... 06 of 10. 1937-D 3 Legged Buffalo Nickel. ... 07 of 10. 1916-D Mercury Dime. ... 08 of 10. 1917 Standing Liberty Quarter: Type 1.More items...•
What does Key coin mean?
The Key coin (or the Key token) is the currency used to perform transactions within the SelfKey ecosystem. Having a decentralized, encrypted currency lets you remain assured that all of the processes you perform on the platform's marketplace are going to remain secure and private.
Which pennies are worth keeping?
15 Most Valuable Pennies Still in Circulation15 Most Valuable Pennies Still in Circulation. ... 15. 1995 Lincoln Memorial Cent (Doubled Die) ... 1970 S Lincoln Memorial Cent (Small Date - High 7) ... 1999 S Lincoln Memorial Cent (Close AM) ... 1984 Lincoln Memorial Cent (Doubled Die Ear) ... 1983 Lincoln Memorial Cent (Doubled Die Reverse)More items...•
Why is 1944 wheat penny rare?
The 1944 Lincoln penny is particularly desirable in the eyes of collectors not only because of its design, but also due to its scarcity. Being that there are no more 1944 Lincolns being produced, the scarcity of these coins is constantly on the rise, thus making the coins more valuable.
What's the rarest wheat penny?
Considered to be the most valuable of the non-error Wheat Pennies, the 1914 D Wheat Penny commands an asking price range from $281 to $4,268.
What year pennies should I save?
Lincoln pennies that were minted between 1959 and 1982 tend to be worth more since they are almost 100 percent copper, rather than an alloy. Improperly prepared dies can result in coins with a "double" image.
What is special about a 1972 penny?
1972 Doubled Die Obverse Similar to the 1969 Doubled Die, the doubling on this penny is especially prominent in the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” — with some light doubling on the date, said Stone. Bucki estimates that at least 250,000 coins released with the doubled die.
Why is a 1960 D penny rare?
D Over D, Small Date Over Large Date Error Coins There is a rare error variety for the 1960 D penny. On the obverse side of the coin the D mint mark is minted over an outline of another D mint mark. In addition the small date is minted over a large date.
What are key dates for dimes?
The Definitive Guide to Key Date, Low Mintage and Rare U.S....Draped Bust Dime (1796-1807)Capped Bust Dime (1809 – 1837)Seated Liberty Dime (1837-1891)Barber Dime (1892-1916)Mercury Dime (1916-1945)Roosevelt Dime (1946-1964)Conclusion.
What are the key dates for Washington quarters?
Washington Quarter Key Dates, Rarities, and Varieties01 of 11. 1932-D (Denver Mint) ... 02 of 11. 1932-S (San Francisco Mint) ... 03 of 11. 1934 Light Motto. ... 04 of 11. 1934 Heavy Motto. ... 05 of 11. 1934 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) ... 07 of 11. 1942-D Doubled Die Obverse. ... 08 of 11. 1943 Doubled Die Obverse. ... 10 of 11.More items...•
What are the key date Silver Eagles?
Uncirculated Silver American Eagles from 1996 are the series' key date, with a mintage of 3.6 million. This is the lowest regular-issue coin in the series.
What coins have misprints?
Notable U.S. coin varieties and errors1918/7 Buffalo nickel.1918/7-S Standing Liberty quarter.1937-D 3-legged Buffalo nickel.1942/1 Mercury dime.1942/1-D Mercury dime.1943 copper cent.1944 steel cent.1955 doubled die obverse cent.More items...
Years of Production
The Lincoln cent, also known as the penny, first started out in 1909 with the Wheat cent. If you're interested in the wheat cent we've got a page for it here.
Lincoln Pennies Key Dates
Remember, these prices are estimates. Prices can fluctuate significantly.
What Are These Wheat Pennies Worth?
The chart below provides an approximate estimate on retail values for the Lincoln cents individually listed above. It also provides values for the Wheat penny date ranges not specifically mentioned above. Value breakdowns are for coins in average circulated (VG8 to VF20) condition and average uncirculated condition (MS62-MS64).
How much is a 1943 wheat penny worth?
Well-worn 1943 steel pennies often trade for 5 to 10 cents apiece in well-worn condition. But chances are any of the Lincoln Wheat cents you’ve found in pocket change are going to be worth only a small amount over face value.
What year were Lincoln Wheat pennies?
1932. 1932-D . 1933. 1933 -D. Finally, there are the varieties and errors, which constitute some of the most valuable Lincoln Wheat pennies in the series. These are not necessarily required for completing a set of Lincoln Wheat cents, yet many collectors pursue them anyway. Here’s a glance at the most widely collected, ...
Is the Lincoln penny still in circulation?
The Lincoln penny is not just one of the most widely collected issues among all United States coinage, but it’s also one of the most familiar coins anywhere in the world. While the Lincoln Wheat cent is a long-obsolete coin that has been gradually disappearing from circulation over the past decades, it remains one of the first coin collectors begin searching for. Yet, even many of the most advanced collectors stick to collecting Lincoln cents throughout their lives.
Who is Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez?
Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez is a journalist, editor, and blogger who has won multiple awards from the Numismatic Literary Guild. He has also authored numerous books, including works profiling the history of the United States Mint and United States coinage.
What is the hardest double die to find?
One of the hardest double dies to find is the 1995 Lincoln Memorial cent doubled die obverse. Although there is doubling on other aspects of the coin, the doubling is strongest on the word "LIBERTY.". Use a magnifying glass or loupe and look for doubling on the tops of the letters "BER" in LIBERTY.
What year did the penny double on the obverse?
1984 Lincoln Memorial Penny Doubled Die Obverse <a href=" https://www.ha.com/">Heritage Auction Galleries</a>. This doubling on the 1984 Lincoln cent is less noticeable, but it is still very pronounced if you know where to look. Begin by looking at the ear on Lincoln's head.
How much is an uncirculated 55?
An uncirculated coin sold in February of 2012 for over $80,000! In May 2018, a woman searching through roles of pennies discovered an About Uncirculated 55 and sold it for over $24,000! This coin is a classic example of a doubled die variety. Remember, a doubled die coin is not the same as a double-struck coin.
What year did the San Francisco Mint use the small date penny?
1970-S Lincoln Memorial Penny Small Date <a href=" https://www.ha.com/">Heritage Auction Galleries</a>. In 1970 the San Francisco Mint used two different dies to produce Lincoln Cents that year. One die had a date that was larger than the other. The smaller date is the rarer of the two and carries a premium value.
When did the double die Lincoln Memorial coin come out?
This is most probably the second most popular variety among the Lincoln Memorial pennies. In 1972 the U.S. Mint produced another doubled die variety. Coin collectors easily spotted this coin and everyday people across the country plucked it from circulation.
Where is the double die on a 1983 Lincoln cent?
In 1983 more doubled die varieties came from the mint. This time it was on the reverse of the Lincoln Memorial cent. Look in the lower left-hand corner of the coin. You should see strong doubling on the word "ONE." Doubling will also be noticeable on other devices on the coin. Make sure that the image is projecting out from the surface of the coin. Otherwise, it is a coin that got damaged during the ejection process from the coining press.
How to tell if a date is a 1970s or a 1970s?
The easiest way to tell the difference is to look at the date and the word "LIBERTY." If "LIBERTY" is soft and mushy it is most definitely a 1970-S small date variety. If "LIBERTY" is bold and well defined, it is the less desirable 1970-S large date variety.
What is the most well known penny?
The 1909 S VDB Lincoln cent is, in fact, one of the most well-known pennies — if not the most popular rare coin, period.
How much is a 1922 Lincoln cent worth?
The 1922 no mintmark Lincoln cent variety remains a popular collectible today and has a value of around $650 and up.
How much are wheat pennies worth?
In fact, there are many rare wheat pennies that are worth hundreds of times their face value, and a plethora of others that are worth $1 to $5 or more — even in well worn condition.
What is the one coin I have loved since I was a kid?
If there is one coin I have loved since I was kid, it is the Lincoln penny.
When were Lincoln wheat pennies struck?
Lincoln wheat pennies were struck from 1909 to 1958 and are becoming highly scarce in circulation. When I was much younger and didn’t know the values of Lincoln wheat cents, I thought all old pennies were highly valuable. I have since learned that while all Lincoln wheat pennies carry a premium in value, only a few dozen dates are worth significantly more than a few cents in well-worn condition.
Do Lincoln cents have a face value?
The values of many Lincoln cents far exceed their face value, making them highly demanded by both collectors and investors.
The 10 Most Valuable Wheat Pennies
If you find one of these wheat pennies in Mint Condition you've had some very good luck!
Wheat Pennies Key Dates and prices
Use the tables below to find the most valuable wheat pennies and how much your penny might be worth!
What metal did the Belgian mint use?
Additionally, the mint was producing coins for Belgian at the time that use the same zinc plated steel planchets that were used the previous year. These two situations combined for a prime opportunity for the mint to produce this amazing error coin.
What metal was used in the pennies?
In 1943 the United States was gearing up to fight World War II. Copper is a critical war metal used in the production of ammunitions. To help the war effort, the United States Mint stopped making pennies using copper and started using planchets that were zinc coated steel. Unfortunately, a few leftover planchets from 1942 slipped through the process and resulted in 1943 pennies made on a bronze planchet. Beware of altered coins made by copper plating genuine 1943 steel cents or from 1948 Lincoln cents by removing the left side of the 8 to make it look like a 3. Learning how to authenticate a 1943 copper penny is a relatively easy task.
What year were pennies made on bronze?
Unfortunately, a few leftover planchets from 1942 slipped through the process and resulted in 1943 pennies made on a bronze planchet. Beware of altered coins made by copper plating genuine 1943 steel cents or from 1948 Lincoln cents by removing the left side of the 8 to make it look like a 3.
Why are double die coins not double struck?
Doubled die coins are not double struck and should not be confused with mechanical doubling. Due to a production error in the manufacturing of the working coin die , the mint craftsman made two impressions that were slightly offset from each other. This is evident because both doubled images are raised. If it was a double-struck coin, one image would be raised in the other one would be flattened.
How many 1909 San Francisco coins were made?
Given the limited capacity of the San Francisco Mint in 1909, only 484,000 coins were produced. This coin is easily identified by the "S" under the date on the obverse and Brenner's initials "V.D.B." on the reverse. Beware of counterfeit and altered coins.
How many Lincoln cents were produced in 1931?
By 1931 the United States was in the middle of the Great Depression and the San Francisco mint only produced 866,000 Lincoln cents that year. Consequently, demand for pennies plummeted and most of them remained in bank vaults for a few years until demand caught up with the remaining supply.
Why is there no D on a 1922 Lincoln cent?
The lack of a mintmark was either due to die abrasion in an attempt to fix a damaged die or a foreign substance clogging the area where the mint mark is supposed to be. Counterfeiters and unscrupulous people can easily remove the "D" mintmark from a genuine 1922-D Lincoln cent. Use caution when purchasing this coin.
What is the reverse of a 1983 penny?
The 1983 doubled die penny shows heavy doubling in the reverse lettering — such as in the words “ONE CENT” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.”
What is the rarest penny from 1960?
But the rare and unusual 1960-D Over D Small Date Over Large Date Lincoln cent is the rarest of the error-varieties from the first year of the ’60s.
What type of pennies were in 1979?
There are two types of S-mint proofs from 1979, referred to as Type I and Type II. 1979-S Type II proof pennies are scarcer than 1979-S Type I proofs — so they command small but significant premiums over the Type I pennies.
How much does a 1989 penny weigh?
That’s the weight of a typical bronze Lincoln cent. If your 1989-D penny weighs approximately 2.5 grams, it’s the common zinc variety.
How to tell if a pennies is rare?
These valuable and rare Lincoln Memorial pennies are detected by looking at the letters “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” on the reverse. The bottoms of those two letters should appear to be virtually touching each other. If you see any significant gap between the bottoms of the “A” and “M” it is not a Close AM variety.
How many examples of double dies are there?
Several hundred examples are thought to exist. But this one is not as widely collected as other doubled dies — such as the 1969-S doubled die (mentioned above) or 1995 doubled die pennies (mentioned below).
What type of penny has a clear S?
The 1981-S Type II proof penny has a so-called Clear S. The ends of the “S” have distinct, bulbous serifs. No part of the “S” connects with any other part of itself on the Type II variety. The much more common Type I shows the ends of the “S” nearly closing in the two interior loops at the top and bottom of the mintmark.
