The memorial reverse of the Lincoln penny was designed by Frank Gasparro, and it was struck with Victor David Brenner’s Lincoln obverse. It first appeared on the cent in 1959 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth, replacing the wheat penny reverse used from 1909 to 1958.
However, in 2009, the US Mint retired this design to use the four bicentennial reverses, and in 2010, the Union Shield reverse was introduced.
So, from 1959 to 2008, the Mint struck billions of Memorial cents, but only a few dates, doubled dies, and varieties are scarce, and those remain among the most desired pennies. Here are the top 13 rare Lincoln Memorial pennies worth collecting.
13 Most Valuable Lincoln Memorial Pennies (1959 to 2008)
1. 1995 Doubled Die Obverse Cent
There is dramatic doubling on the 1995 DDO of the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and it can be seen even without using a magnifying glass or a loupe.
This DDO is one of the last major doubled dies of the Lincoln cent series.
In the late 1990s, the Mint switched to single-squeeze hubbing (each working die gets just one impression from the hub), which was meant to end doubled dies. So, strong doubling like this has been rare since, though weaker doubled dies still turn up. That makes it quite a popular error Memorial cent.
- Estimated Value: $30 to $200 in most Mint State grades; about $1,000 to $2,200 (MS69 Red)
- Production Years: 1995 (Philadelphia)
- What to Check: Doubling on LIBERTY and the IN GOD WE TRUST motto
2. 1972 Doubled Die Obverse Penny
The DDO-001 of 1972 is the best-known doubled die coin from the Memorial era, other than the 1969-S. The doubling is complete in the date, LIBERTY, and IN GOD WE TRUST, and is observable without the use of magnification, so even new collectors can spot it.
There are about ten known 1972 doubled dies, but the FS-101 is the valuable one.
- Estimated Value: $200 to $4,800+ (top grades)
- Production Years: 1972 (Philadelphia)
- What to Check: Bold doubling in date, LIBERTY, and IN GOD WE TRUST
- Quick Notes: FS-101 is the valuable variety, not FS-102
3. 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse
Heritage Auctions calls the 1969-S doubled die obverse the “King of the Lincoln Cent Varieties.”
The split shows clearly in the date and in the letters of LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST on this 1969-S DDO. However, since the S mint mark was punched into each working die by hand after the doubling happened, it’s never doubled.
Very few originals are known to exist today (PCGS CoinFacts estimates about 30 in all grades). When the first ones turned up around 1970, the Secret Service declared them counterfeit and seized them, because fake 1969 doubled-die cents were being sold at the time. It later accepted the San Francisco coins as genuine.
The ANACS coin pictured above is a minor variety (Die 2, DDO-002) with much weaker doubling, which is why it sold for $599. The major FS-101 is the one that fetches big auction prices.
- Estimated Value: about $30 to $600 (minor dies); major FS-101 MS66 Red reached $601,875 (PCGS, GreatCollections, 2023)
- Production Years: 1969 (San Francisco)
- What to Check: Doubling on LIBERTY, date, motto
- Quick Notes: Mint mark must NOT show doubling
4. 1982-D Small Date Copper
This coin is a transitional error. In 1982, the Mint transitioned from using 95% copper (3.11 grams) to copper-plated zinc (2.5 grams) coins. A few old copper planchet coins made it into circulation, minted from Denver dies with Small Dates.
NGC had confirmed only two such coins as of 2019, starting with the one found in circulation in 2016.
The digital scale is your go-to tool to verify it. If your 1982-D Small Date weighs 3.1 grams, then you’ve got yourself a valuable coin. Most 1982-D Small Date cents are zinc, weigh about 2.5 grams, and are worth face value.
Note that the ungraded coin shown was not described as copper, so its $1,800 price doesn’t prove it is one.
- Estimated Value: $8,400 to $18,800+ (graded); ungraded coins are unproven
- Production Years: 1982 (Denver, error only)
- What to Check: Small Date, D mint mark, 3.1 grams
- ID Notes: Check the weight first.
5. 1960-D/D Small Date over Large Date
The 1960 Denver cent was issued in both Small Date and Large Date varieties. A rare die shows the Small Date over a Large Date. This coin is frequently referred to as FS-101 and has a D/D repunched mint mark too. Therefore, it is called one of the most interesting die marriages of the entire series.
Under a 10x loupe, look for traces of a larger date (like the number 8) under the smaller one, and for a repunched D mint mark.
- Estimated Value: $50 to $400+ certified
- Production Years: 1960 (Denver only)
- What to Check: Small Date over Large Date
- Quick Notes: D/D repunched mint mark boosts value.
6. 1970-S Small Date (High 7 Variety)
The 1970-S penny came in two varieties, Small Date and Large Date, and distinguishing between the two can be tricky.
In the Small Date variety, the horizontal line of the numeral 7 aligns with the 1, 9, and 0. In the Large Date variety, the numeral 7 is positioned lower than the rest of the numerals. Also, the LIBERTY is poorly defined on the Small Date variety; it’s an easy way to spot this cent.
- Estimated Value: $20 to about $2,500 in high grades
- Production Years: 1970 (San Francisco)
- What to Check: Top of the “7” level with other digits
- Quick Notes: Weak LIBERTY confirms Small Date variety
7. 1971 Doubled Die Obverse
The 1971 DDO has excellent doubling on LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST. While not quite as impressive as the 1969-S and 1972, it is still a scarce doubled die from early in the Memorial series.
Most examples are encountered in circulated condition, so any Red Mint State specimen commands a premium. The 1971-S Proof DDO coin is an even rarer find.
The example above is that 1971-S proof doubled die (FS-102, PCGS PR67RD), not a Philadelphia business strike.
- Estimated Value: $30 to about $2,900 (business strikes); the 1971-S proof sold for $750
- Production Years: 1971 (Philadelphia & San Francisco)
- What to Check: Doubling on LIBERTY and motto
- Quick Notes: Machine doubling is common; verify carefully
8. 1983 Doubled Die Reverse Cent
On the 1983 DDR, the reverse doubling is among the strongest of any Lincoln cent, with clear separation present on “ONE CENT” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”. This doubling is Class IV, or offset-hub doubling, and you can easily notice it at 10x magnification.
Mint State Red 1983 DDR specimens graded MS65 and up are the most valuable ones.
- Estimated Value: $200 to $5,000+ in top grades
- Production Years: 1983 (Philadelphia)
- What to Check: Doubling on “ONE CENT” reverse
9. 1984 Doubled Ear (FS-101)
Known by its nickname, “Doubled Ear,” this particular die type features a definite second earlobe on Lincoln’s portrait, along with a double bow tie and double beard.
The doubling of the earlobe can be seen by the naked eye once one knows where to look. The value depends on how strong the doubling is and the coin’s condition.
- Estimated Value: $100 to $3,000 (certified); Over $10,000 (MS68+ Red)
- Production Years: 1984 (Philadelphia)
- What to Check: Second earlobe below the main ear and the bowtie
10. 1988 Reverse of 1989 Cent (FS-901)
The 1988 has a rare “Reverse of 1989” type that features a different style of FG initials compared to the usual reverse of the 1988.
This is a minor transitional type that often gets overlooked by most numismatists. However, high-grade Red specimens with the correct reverse have fetched good prices.
- Estimated Value: $50 to $1,000+ (top grades)
- Production Years: 1988 (both mints)
- What to Check: A flared G in the FG initials (small serifs on the right leg of the G)
- Quick Notes: Compare the G in FG to a normal 1988 cent (plain, straight)
11. 1992 Close AM Penny
Normal 1992 cents show a wide gap between the letters A and M in “AMERICA.” But some rare Philadelphia-minted 1992 cents have been made using the reverse die intended for 1993 cents, making the distance between A and M negligible.
The Close AM varieties are extremely rare: PCGS has graded fewer than 20 of the 1992 Close AM in all grades.
- Estimated Value: $2,000 to $25,850 (record, PCGS MS67RD, Heritage, 2017)
- Production Years: 1992 (Philadelphia error)
- What to Check: A and M in AMERICA nearly touching.
12. 1992-D Close AM Cent
This is identical to the Philadelphia one, only from Denver, and slightly less rare: PCGS has graded about only 75. Even worn examples can bring four figures ($2,100 in AU55, according to PCGS), so have any find authenticated.
Make sure to confirm the close AM using a loupe. The worn, ungraded coin pictured above had an $800 asking price and sold on an accepted best offer,
- Estimated Value: $2,100 (PCGS AU55) to $14,100 (PCGS MS65RD)
- Production Years: 1992 (Denver error)
- What to Check: Close A-M spacing, D mint mark
- Quick Notes: Plating blisters can fake this look
13. 1998 Wide AM Cent
Business-strike cents beginning in 1993 had a Close AM reverse. However, in 1998, a few were inadvertently struck using the proof reverse die, which had wider spacing. In this particular issue, the A and M letters are well-separated.
- Estimated Value: $25 to $500+ certified
- Production Years: 1998 (Philadelphia error)
- What to Check: Wide gap between A and M
Which Lincoln Memorial Pennies Are Worth Keeping?
It’s simple. Keep any coin that matches one of the 13 varieties above, and any bright red, uncirculated cent from the 1959 to 1981 copper years (1982 has both copper and zinc), since top-grade examples of ordinary dates can sell to collectors.
And, before you sell or collect a Lincoln Memorial penny, grab your 10x loupe, digital scale down to 0.01g, and check the details carefully. Once you’ve learned how to spot a Close AM, a Doubled Ear, or a Small Date 1970-S, you might spot some super rare cents.
And if you see anything good, don’t clean it or sell it as-is. Take it to PCGS or NGC for grading and look up its current price on eBay and auction sites, like Heritage Auctions.
Further reading: Found other old coins in the same jar? See our guides to the 1937 Buffalo nickel and 1965 quarter errors.
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