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

The Lincoln Cent, first introduced in 1909, has become one of the most collected series of coins in U.S. history. Over the past 115 years, the U.S. Mint has produced more than 540 billion one-cent coins, with an additional eight billion expected in 2024.

While many of these coins are common, there are several rare Lincoln Cents that are highly valuable and sought after by collectors. These coins represent some of the most interesting and rare finds in the series, making it challenging for collectors to complete a full set.

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

Here are the top 10 rare Lincoln Cents that every collector should know about.

1. 1943 Bronze Cent: The Holy Grail of Lincoln Cents

The 1943 Bronze Cent is the most coveted of all Lincoln Cent errors. During World War II, the U.S. Mint switched to zinc-coated steel planchets to conserve copper for the war effort. However, a few bronze planchets from 1942 were accidentally used in 1943, creating this rare and valuable error coin.

With fewer than 20 examples known, this coin is often referred to as the “Holy Grail” of Lincoln Cents, with one example fetching over a million dollars at auction.

2. 1958 Doubled Die: The King of Lincoln Cent Errors

The 1958 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent is a highly controversial and valuable coin, with only three known examples. The coin features dramatic doubling of the legend “LIBERTY” and the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST,” making it one of the most sought-after Lincoln Cents.

The rarity and uniqueness of this coin have led to its classification as the “king” of Lincoln Cent doubled dies.

3. 1983 Bronze Cent: A New Transitional Rarity

In 1983, the U.S. Mint switched to zinc planchets coated with copper for the Lincoln Cent. However, a few bronze planchets from 1982 were mistakenly used in 1983, creating a rare transitional error.

Only a handful of these coins are known to exist, making them highly valuable. The discovery of the first 1983 Bronze Cent was made in 2006, and since then, it has become a prized possession for collectors.

4. 1969-S Doubled Die: A Rare Error Still Found in Circulation

The 1969-S Doubled Die Lincoln Cent is much rarer than the 1955 version, with fewer than 40 certified examples. The error was caused by a blundered die, resulting in dramatic doubling of the inscriptions on the obverse. The rarity of this coin is further compounded by the fact that it was targeted by counterfeiters, making genuine examples even more valuable.

5. 1955 Doubled Die: The Most Dramatic Lincoln Cent Error

The 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent is one of the most famous error coins in U.S. history. The doubling is most noticeable on the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” and the word “LIBERTY.” Over 24,000 examples of this coin were released into circulation, making it a popular and highly collectible error coin.

6. 1909-S VDB: A Controversial and Rare First-Year Issue

The 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent is the first year of issue for the Lincoln Cent series and features the initials of the designer, Victor David Brenner, on the reverse. Only 484,000 of these coins were struck before the initials were removed, making it one of the rarest and most sought-after Lincoln Cents.

7. 1944 Steel Cent: An Off-Metal Error Highly Prized by Collectors

The 1944 Steel Cent is an off-metal error that occurred when the U.S. Mint returned to copper planchets after using steel in 1943. A few steel planchets were mistakenly used in 1944, creating this rare and valuable error coin. The 1944 Steel Cent is highly prized by collectors and commands high prices at auction.

8. 1914-D: A Low-Mintage Key Date Lincoln Cent

The 1914-D Lincoln Cent is one of the key dates in the series, with a mintage of only 1.193 million coins. This low-mintage coin is highly sought after by collectors, and examples in high grades can fetch significant prices.

9. 1922 No D: An Error That Looks Like Something It Isn’t

The 1922 No D Lincoln Cent is an error coin that occurred when the Denver Mint accidentally polished off the mintmark from a die. This rare die state is highly collectible, but it is also frequently counterfeited. Collectors should ensure they purchase only certified examples.

10. 1992 Close AM: A Rare Modern Lincoln Cent Error

The 1992 Close AM Lincoln Cent is a modern error coin that features the letters “AM” in “AMERICA” on the reverse almost touching. This design was intended for 1993, but a few dies were mistakenly used in 1992, creating this rare error coin. The 1992 Close AM is highly collectible and valuable.

Table of Rare Lincoln Cents

Rank	Coin	Key Features	Estimated Value
1	1943 Bronze Cent	Struck on bronze planchets during WWII	Over $1 million
2	1958 Doubled Die	Extremely rare doubled die error	Over $1 million
3	1983 Bronze Cent	Transitional error struck on old copper planchets	Up to $26,000
4	1969-S Doubled Die	Rare doubled die error	Highly valuable
5	1955 Doubled Die	Dramatic doubling on obverse	Highly valuable
6	1909-S VDB	First-year issue with designer’s initials	Highly sought after
7	1944 Steel Cent	Off-metal error	Highly regarded by collectors
8	1914-D	Low mintage, key date	Highly collectible
9	1922 No D	Mintmark error from Denver	Rare and valuable
10	1992 Close AM	Rare reverse design error	Rare and valuable

Conclusion

Collecting Lincoln Cents can be a rewarding hobby, but the rarity and value of certain coins make it a challenging pursuit. From the elusive 1943 Bronze Cent to the modern 1992 Close AM, these ten Lincoln Cents represent the pinnacle of numismatic achievement.

For collectors, acquiring even one of these coins can be a significant milestone, adding both historical significance and financial value to their collections.

FAQs

Reference

Information derived from numismatic experts and historical coin records.

Some picture from Pinterest.