1959 Penny Coin Value: Errors List, “D” & No Mint Mark Worth

1959 Penny value ranges from $0.01 face value to $20,700. That record was set by a Grade 69 example sold through Heritage Auctions in January 2004. Upload a photo of yours below and we’ll give you a quick value range. You can also scroll down to check recent eBay sales and see what collectors are paying today.

 

1959 Penny Value By Variety

The mint mark and variety make all the difference — here’s what each type of 1959 penny is actually worth.

If you know the grade of your coin, you can find the exact price below in the Value Guides section.

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Modern Pennies Worth Money (1959 – Present)

 

Top 10 Most Valuable 1959 Penny Worth Money

The coin sitting at #1 tells you everything about this year. A 1959 DCAM PR69 brought $20,700 at Heritage Auctions in January 2004. Only an estimated 175 to 225 proof coins across all grades earned full Deep Cameo surfaces, so a PR69 is basically a unicorn. That single grade point between PR69 and PR68 DCAM? It’s worth roughly $20,000. The high-end proof market is brutal.

Circulation strikes hold their own, though. A Philadelphia MS67+ hit $5,887 at Heritage Auctions on August 10, 2016, and the only known Denver MS68 sold for $6,999 on eBay in 2021 — now PCGS-valued at $9,000. Multiple DDO FS-101 examples also cracked the top 10, proving error collectors will pay up for properly attributed doubled dies.

Also Read: Lincoln Wheat Penny Value (1909-1958)

 

History Of The 1959 Penny

The 1959 penny killed the wheat cent and launched the Lincoln Memorial design — all in one year. After 50 years of wheat stalks, this was the biggest reverse change in Lincoln cent history.

Nobody saw it coming. On Sunday morning, December 21, 1958, President Eisenhower’s Press Secretary James Hagerty dropped a press release announcing a new reverse design, with production starting January 2, 1959. The Treasury had worked with the Lincoln Sesquicentennial Commission to honor the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth on February 12, 1809. President Eisenhower and Secretary of the Treasury Robert B. Anderson gave final approval, with Mint Director William H. Brett also signing off.

Frank Gasparro, then Assistant Engraver at the Philadelphia Mint, won an internal competition against 23 other models submitted by the Mint’s engraving staff. Here’s the fun part: Gasparro had never actually visited the Lincoln Memorial. He designed the whole thing from photographs.

According to the New York Times, Gasparro had a great line. When people asked where they could see his work, he’d say, “It’s in your pocket.” His initials “FG” appear in the lower-right field beside the Memorial building.

The coin hit circulation on February 12, 1959 — Lincoln’s 150th birthday — though some pieces leaked out a bit early. Gasparro later became Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint in 1965 and passed away in 2001.

The Memorial itself has quite a backstory. Congress authorized construction in 1910, and ground was broken in 1914 with a $300,000 budget. By the time it was finished in 1922, costs had blown past $3 million. The 36 Doric columns represent the 36 states in the Union when Lincoln died, and the famous 60-foot seated statue inside was sculpted by Daniel Chester French (1850–1931).

This created something unique in American coinage: Lincoln on both sides. His portrait on the obverse, his statue visible inside the Memorial on the reverse. By 2001, more than 100 billion of Gasparro’s Memorial pennies had entered circulation.

Numismatic historian Q. David Bowers, writing about Gasparro in his book A Guide Book of Lincoln Cents (Whitman Publishing), described him as “a warm, friendly, outgoing man who loved numismatics and enjoyed meeting members of the coin collecting community.”

Also Read: Top 100 Rarest Pennies Worth Money (1787 – Present)

 

Is Your 1959 Penny Rare?

You can analyze your 1959 pennies and other key dates using our Coin Identifier and Value App for detailed rarity assessments and current market values across all Lincoln cent varieties.

 

Key Features Of The 1959 Penny

The Obverse Of The 1959 Penny

You’re looking at the same Lincoln portrait that’s been on every cent since 1909. Sculptor Victor David Brenner designed it, imagining Lincoln as he might look reading a story to a child. The likeness comes from a photograph taken by Anthony Berger at Mathew Brady’s Washington, D.C. studio on February 9, 1864, according to numismatic researchers and the Library of Congress.

Brenner originally wanted his full signature on the obverse. That got rejected. He put his initials on the reverse instead — but critics complained they were too prominent. Despite Brenner’s protests, the initials were removed entirely.

The coin went unsigned for nine years. In 1918, Brenner’s initials were finally restored — this time on the obverse, tucked along the lower edge of Lincoln’s bust. That’s exactly where you’ll find them on your 1959 penny.

“IN GOD WE TRUST” sits above Lincoln’s portrait, with “LIBERTY” to the lower left and the date to the lower right. Denver coins carry a small “D” mint mark just below the date. Philadelphia coins have no mint mark.

The Reverse Of The 1959 Penny

Flip it over and you’re looking at the first-ever Lincoln Memorial reverse, replacing the wheat stalks that ran from 1909 to 1958.

Look closely at the center of the Memorial’s portico. You’ll spot a tiny figure — the seated Lincoln statue sculpted by Daniel Chester French. That makes this one of the very few U.S. coins showing the same person on both sides.

“ONE CENT” runs in full capitals along the bottom edge. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curves along the top, with “E PLURIBUS UNUM” — “From the many, one” — inscribed just below it on two lines.

Other Features Of The 1959 Penny

The 1959 penny measures 19.05 millimeters in diameter, weighs 3.11 grams, and has a plain (smooth) edge. It’s made of 95% copper and 5% tin and zinc — true bronze, the same alloy used on the final wheat pennies in 1958.

Starting in late 1962, tin was dropped from the mix. Every Memorial cent after that is technically brass, not bronze. Your 1959 penny still has the original wheat-era bronze composition.

Because these coins are mostly copper, color matters a lot. Fresh copper starts with a rich red tone, but handling and air exposure turn it brown over time. PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) and NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) assign one of three color designations: Red (RD), Red-Brown (RB), or Brown (BN).

A coin needs the same color over at least 95% of its surface to qualify as RD or BN. Anything in between gets the RB label. Red coins are the most valuable, Brown the least, and Red-Brown falls in the middle.

Also Read: 100 Most Valuable Wheat Pennies Worth Money (1909 to 1958)

 

1959 Penny Mintage & Survival Data

Denver cranked out roughly 1,279,760,000 pennies in 1959. Philadelphia added about 609,715,000 for circulation. San Francisco struck 1,149,291 proof coins strictly for collector sets.

Those numbers sound enormous, but almost none survived in collector-quality condition. Only about 0.0156% of Denver coins and 0.0246% of Philadelphia coins made it. Think about that — Denver minted nearly 1.3 billion coins, and PCGS estimates fewer than 50 have ever graded MS67 or higher.

Philadelphia has zero registered MS68 examples. Denver has exactly one — the sole 1959-D MS68RD, which sold for $6,999 on eBay in 2021 and carries a current PCGS value of $9,000.

The proof picture is even more interesting. All three proof designations share the same 1,149,291 mintage, but survival rates split dramatically. Standard proofs survive at roughly 34.8%, Cameo pieces at 21.8%, and Deep Cameo examples at just 0.6%. Only an estimated 175 to 225 DCAM specimens exist across all grades.

Also Read: 100 Most Valuable Indian Head Penny Coins Worth Money (1859 – 1909)

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1959 Penny Value

Start with Lincoln’s portrait and the Memorial reverse. Sharp, crisp details mean better condition. Flat or mushy high points mean heavy wear.

Check for the mint mark: a “D” below the date means Denver, no mark means Philadelphia. Look at the color — bright original copper luster (Red) is worth far more than a brown, oxidized surface. Most circulated 1959 pennies bring 2 to 10 cents, but uncirculated Red specimens can hit $1 to $15 or more. Errors like the DDO FS-101 or the mule wheat reverse variety push values into the hundreds or thousands.

Why struggle with complex grading charts when you can get accurate results in seconds? Our Coin Identifier and Value App will check the grade directly.

 

1959 Penny Value Guides

The mint mark on the obverse below the date tells you where your coin was made. The finish type tells you who it was made for.

1959 Lincoln Cent Varieties:

• 1959 No Mint Mark — Philadelphia Mint, no mint mark visible, Red (RD) designation for preserved copper color, highest single-mint mintage for circulation use, most common Philadelphia variety worth face value in typical grades.
• 1959-D — Denver Mint, “D” mint mark below date on obverse, Red (RD) designation for preserved copper color, over 1.27 billion minted for circulation, best-struck examples in the Memorial series from 1959 to 1973.
• 1959 PR — San Francisco Mint proof coin, Red (RD) designation, mirror-like fields with frosted devices, approximately 1.15 million minted exclusively for collector proof sets.
• 1959 CAM — San Francisco Mint proof coin with Cameo (CAM) finish, enhanced contrast between frosted devices and mirror fields, premium proof designation for superior visual appeal above standard proofs.
• 1959 DCAM — San Francisco Mint proof coin with Deep Cameo (DCAM) finish, maximum contrast between heavily frosted devices and brilliant mirror fields, highest quality proof designation and rarest of all 1959 varieties with an estimated 175–225 examples known.

Also Read: Value Of Old Pennies By Year (1959-Present)

 

1959 No Mint Mark Penny Value

Here’s a question most collectors don’t think about: what’s the very first Lincoln Memorial cent ever struck worth? This is it — Philadelphia’s 1959 No Mint Mark penny, the coin that ended 50 years of wheat stalks.

Gasparro’s design put Lincoln on both sides of the same coin. His profile on the front, his tiny statue visible inside the Memorial on the back. That had never happened before on a U.S. cent.

Red (RD) specimens with original copper luster bring the strongest money. The auction record sits at $5,887 for an MS67+ RD, achieved at Heritage Auctions on August 10, 2016. PCGS values an MS67+ at $3,000. No Philadelphia example has ever graded MS68 — that’s a completely different kind of rare.

Red-Brown (RB) pieces with natural toning still trade for hundreds in high grades. Even Brown (BN) examples attract buyers as first-year Memorial cents.

The auction record chart demonstrates steady appreciation for this pivotal transitional year, punctuated by breakthrough results in high gem grades.

Market activity also reflects consistent collector interest.

Market activity score: 53/100 as of Sep 2026 — up 6 points from Jun 2026. Currently at its 12-month peak.

 

1959-D Penny Value

I think the 1959-D is the best-struck coin in the entire Memorial series from 1959 to 1973. A lot of specialists agree. Denver’s inaugural Memorial cent just has sharper details than anything that followed.

Denver produced nearly 1,280,000,000 coins that year. Despite that massive output, PCGS estimates fewer than 50 examples have ever certified at MS67 or higher. Billions minted, and you can count the gems on your fingers.

The top-pop coin is a lone MS68 RD that sold for $6,999 on eBay in 2021, now carrying a PCGS value of $9,000. It took 62 years before anyone found and certified that single coin.

Red-Brown (RB) and Brown (BN) pieces show natural aging, but even oxidized examples in exceptional condition can surprise you at auction.

The auction record chart shows dramatic price volatility across platforms, with Heritage Auctions and David Lawrence both recording standout results alongside more modest sales for lower grades.

Market activity reveals the classic Memorial cent collecting pattern — steady baseline interest punctuated by explosive peaks as collectors compete for the finest surviving Denver examples.

Market activity score: 56/100 as of Sep 2026 — down 2 points from Jun 2026. 12-month peak: 71 (Nov 2025).

 

1959 Proof Penny Value

Most collectors don’t realize how affordable these are in lower grades. A PR65 can be had for a few bucks. But climb to PR69 and you’re in a completely different market.

San Francisco struck 1,149,291 proof coins on specially polished blanks using prepared dies to get those brilliant mirror fields. Every one was sold in a proof set — none entered circulation.

Red (RD) proofs with original bright copper luster are the most prized. Quick note: proofs are graded on a PF scale (PF60 through PF70), not the MS scale used for business strikes. Don’t mix them up when comparing values.

The all-time record for a standard proof was $2,530 for a PR65 at a 2006 sale. Heritage Auctions has kept prices strong at the high end in recent years.

The auction record chart shows Heritage Auctions delivering notable grade premiums and steady appreciation across multiple sales.

Current market activity shows a stable, consistent trend for proof 1959 pennies.

Market activity score: 53/100 as of Sep 2026 — down 5 points from Jun 2026. 12-month peak: 66 (Dec 2025).

 

1959 CAM Penny Value

If you’ve ever held a Cameo proof next to a standard proof, you already know the difference. The frost on the devices just pops against those mirror fields. It’s night and day.

PCGS and NGC award the CAM designation when a proof coin shows clear contrast between frosty raised devices — Lincoln’s portrait and the Memorial — and the deeply reflective background. Not every proof qualifies. Only coins hitting a defined contrast threshold earn the label.

That contrast bumps the price at every grade level over standard proofs. Registry set collectors especially chase these for the visual impact.

Here is the auction performance record showing volatile but generally strong results with notable premium peaks:

Current market activity shows steady participation, with particular surges noted in early 2025.

Market activity score: 45/100 as of Sep 2026 — up 2 points from Jun 2026. 12-month peak: 69 (Dec 2025).

 

1959 DCAM Penny Value

A $20,000 penny. That’s not a typo. The 1959 DCAM is the top of the food chain for this entire year.

DCAM — Deep Cameo — is the highest contrast designation PCGS and NGC award. Heavy frost on the devices, deep mirror backgrounds, maximum visual drama. Researchers estimate only 175 to 225 of the original 1,149,291 proof coins qualify for full Deep Cameo surfaces across all grades. That’s a 0.6% survival rate.

The all-time record is $20,700 for a PR69 DCAM, set at Heritage Auctions in January 2004. The gap between PR69 DCAM and PR68 DCAM is nearly $20,000. One grade point. We think that’s the most punishing grade cliff in the entire Memorial cent series.

Here is the auction performance history showing dramatic volatility with exceptional peak results:

Current market activity demonstrates steady baseline engagement with a pronounced seasonal surge followed by stabilization:

Market activity score: 35/100 as of Sep 2026 — down 2 points from Jun 2026. 12-month peak: 37 (Jun 2026).

Also Read: Top 100 Most Valuable Modern Pennies Worth Money (1959 – Present)

 

Rare 1959 Penny Error List

Most 1959 pennies are worth a cent. But certain errors from this first-year Memorial issue can bring serious money. Errors happen when something goes wrong during striking — a misaligned die, a doubled impression, a wrong planchet, or a repunched mint mark.

Knowing which errors are real and how to spot them is where the money is. Here are the ones worth knowing:

1. 1959 DDO (FS-101 And FS-104)

These are the big-money errors from 1959. A Doubled Die Obverse is a die variety, not a strike error. It happens when the working die gets two slightly misaligned hub impressions during manufacture. Every coin from that die shows identical doubling.

The FS-101 is the strong one. Class II doubling spreads toward the rim, hitting the date hardest — look at the “5” and “9” for the clearest separation. Early die state coins also show doubling on “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” Grab a 10x to 20x loupe and look for shelf-like doubling with rounded profiles. Genuine hub doubling shows distinct serifs and full letter height on both the primary and secondary image.

The FS-104 is subtler. Doubling concentrates on the motto with minor spread near Lincoln’s eyelid and ear. Both varieties came from Philadelphia dies only — Denver has no confirmed DDO varieties for 1959.

Value-wise: FS-101 in MS64 RD has sold for $920 at major auctions, and an MS65 RD brought over $10,000 at Heritage Auctions. The FS-104 in MS66 RD hit a record of $2,000, with an earlier Heritage result of $823 for MS66 RD in 2016. Circulated examples with clear doubling typically sell for $100 to $300 when properly attributed.

Don’t confuse genuine doubled dies with machine doubling. Machine doubling creates flat, shelf-like smearing with no separation between images. It carries zero collector premium.

2. 1959-D/D/D RPM FS-501

This is a great cherrypicking target. In 1959, mint marks were still hand-punched into each working die — one at a time, by hand. Mistakes were inevitable.

The FS-501 shows traces of two or more earlier “D” impressions around the final mint mark, creating a spread or ghost-mark effect. To find it, locate the “D” below the date and look for secondary impressions spreading south and east. A 10x loupe is the minimum you’ll need.

This RPM only exists on Denver coins, since hand-punching was a branch mint process. It’s less valuable than the major DDO varieties, but MS65 examples have sold for $176 at auction and MS66 RD specimens have reached over $800.

3. 1959-D Mule (Wheat Reverse)

This might be the most controversial coin in modern American numismatics. A “mule” error means two mismatched dies got paired — here, a 1959 obverse die with a “D” mint mark and a pre-1959 wheat reverse die.

Only one has ever surfaced publicly. The U.S. Department of Treasury initially examined it and considered it genuine, but neither PCGS nor NGC has been able to certify it. Coin forger Mark Hofmann claimed he fabricated it using spark erosion, though the Secret Service disputed that claim.

Controversy aside, the coin keeps selling: $48,300 at Goldberg Auction in 2003, $31,050 at Goldberg in 2010, and approximately $50,000 via Ira & Larry Goldberg in 2019. The 2010 listing itself stated the coin “is not guaranteed to be authentic.” If you ever find what looks like a second example, submit it immediately to PCGS or NGC.

4. 1959 Penny Off-Center Strike

Off-center strikes happen when a planchet isn’t seated properly in the press. Part of the design falls outside the die area, leaving a crescent-shaped blank section.

Value depends on two things: how dramatic the error is and whether you can still read the date. Minor 5–10% off-center pieces bring $5 to $15. Hit 50% off-center with a readable date and you’re looking at $50 to $150. The most extreme examples — 60% or more with a complete date — can break $200.

No date, no money. Dateless off-center strikes are worth far less.

5. 1959 Penny Clipped Planchet

Clips happen before striking, at the blanking stage. When the punch overlaps a previously cut hole in the metal strip or hits the strip’s leading edge, you get a planchet with a crescent-shaped or straight missing section.

Small clips under 5% bring $5 to $15. Medium clips in the 10–25% range sell for $15 to $40. Large clips over 25% with a visible date can reach $75 to $100. Look for the “Blakesley Effect” — a weak or missing rim directly opposite the clip. That confirms the clip happened before striking, not after.

6. 1959-D Wrong Planchet Error

A 1959-D Lincoln cent struck on a silver Roosevelt dime planchet has been documented. Wrong planchet errors happen when planchet bins from different denominations get mixed during production.

A dime planchet weighs 2.5 grams versus the normal 3.11 grams for a penny. If you suspect a wrong planchet, weigh the coin on a precise digital scale first. Confirmed off-metal 1959 pennies need PCGS or NGC authentication, and genuine examples can bring several hundred dollars or more depending on the host planchet.

Also Read: 42 Rare Penny Errors List with Pictures (By Year)

 

Where To Sell Your 1959 Penny?

Got a valuable 1959 penny burning a hole in your pocket? The selling landscape has changed dramatically from the old coin shop era. Different platforms reward different types of coins, and picking the wrong venue could cost you real money.

Check out now: Best Places To Sell Coins Online (Pros & Cons)

 

1959 Penny Market Trend

Market interest: 54,750 collectors tracking this coin as of Sep 2026 — up 900 from Mar 2026. 12-month peak: 56,610 (Feb 2026).

*Market Trend Chart showing the number of people paying attention to this coin.

 

FAQ About The 1959 Penny

1. How do I know if my 1959 penny is rare?

Start with color. A coin needs to be red (RD) over at least 95% of its surface to command a premium in uncirculated grades. Next, check condition — sharp details on Lincoln’s portrait and the Memorial with minimal bag marks or hairlines. Then look for known errors: doubling on the date or “LIBERTY” (DDO varieties), repunched mint marks on Denver coins, or unusual weight that might suggest a wrong planchet. DCAM proofs are the rarest of all, with only an estimated 175 to 225 examples thought to exist.

2. What is the most valuable 1959-D penny?

The sole MS68 RD — it sold for $6,999 on eBay in 2021 and carries a current PCGS value of $9,000. It took over 60 years before that single top-pop coin was found and slabbed. There’s also the controversial 1959-D Mule with a wheat reverse, which last sold for approximately $50,000 in 2019 through Ira & Larry Goldberg. Neither PCGS nor NGC has certified that coin as genuine.

3. What is a 1959 penny DDO worth?

Depends on the variety and grade. The FS-101 shows the strongest Class II doubling on the date and “LIBERTY” — an MS65 RD brought over $10,000 at Heritage Auctions. The FS-104 is subtler, with MS66 RD examples selling around $2,000. Circulated examples of either variety with visible doubling typically go for $100 to $300 when properly attributed. Always use a 10x to 20x loupe and confirm you’re seeing genuine hub doubling, not machine doubling.

4. What does DCAM mean on a 1959 proof penny?

DCAM stands for Deep Cameo — the highest contrast designation PCGS and NGC award to proof coins. Heavy frosting on the raised devices against deeply reflective mirror fields. For 1959, it’s extremely rare: only an estimated 175 to 225 examples qualify across all grades. The top PR69 DCAM sold for $20,700 at Heritage Auctions in January 2004, and the gap between PR69 and PR68 DCAM alone is nearly $20,000.

5. Who designed the 1959 penny reverse?

Frank Gasparro, then Assistant Engraver at the Philadelphia Mint. He beat out 23 other models in an internal competition. The best part? He’d never visited the Lincoln Memorial — he worked entirely from photographs. His initials “FG” appear in the lower-right field beside the building. Gasparro became Chief Engraver in 1965 and passed away in 2001. Q. David Bowers described him in A Guide Book of Lincoln Cents as one of the warmest, most outgoing engravers in Mint history.

6. Why is a 1959 penny considered a transitional coin?

It replaced the wheat reverse — in production since 1909 — with Gasparro’s Lincoln Memorial design, launching an era that lasted until 2008. It also carried the original true bronze alloy (95% copper, 5% tin and zinc) for the last few years of that composition, since tin was dropped starting in late 1962. The coin was released on February 12 — Lincoln’s 150th birthday — marking both the 50th anniversary of the Lincoln cent series and the sesquicentennial of Lincoln’s birth.

7. What does Red (RD), Red-Brown (RB), and Brown (BN) mean for 1959 penny value?

These are color designations from PCGS and NGC based on how much original copper luster remains. Red (RD) means bright copper over at least 95% of the surface — the most valuable. Brown (BN) means fully oxidized over at least 95% — the least valuable. Red-Brown (RB) covers everything in between. For a 1959 penny in MS65, the difference between Red and Brown can be $10 versus less than $1. Color identification is critical.

8. How many 1959 proof pennies were made, and are they hard to find?

San Francisco struck 1,149,291 proof pennies, all in collector proof sets. Standard proofs survive at about 34.8% and aren’t hard to find in PR65 or lower. Cameo (CAM) proofs are scarcer at roughly 21.8% survival. Deep Cameo (DCAM) examples are genuinely rare at only 0.6% — an estimated 175 to 225 total. A standard PR65 runs $3 to $5 today, while the finest DCAM examples have topped $20,000.

9. What is the 1959-D Mule penny, and could I find one?

It’s a coin that allegedly pairs a 1959 obverse (with “D” mint mark) and a pre-1959 wheat reverse die. Only one has ever surfaced, first claimed by collector Leon Baller in 1986. It sold for $48,300 at Goldberg in 2003, $31,050 in 2010, and approximately $50,000 in 2019. Neither PCGS nor NGC has certified it as genuine. Your odds of finding a second one are basically zero — but if you ever spot a 1959-D with wheat stalks on the back, send it to PCGS or NGC immediately.

10. Is a 1959 penny worth keeping for its copper value?

Any pre-1982 Lincoln cent is 95% copper and worth more than face value on metal content alone. A 1959 penny weighs 3.11 grams, giving it a melt value of roughly 2 to 3 cents depending on copper prices. It’s technically illegal to melt U.S. cents under current federal regulations, though. The better reason to hold onto 1959 pennies is numismatic potential — high-grade Red examples and certified error coins can be worth many times melt value.