In the spring of 1995, Felix Dausilio, a Connecticut school custodian and collector, made a discovery that would ignite a collecting frenzy while searching through two rolls of Lincoln cents he had purchased.

He found a 1995 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln cent with strong doubling on “LIBERTY,” and the story of this circulation-find spread through the news like wildfire.

When the media grabbed hold of the story, it quickly became one of the most popular error coins around, with many examples initially worth more than $300.

The unmarked Philadelphia regular strike in MS condition is generally worth $24.23, higher than the Denver D version at $10.69.

In the following sections, I’ll guide you through a comprehensive exploration of the 1995 penny, examining its varieties, values, errors, and see if you can be as lucky as Felix Dausilio.

 

1995 Penny Value By Variety

The 1995 penny demonstrates significant value variations across mint facilities and coin types.

Philadelphia’s red (RD) examples commanding the highest premiums in Mint State condition at $569, followed by Denver’s red specimens at $351, while proof coins from San Francisco remain accessible at just $4.

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 1995 Penny Worth Money

The 1995 penny is a striking example of the modern Lincoln penny, with doubled die obverse (DDO) varieties commanding exceptional premiums among collectors.

The chart reveals the dramatic value hierarchy led by the 1995 DDO RD 69, which reached $4,560, demonstrating how die varieties can transform common circulation strikes into numismatic treasures.

The Denver Mint’s 1995-D DDO FS-103 67 follows closely at $4,200, highlighting how specific die states and preservation levels create distinct collecting tiers.

Red (RD) specimens consistently outperform their brown counterparts, with the color premium amplifying dramatically at gem grade levels. The presence of multiple DDO varieties from both Philadelphia and Denver mints creates numerous collecting opportunities across different budget ranges.

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

 

History Of The 1995 Penny

The 1995 penny is part of the series known as Lincoln pennies. They get their name from the image of President Abraham Lincoln which appears on their obverse.

The first pennies bearing his image were struck back in 1909. That year marked the centenary of Lincoln’s birth. And it was the first time the image of a real person had ever appeared on a regular circulating coin.

The reverse of the coin, however, has gone through many different versions. From 1909 to 1958, it showed two ears of durum wheat. That changed to the Lincoln Memorial in 1959, marking 150 years since Lincoln’s birth. It’s this design which appears on the 1995 penny.

In 2009, the bicentenary saw the Lincoln Memorial reverse replaced with four separate designs. These showed Lincoln at various stages in his life.

The bicentennial coins were produced for a single year, before being replaced with the design known as the Union Shield. It’s this image that is still used to this day.

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

 

Is Your 1995 Penny Rare?

Use our CoinValueChecker App to get instant rarity assessments and current market values for your 1995 Lincoln cents.

 

Key Features Of The 1995 Penny

The Obverse Of The 1995 Penny

The obverse features a right-facing bust of Abraham Lincoln, originally designed by Victor David Brenner.

The image is decorated with the inscriptions “IN GOD WE TRUST” along the upper rim, “LIBERTY” from the left side of the profile, the date “1995” to the right, and a mint mark beneath (if present). Brenner’s initials (V.D.B.) are tucked discreetly at the bottom of Lincoln’s shoulder.

The coin measures 19.00 millimeters in diameter with a plain edge and weighs 2.50 grams, composed of copper-plated zinc.

The Reverse Of The 1995 Penny

The reverse showcases the Lincoln Memorial with a tiny statue of Abraham Lincoln hidden between the columns, designed by Frank Gasparro.

The inscriptions include “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” at the top, the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” just below it, as well as the denomination “ONE CENT” along the bottom edge.

Gasparro’s monogram (F.G.) appears to the right of the memorial, next to the lower steps of the building. This Lincoln Memorial design was used continuously from 1959 to 2008.

Other Features Of The 1995 Penny

Both business strike and proof pennies were struck in 1995. The business strike coins were produced at the Mint facilities in Philadelphia and Denver, while proofs were produced in San Francisco.

Denver coins are marked with a “D” on the obverse, while San Francisco proofs have an “S”. Coins struck in Philadelphia don’t have a mint mark.

The copper cladding of 1995 pennies means that the colors of individual coins vary from red to brown. The coins are red when new. As they’re handled or exposed to oxygen in the air, the color gradually turns to brown.

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

 

1995 Penny Mintage & Survival Data

The 1995 penny mintage and survival data shows clear differences between the three types produced that year.

The Denver mint led production with over 7 billion coins, while Philadelphia produced about 6.4 billion “No Mint” mark pennies. San Francisco created far fewer coins at just under 2.8 million proof specimens.

The survival rates reveal expected patterns based on how these coins were used. Regular circulation coins from both Philadelphia and Denver show similar survival rates around 30%, which reflects their journey through everyday use over three decades.

Meanwhile, the San Francisco proof coins maintain an 85.5% survival rate, demonstrating how collector care preserves these special pieces.

The survival distribution chart indicates that despite Denver’s higher original mintage, both regular varieties have roughly equal representation among surviving coins today. The San Francisco proof coins, while having the highest survival percentage, remain the scarcest due to their extremely limited original production run.

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

 

The Easy Way to Know Your 1995 Penny Value

While 1995 pennies appear commonplace, certain specimens hold unexpected value. Premium uncirculated examples, proof coins with deep cameo contrast, and error varieties—such as doubled dies or wide AM spacing—can be worth substantially more than face value.

Accurate evaluation requires recognizing legitimate mint errors versus damage and assessing preservation quality—challenges demanding specialized knowledge.

CoinValueChecker App delivers expert-level analysis instantly. Simply photograph your penny for comprehensive identification, error detection, and current market valuation. 

 

1995 Penny Value Guides

The 1995 Lincoln penny was produced in three distinct varieties across different U.S. mint facilities:

• 1995 No Mint Mark Penny– Philadelphia
• 1995-D Penny– Denver Mint
• 1995-S DCAM Penny– San Francisco

The Philadelphia and Denver issues were business strikes intended for circulation, while the San Francisco proofs were specially made for collectors with reflective surfaces and sharp details.

The mint mark, when present, appears below the date on the obverse – “D” for Denver or “S” for San Francisco, while Philadelphia coins carry no mint mark.

Understanding these three varieties forms the foundation for proper identification and valuation of any 1995 penny.

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

 

1995 No Mint Mark Penny Value

The 1995 No Mint Mark penny is a regular strike coin from the Philadelphia Mint, which did not use mint marks on cents that year.With a massive mintage of over 6.4 billion coins, it is extremely common.

In circulated condition, it is worth only its one-cent face value. Even in uncirculated grades, its value remains low.

However, if the coin is in extremely good condition, it may still sell for a higher price. A RD graded MS69 sold for $2,760 in April 2022.From the line chart, we can also see that the price of 69-grade RD is rising sharply compared with the lower grades.

Let’s talk about the two colors of RB and BN. In most cases, their collection value is not high, but the MS66 RB can still be auctioned for $1,840, which shows the impact of grade on the value of coins.

Its auction record chart demonstrates this consistent lack of high value.

The following table shows its market activity trends.

 

1995-D Penny Value

Most circulated examples of 1995-D penny from Denver hold only face value, but mint state red specimens are actively sought by collectors.Because regular strike specimens in high grades command significant premiums over face value.

The coin’s value increases dramatically at higher grades. The current highest recorded sale was $1,880 for an MS68+ Red specimen in 2013. Color designation significantly impacts value: red specimens command the highest prices, red-brown moderate values, and brown the lowest.

From the table below, we can also see that RB and BN are usually priced from a few dollars to more than ten dollars.

The following section illustrates this coin’s Auction Record Chart, showing how values have evolved across different grades and conditions.

Moving beyond auction performance, the Market Activity reveals the ongoing collector interest.

 

1995-S DCAM Penny Value

The 1995-S proof penny with Deep Cameo (DCAM) designation represents standard San Francisco Mint quality, featuring heavily frosted devices against mirror-black fields.

While common in the proof series, the coin achieved notable recognition when a PR70 DCAM specimen sold for $2,530 at Heritage Auctions in November 2002, establishing the auction record for this issue.

Due to improved minting techniques, the DCAM designation has become more common in modern proof coins. While the relatively large number of high-grade coins makes them more accessible to collectors, the highest-grade DCAM versions still retain a certain scarcity.

The following section illustrates this coin’s Auction Record.

You can also check the market activity of this coin to infer its value trend.

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

 

Rare 1995 Penny Error List

While most 1995 pennies circulate at face value, certain minting errors transform ordinary coins into valuable collectibles.

The most famous error on the 1995 penny was the doubled die obverse- displaying clear doubling visible to the naked eye on “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY”.

These manufacturing mistakes occurred during various stages of production, from die preparation to the actual striking process, creating unique varieties that collectors eagerly seek in everyday pocket change.

1. 1995 Doubled Die Obverse

The 1995 Doubled Die Obverse represents a significant variety created during the die-making process when hub impressions became misaligned during multiple hubbing procedures.

The 1995 Doubled Die is often considered among the last major doubled dies of its era, as the Philadelphia and Denver Mints adopted single hub techniques in the late 1990s, reducing the possibility of creating major doubled dies.

The variety shows strong doubling in “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” that is visible to the naked eye.

FS-101 is the official classification code for this double die obverse.The 1995 DDO FS-101 is featuring Class V pivoted hub doubling with minimal doubling on the date due to its proximity to the pivot point, creating distinctly different doubling patterns and visual characteristics.

The value of the two is not affected by this, and mainly depends on the grade and color condition of the coin.

To accurately identify and evaluate your 1995 doubled die penny or other error coins, download our CoinValueChecker APP for instant error detection and current market valuations.

2. 1995-D DDO

The 1995-D DDO represents a doubled die obverse variety struck at Denver Mint, created through misaligned hub impressions during the die-making process.

 The 1995-D DDO shows strong doubling on “IN GOD WE TRUST” with secondary doubling shifted eastward.

The cataloged variant 1995-D DDO FS-103 exhibits the most prominent doubling characteristics among Denver varieties for this year. This variety displays strong doubling on “IN GOD WE TRUST” (strongest on “TRUST”), the date, and notably the Denver mint mark itself.

The key difference between the general 1995-D DDO designation and 1995-D DDO FS-103 lies in the latter’s specific cataloged characteristics and the inclusion of mint mark doubling alongside the standard design element doubling.But again, there is no obvious value difference between the two.

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

 

Where To Sell Your 1995 Penny?

Now that you know your 1995 penny’s value potential – from $4,560 doubled die varieties to premium Denver specimens – do you know where to sell these coins online? I’ve compiled a list of platforms with their pros and cons.

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

 

1995 Penny Market Trend

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

 

FAQ About The 1995 Penny

1. How much is a 1995 penny worth?

Most 1995 pennies are worth only a cent. But if they’re in excellent condition, or they have an interesting Mint error, they can be worth far more.

2. How to Identify a 1995 Double Die Penny?

• Check out the ghosting effect on “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST”
• Double letter outlines visible to the naked eye
• Use a magnifying glass to examine the double lines along the edges of the letters