Top 100 Most Valuable Lincoln Pennies Worth Money List (1959 – Present)

Did you know that a penny from 1992 Close AM sold for $25,850? Or that a 1963 DCAM penny fetched over $40,250 at auction? Here’s an even more mind-blowing fact: the most valuable modern penny ever sold—a 1999 penny—went for an astonishing $138,000! These aren’t ancient coins from your great-grandfather’s collection; these are pennies minted during our lifetimes that could still be hiding in circulation today.

Welcome to your guide for the most valuable modern Lincoln pennies! This chart focuses exclusively on Lincoln Memorial pennies (1959-2008) and Shield pennies (2009-present)—the coins you might actually find in your pocket change. We update it monthly to reflect current market values.

What transforms an ordinary penny into a treasure? Three main factors: minting errors (like the famous doubled dies), transitional varieties (such as the 1982 Large Date copper vs. zinc variations), and exceptional condition (coins graded MS-68 or higher). Even a common-date penny in superb condition can command $500 or more!

Let’s start with our Top 10 elite coins — each one getting the spotlight it deserves—before revealing the complete rankings from 11-100! These modern marvels prove that you don’t need old coins to strike it rich.

Looking for rare pennies from other years?

• (1909-1958): Top 100 Most Valuable Wheat Pennies Worth Money
• (1859 – 1909): Top 100 Most Valuable Indian Head Pennies Worth Money
• Even Older?: The Rarest Pennies In the US From 1787
• Misprint Penny: Penny Errors List with Pictures

Important Note: All values come from REAL sales tracked across Heritage Auctions, Stack’s Bowers, GreatCollections, and other major platforms. Unlike guides that claim fantasy “values” in the millions, we only report verified transactions. Every price listed represents the highest confirmed sale ever recorded for that variety. A coin is worth what someone actually paid for it—not what someone hopes it’s worth.

 

Most Valuable Penny Worth Money

1. The Ultimate Impossibility: 1999 Lincoln Cent/Roosevelt Dime Mule

Record Price: $138,000 (PCGS MS66 Red, Heritage Auctions 2006)

Forget everything you thought you knew about valuable pennies—this is the coin that rewrites the rulebook! Standing as the most expensive modern Lincoln cent ever sold, this 1999 mule represents something that should have been impossible: a Lincoln penny struck with a Roosevelt dime reverse. When two completely different coin dies somehow get paired together at the U.S. Mint, the result is numismatic legend.

Here’s the mind-blowing backstory: Someone at the Philadelphia Mint managed to pair a Lincoln cent obverse die with a Roosevelt dime reverse die—two dies that should never have been in the same zip code, let alone the same press! This isn’t just a design error or spacing mistake; this is a fundamental breakdown of mint security protocols that created one of the most spectacular minting errors in American history.

The discovery story reads like a treasure hunter’s dream: A lucky individual in Erie, Pennsylvania was going through a roll of 1999 cents from their local bank when they spotted something extraordinary. Instead of the familiar Lincoln Memorial, they found Roosevelt’s torch, olive branch, and oak branch staring back at them! The coin eventually made its way to Dempsey & Baxter jewelry store before landing in the hands of a serious error collector.

The numbers tell the tale of ultimate rarity: By November 2003, only seven double-denomination mules had ever been certified across all U.S. coinage! That’s not seven 1999 examples—that’s seven mules of any combination in the entire history of American coinage. We’re talking about an error type rarer than the 1943 copper penny, rarer than the 1944 steel cent, rarer than virtually any other modern error you can name.

The technical aspects add to the fascination: The slightly smaller dime reverse die created bold striking on that side while causing minor peripheral weakness on the Lincoln obverse. It’s a perfect example of what happens when incompatible dies meet—the physics of the minting process literally tells the story of this impossible pairing.

What makes this even more incredible? This type of error occurred only recently in the entire 200+ year history of U.S. coinage. Modern security measures and computerized die tracking systems were supposed to make mules extinct, yet somehow this mechanical marvel slipped through every safeguard.

The coin world took notice immediately: Coin World and Numismatic News featured extensive coverage of this discovery, cementing its place in numismatic folklore. Even Jay W. Johnson, the Mint Director when this piece was struck, signed promotional materials acknowledging this extraordinary error.

Worth searching for? While finding another mule is virtually impossible, this record proves that even in our modern, computerized age, the U.S. Mint can still produce miracles. Every penny you examine could theoretically be hiding the impossible—just remember to check both sides!

Check 1999 Penny History, Variety Price Chart & Errors List

 

2. The San Francisco Sensation: 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse Penny

Record Price: $126,500 (PCGS MS-64 Red, Heritage Auctions 2008)

Claiming the silver medal in our modern penny hall of fame, this San Francisco marvel remains the most legendary doubled die error in Lincoln Memorial history. With fewer than 100 examples known to exist (some experts say as few as 40!), the 1969-S DDO isn’t just rare—it’s the undisputed king of doubled die pennies and the second most valuable modern Lincoln cent ever sold.

Here’s the jaw-dropper: Collector Michael Tremonti found this exact record-breaking coin in an unsearched roll in 2007. The discovery was so monumental that PCGS transported it in a Brinks armored truck for certification! The doubling on “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and the date is so dramatic you can see open space between the characters—no magnification needed.

The wild backstory? Counterfeiters went crazy over this coin, flooding the market with thousands of fakes. When the Secret Service swooped in to destroy the counterfeits, they accidentally destroyed authentic examples too, making genuine specimens even rarer than nature intended.

Even a worn example fetches $10,000+, while mint state specimens soar past $35,000. One unemployed woman found one in pocket change in 1995 and sold it for $3,500—enough to pay several months of bills!

Worth checking every 1969-S penny? You bet your last dollar!

Check 1969 Penny History, Variety Price Chart & Errors List

 

3. The Proof Perfection: 1963 Proof Deep Cameo Penny

Record Price: $40,250 (PCGS PR70 DCAM, Heritage Auctions 2004)

Talk about a glow-up! This isn’t your everyday 1963 penny—it’s the Beyoncé of proof coins, achieving absolute perfection with a flawless PR70 Deep Cameo grade. Out of 3 million proof pennies struck that year, this specimen stands alone as numismatic royalty.

Here’s what makes it special: The Deep Cameo (DCAM) designation means Lincoln’s portrait practically jumps off the coin with its frosty white appearance against a mirror-black background. Picture fresh snow on obsidian glass—that’s the contrast we’re talking about! In the 1960s, achieving this stark contrast was incredibly difficult due to production methods, making true Deep Cameos exceptionally rare.

The kicker? One grade down at PR69 DCAM, and you’re looking at just about $270—that’s a $39,980 difference for one tiny point! It’s like the difference between a perfect diamond and an almost-perfect one. Only early strikes from fresh dies could achieve this mesmerizing contrast, and maintaining perfect surfaces through decades requires miracle-level preservation.

Even regular 1963 proof pennies in lower grades sell for $6-$140, but that perfect PR70 DCAM? That’s mortgage-payment money right there. The hunt for perfection has never been more profitable!

Check Penny History, Variety Price Chart & Errors List

 

4. The Overlooked Rarity: 1970-S Doubled Die Obverse Large Date Penny

Record Price: $38,400 (PCGS MS66+ Red, Heritage Auctions 2024)

For decades, this San Francisco mint error has been the best-kept secret in Lincoln penny collecting. Despite being rarer than the famous 1969-S DDO—with only about 50 examples known to exist—the 1970-S has consistently traded in its shadow. That’s finally changing, as this recent record sale proves collectors are recognizing what the numbers have always shown: extreme rarity wins.

The doubling on this variety is unmistakable. The 1970-S Doubled Die has the words In God We Trust and Liberty dramatically doubled. The date is also doubled but not as prominent. All the doubling can easily be seen with the naked eye. It’s the kind of error that makes you do a double-take—literally!

Here’s the critical detail: Make sure you’re looking at the FS-101 variety (formerly FS-029). The other 1970-S Large Date Double Die Obverse is FS-103 (formerly FS-030.1) which shows only minor doubling on the 0 of the date and which is worth a tiny fraction of the FS-101. Don’t get fooled by the imposter!

The survival pattern tells an interesting story: Most of the surviving examples are in mint state grades with atleast half of all surviving examples displaying complete full red surfaces. This suggests alert collectors recognized and saved these coins early. Brown examples? There are probably less than 10 examples in existence in circulated and uncirculated grades which display mostly brown surfaces.

Price evolution shows growing recognition: An MS66 Red brought $24,150 in 2001, but by 2022 had settled to $18,000. This new $38,400 record for an MS66+ demonstrates that the plus grade—and perhaps renewed collector interest—can dramatically boost values.

Worth searching for? Absolutely—this is pure numismatic gold hiding in plain sight!

Check 1970 Penny History, Variety Price Chart & Errors List

 

5. The Modern Marvel: 1992 Close AM Penny

Record Price: $25,850 (PCGS MS67 Red, Heritage Auctions 2017)

Talk about a design change gone rogue! The 1992 Close AM penny is proof that even in the computer age, the U.S. Mint can still produce accidental treasures. This isn’t your grandfather’s error coin—it’s a modern mistake that wasn’t even discovered until the 2000s, over a decade after it entered circulation!

Here’s the fascinating backstory: Officials at the United States Mint decided to move the letters “A” and “M” closer together during a period when U.S. coins were undergoing minor design modifications. A new reverse design with the Close AM feature was to be implemented on Lincoln Memorial pennies beginning in 1993 — but somehow the 1993 reverse dies wound up being used in 1992 on both Philadelphia and Denver pennies.

The identification is refreshingly simple: Flip your 1992 penny and look at “AMERICA.” On normal 1992 pennies, there’s a clear gap between the A and M (Wide AM). But on the valuable variety, the letters are so close that they nearly touch at the base. That’s it! No magnifying glass needed—your eyes can spot this one.

The rarity is staggering: PCGS has graded fewer than 20 examples of the 1992 Close AM across all grades and color designations. The Denver version is slightly more common with 75 specimens graded, but still commands huge premiums—a 1992-D Close AM in MS64 fetched $20,700 in 2012.

Even lower-grade examples are goldmines: An MS61 specimen sold for $1,703.75 in 2017, while circulated 1992-D Close AM pennies pull in hundreds of dollars. The best part? Since this error wasn’t identified until well into the 2000s, countless examples likely went unnoticed for years—and could still be sitting in jars, drawers, and piggy banks across America!

Worth checking every 1992 penny? You bet—this is the needle in the haystack that could pay for a new car!

Check 1992 Penny History, Variety Price Chart & Errors List

 

6. The Missing Mintmark Marvel: 1990 No S Proof Penny

Record Price: $9,988 (PCGS PR60 DCAM, Stack’s Bowers 2013)

Here’s proof that even the lowest-grade rarities can command top dollar! This 1990 No S penny represents one of the most significant proof errors in modern U.S. coinage—the complete absence of the San Francisco mintmark on a proof coin. At PR60, this example barely squeaks into collectible proof territory, yet still fetched nearly $10,000!

The error’s origin is a comedy of mistakes: A Mint worker took a die intended to be processed as a business strike working die and processed it as a proof die, shipping it to the San Francisco Mint with other properly processed dies where it was overlooked until caught several hundred coins into its run. By the mid-1980s, the Mint had supposedly eliminated this possibility by punching mintmarks into master dies—but someone didn’t get the memo!

The numbers are brutally scarce: Less than 200 examples exist. It is the only proof coin from 1909 to 2009 or in the entire Lincoln cent series, which is missing the extremely significant mint mark. After 20+ years of searching, that estimate of “fewer than 200” has remained stable—no new hoards have surfaced.

One lucky Florida collector discovered his treasure the old-fashioned way: He had purchased mixed proof sets 25 years earlier, storing them away. When he finally opened a box marked “1996 proof sets,” he found mixed dates—including a 1990 that revealed the missing S! His reaction? “My heart stopped. I could not believe this could be still found”.

Values span dramatically: While this PR60 example brought $9,988, the record remains $20,700 for a PR69 DCAM specimen. Even damaged examples command $3,200+, proving that with fewer than 200 known, condition takes a backseat to rarity.

Worth checking old proof sets? Absolutely! Most have been searched, but as our Florida friend proved, surprises still lurk in forgotten collections!

Check 1990 Penny History, Variety Price Chart & Errors List

 

7. The Inaugural Beauty: 1959 Proof Deep Cameo Penny

Record Price: $20,700 (PCGS PR69 DCAM, Heritage Auctions 2004)

This isn’t just any penny—it’s the FIRST Lincoln Memorial penny ever made, and in stunning Deep Cameo perfection! The 1959 proof marks a historic transition in American coinage, retiring the beloved wheat stalks after 50 years to debut Frank Gasparro’s iconic Memorial design. When you combine historical significance with breathtaking visual appeal, you get a five-figure treasure.

Here’s what makes it extraordinary: In Deep Cameo condition, the 1959 Proof Lincoln cents are considered scarce. Possibly, no more than 175-225 examples displaying full Deep Cameo surfaces exist in all grades combined. That’s rarer than a hole-in-one at Augusta! The Deep Cameo designation requires Lincoln’s portrait to appear heavily frosted against mirror-black fields—imagine fresh whipped cream on a black granite countertop.

The grade ceiling adds to the mystique: PCGS has not graded any examples higher than PR69. This means the $20,700 specimen represents absolute perfection achievable for this issue. One point lower at PR68 DCAM, and you’re looking at around $372—that’s a $20,000+ premium for one tiny grade point!

Why the astronomical value? Collectors go crazy for “firsts,” and this combines three magical elements: first year of issue, stunning visual contrast, and near-impossible grade. The Philadelphia Mint only produced 1,149,291 proof pennies in 1959—the lowest proof mintage of the entire Memorial series alongside 1960. Most early strikes lacked the contrast needed for Deep Cameo designation, making these visual masterpieces exceptionally rare.

Worth hunting for? While you won’t find proofs in circulation, checking estate sales and old proof sets could uncover this inaugural treasure!

Check 1959 Penny History, Variety Price Chart & Errors List

 

8. The Condition Rarity Champion: 1960-D Large Date Lincoln Penny

Record Price: $20,000 (NGC MS67 Red, eBay 2018)

Here’s proof that condition rarity can create extraordinary value even from the most common dates! This 1960-D Large Date Lincoln penny shattered all expectations when it commanded $20,000 at auction—a staggering 42 times more than typical MS67 examples of this variety, proving that exceptional eye appeal and perfect preservation can transform an ordinary cent into a treasure.

The backstory reveals the challenge: With over 1.58 billion 1960-D cents struck during the national coin shortage crisis, quality control took a backseat to quantity. For the Denver Mint the Large Date Lincoln cents are difficult to locate in grades of MS66 and higher. In MS67 it is very scarce with about 15 known and none being finer. Out of more than a billion coins, finding just 15 in MS67 condition makes this variety rarer than many famous key dates!

The identification is deceptively simple: For the Large Date, the 9 digit in the date is higher than that of the Small Date. On the Large Date the top of the 9 digit is significantly higher than the 1 digit in the date. Also, the 6 digit has a larger 6 compared to the Small Date. What appears to be a minor detail becomes the gateway to a five-figure payday.

The market tells the whole story: While regular MS67 examples typically trade for $280-$475, this particular specimen’s exceptional qualities—likely including pristine surfaces, perfect strike, and incredible eye appeal—pushed it into rarified air. The $20,000 price represents what happens when condition perfection meets extreme scarcity.

Why such a premium? This wasn’t just any MS67—it must have been a true “registry quality” coin with everything collectors dream of: blazing red surfaces, knife-sharp details, and zero distracting marks. In the world of condition rarities, being the finest known example can multiply values exponentially.

The larger lesson is fascinating: While most collectors hunt for famous dates and errors, this 1960-D proves that sometimes the most overlooked issues can yield the greatest rewards. When fewer than 15 coins exist in top condition from a billion-coin mintage, you’re dealing with rarity that rivals the greatest numismatic treasures.

Worth searching for? Absolutely! While finding another $20,000 example is lottery-odds unlikely, this record proves that 1960-D Large Date cents deserve serious attention from condition-conscious collectors.

Check 1960 Penny History, Variety Price Chart & Errors List

 

9. The Mystery Mint Marvel: 1964 Special Mint Set (SMS) Penny

Record Price: $19,200 (PCGS SP67 Red, Heritage Auctions 2025)

The 1964 SMS penny isn’t just rare—it’s wrapped in mystery worthy of a spy novel. These enigmatic coins weren’t supposed to exist, yet here they are, commanding five-figure prices and sparking debates among collectors for decades.

The backstory reads like a thriller: Speculation has always centered around Mint Director Eva Adams (or another Mint employee) as the source for the handful known. After Adams’ death in 1991, New York dealer Lester Merkin reportedly bought these sets from her estate, and they hit the market through Stack’s beginning in 1993. Talk about coins with a pedigree!

What makes them special? The special finish of 1964 SMS coins is characterized by a nice, smooth, satin-like appearance—neither business strike nor proof, but something uniquely in between. This distinctive surface treatment creates a visual effect that experienced collectors can spot from across the room.

The numbers are staggering: Most estimates place the total mintage at just 15-50 sets for ALL denominations combined! The certified populations at both services are: Lincoln cents 33 [including Red, Red and Brown]. When you’re talking about coins where the entire known population fits in a small box, every example becomes precious.

The market has gone wild for these mysteries: A complete five-piece SMS set sold for $151,200 in 2019, with individual pennies in lower grades fetching $9,000-$15,600. The SP67 Red grade of this $19,200 example represents near-perfection for the issue—combining the mystique of unknown origins with stunning visual appeal.

Worth hunting for? Unless you stumble upon Eva Adams’ secret stash, your only chance is the auction block—where deep pockets are mandatory!

Check 1964 Penny History, Variety Price Chart & Errors List

 

10. The Registry King: 1971-S Proof Deep Cameo Lincoln Penny

Record Sale: Heritage Auctions 2004 (PCGS PR69 Deep Cameo)

From the legendary John Troy #1 PCGS Registry Set comes this stunning proof penny that represents the absolute pinnacle of 1971-S cent perfection. Only about 25% of all 1971-S proof cents submitted to PCGS have earned the Deep Cameo designation. That grading service has only certified 10 examples at this lofty grade, from a total proof population of about 2,000 coins—making this among the finest examples ever struck.

The technical specifications tell the rarity story: At the time of sale, this specimen held a population of just 4 in PR69 Deep Cameo with 0 finer—meaning it was tied for the absolute finest 1971-S proof penny known to exist. Heritage described it as “A heavily frosted, pinkish-gold specimen that would be difficult to exceed in the eye appeal category and currently impossible to exceed in technical grade.”

The 1971-S represents a fascinating period in American coinage: Cents were struck in proof and circulation-strike format at San Francisco from 1968 through 1974, and then only in proof format beginning in 1975. This transitional era produced some of the most challenging proof cents to find in pristine Deep Cameo condition.

What makes Deep Cameo so special? The designation requires Lincoln’s portrait to appear heavily frosted against mirror-black fields—creating a striking visual contrast that’s immediately apparent. This Superb Gem exhibits brilliant light orange-red mint color with deep mirrors that frame and emphasize the boldly detailed and thickly frosted devices.

The registry pedigree adds incredible provenance: Coming from the John Troy #1 PCGS Registry Set Collection means this coin was specifically chosen as the finest available example for competitive registry collecting—where collectors compete to assemble the highest-graded sets possible.

The numbers show just how tough these are: With only 10 examples certified at this grade from approximately 2,000 total 1971-S proof cents submitted to PCGS, you’re looking at a 0.5% survival rate at the top grade. That’s rarer than finding a needle in multiple haystacks!

Worth hunting for in proof sets? While most have been searched, the extreme rarity of Deep Cameo examples means overlooked treasures could still exist in original government packaging.

Check 1971 Penny History, Variety Price Chart & Errors List

 

Positions 11-100 feature an impressive array of valuable pennies—from doubled dies to wrong planchets, from ultra-high grades to fascinating mint errors—proving that treasures can still be found in circulation…

 

 

Click on any specific year in the chart below to view exact pricing details for your modern Lincoln penny (update monthly).

 

Summary

From the $138,000 1999 to pristine proof perfections, this monthly-updated list reveals how modern Lincoln pennies from 1959 onward have transformed from pocket change into five and six-figure treasures through rare errors, exceptional condition, and mysterious varieties—with many potentially still hiding in circulation or forgotten collections waiting to be discovered.