Lincoln Cent

Lincoln Cents, also known as pennies, are among the most commonly collected coins in the U.S. Some pennies, however, have rare errors or limited mintages that make them highly valuable. These error coins can be worth a lot of money and are often sought after by collectors. In this article, we’ll take a look at ten amazing rare Lincoln Cents that are worth much more than their face value.

What Are Rare Lincoln Cents?

Rare Lincoln Cents are pennies that were minted with errors or were produced in very limited numbers. Some of these coins were created by accident due to issues with the minting process, while others were simply part of a small production run. Either way, these coins have become extremely valuable over time.

Table of Rare Lincoln Cents and Their Estimated Values

Coin	Estimated Value
1992 Close AM	$25,000+
1922 No D	$30,000+
1914-D	$100,000+
1944 Steel Cent	$100,000+
1909-S VDB	$700+
1955 Doubled Die	$1,000+
1969-S Doubled Die	$35,000+
1983 Bronze Cent	$26,000+
1958 Doubled Die	$1,000,000+
1943 Bronze Cent	$1,000,000+

The Top 10 Rare Lincoln Cents

1. 1992 Close AM

In 1992, some pennies were struck with the “AM” in “AMERICA” almost touching, instead of being separated. These Close AM coins were meant for 1993 but were accidentally used in 1992. Both the Philadelphia and Denver Mints produced these coins, making them extremely rare. The value of a 1992 Close AM can exceed $25,000.

2. 1922 No D

In 1922, pennies were only minted in Denver, so they should all have a “D” mintmark. However, some pennies were struck without this mark due to die damage. These “No D” pennies are rare and can sell for more than $30,000.

3. 1914-D

With only 1.1 million pennies minted in 1914 at the Denver Mint, the 1914-D Lincoln Cent is one of the key dates for collectors. High-quality examples can fetch more than $100,000.

4. 1944 Steel Cent

In 1944, the U.S. Mint switched back to copper pennies after using steel in 1943 for the war effort. A few 1944 pennies were accidentally struck on steel planchets, making them incredibly valuable. These coins can be worth more than $100,000.

5. 1909-S VDB

The 1909-S VDB penny was the first Lincoln Cent ever produced. Only 484,000 of these pennies were minted with the initials “VDB” for the designer, Victor David Brenner, on the reverse. These coins are highly sought after and can be worth over $700.

6. 1955 Doubled Die

The 1955 Doubled Die penny features noticeable doubling on the date and lettering. This error occurred when the die was misaligned during minting. It’s a favorite among collectors and is worth more than $1,000.

7. 1969-S Doubled Die

The 1969-S Doubled Die penny is even rarer than the 1955 version, with fewer than 40 known examples. This coin can be worth over $35,000, but collectors need to be cautious, as many counterfeit versions exist.

8. 1983 Bronze Cent

In 1983, the U.S. Mint switched to zinc pennies coated with copper. However, a few pennies were mistakenly struck on bronze planchets from previous years. These rare bronze pennies are worth more than $26,000.

9. 1958 Doubled Die

The 1958 Doubled Die penny is one of the rarest Lincoln Cents, with only three known examples. This coin is extremely valuable, with one recently selling for over $1 million.

10. 1943 Bronze Cent

The 1943 Bronze Cent is the “Holy Grail” of Lincoln Cents. During World War II, pennies were made from steel, but a few were mistakenly struck in bronze. Only a few examples exist, and they can sell for more than $1 million.

Conclusion

Rare Lincoln Cents are a treasure for coin collectors. Whether created by accident or produced in small numbers, these pennies are worth much more than their face value. If you’re lucky enough to find one, you could have a coin worth thousands—or even millions—in your hands. So, keep an eye on your pennies, because you never know when you might come across a valuable error coin!

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