Collectors Seek Rare 1964 Lincoln Pennies, Some Worth Thousands!

Rare 1964 Lincoln Pennies: The value of a 1964 Lincoln penny depends on its condition. In some cases, it can be worth several dollars or even four figures. This guide breaks down the value of these pennies, their history, and notable errors that make them special for collectors.

1964 Lincoln Penny Value

Rare 1964 Lincoln Pennies: The value of a 1964 penny depends on its “Mint State” rating, which means how well-preserved it is. Coins are graded on a scale from 1 to 70, with 70 being perfect. Below is the value for different grades of the 1964 Lincoln penny as of November 2023:

Grade	Price
MS-63 RD	$6
MS-64 RD	$10
MS-65 RD	$20
MS-66 RD	$27
MS-67 RD	$1,100

The higher the grade, the more valuable the penny becomes, with the MS-67 RD grade being the most valuable at $1,100.

1964-D Lincoln Penny Value

Pennies minted in Denver have a “D” mint mark. Here’s the value breakdown for 1964-D Lincoln pennies:

Grade	Price
MS-63 RD	$6
MS-64 RD	$8
MS-65 RD	$20
MS-66 RD	$26
MS-67 RD	$650

Although Denver produced more coins, the highest quality Denver penny can still be worth up to $650.

1964 Proof Lincoln Penny Value

Proof coins are special pennies made for collectors. Here are the values of different grades for proof pennies:

Grade	Price
PR-64 RD	$8
PR-65 RD	$10
PR-66 RD	$10
PR-67 RD	$20
PR-68 RD	$26
PR-69 RD	$45
PR-70 RD	$2,350

A perfect PR-70 RD penny can be worth a massive $2,350.

History of the 1964 Lincoln Penny

In 1964, nearly 6.5 billion pennies were minted between Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. Only pennies made in Denver had a mint mark (“D”). Pennies from Philadelphia and San Francisco were indistinguishable because they lacked mint marks.

Color Grades: RD, RB, and BN

Lincoln pennies can also be graded based on their color:

• RD (Red): Almost all of the original color is intact.
• RB (Red-Brown): Some original color is present.
• BN (Brown): Most of the color has faded to brown.

Collectors usually value RD pennies the highest since they retain the original shine.

Notable Auction Records

The highest auction record for a 1964 Lincoln penny is $7,931 for a perfect MS-67 RD coin. Similarly, a 1964-D penny was sold for $4,025, and a perfect 1964 proof penny sold for $2,585.

1964 SMS Lincoln Penny

The Special Mint Set (SMS) 1964 penny is extremely rare. It was part of an experiment and not released to the public. Some have sold for as much as $27,500.

1964 Lincoln Cent Errors and Varieties

Coins can have varieties (a mistake in the die) or errors (a defect during the minting process). For 1964 Lincoln pennies, a notable variety is the Doubled Die Reverse (DDR), where the words “United States of America” appear doubled.

Grade	Price
MS-61 RD	$28
MS-62 RD	$32
MS-63 RD	$44
MS-64 RD	$60
MS-65 RD	$110
MS-66 RD	$250

Common errors include off-center strikes and wrong planchet errors. These can add significant value to a coin depending on how dramatic the error is.

Conclusion

A 1964 Lincoln penny’s value can vary greatly based on its grade, mint mark, and condition. Collectors pay high prices for well-preserved, high-grade coins, and those with errors or special varieties. Whether you’re holding onto a 1964 penny for its copper content or its collectible value, it’s worth checking its condition and any possible unique features that could make it more valuable.

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