History of the Lincoln Penny and its actual worth
Lincoln Penny, picked up in 1909, is one of the most famous and permanent coins in the United States. Lincoln Penny, built using the famous fashion designer Victor David Branes, became the first American coin to characterize a historical leader -president Abraham Lincoln.
The coin’s layout has been modified over time, as has its steel composition, and some coins have emerged as so scarce that their fee in recent times stages from hundreds to tens of tens of millions of dollars.
History of the Lincoln Penny
The Lincoln Penny was minted to celebrate the centenary (100th birthday) of Abraham Lincoln. This coin replaced the Indian Head Cent. The original layout had Lincoln’s portrait on the obverse side of the coin and stalks of wheat on the reverse facet, known as the Wheat Penny.
Over time, the design has been modified as below:
- 1909–1958: Wheat reverse
- 1959–2008: Lincoln Memorial design
- 2009: Four phases of a special series of designs honoring the life of Lincoln
- 2010 onwards: Union Shield design
These special editions were minted in the Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco, and West Point Mints in the US.
What are the most valuable Lincoln pennies?
Some of the Lincoln pennies are so rare that they are worth thousands or even millions of dollars. Here are some of the most valuable pennies:
1. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent
- This is the very first extremely rare coin to be struck at the San Francisco Mint.
- Only 484,000 coins were produced.
- Coins in good condition will cost $2,500 to $100,000+.
2. 1914-D Lincoln Cent

- This coin was produced in limited quantities at the Denver Mint.
- Coins in very good condition can be worth more than $20,000.
3. 1922 “No D” Lincoln Cent
- Because of a technical mistake at the Denver Mint, some coins did not receive the “D” mintmark on them.
- These coins can sell for $500 to $15,000+.
4. 1955 Doubled Die Obverse
- Double printing of letters and date on this coin.
- Circulated coins are sold for over $1,000, and those in perfect condition sell for $25,000+.
5. 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent

- Due to WWII, cash had been struck the usage of metal as opposed to copper to preserve copper, but bronze planchets were inadvertently struck.
- Such a coin offered for $840,000 in 2021.
How to tell if your Lincoln penny is valuable?
If you have a vintage Lincoln penny, check for the following:
- Year and mintmark: Like “S” (San Francisco), “D” (Denver), or no mintmark (Philadelphia).
- Metal identification: A 1943 steel penny is attracted to a magnet, but a bronze one is not.
- Errors: Inspect the date and letters carefully for doubled dies or minting errors.
- Condition: Clean and unscratched coins are more valuable.
- Certification: If your coin is graded by an accredited company such as PCGS or NGC, its market value goes up even further.
Why do collectors love Lincoln pennies?
Why is the Lincoln penny a collector’s delight? Because:
- This coin has been made for 100+ years, so it’s rich in history and diversity.
- There are plenty and cheap enough for new collectors and rare treasures for seasoned experts.
- Each variant of the Lincoln Penny is a tale of history.
- Constructing a set in its entirety is an adventurous challenge.
- There’s a live market — it is simple to purchase and sell.
The Lincoln Penny isn’t always absolutely any coin — it’s far an icon of American paintings, records, and way of life. If you have a few antique coins lying round, whether or not they have been in a kid’s piggy bank or inherited, take a more in-depth inspection. You might have a hidden treasure you can not even fathom being treasured!
Feel like you’d like to discover what the coin you possess could be worth?
FAQs
1. What is the Lincoln Penny and when was it introduced?
The Lincoln Penny was introduced in 1909 to honor Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday, becoming the first U.S. coin to feature a historical figure.
2. Who designed the original Lincoln Penny?
The Lincoln Penny was designed by Victor David Brenner and originally featured Lincoln’s portrait and two wheat stalks on the reverse.
3. How has the design of the Lincoln Penny changed over time?
From 1909–1958 it had a wheat reverse, 1959–2008 the Lincoln Memorial, 2009 featured four commemorative designs, and from 2010 onward it shows the Union Shield.