Lincoln Memorial penny value

The other dates to check are the 1972, 1983, 1984 and 1995 doubled dies, the close AM and wide AM backs of 1992 and 1999, and the 1982-D copper small date.

How to tell

1. Read the date. The dates with valuable varieties are 1960, 1960-D, 1969-S, 1970-S, 1972, 1982, 1982-D, 1983, 1984, 1992, 1992-D, 1995, 1998, 1999 and 2000. Any other date is almost certainly worth face value.
2. Find the mint mark. A D means Denver, an S means San Francisco, and no mint mark means Philadelphia. Mint marks were left off cents from 1965 to 1967, so a missing mark on those years is normal. West Point also made cents with no mint mark in 1982, 1983 and 1984.
3. Look at the front with a magnifying glass. Check the date, LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST and the area below Lincoln's ear for doubling.
4. Look at the back. Check the letters of AMERICA, and the words ONE CENT, E PLURIBUS UNUM and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
5. Weigh a 1982 cent. Both copper and zinc cents were made that year, and copper is heavier.

Doubled dies

A doubled die happens when the stamp that strikes the coin carries a doubled image. The doubling shows as a second, shifted copy of the lettering or the date.

• 1969-S doubled die (front): the date, LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST are strongly doubled. It is very rare and fakes exist. It is worth $25,000 or more. See the 1969 guide.
• 1972 doubled die (front): the same strong doubling on the date, LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST. It is worth $300 or more. See the 1972 guide.
• 1983 doubled die (back): ONE CENT, E PLURIBUS UNUM and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA are doubled. One in uncirculated condition is worth $400. See the 1983 guide.
• 1984 doubled ear: a second earlobe shows below Lincoln's ear. One in uncirculated condition is worth $250.
• 1995 doubled die (front): easiest to see on LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST. It is worth $30 or more. See the 1995 guide.

Close AM and wide AM

On these, the gap between the A and the M of AMERICA on the back is the thing to check.

• 1992 close AM: a 1993 back die was used, so the A and M almost touch. Normal 1992 cents have a wide gap. It is worth $5,000 or more. The 1992-D close AM is worth $500 in uncirculated condition. See the 1992 guide.
• 1998 and 1999 wide AM: a back meant for proof coins (polished coins made for collectors) was used on coins made for everyday use. The 1998 is worth $25 in uncirculated condition, and the 1999 is worth $400 or more. See the 1999 guide.
• 2000 wide AM: a wide gap between the A and M. One in uncirculated condition is worth $20.

Small dates and the 1982 cents

On a 1960 small date, the tops of the 6 and 0 are level with the 1 and 9. One in uncirculated condition is worth $3 to $7. On the 1960-D small date over large date, the date was punched twice, a small date over a large one; it is worth $200 to $500 uncirculated. On the 1970-S small date, the top of the 7 is level with the 9 and 0; it is worth $60 uncirculated.

Cents were copper through 1982 and copper-plated zinc from 1983. In 1982 both were made, each with a large and a small date, so weigh the coin. Denver small dates should be zinc, so a 1982-D small date on a copper blank is a very rare mistake, worth $10,000 or more. A normal 1982 cent is common. See the 1982 guide.

Condition

The uncirculated figures are for coins with no wear, so a worn, dark coin sells for less. Do not clean a coin. Cleaning scratches the surface and lowers its value. If you think you have a rare one, a professional grading service such as PCGS or NGC can authenticate and grade it. This matters most for the 1969-S, where fakes exist.