Data Notice: Information current as of October 19, 2024.

* eBay sale prices are provided for reference only and may not reflect actual market values.

For detailed information about specific coins, click on the coin name above or use our free auction records lookup tool.

Quarter Name Grade Highest Price Auction House Auction Date
1969-S Penny Doubled Die Obverse, RD (Regular Strike) MS64 $126,500 Heritage Auctions 01/01/2008
1969-S Penny Doubled Die Obverse, RB (Regular Strike) MS64 $85,100 Bowers & Merena 08/04/2007
1969-S Penny Doubled Die Obverse, BN (Regular Strike) MS55 $54,625 Heritage Auctions 10/22/2009
1969-S Penny DDO FS-101, RD (Regular Strike) MS64 $51,600 Heritage Auctions 11/14/2021
1969-S Penny DDO FS-101, BN (Regular Strike) MS63 $48,000 Heritage Auctions 01/14/2019
1963 Penny, DCAM (Proof) PR70 $40,250 Heritage Auctions 01/07/2004
1969-S Penny DDO FS-101, RB (Regular Strike) MS62 $26,400 Heritage Auctions 01/12/2020
1970-S Penny Lg Date, Doubled Die Obv., RD (Regular Strike) MS66 $24,150 Bowers & Merena 01/03/2001
1960-D Penny Large Date, RD (Regular Strike) MS67 $20,000 eBay 02/24/2018
1970-S Penny Small Date, DCAM (Proof) PR69 $18,400 Heritage Auctions 01/12/2005
1970-S Penny Doubled Die Obverse Large Date, FS-101, RD (Regular Strike) MS66 $18,000 Stack’s Bowers 11/09/2022
1971-S Penny, DCAM (Proof) PR69 $17,250 Heritage Auctions 01/07/2004
1964 Penny SMS, RD (Special Strike) MS67 $15,600 Heritage Auctions 01/14/2019
1974 Penny, BN (Regular Strike) MS60 $15,390 eBay 09/14/2019
1971 Penny DDO FS-101, RD (Regular Strike) MS66 $14,950 Stack’s Bowers 11/15/2011
1972 Penny Doubled Die Obverse, RD (Regular Strike) MS67 $14,400 Heritage Auctions 06/09/2019
1968-S Penny, RD (Proof) PR67 $14,375 Heritage Auctions 01/31/2004
1972 Penny DDO FS-101, RD (Regular Strike) MS67 $12,925 Heritage Auctions 10/08/2014
1973-S Penny, DCAM (Proof) PR70 $12,075 Heritage Auctions 01/07/2004
1962-D Penny, RD (Regular Strike) MS67 $12,000 David Lawrence RC 05/05/2013
1971 Penny Doubled Die Obverse, RD (Regular Strike) MS65 $10,925 Bowers & Merena 08/04/2007
1979-S Penny Type 1, DCAM (Proof) PR70 $10,925 Heritage Auctions 03/20/2003
1971-S Penny DDO FS-101, CAM (Proof) PR68 $9,775 Heritage Auctions 09/01/2003
1970-S Penny Lg Date, Doubled Die Obv. Large Date, RB (Regular Strike) MS65 $9,500 David Lawrence RC 07/29/2018
1964 Penny SMS, RB (Special Strike) MS65 $9,000 Heritage Auctions 04/28/2019
1975 Penny, RD (Regular Strike) MS68 $9,000 Heritage Auctions 04/29/2018
1962 Penny, RD (Regular Strike) MS67+ $8,812 Heritage Auctions 02/27/2014
1970-S Penny LD DDO FS-101 (FS-029), RB (Regular Strike) MS65 $8,225 Legend Rare Coin Auctions 07/28/2022
1964 Penny, RD (Regular Strike) MS67 $7,931 Heritage Auctions 01/06/2016
1976 Penny, RD (Regular Strike) MS68 $7,931 Heritage Auctions 01/08/2014
1965 Penny, RD (Regular Strike) MS67 $7,637 Heritage Auctions 01/08/2014
1963-D Penny, RD (Regular Strike) MS67 $7,499 eBay 04/22/2023
1960 Penny Large/Small Date, RD (Proof) PR69 $7,475 Heritage Auctions 07/26/2003
1969-D Penny, RD (Regular Strike) MS67 $7,475 Heritage Auctions 08/11/2010
1977-D Penny, RD (Regular Strike) MS68 $7,050 Heritage Auctions 02/04/2016
1977-S Penny, DCAM (Proof) PR70 $7,050 Heritage Auctions 07/11/2013
1963 Penny, RD (Regular Strike) MS67 $6,613 Stack’s Bowers 03/22/2012
1961 Penny, DCAM (Proof) PR69 $6,600 Stack’s Bowers 06/16/2023
1966 Penny, RD (Regular Strike) MS67 $6,463 Heritage Auctions 09/06/2012
1964 Penny, BN (Regular Strike) MS64 $5,750 Heritage Auctions 05/05/2004
1969 Penny, RD (Regular Strike) MS67 $5,750 Bowers & Merena 06/17/2010
1961 Penny, RD (Regular Strike) MS67 $5,720 Great Collections 05/19/2013
1967 Penny SMS, CAM (Special Strike) MS68 $5,581 Heritage Auctions 06/04/2014
1979 Penny, RD (Regular Strike) MS68 $5,463 Heritage Auctions 05/30/2012
1960 Penny Small Date, DCAM (Proof) PR68 $5,188 Heritage Auctions 03/17/2011
1968-S Penny, RD (Regular Strike) MS66+ $5,000 eBay 10/09/2021
1973-D Penny, RD (Regular Strike) MS67 $4,994 Heritage Auctions 02/27/2014
1967 Penny, RD (Regular Strike) MS67 $4,945 Bowers & Merena 11/01/2008
1960 Penny Small/Large Date, RD (Proof) PR68 $4,800 Heritage Auctions 06/01/2006
1971-S Penny DDO FS-102 (033), CAM (Proof) PR68 $4,700 Legend Rare Coin Auctions 07/26/2018
Grade: MS64
Highest Price: $126,500
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 01/01/2008
Grade: MS64
Highest Price: $85,100
Auction House: Bowers & Merena
Auction Date: 08/04/2007
Grade: MS55
Highest Price: $54,625
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 10/22/2009
Grade: MS64
Highest Price: $51,600
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 11/14/2021
Grade: MS63
Highest Price: $48,000
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 01/14/2019
Grade: PR70
Highest Price: $40,250
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 01/07/2004
Grade: MS62
Highest Price: $26,400
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 01/12/2020
Grade: MS66
Highest Price: $24,150
Auction House: Bowers & Merena
Auction Date: 01/03/2001
Grade: MS67
Highest Price: $20,000
Auction House: eBay
Auction Date: 02/24/2018
Grade: PR69
Highest Price: $18,400
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 01/12/2005
Grade: MS66
Highest Price: $18,000
Auction House: Stack’s Bowers
Auction Date: 11/09/2022
Grade: PR69
Highest Price: $17,250
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 01/07/2004
Grade: MS67
Highest Price: $15,600
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 01/14/2019
Grade: MS60
Highest Price: $15,390
Auction House: eBay
Auction Date: 09/14/2019
Grade: MS66
Highest Price: $14,950
Auction House: Stack’s Bowers
Auction Date: 11/15/2011
Grade: MS67
Highest Price: $14,400
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 06/09/2019
Grade: PR67
Highest Price: $14,375
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 01/31/2004
Grade: MS67
Highest Price: $12,925
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 10/08/2014
Grade: PR70
Highest Price: $12,075
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 01/07/2004
Grade: MS67
Highest Price: $12,000
Auction House: David Lawrence RC
Auction Date: 05/05/2013
Grade: MS65
Highest Price: $10,925
Auction House: Bowers & Merena
Auction Date: 08/04/2007
Grade: PR70
Highest Price: $10,925
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 03/20/2003
Grade: PR68
Highest Price: $9,775
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 09/01/2003
Grade: MS65
Highest Price: $9,500
Auction House: David Lawrence RC
Auction Date: 07/29/2018
Grade: MS65
Highest Price: $9,000
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 04/28/2019
Grade: MS68
Highest Price: $9,000
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 04/29/2018
Grade: MS67+
Highest Price: $8,812
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 02/27/2014
Grade: MS65
Highest Price: $8,225
Auction House: Legend Rare Coin Auctions
Auction Date: 07/28/2022
Grade: MS67
Highest Price: $7,931
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 01/06/2016
Grade: MS68
Highest Price: $7,931
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 01/08/2014
Grade: MS67
Highest Price: $7,637
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 01/08/2014
Grade: MS67
Highest Price: $7,499
Auction House: eBay
Auction Date: 04/22/2023
Grade: PR69
Highest Price: $7,475
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 07/26/2003
Grade: MS67
Highest Price: $7,475
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 08/11/2010
Grade: MS68
Highest Price: $7,050
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 02/04/2016
Grade: PR70
Highest Price: $7,050
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 07/11/2013
Grade: MS67
Highest Price: $6,613
Auction House: Stack’s Bowers
Auction Date: 03/22/2012
Grade: PR69
Highest Price: $6,600
Auction House: Stack’s Bowers
Auction Date: 06/16/2023
Grade: MS67
Highest Price: $6,463
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 09/06/2012
Grade: MS64
Highest Price: $5,750
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 05/05/2004
Grade: MS67
Highest Price: $5,750
Auction House: Bowers & Merena
Auction Date: 06/17/2010
Grade: MS67
Highest Price: $5,720
Auction House: Great Collections
Auction Date: 05/19/2013
Grade: MS68
Highest Price: $5,581
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 06/04/2014
Grade: MS68
Highest Price: $5,463
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 05/30/2012
Grade: PR68
Highest Price: $5,188
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 03/17/2011
Grade: MS66+
Highest Price: $5,000
Auction House: eBay
Auction Date: 10/09/2021
Grade: MS67
Highest Price: $4,994
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 02/27/2014
Grade: MS67
Highest Price: $4,945
Auction House: Bowers & Merena
Auction Date: 11/01/2008
Grade: PR68
Highest Price: $4,800
Auction House: Heritage Auctions
Auction Date: 06/01/2006
Grade: PR68
Highest Price: $4,700
Auction House: Legend Rare Coin Auctions
Auction Date: 07/26/2018

Key Takeaways

The most valuable pennies from the 1960s and 1970s represent a fascinating intersection of rarity, minting errors, and preservation quality. Their value is primarily determined by:

  • Doubled Die Varieties: Manufacturing errors where design elements appear doubled, with the 1969-S DDO being the most valuable, potentially worth over $100,000
  • Condition Grades: Mint State (MS) coins graded 65 or higher, and Proof (PR) coins graded 68 or higher command significant premiums
  • Color Designation: Original red (RD) specimens are most valuable, followed by red-brown (RB) and brown (BN)
  • Mint Marks: Certain mint marks, particularly San Francisco (S), can significantly impact value
  • Strike Quality: Sharp, well-defined details and strong strikes contribute to higher values

The 1960s and 1970s represent a pivotal era in American numismatics, particularly for Lincoln cents. While these decades saw massive coin production to meet the needs of commerce, they also produced some of the most valuable and sought-after varieties in modern American coinage. The combination of mint errors, quality control issues, and varying production methods created several rarities that command astounding prices in today’s market.

During this period, the U.S. Mint was transitioning from older to newer production methods, which sometimes resulted in interesting varieties and errors. Additionally, the preservation of coins from this era varies greatly, with truly pristine specimens becoming increasingly scarce. Let’s explore some of the most remarkable and valuable pennies from this fascinating period.

1969-S Doubled Die Obverse

Record Price: $126,500

The 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse stands as the undisputed king of modern penny varieties and represents one of the most dramatic doubled die errors ever discovered. This exceptional rarity showcases prominent doubling throughout the obverse design, particularly visible in:

  • The words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST”
  • The date “1969”
  • Lincoln’s profile, especially around the ear and bow tie areas

Technical Aspects:

The doubling occurred during the hub-and-die process when the working die was impressed twice at slightly different angles. The San Francisco Mint’s quality control typically caught such errors, making this variety’s survival particularly remarkable. Experts estimate that fewer than 50 genuine specimens exist across all grades, with Red specimens being exceptionally rare.

Market Performance:

The value hierarchy based on color designation is clearly demonstrated in recorded sales:

Authentication is crucial for this variety, as numerous counterfeit examples exist. PCGS and NGC certification is strongly recommended, as these grading services can definitively authenticate genuine specimens.

1970-S Large Date Doubled Die Obverse

Record Price: $24,150

The 1970-S Large Date Doubled Die Obverse represents another significant doubled die variety from the San Francisco Mint. This variety is particularly interesting because it combines two distinctive features: the Large Date variety and significant doubled die characteristics.

Distinctive Features:

  • Strong doubling visible in “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST”
  • Prominent doubling in the date, particularly in “197”
  • Large Date format, which helps distinguish it from other 1970-S varieties
  • Varying degrees of doubling in Lincoln’s profile

Market Analysis:

The market has shown strong appreciation for high-grade examples:

  • MS66 RD: Achieved $24,150 at auction
  • MS65 RB: Sold for $9,500
  • Lower grades still command significant premiums over common date pennies

The preservation of original red color is particularly challenging for 1970-S cents, making high-grade red specimens especially valuable. Collectors should pay careful attention to surface preservation and strike quality when evaluating examples.

1972 Doubled Die Obverse

Record Price: $14,400

The 1972 Doubled Die Obverse represents one of the more dramatic doubled die varieties of the modern era. Unlike some subtle doubled dies, this variety shows obvious doubling visible to the naked eye, making it particularly appealing to collectors.

Key Characteristics:

  • Strong doubling visible in all obverse lettering
  • Particularly dramatic in “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST”
  • Date shows clear separation in the digits
  • Some doubling visible in Lincoln’s profile

Value Progression:

This variety has shown consistent strength in the market:

  • MS67 RD: Reached $14,400 at Heritage Auctions
  • MS66 RD: Regularly trades in the $5,000-$7,500 range
  • Even circulated examples can command several hundred dollars

Unlike the 1969-S DDO, the 1972 doubled die was discovered during its year of issue, allowing many collectors to search for them in bank rolls. However, finding high-grade red specimens remains challenging, as most were circulated or improperly stored.

1971 Doubled Die Obverse

Record Price: $14,950

The 1971 DDO FS-101 represents another significant doubled die variety from this era. While not as well-known as the 1969-S or 1972 varieties, this coin offers dramatic doubling that makes it highly desirable to serious collectors.

Distinctive Features:

  • Strong doubling visible in “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST”
  • Date shows clear separation, particularly in “19”
  • Doubling visible in Lincoln’s bowtie and lapel
  • FS-101 designation indicates it’s the primary doubled die variety for the year

The doubling on this variety is particularly interesting because it shows a slight clockwise rotation, creating a distinctive appearance that helps authentication.

Market Performance:

  • MS66 RD: Achieved $14,950 at Stack’s Bowers auction
  • MS65 RD: Sold for $10,925 at Bowers & Merena
  • Lower grades maintain strong premiums due to collector demand

The market has shown particular appreciation for specimens that maintain full Red color, with significant price drops for RB and BN examples.

1963 Proof DCAM

Record Price: $40,250

The 1963 Penny in Deep Cameo (DCAM) condition represents the pinnacle of proof Lincoln cent production from the 1960s. Unlike the doubled die varieties, which are valued for their errors, this coin is prized for its perfect execution and stunning visual appeal.

What Makes It Special:

  • Deep Cameo contrast between frosty devices and mirror fields
  • Exceptional strike quality with full detail preservation
  • Perfect surface preservation required for PR70 grade
  • Early striking position from fresh dies, creating maximum contrast

The Deep Cameo designation requires stark contrast between the frosted design elements and mirror-like fields, a feature that was particularly difficult to achieve in the 1960s due to production methods of the era.

Value Analysis:

  • PR70 DCAM: Record price of $40,250 at Heritage Auctions
  • PR69 DCAM: Typically trades in the $3,000-$5,000 range
  • PR68 DCAM: Generally available in the $1,000-$2,000 range

The extreme price differential between PR69 and PR70 reflects the absolute rarity of perfect proof coins from this era, when quality control standards were less stringent than today.

1964 SMS Penny

Record Price: $15,600

The 1964 Special Mint Set (SMS) Penny represents a unique chapter in U.S. Mint history. These special strikes were created during a transitional period when the Mint was experimenting with different finishing techniques.

Technical Significance:

  • Distinctive satin finish different from both business strikes and proofs
  • Sharper strike than regular business strikes
  • Special planchet preparation and handling
  • Produced in limited quantities for experimental purposes

Market Dynamics:

  • MS67 RD: Achieved $15,600 at Heritage Auctions
  • MS65 RB: Sold for $9,000
  • Market values have shown steady appreciation as collectors recognize their historical significance

Collector’s Guide and Investment Considerations

Authentication Tips:

  • Always verify doubled die varieties through reputable grading services
  • Study the specific doubling characteristics of each variety
  • Be wary of “machine doubling” which can be mistaken for true doubled dies
  • Pay attention to color designation, as it significantly impacts value

Preservation Guidelines:

  • Store coins in appropriate holders that prevent environmental damage
  • Maintain stable temperature and humidity conditions
  • Never clean or attempt to improve a coin’s appearance
  • Handle coins only by their edges using clean, cotton gloves

Market Trends:

The market for rare Lincoln cents from the 1960s and 1970s has shown remarkable strength over the past two decades. Several factors contribute to this trend:

  • Growing recognition of modern rarities among collectors
  • Increasing difficulty finding high-grade examples
  • Strong demand from registry set collectors
  • Greater appreciation for preservation of original red color

Future Outlook:

The future appears bright for these rare varieties, particularly for the highest-grade examples with original red color. As more collectors enter the market and the supply of pristine specimens remains fixed, prices are likely to continue their upward trajectory. However, as with any numismatic investment, careful attention should be paid to authenticity, grade, and overall eye appeal.

Helpful Resources

Explore these valuable resources to enhance your coin collecting knowledge