Rare 1969-S Doubled Die Lincoln Penny Discovered – Valued at $126,500

Are you a fan of Abraham Lincoln? Do you enjoy collecting historical memorabilia, especially coins honoring one of America’s most legendary presidents?

One coin that should be in your collection is the 1969 penny. This classic cent was produced in vast quantities to celebrate Lincoln’s enduring legacy.

Though widely minted, the 1969 penny isn’t generally rare. However, with some knowledge—particularly about error coins—you can profit by buying or selling them. Certain rare types can even fetch hundreds of dollars!

In this guide, I’ll explore the value of the 1969 penny and share tips to help you make informed buying or selling choices.

Let’s get started!

1969 Penny Value Chart

Mint Mark	Good	Fine	Extremely Fine	Uncirculated
1969 No Mint Mark Brown Penny	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05	$7.50
1969 No Mint Mark Red Brown Penny	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05	$15
1969 No Mint Mark Red Penny	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05	$300
1969 D Brown Penny	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05	$7.50
1969 D Red Brown Penny	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05	$15
1969 D Red Penny	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05	$380
1969 S Brown Penny	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05	$7.50
1969 S Red Brown Penny	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05	$20
1969 S Red Penny	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05	$400
1969 S Proof Penny	––	––	$30	––

History of the 1969 Penny

Abraham Lincoln, the 16th U.S. president, is best known for his leadership during the Civil War and his commitment to ending slavery. His Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation remain historic landmarks.

Lincoln was assassinated on April 14, 1865, by a Confederate sympathizer. To honor his 100th birthday, the U.S. Mint introduced a new penny design in 1909.

Victor David Brenner designed the coin featuring Lincoln’s profile on the front, with two wheat ears on the back. In 1959, the reverse was updated to display the Lincoln Memorial.

The 1969 penny retains this design with Lincoln on the front and the Memorial on the back.

Notably, the Lincoln cent was the first U.S. coin to regularly showcase a president’s portrait, despite initial opposition from George Washington.

Public enthusiasm for the design led to its official release in August 1909.

Features of the 1969 Penny

The Obverse of the 1969 Penny

The coin’s front shows Lincoln’s right-facing profile, crafted by Victor Brenner.

Above Lincoln’s head is the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST.” To his left is the word “LIBERTY,” and the year “1969” appears to his right.

Well-preserved coins may show the initials “VDB” near Lincoln’s shoulder, honoring Brenner.

The Reverse of the 1969 Penny

The back depicts the Lincoln Memorial, designed by Frank Gasparro.

Look closely to see a small image of Lincoln’s seated statue inside the Memorial, reflecting the real monument in Washington, D.C.

The inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” frame the scene, while “ONE CENT” sits at the bottom. Gasparro’s initials “FG” are near the base.

Other Features of the 1969 Penny

This penny is made of 95% copper and 5% zinc, weighs 3.11 grams, and measures 19 mm in diameter with a smooth edge.

Its color varies from brown to red-brown to red, depending on age and handling.

Mint marks include “D” for Denver, “S” for San Francisco, or no mark for Philadelphia.

1969 Penny Grading

Grading a 1969 penny involves assessing luster, surface wear, color, and the degree of wear on raised details.

Uncirculated coins have a shiny, satiny finish.

Small contact marks from mint handling are acceptable; fewer marks mean a higher grade.

Color is crucial, with red pennies generally valued higher than brown.

Check high points like Lincoln’s hair and shoulder to determine wear level.

Grades range from Poor (1) to Mint State (70), with various stages like Fine, Very Fine, and Extremely Fine in between.

1969 Penny Value Guides

Over 5 billion pennies were produced in 1969 at Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mints.

Here’s a summary:

1969 No Mint Mark Penny
Philadelphia minted over 1.1 billion coins. Common in circulation, but uncirculated high grades are rare.
Brown circulated coins: $0.05
Mint State 65: $2.50
Red Mint State: up to $575
One MS67 red sold for $5,750 in 2010.

1969 D Penny
Denver produced over 4 billion. Poor strike quality makes high-grade coins scarce.
Brown circulated: $0.05
Mint State 65: $2.50
Red Mint State: can reach $7,475 at MS67.

1969 S Penny
San Francisco minted about 544 million regular strikes.
Brown circulated: $0.05
Mint State Brown: $7.50
Red Mint State: $350 at MS67.

1969 S Penny (Proof)
San Francisco also made 2.9 million proof pennies with a mirror-like finish.
Red proof PF69: $30
Cameo proofs: up to $45 at PF69
Deep Cameo proofs can sell for as much as $625.

Rare 1969 Penny Error List

Some errors greatly increase a coin’s value:

1969 S Double Die Obverse Penny Error
This error shows doubling on “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and the date.
Only 40-50 genuine examples exist.
An MS64 Red sold for $126,500.

1969 D No FG Penny Error
The “FG” initials are missing on the reverse near the Memorial.
These can sell for up to $210, depending on condition.

Where to Sell Your 1969 Penny?

Now that you know its value, the next step is choosing a reputable place to sell. I’ve compiled a list of top websites for coin sales, with pros and cons for each.

FAQ

Is the 1969 penny valuable?

In circulated form, it’s worth about 5 cents, but uncirculated red versions can be worth hundreds or even thousands.

Why is the 1969 penny special?

It’s common but certain mint state conditions and errors make some pennies quite valuable.

Does the 1969 penny have mint marks?

Yes, “D” for Denver, “S” for San Francisco, and no mint mark for Philadelphia.

What causes the 1969 penny errors?

Errors like doubling or missing initials happen due to minting mistakes, increasing the coin’s worth.