HomeUS Coins1969-S Lincoln Memorial Cent : History and Value | CoinWeek

1969-S Lincoln Memorial Cent : History and Value | CoinWeek

CoinWeek Notes
By CoinWeek Notes
1969-S Lincoln Memorial Cent with Doubled Die Obverse.
1969-S Lincoln Memorial Cent with Doubled Die Obverse.

Why Do People Collect the 1969-S Lincoln Memorial Cent?

Collectors pursue the 1969-S Lincoln Memorial cent for several compelling reasons. While the coin may appear ordinary at first glance, it occupies an essential place in modern U.S. numismatics.

To begin with, Lincoln cent specialists recognize the 1969-S as a required issue in any complete date-and-mintmark Lincoln Memorial cent set. The San Francisco Mint struck the coin in both business-strike and Proof formats, giving collectors multiple paths to ownership.

Beyond basic collecting, the issue commands even greater attention among error and variety enthusiasts. In fact, the 1969-S Lincoln cent serves as the host for one of the most famous and rare doubled die varieties ever produced by the United States Mint.

Finally, history also plays a role. The year 1969 marked a defining moment in American culture, from the Apollo 11 Moon landing to Woodstock and the ongoing Vietnam War. For some collectors, the coin functions as a tangible artifact from a transformational era.

What Is the Value of a 1969-S Lincoln Memorial Cent?

As a standard business strike, the 1969-S Lincoln Memorial cent is not scarce. The San Francisco Mint produced more than 544 million examples, releasing them into general circulation.

Because of that massive mintage, circulated examples typically carry minimal numismatic premium. However, many non-collectors mistakenly believe the coin is rare simply because they encounter the “S” mintmark less frequently than Philadelphia or Denver issues.

In the current market, a Brilliant Uncirculated Red example usually sells for $2 to $3. Certified examples graded MS65RD or higher by PCGS or NGC bring stronger premiums, as submissions typically occur only for high-end coins. For example, a PCGS MS65RD specimen recently sold on eBay for $14.95 via Buy It Now.

That said, buyers should proceed carefully. On secondary marketplaces such as eBay and Etsy, inexperienced, or unethical, sellers often misrepresent:

  • Brown coins as Red
  • Proof strikes as business strikes
  • Common cents as rare doubled dies

In extreme cases, buyers have paid four-figure prices for coins worth little more than face value. Counterfeit Lincoln cents, including altered mintmarks and fabricated doubled dies, remain a persistent problem on these platforms.

Even circulated examples of the 1969-S cent trade above face value today, though not for collectible reasons. Instead, the coin’s copper content drives this premium. While melting cents remains illegal, all pre-1982 copper cents contain metal worth more than one cent at current bullion prices.

The 1969-S Doubled Die Lincoln Cent

One coin elevates the 1969-S issue from common to legendary: the 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse.

1969-S Lincoln Cent, with the Doubled Die Obverse
1969-S Lincoln Cent, with the Doubled Die Obverse. Unless the coin is certified by CAC, NGC, or PCGS, we advise against buying.

This variety resulted from a misaligned hubbing process that produced strong, visible doubling on the working die. Unlike minor varieties, the doubling on this coin is bold enough to see without magnification.

Collectors prize dramatic doubled dies, and few compare to this one. According to PCGS, researchers estimate that approximately 100 examples entered circulation before the Mint discovered the error.

Authentic specimens display strong doubling on:

  • The date
  • LIBERTY
  • IN GOD WE TRUST

Importantly, the “S” mintmark does not show doubling, as mintmarks were punched into the die separately during this era.

Values reflect the coin’s extreme rarity. Circulated examples typically command $10,000 or more, while Mint State specimens often realize $35,000 to $50,000+. The current auction record stands at $126,500, achieved by a PCGS MS64RD example sold by Heritage Auctions in January 2008.

Because counterfeit examples surfaced as early as 1969, and continue to circulate today, authentication is essential. No genuine 1969-S Doubled Die cent should ever trade raw. Coins should only be bought or sold certified by PCGS, NGC, or CAC in tamper-evident holders.

Design

Obverse

Victor David Brenner designed the Lincoln cent obverse in 1909, and his work still defined the coin in 1969. The right-facing portrait of Abraham Lincoln dominates the design, capturing the president during his Civil War leadership.

The date 1969 appears to the right of Lincoln, with the “S” mintmark centered below. The inscription LIBERTY sits behind Lincoln’s head, while IN GOD WE TRUST arcs along the upper rim. Brenner’s initials, VDB, appear in tiny letters beneath Lincoln’s shoulder.

1969-S Lincoln Memorial Cent Reverse.
1969-S Lincoln Memorial Cent Reverse.

Reverse

Frank Gasparro’s reverse depicts the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. The design features enough detail to reveal the seated statue of Lincoln inside the monument, a nod to the 19-foot sculpture visitors see in person.

The denomination ONE CENT anchors the lower field. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA spans the top rim, while E PLURIBUS UNUM appears above the Memorial in two lines. Gasparro’s FG initials sit to the lower right of the structure.

Edge

The edge of the 1969-S Lincoln Memorial cent is plain and smooth, without lettering.

Designers

Victor David Brenner was a notable sculptor and engraver who emigrated to the United States from Lithuania (View Designer’s Profile). His  Lincoln portrait became one of the most enduring designs in American coinage.

Frank Gasparro served as the 10th Chief Engraver of the United States Mint from 1965 to 1981 and designed numerous modern U.S. coins.

Coin Specifications

  • Country: United States
  • Year of Issue: 1969
  • Denomination: One Cent
  • Mintmark: S (San Francisco)
  • Mintage: Business Strike – 544,375,000, Proof – 2,934,631
  • Doubled Die Obverse: estimated ~100
  • Composition: 95% Copper, 5% Zinc
  • Weight: 3.11 grams
  • Diameter: 19 mm
  • Edge: Plain
  • Obverse Designer: Victor David Brenner
  • Reverse Designer: Frank Gasparro
  • Strike Types: Business Strike, Proof

Do you have any tips or insights to add on this topic?
Share your knowledge in the comments! ......

CoinWeek Notes
CoinWeek Notes
CoinWeek Notes presents expert analysis and insights from Charles Morgan and Hubert Walker, the award-winning editors of CoinWeek.com.
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124 COMMENTS

  2. I have a double Rim 1969 S penny i want to know its value. And who i can send it to to be graded? Thank you Diana Stafford. I can send pictures. And maybe someone can let me know if i should send it to get a pro grader.

    • Hi Diana . Did any one get back to u on that amazing fiend . If so please get back to me. I also have found the same one . My name is Lino .. hope to here good news …thank you an have a good night an happy coin hunting

      • What are the e odds of someone getting back in lose change a 1969S double die obverse Lincoln penny? Because it happened to me.! Okay, what are the odds of someone later on in life getting lose change and gaining a SECOND 1969S double die Lincoln penny? This time its a red cent! I have two 1969s Lincoln penny s that I’m sure you or anyone in your company will be interested in! If took upon consideration please reply to

        • I found one in my change bags . But one I was handed as change. I didn’t know of it’s value for months . I couldn’t believe it. I’m planning to have them authenticated and graded . A friend who worked in a coin shop for a long time gave it a Ms 63. Although I think it could be a Ms 65 but I’m no expert . Lucky

      • No I did not should I send it in to get graded I have no idea what to do we were so excited my husband gave up lol thinks I don’t know anything about coins

      • Hey there so from reading all the great news from everyone’s stores on the same thing I have who do we or how to go about this find I have .

  3. I’m not sure if my other post even posted but I have a 1969 s marked double die penny with an error within the 1 in the numbers 1969 need info please help

  4. Clinton Elswick- I Have a 1969 S penny double die circulated not to familiar but has doubling in the S for sure. Need info wat to do. Who to talk to

    • its prob a repunched mint mark…they did the mint separate and by hand if it didnt take properly the first time they guys at the mint wound hammer it again

  6. I, have a 1969 s that is d.d I thank and a good 1958, &1957 that I, know is d.d but I,have to many to list could someone please tell me how to get them graded all together I, would say I have 600 to 1000 coins I have collected in the past 15 years thank you for your time. Jerry Cantrell / Dalton, Georgia

    • If that 1958 is a San Francisco mint and DDO it is worth more than the 69. Double the value depending on grade. Just call PCGS and they will walk you through the grading process

      • Thank you Robert for that information. I have been novice collecting error pennies for some time. I’m planning to get graded and put on market soon. What kind of price ranges should I expect from a reputable grader. And where or whom should I contact to find one in my area.
        Thank u for any advice u can share with me
        M.frazier

      • ??? NO 1958 coins carry an S mint mark. Circulation coinage was phased out over 1954-55 and didn’t resume until the mid-1960s, although without a mint mark during 1965-67.

    • You can get it graded through any coin grading service that’s reputable and certifies their findings. There are several out there…just Google them. I hope you’re right and you have one of the 100 they estimate are actually in circulation. I hope it works out for you my friend. Good luck!

  7. If I take a picture of 1959 s looks doubled on date and s mint mark who do I send picture alot of non professional coin colkecters don,t have the money to get it graded or don,t know enough about process Danny g

    • Please check your coin again. As I noted in my response to Robert Smith, no coins were struck at San Francisco from 1956 to 1964.

  8. Hello . I found an 1935 with D mint mark. .in coin roll hunting like a month ago. I tried to get it graded PCGS cuz I have membership
    with them but they said that they can’t cuz it’s not in the cherries picker guide. So i think it nite be a discovery coin of an wheat penney. Can any one help me . want to know where I. Can take it. Too see if I found a discovery coin , very close to mint condition

  9. Download PCGS’s app coinfacts. It’s a very informative guide to errors and varieties that they except plus highest grade and price of all us coins. I have a membership too and I use that app religiously. 1935 Denver mint in a 66 is worth about $135, not worth sending off if to me

  11. I have just found 2 1969 pennies…one has the ‘s’ and the other has a ‘d’. I am very curious to see if I have found a pretty penny lol . How do I go about finding out?

    • Only the S-mint doubled die is rare. Unless you have one of those or either coin is a high-grade uncirculated piece, I’m afraid all you have is 2¢. Over half a billion 1969-S cents were minted and over FOUR billion were struck at Denver.

  12. Hey everyone, two weeks ago I found 2 1969 s penny’s in 1 roll along with a few others worth keeping.
    Who would be the best to have these looked at ?
    Where I live I don’t really trust the coin dealers around here.

      • You’re going to have to have the penny graded in order to realize any real profit from it. You need to find good references and photographs of an actual double die 1969 as mint mark penny and compare yours by the photographs if you believe them to be a match then it’s worth having graded if not save your money. And don’t worry if you have it graded and it’s a 1969 has to double die the buyers will find you

  15. I have an unopened uncirculated roll of 1969s pennies. Do I open the roll to check each one? I also have an unopened uncirculated roll of 1974 pennies. I would appreciate someone letting me know what to do.

  16. John m. I have a 1969-S DDo (date and S only.). I had a coin shop look at it and they said it would grade MS .They started writing up the description to send it to NGS. I decided to wait and do it myself. In there description they described my coin as a (1969-S DDO wheat Cent) with a note to NGS- “Please check for mint error and Date” ??? I am confused…..

    • Something is very wrong if it was described as a wheat cent. Except for one suspected transitional error strike, the last wheat cents were minted in 1958.

  17. The other point about the 1969 cents is that the dies were recut to give a sharper portrait. Look at the 1968 cent, Lincoln resembles a chocolate bunny left on the oven.

    • I found 4 69-S Pennies and about 15-20 69-D in the last week and not sure who to contact about them. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

  18. Well id like to say I have a 1969 wp I just cant exactly the mint is A D or S I also have 1919 1939 19301926 1930 no mints wp 1942 p 1942 d 1944d 1946 no mint 1947 s wp 1949 d 1951 d 1958 4 of them with d mint mark 1980 no mint 1987 no mint Are this worth anything?

  19. I also have the 1919. 1934 ,4 44,s. 3 46,s. 55 58 all the sixty,s all the seventies n eighty, s. Got like six of the 1982 penny’s. All with the funky. 8 and 2. In the date.

  20. Go to coppercoins.com and get in touch with John Wexler….I think he does all the new discoveries….just go on the site and find his email address….he should be able to answer your questions..

  21. Dear folks I have so many coins with mint marks smalls s 1969 ,Buffalo nicklele 3 1/2 leg bicenentral Quaters , half dollars Kennedy. Hundred of wheat penny’s. Can sell to collector its a a big hipe. Dealers tell me they can buy bags full for a few dollars. Very disappointing. I’ve really belive no one sell coins for the prices they say on I internet.

  26. Hello I have a double die 1969 s penny. Very obvious in the N and W. I have another that isn’t double die. But it’s noticeable theost in those two letters. How would I get this coin and other appraised or at least looked at to determine the double die?

  31. I have one of these, not in the same exact quality , as it circulated, clear stamped… The coin shops nearby couldn’t find value. How do i get a buyer?

  34. Hi my name’s Mitchell I have a 1969 s mint mark penny not quite sure if it’s double died but anyone take a look at it and give me their opinion

  36. I have a 1969s and it doesn’t have the fg on the back of it. Does that make it worth getting graded or do I not bother?

  41. Salve celo anche io la moneta one cent 1969s dove poso valutare grazie mille cio anche altre date dal 1922 fino 2009 mi manca cualche sono intorno 2000 mila grazie mille

  43. Hello all coiin collectors I am sorry to say this but I am one of you guys when started collecting coins ,spent hours to look for rare coins.It was fun when you find error coin, but in reality it doesn’t matter if you find a 1969 S 1955 and 1958 which is difficult to find one .
    Circulation coin when you find one of them will not give you much money to sell.The coin that will have value is the coin highest graded which is you are not gonna find at circulation coin.
    The only 6 coins have value from circulation
    1943 bronze penny 1944 steel penny 1974 D aluminum penny.1982 d small number and 1992 d close AM you will find it at the reverse from America.If you want to have a good coins you have to buy mint set proof set to have a high grade.Thank you all and good luck.

  44. @Janis:
    /* Dear folks I have so many coins with mint marks smalls s 1969 ,Buffalo nicklele 3 1/2 leg bicenentral Quaters , half dollars Kennedy. Hundred of wheat penny’s. Can sell to collector its a a big hipe. Dealers tell me they can buy bags full for a few dollars. Very disappointing. I’ve really belive no one sell coins for the prices they say on I internet. */

    In an effort to unpack your post … Remember, dealers are in business to make a profit. They’re of course only going to pay the wholesale prices for coins they accept, not the retail prices you’ll find posted at most “whatzit worth” sites. Also depending on the amount of organization in your collection they’ll want to allow for the time it takes them to separate and grade everything. Bottom line, on a good day the buying price may be only 60-65% of the selling price.

    Finally, many of the coins you mention _are_ considered to be common. People saved oceans of Kennedy halves on speculation, often erroneously including post-1971 issues that are made of cupronickel and have no added value. Ditto for Bicentennial* quarters* which were saved as keepsakes, then were spent when no market developed. They (very) occasionally still show up in change. As for the pennies*, unless the boxes include older “wheaties” (from around 1935 or earlier) the majority be only worth 5 to 10 cents each and will end up in the store’s grab-box.

    (*) I think you meant “Bicentennial”, “quarter”, “nickel”, “hype”, “pennies”, and other things that Spellcheck should catch.

  45. I have what I think Is a triple die 1969 s penny. Outer rim of penny looks like Three steps.
    I also came across a1917 no mint Mark Penny .
    Any help would be appreciated.
    Thanks Guys. Shane

  46. I agree I’m still learning and will always be learning and I recently has started getting on eBay after I accumulated some extras and every offer that I get they asked me to get a gift card. Believe me I haven’t I know that’s a scam and a big red flag and to be honest, sometimes I just use eBay to show off some of my stuff before I get things authenticated and it’s me just letting go of the items for that long period of time because I do have a 1969S that has been struck twice DDO strike through and only way I can get validation is through a third-party and I’m in Georgia California is a long way, but those are the people to go too.. that coin has been featured on America most wanted, which is interesting for the two gentlemen making counterfeits. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

  48. Ok I have a circulated 1969 S U.S penny faintly floating roof but the other thing is the I in liberty is missing any help on what the price would be ty…not graded

  51. hello everyone. I too have a 1969-S coin DD, but I have a definite ODDITY on the back side of my penny. The word OF is not there, it skips the entire word. If you look very close with a mag, glass, you can see where it is imprinted ever so lightly.Also the word UNUM only the UN is present. Anyone else have these same traits? Ill be glad to send photos

  52. I actually just found on and looked it up. It really worth 100 something thousand dollars? How do I trade it? Where do I go?

  53. Good afternoon, I have several uncirculated from the 1969. S& D and Philadelphia pennies.
    what do I need to look for to see its value
    I heard.
    Something about the floating roof which I have and what double dye marks do I look for

  54. For there only to have been 100 released, between everyone on here claiming to have one they may have got their numbers wrong.

  58. I really need to get a good book on these. Just starting collecting.I am not aware of all these common coins being collected.

  66. What a nice history of the 1969 penny. I knew some were valuable, but some of those prices are crazy! I’ll have to keep an eye out for special ones when I get coins. Who knows, maybe there are some rare ones still out there :)

  69. Sheesh, I have a regular strike 1969S. With all those above claiming to find doubled die cents maybe mine is the rare one, lol

  71. So many errors and varieties in U.S. coinage, leaves my head spinning. Especially with Lincoln cents. It’s why I examine every coin that I get!!

  79. I check every 1969 S cent that I come across looking for the elusive double die variety. I did not realize that only an estimated 100 examples are known to exist!

  82. Great review of this coin’s history. I remember when it came out. I was excited to see the “S” mintmark as the San Francisco mintages up to that point had been difficult to find in circulation. Although there was a large number of Lincoln Cents with the “S” mintmark issued that year, it was still a pleasant surprise to see them.

  87. I hate to see the cent going away. I always passed the time searching cent rolls. I guess that’s out of the question now. (Sigh)

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