Are you a fan of Abraham Lincoln? Do you enjoy collecting historical keepsakes, especially coins honoring one of America’s most iconic presidents?
One Lincoln coin that deserves a spot in your collection is the 1969 penny. This classic cent was minted in huge numbers as part of the ongoing celebration of Lincoln’s life and legacy.
Despite its wide production, the 1969 penny isn’t classified as rare. Still, with the right knowledge — especially when it comes to identifying error coins — you can make a tidy profit from buying or selling them. Some rare varieties can even fetch hundreds of dollars!
In this article, I’ll walk you through the value of the 1969 penny and give you the insight you need to make smart buying or selling decisions.
Let’s dive right in!
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 president of the United States, is most remembered for his leadership during the Civil War and his efforts to abolish slavery. His Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation are two of his most enduring legacies.
Lincoln was tragically assassinated on April 21, 1865, by a supporter of the Confederacy. Decades later, in 1909, the U.S. Mint introduced a new penny design to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth.
Victor David Brenner was commissioned to create the coin, which showcased Lincoln’s profile on the obverse and originally featured two wheat ears on the reverse. In 1959, the reverse design was updated to depict the Lincoln Memorial.
The 1969 penny features this same enduring design: Lincoln on the obverse and the Memorial on the reverse.
Interestingly, the Lincoln cent was the first regularly circulated U.S. coin to feature a president’s portrait — a tradition George Washington himself once opposed.
Despite this, the public embraced the design, and the Mint officially released the Lincoln cent in August 1909.
Features of the 1969 Penny
The Obverse of the 1969 Penny
The front of the coin features a profile of Abraham Lincoln facing right, designed by Victor Brenner.
You’ll see the words “IN GOD WE TRUST” arching along the top rim. The word “LIBERTY” sits on Lincoln’s left, while the date “1969” is stamped on his right.
On well-preserved coins, the initials “VDB” can be seen near Lincoln’s shoulder, paying tribute to Brenner’s work.
The Reverse of the 1969 Penny
The back of the coin displays the Lincoln Memorial, designed by Frank Gasparro.
If you look closely, you’ll notice a tiny depiction of the seated Lincoln statue inside the Memorial, mirroring the real-life monument located in Washington, D.C.
The inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” frame the Memorial, while “ONE CENT” is boldly placed at the bottom. The initials “FG” (for Frank Gasparro) are located near the Memorial’s base.
Other Features of the 1969 Penny
The 1969 penny is composed of 95% copper and 5% zinc. It weighs 3.11 grams and has a 19.00 mm diameter with a smooth, plain edge.
The coin’s color will range from brown, red-brown, to red, depending on its exposure to air and handling over the years.
You’ll also notice mint marks: “D” for Denver, “S” for San Francisco, and none for Philadelphia.
1969 Penny Grading
Grading a 1969 penny involves examining its shine (luster), surface marks, color, and signs of wear on raised areas.
- Uncirculated coins display luster, a bright, almost satiny glow.
- Contact marks from handling during minting are allowed, though fewer marks mean a higher grade.
- Color is important: red pennies are typically more valuable than brown ones.
- Inspecting high points, such as Lincoln’s hair and shoulder, will help you determine the level of wear.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Basal State-1 |
| 2 | Fair |
| 3 | Very Fair |
| 4-6 | Good |
| 7-10 | Very Good |
| 12-15 | Fine |
| 20-30 | Very Fine |
| 40 | Extremely Fine |
| 50 | About Uncirculated |
| 60 | Mint State |
| 65 | Mint State |
| 70 | Mint State |
For detailed help, you can refer to dedicated grading guides for Lincoln pennies.
1969 Penny Value Guides
The U.S. Mint produced over 5 billion Lincoln pennies in 1969 across three facilities: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco.
Here’s a breakdown of their value:
1969 No Mint Mark Penny Value
Over 1.1 billion of these pennies were minted in Philadelphia. While common, higher-grade uncirculated versions are harder to find, especially MS68 and above.
- Circulated brown coins: around $0.05.
- Mint state MS65: around $2.50.
- Red mint state pennies: can command $575 at MS67.
- One MS67 red example sold for $5,750 in 2010.
1969 D Penny Value
Denver minted over 4 billion of these, making them quite common. Due to poor strike quality, mint state examples are scarce.
- Circulated brown coins: about $0.05.
- Mint state MS65: around $2.50.
- Red examples: can reach $7,475 if graded MS67.
1969 S Penny Value
San Francisco produced about 544 million regular strike pennies in 1969.
- Circulated brown coins: around $0.05.
- Mint state brown coins: about $7.50 at MS67.
- Red mint state coins: as much as $350 for MS67.
1969 S Penny (Proof) Value
The San Francisco Mint also produced about 2.9 million proof pennies in 1969, notable for their mirror-like finish.
- Red proofs graded PF69: typically around $30.
- Cameo proofs: worth up to $45 at PF69.
- Deep Cameo (DCAM): can fetch as high as $625.
Rare 1969 Penny Error List
Some 1969 penny errors can dramatically increase a coin’s value. Here are two worth knowing about:
1969 S Double Die Obverse Penny Error
This highly sought-after error features noticeable doubling in the words “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and the date.
Roughly 40-50 genuine examples are known, and one MS64 Red graded piece sold for an impressive $126,500.
1969 D No FG Penny Error
This error results when Frank Gasparro’s initials “FG” are missing on the reverse near the Memorial.
Depending on grade, these coins can bring in as much as $210.
Where to Sell Your 1969 Penny?
Now that you understand their value, the next step is finding a trusted place to sell. I’ve created a handy list of the best websites for coin selling, complete with pros and cons.
FAQ
Is a 1969 penny worth anything?
In circulated condition, a 1969 penny is usually worth around $0.05. However, uncirculated and red versions, especially at higher grades, can be worth much more — sometimes even hundreds or thousands.
Why is the 1969 penny considered rare?
Most 1969 pennies are not rare, given the over 5 billion mintage. What makes some rare are mint state conditions or specific errors like the Double Die Obverse from San Francisco.
Does a 1969 penny have a mint mark?
Yes, it does. Pennies minted in Denver and San Francisco display a “D” or “S” mint mark, while Philadelphia-minted coins don’t have one.