You can learn how to identify these coins by studying the description of each variety of Lincoln cent paying particular attention to the photo of the coin. Many factors go into determining the value of a coin and some of them are quite valuable pennies while others are not.  You can also use the Lincoln Wheat Penny value and price guide to determine the current market trends of these coins. Since Lincoln cent specialists and experts are usually the only people that collect the minor varieties, they are not listed here. Intermediate and advanced coin collectors actively seek out the types that are listed below. Originally, the obverse of the coin contained Brenner’s signature. This was removed at the request of Mint Director Frank A. Leech. Instead, Brenner added his initials “V.D.B.” to the reverse of the coin at the bottom between the stalks of the wheat ears. Given the limited capacity of the San Francisco Mint in 1909, only 484,000 coins were produced. This coin is easily identified by the “S” under the date on the obverse and Brenner’s initials “V.D.B.” on the reverse. Beware of counterfeit and altered coins. Unscrupulous individuals will try to add the mint mark “S” to the obverse of a Philadelphia minted 1909 VDB Lincoln penny. Given the high value of this coin, only certified coins from third-party grading services should be purchased.

Estimated Average Sell Value Circulated: $500 Estimated Average Sell Value Uncirculated: $1,200 Estimated Average Buy Price Circulated: $800 Estimated Average Buy Price Uncirculated: $1,600

Mint engravers in Philadelphia manufactured new reverse coin dies and sent them to the San Francisco mint facility. Unfortunately, there was only enough time left in the year to mint 1,825,000 coins. Compared to the almost 73,000,000 coins minted in Philadelphia this amount is relatively small. Therefore, this coin carries a premium over the Philadelphia minted coins because of its low mintage.

Estimated Average Value Circulated: $70Estimated Average Value Uncirculated: $270Estimated Average Price Circulated: $110Estimated Average Price Uncirculated: $370

In this example, you can see the remnants of an “S” that was punched horizontally into the die instead of vertically. Look for the remnants of the previous mintmark near the upper loop of the S. This will be more difficult to see if the coin is well circulated and extremely worn.

Estimated Average Value Circulated: $80Estimated Average Value Uncirculated: $270Estimated Average Price Circulated: $120Estimated Average Price Uncirculated: $400

Keep in mind, in 1909 one of the reasons that Lincoln was chosen to be the subject of a new small cent was that it was the 100th anniversary of his birth. A lot of publicity surrounded the launch of this new penny, and many people saved them. By 1914, enthusiasm for saving new Lincoln cents decreased and many of these coins ended up in circulation. This is another coin that is frequently counterfeited and altered.

Estimated Average Value Circulated: $150Estimated Average Value Uncirculated: $2,200Estimated Average Price Circulated: $210Estimated Average Price Uncirculated: $3,000

Look for strong doubling on the obverse in the word “TRUST” and on the date. Since The doubling is extremely narrow, the use of a magnifying glass is suggested. This coin is an extremely popular variety, and demand for it is continuously growing.

Estimated Average Value Circulated: $160Estimated Average Value Uncirculated: $5,400Estimated Average Price Circulated: $240Estimated Average Price Uncirculated: $7,500

Researchers think that the Denver mint facility produced approximately 500,000 coins without the requisite “D” mint mark. The lack of a mintmark was either due to die abrasion in an attempt to fix a damaged die or a foreign substance clogging the area where the mint mark is supposed to be. Counterfeiters and unscrupulous people can easily remove the “D” mintmark from a genuine 1922-D Lincoln cent. Use caution when purchasing this coin.

Estimated Average Sell Value Circulated: $350 Estimated Average Sell Value Uncirculated: $12,100 Estimated Average Buy Price Circulated: $660 Estimated Average Buy Price Uncirculated: $17,300

Numismatists realizing that this was a rarity in the making took every opportunity to buy bags and rolls of the 1931-S Lincoln cent and save them. Although this is the second-lowest mintage in the Lincoln Wheat cent series, mint state coins, and circulated specimens are readily available to collectors today.

Estimated Average Value Circulated: $60Estimated Average Value Uncirculated: $140Estimated Average Price Circulated: $90Estimated Average Price Uncirculated: $195

Beware of altered coins made by copper plating genuine 1943 steel cents or from 1948 Lincoln cents by removing the left side of the 8 to make it look like a 3. Learning how to authenticate a 1943 copper penny is a relatively easy task.

Estimated Average Value Circulated: $14,000 - $50,000Estimated Average Value Uncirculated: $90,000 - $210,000Estimated Average Price Circulated: $25,000 - $100,000Estimated Average Price Uncirculated: $120,000 - $300,000

Additionally, the mint was producing coins for Belgian at the time that use the same zinc plated steel planchets that were used the previous year. These two situations combined for a prime opportunity for the mint to produce this amazing error coin.

Estimated Average Value Circulated: $2,000 - $4,000Estimated Average Value Uncirculated: $70,000 - $90,000Estimated Average Price Circulated: $4,000 - $6,000Estimated Average Price Uncirculated: $100,000 - $150,000

Estimated Average Sell Value Circulated: $50 Estimated Average Sell Value Uncirculated: $280 Estimated Average Buy Price Circulated: $90 Estimated Average Buy Price Uncirculated: $400

Estimated Average Value Circulated: $500Estimated Average Value Uncirculated: $1,900Estimated Average Price Circulated: $1,000Estimated Average Price Uncirculated: $2,600