In 1969, a significant compositional modification was made to the Lincoln penny, replacing the traditional 95% copper wheat penny alloy with a new copper-zinc compound. This crucial change put a stop to the 60-year production of pennies made of the copper-rich alloy that gave them their characteristic crimson color. Although most 1969 pennies are common, there are certain rare variants and transitional faults that are worth more to collectors.
This in-depth guide will cover the 1969 S penny value, total mintages, condition price guides, and the factors affecting the 1969 S penny value. This guide will help you identify and value the most valuable 1969 pennies, whether you're just rolling the dice or collecting a full set of Lincoln pennies.
The sixteenth president of the United States of America was Abraham Lincoln. He was a staunch abolitionist and is best remembered for the Emancipation Proclamation, which marked the beginning of the end of slavery, and his Gettysburg Address.
On April 21, 1865, President Lincoln was assassinated by a sympathizer of the Confederation. A coin would be minted 44 years later in memorial to the assassinated president.
The first Lincoln cent was minted in 1909, as that was Abraham Lincoln's 100th birthday. Victor David Brenner, a sculptor, had been engaged by the US Mint to design the obverse and reverse of the coin.
The reverse has since undergone several modifications, but the obverse, featuring the president, remained the same since its minting in 1909. In the initial series, the reverse showed two ears of wheat; this was changed in 1959 to the Lincoln Memorial Hall.
Lincoln's likeness is on the obverse of the 1969 coin, and the Hall is on the reverse.
Despite some initial criticism, this cent was successfully introduced into circulation in August 1909, with minimal issues from the U.S. Mint. The majority of the population favored the idea of featuring a U.S. president on the coinage, leading to its widespread acceptance.
There are several factors which can affect the 1969 S Penny value
The Denver, Philadelphia, and San Francisco mints produced the 1969 pennies. Because mint marks reveal the location of a coin's striking, they have an impact on elements including scarcity, collectibility, condition, rarity, and historical relevance when determining the price of Lincoln cents.
Different mintages result in different mint marks being rarer, which increases demand and raises prices for coins from particular US Mint branches.
Coins from the 1969 Lincoln Memorial aren't very rare. The Philadelphia Mint originally produced 1,136,910,000 units. Denver struck 4,002,832,200 coins, the most of any city. San Francisco released 544,375,000 specimens into general circulation, the lowest mintage quantity.
Nonetheless, it is extremely rare to find surviving examples of these coins in Superb Gem form and with their original red mint coloring. There are just a few 1969-S Pennies in MS-68 grade that have been discovered, and PCGS values them at $10,000!
Sadly, contact marks are now more noticeable due to Lincoln's portrait's increased features, which limits the supply of coins in really high grades.
Learn how coin grading impacts a coin's value below.
Assessing a coin's condition and assigning a grade based on a numerical scale is known as coin grading.
One of the top authorities in coin grading is the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). It is based on the Sheldon Scale, which was created in 1948 by Dr. William Sheldon. The scale goes from 1 to 70, where 1 is a coin that has been severely worn and damaged, and 70 is a coin that is in mint condition.
The fact that graded coins are trusted by dealers and collectors to accurately depict their condition underscores the significance of coin grading in determining a coin's worth. Due to its rarity and collectors' desire, a higher grade usually demands a higher value on the market when compared to circulated grades (1 to 50).
Additionally, grading offers a universally accepted means of conveying the state of a coin, promoting fair trade, and guaranteeing openness in the marketplace.
Even so, in ordinary circulating conditions, the coin will still be worth its face value of about one cent.
Furthermore, because their condition is verified by a recognized grading agency like PCGS and they are frequently housed in protective slabs, graded coins are frequently more liquid and simpler to sell, especially in circulated or low-rarity circumstances.
The three colors of copper coins are red, reddish-brown, and brown. Professional numismatists created these classifications, which are based on how the material responds to different levels of environmental exposure since it oxidizes as soon as it comes into contact with air.
A 1969-S penny value is determined by its variety and condition:
This rare variety has been appreciated over time. One sold at auction for $601,875 in January 2023. The value of the coin is based upon the strength of the doubling, which ranges in various degrees as the die is rotated on its axis. The mint mark, the date, and the phrases "In God We Trust" and "Liberty" are rounded secondary created by the rotation.
The misprinted pennies can be worth as little as $1,000 or as much as $85,000, based on their condition.
Given these rare characteristics and the overall significant changes in its composition, the 1969 S penny portrays both historical and numismatic value. Most 1969 pennies are common and have only face value; however, the rare variants and errors are very valuable to collectors.
First and foremost, awareness of the key drivers of value in these coins should be considered: mint marks, rarity, coin grading, and color designations. Inside this guide, a seasoned collector and a new collector alike are furnished with the tools to appreciate and maybe even uncover the 1969 S penny value.
Happy collecting!
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