Worth It

A 1969 Lincoln Memorial penny is usually worth only its face value of 1 cent in circulated condition, but specific varieties can be worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. The famous 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse (DDO), for example, has sold for $24,000 to over $126,000 at auction in top grades. Meanwhile, a clean uncirculated 1969-D penny might fetch $0.30 to $5, and a Proof 1969-S in PR-69 condition typically trades for $8 to $15. Mint mark and grade swing values dramatically, so a careful inspection is worthwhile before spending that cent.