**Most Valuable Pennies - 1980 to 1989 - From Copper to Zinc Transitional Errors — Transcript & Summary | SozAI**
Source: https://sozai.app/transcript/valuable-pennies-1980-1989-transitional-errors/

Explore the most valuable 1980s Lincoln cents, focusing on mint errors, grading, and market values for collectors and variety hunters.

## Key Takeaways

- Doubled die errors like the 1980 FS101 are highly valuable and identifiable by distinct doubling on the date and 'Liberty'.
- High-grade Lincoln cents, especially MS68 and PR70 deep cameo proofs, command significant premiums due to rarity.
- Color and condition (red, red-brown, brown) greatly influence coin value and collector interest.
- Philadelphia and Denver mint coins from the 1980s vary in rarity and quality, with Denver often being tougher to find in high grades.
- Collectors should focus on sharp strikes, minimal wear, and unique errors to maximize investment potential.

## What the video covers

- Compilation of 1980s Lincoln cent videos focusing on coin values and key tips for collectors.
- Explanation of the doubled die error, especially the famous 1980 FS101 double die obverse.
- Detailed market values for high-grade Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco mint Lincoln cents.
- Discussion of grading scales and color designations like red, red-brown, and brown.
- Highlighting rarity and value spikes for coins graded MS67 to MS68 and PR70 deep cameo proofs.
- Advice on identifying key features such as sharp lines, satin finishes, and cameo contrasts.
- Insights into mint production challenges, including die wear and metal composition changes in the 1980s.
- Examples of notable sales with prices ranging from $24 to $1,500 illustrating market trends.
- Encouragement for collectors to hunt for high-grade and error coins as valuable investments.
- Promotion of additional resources and tools available on the creator's website variety.com.

## Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction and Overview of 1980s Lincoln Cents
2. 03:01 1980 Proof Sets and FS101 Double Die Obverse Error
3. 06:01 Identifying the Double Die and Key Features
4. 09:24 High-Grade Coin Examples and Market Values
5. 13:01 1982 Date Changes and Mint Challenges
6. 16:29 Copper vs Zinc Coins and Weight Differences
7. 23:26 Variety Hunting and Grading Insights
8. 26:14 1985 Denver Mint and Rare Coin Examples
9. 29:15 1987 Minting Techniques and Coin Sensitivities
10. 30:34 Conclusion and Collector Advice

Answers

## Questions about this video

What is a doubled die error and how can I identify it on 1980 Lincoln cents?

A doubled die error occurs during the die creation when the hub slips, causing the coin to have doubled images on features like the date and 'Liberty'. On 1980 Lincoln cents, look for thick, separated lines and a second shifted zero inside the '0' of the date.

Why do some 1980s Lincoln cents sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars?

High values are driven by rarity, condition, and errors. Coins graded MS67 or higher, especially with red color and sharp strikes, or proof coins graded PR70 deep cameo, are extremely rare and sought after by collectors, pushing prices into the hundreds or thousands.

How does coin color affect the value of 1980s Lincoln cents?

Color designations like red, red-brown, and brown indicate the coin's oxidation state and preservation. Red coins retain original copper luster and are more valuable, while brown coins are more oxidized and generally less valuable.

## Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown

00:00

Speaker A

Hey fellow money lovers. This is a compilation video like I've done before, putting all of the 1980s Lincoln cent videos into one video. I've cut out the fluff. It gets right to the values unless there's a tip or two that are really pertinent to that year. If you want to watch the individual videos, just hop to my channel. But this one's for the value hunters where you can get right to learning what these Lincoln cents are, what to look for, and a little bit about the values of them. Before we get to that, real quick, go to the link at the bottom of the screen. It is a link to my website, variety.com.

00:15

Speaker A

A completely secure, completely free website with thousands of resources and tools for you to get assisted with on your hunts through currency of any type and collectibles. Most notably, you can use my star note and serial number lookup tool to see values in history as well as data for any bank note from 1950 to current. But let's get to some Lincoln cents.

00:28

Speaker A

Before we look at the big money, let's talk about the term double die. Some people also use the term double die without the d on the end. And either way, we're talking about the same thing, but the correct term is doubled die. If you're new to the hobby, you might think this means the coin was struck twice, but it actually wasn't. A double die happens during the creation of the die itself. The stamp that hits the coin. If the hub that creates the die slips a bit, it impresses the image twice. This means every single coin that would be struck by that die will have the same exact doubling. In 1980, we have the famous FS101.

00:38

Speaker A

You want to look at the date and the word liberty. If the lines are thick and separated, you aren't looking at a damaged coin. You're looking at a valuable mint error.

00:57

Speaker A

Let's start off with the Philly standard, though. The business strikes out of the Philadelphia Mint. This coin is a 1980 Philadelphia cent graded MS67 red by PCGS.

01:06

Speaker A

It sold in the back end of 2024 for $216. At MS67, this coin is the top tier for survivors. PCGS has seen 141 of these, though, but only two have ever been graded higher. Why does a common penny sell for over 200 bucks? Because in 1980, the mint used the dies until they were basically smoothed out. Finding a 1980 Philly with sharp lines and no planchet chatter is incredibly rare. If you have a roll of 1980 Lincoln cents, you're looking for that satin look, a smooth, consistent glow without any dark carbon spots. Those are the ones that'll come back higher grade and will have the most value. But let's hit on the Denver rarity.

01:22

Speaker A

We'll cross over to the Denver mint. While Philadelphia was tough, Denver was nearly impossible.

01:37

Speaker A

This coin is a 1980D graded MS68 red by NGC. This one sold in February of 2025 for $552.

01:53

Speaker A

Now, let's look at the grade together. MS68. In the NGC census, there are only three coins in this condition. This is what we call a population discovery coin. For a Denver to hit 68, it has to essentially be perfect. It survived the high-speed shoots at the mint and those nasty canvas bags they threw all the coins in afterward. And then it survived 45 years of storage without a single microscopic scratch. For a $500 investment, you are buying one of the three finest Denver Lincoln cents from 1980. Now, if you want to talk total perfection, you have to look at the San Francisco proofs. This is a 1980S proof graded PR70 deep cameo by PCGS.

02:06

Speaker A

This one sold in November of 2023 for $780. Notice that even though the wholesale bid is listed at around 1,200 bucks, this one went for $780.

02:20

Speaker A

This tells us the market is stabilizing for these perfect 70s. There are 71 of these known at PCGS. When you are buying a PR70, you are buying the end of the line.

02:41

Speaker A

Basically, there is no better coin you can come across. It is at the highest end of the grading scale.

03:01

Speaker A

If you have 1980 proof sets at home, look for that deep cameo finish where Lincoln's portrait looks like white frost against a black mirrored background. Now, let's get to that famous error. Let's get into the cherry picker's dream, the FS101 double die obverse. These are also referred to as DDOS's. This is a 1980 double die graded MS63 red and brown by ANACS. It sold for $276 in 2024.

03:16

Speaker A

This is a circulated grade error. Notice the color red and brown. This means the coin has begun to oxidize a bit. Even in this mid-grade condition, the error is so desirable that it still commands nearly $300.

03:24

Speaker A

You are looking for a counterclockwise spread on the date and the word liberty. It's most obvious in the number zero in 1980. If the zero looks like it has a second zero shifted inside of it, you found that double die. But let's jump to the error jackpot. What happens if you find that same error in pristine red condition? If you've watched my previous Lincoln videos, you know that I cover red, red brown, and brown coloring. That is really important when it comes to grade. If you want to learn more about that, jump over to my course tab on the main homepage of the channel and learn all about Lincoln cents. All the basics of how color, toning, condition, everything goes into grading. But let's take a look at this 1980 FS101 double die graded MS65 red by PCGS.

03:37

Speaker A

This one sold in July of 2024 for $552. This is the ultimate prize for any variety hunter. Only 10 coins have ever been graded at this level by PCGS. When you combine a major error with a high gem grade, the price doubles literally.

03:56

Speaker A

This is a coin that bridges the gap between the error collector and the condition crank collector. If you're searching through 1980 rolls, this is the $500 lotto ticket, so to speak.

04:13

Speaker A

Let's start with the standard business strike though from Philadelphia. This coin is a 1981 Philadelphia cent graded MS67 red by PCGS.

04:30

Speaker A

This one sold in October of 2025 for $24 at MS67. This is a beautiful high-end coin.

04:45

Speaker A

Philly struck nearly 7.5 billion pennies for 1981. So finding one in a 67 grade isn't impossible, but it is becoming a much more expensive investment as registry set collectors scramble to finish their copper sets. This coin shows full red luster, that bright, beautiful orange fire that hasn't been dimmed by time or fingerprints. If your 1981 looks like it basically came fresh out of a roll, then it could be one of those $200 target points like this coin. But look what happens when we move from an MS67 up one point to an MS68. This coin is also a 1981 Philadelphia Lincoln cent graded MS68 red though by NGC. It sold in May of 2025 for $960.

04:58

Speaker A

This is a massive price jump for one single grade point. Why? Look at the NGC census. There are only seven coins in this condition. Out of 7.5 billion minted, only seven have been certified as MS68. This one is a statistical needle in a haystack. This coin is essentially flawless. No carbon spots, no contact marks, and a strike so crisp you can see every single line in Lincoln's hair. This one is one of those top tier investments.

05:05

Speaker A

But let's talk about the Denver challenge. Next, we move to the Denver Mint where 5.3 billion pennies were struck. This is a 1981D graded MS67 red by PCGS.

05:24

Speaker A

It sold in January of 2025 for $180. Denvers from 1981 are notorious for having mushy strikes. If you look at the D mint mark, it's often slightly filled or really weakly struck. So, finding an MS67 means the coin had to have a strong strike from a fresh die at $180. This is one of those bread and butter coins for coin roll hunters, cherry pickers alike. Now, let's take a look at the king of 1981 proofs. This is a 1981S type 1 graded PR70 deep cameo. It sold in June of 2025 for a staggering $1,500. This is where the market gets really interesting. While the Type 2 Clear S is technically a scarcer variety in terms of production, the Type 1 in a perfect 70 like this has become a huge prize for registry set collectors. Only 65 of them have ever hit this perfect grade at PCGS. It features that deep cameo contrast where Lincoln looks like almost a white statue against a beautiful black sea of glass. If you have a 1981 proof set, don't assu

05:43

Speaker A

This is a circulated grade error. Notice the color red and brown. This means the coin has begun to oxidize a bit. Even in this mid-grade condition, the error is so desirable that it still commands nearly $300.

06:01

Speaker A

You are looking for a counterclockwise spread on the date and the word liberty. It's most obvious in the number zero in 1980. If the zero looks like it has a second zero shifted inside of it, you found that double die. But let's jump to

06:19

Speaker A

the error jackpot. What happens if you find that same error in pristine red condition? If you've watched my previous Lincoln videos, you know that I cover red, red, brown, and brown coloring.

06:34

Speaker A

That is really important when it comes to grade. If you want to learn more about that, jump over to my course tab on the main homepage of the channel and learn all about Lincoln Sense. all the basics of how color, toning, condition,

06:50

Speaker A

everything goes into grading. But let's take a look at this 1980 FS101 double die graded MS65 red by PCGS.

07:01

Speaker A

This one sold in July of 2024 for $552. This is the ultimate prize for any variety hunter. Only 10 coins have ever been graded at this level by PCGS. When you combine a major error with a high gem grade, the price doubles literally.

07:23

Speaker A

This is a coin that bridges the gap between the error collector and the condition crank collector. If you're searching through 1980 rolls, this is the $500 lotto ticket, so to speak.

07:39

Speaker A

Let's start with the standard business strike though from Philadelphia. This coin is a 1981 Philadelphia scent graded MS67 red by PCGS.

07:51

Speaker A

This one sold in October of 2025 for $24 at MS67. This is a beautiful high-end coin.

08:03

Speaker A

Philly struck nearly 7.5 billion pennies for 1981. So finding one in a 67 grade isn't impossible, but it is becoming a much more expensive investment as registry set collectors scramble to finish their copper sets. This coin shows full red luster, that bright,

08:26

Speaker A

beautiful orange fire that hasn't been dimmed by time or fingerprints. If your 1981 looks like it basically came fresh out of a roll, then it could be one of those $200 target points like this coin. But look what happens when we

08:43

Speaker A

move from an MS-67 up one point to an MS68. This coin is also a 1981 Philadelphia Lincolnent graded MS68 red though by NGC. It sold in May of 2025 for $960.

09:03

Speaker A

This is a massive price jump for one single grade point. Why? Look at the NGC census. There are only seven coins in this condition. Out of 7.5 billion minted, only seven have been certified as MS68. This one is a statistical

09:24

Speaker A

needle in a hay stack. This coin is essentially flawless. No carbon spots, no contact marks, and a strike so crisp you can see every single line in Lincoln's hair. This one is one of those top tier investments.

09:42

Speaker A

But let's talk about the Denver Challenge. Next, we move to the Denver Mint where 5.3 billion pennies were struck. This is a 1981D graded MS67 red by PCGS.

09:56

Speaker A

It sold in January of 2025 for $180. Denvers from 1981 are notorious for having mushy strikes. If you look at the Dmint mark, it's often slightly filled or really weakly struck. So, finding an MS67 means the coin had to have a strong

10:17

Speaker A

strike from a fresh die at $180. This is one of those breadand butter coins for coin roll hunters, cherry pickers alike. Now, let's take a look at the king of 1981 proofs. This is a 1981s type 1 graded PR70 deep cameo. It sold

10:39

Speaker A

in June of 2025 for a staggering $1,500. This is where the market gets really interesting. While the Type 2 Clear S is technically a scarcer variety in terms of production, the Type 1 in a perfect 70 like this has become a huge prize for

11:01

Speaker A

registry set collectors. Only 65 of them have ever hit this perfect grade at PCGS. It features that deep cameo contrast where Lincoln looks like almost a white statue against a beautiful black sea of glass. If you have a 1981 proof

11:21

Speaker A

set, don't assume the blobby S is worthless. If the coin looks stunning, it looks perfect, it has that wonderful mirrored field, then you might want to consider getting it. graded. It might just be a jackpot. Finally, we have that

11:37

Speaker A

type 2 clear S version to compare to. This is a 1981 S type 2 graded PR69 Ultra Cameo by NGC. It sold for $74.

11:52

Speaker A

Now, this sold at the tail end of 2024 and notice the price difference. This coin is a 69, just one point away from being a perfect 70, but that one point represents a $1,400 drop in value.

12:10

Speaker A

This is one of those vital lessons for newcomers. The 70 grade is the high stakes table. A PR69 is, of course, absolutely beautiful. It's an affordable piece for a casual collector despite being such a high grade. This is because

12:28

Speaker A

proofs were made for collectors. But if you're looking for the big money, you must hunt for that really elusive microscopic perfection that's going to make it a 70. An absolutely flawless proof.

12:46

Speaker A

If you're just starting out or you need a refresher, you've probably heard people talk about large date versus small date. Why did the mint even bother? Zinc is a stiff metal compared to copper. The mint tried to strike the

13:01

Speaker A

original 1982 large date onto the new zinc coins. The metal wouldn't fill the deep crevices of the die. The results were mushy and straight up ugly. To fix this, they redesigned the hub. They made the numbers smaller and moved them

13:17

Speaker A

further away from the edge of the coin. This created the small date. To identify these in your pocket change, look at the number two. On the large date, the diagonal bar of the two is a straight line. It looks like a stick. On the

13:36

Speaker A

small date, that bar has a beautiful elegant curve. It's like a little swan's neck. Also, look at the number eight. In the small date, the top hole of the eight is much, much smaller than the bottom hole. It looks like a perfectly

13:54

Speaker A

stacked little snowman. Once you can spot these differences with your naked eye, you're ahead of 90% of the people looking through their change. But the real money, that comes down to what those dates are made of. You need a

14:09

Speaker A

scale that measures to the hundredth of a gram. usually a kitchen scale or jewelry scale. 3.11 g is your old school copper. 2 1/2 g is the newer zinc. Keep those numbers in mind because they are the difference

14:27

Speaker A

between a few cents and possibly $1,000 or more coin. Now, let's start off with a zinc super gem. This is a coin that represents the peak of modern minting technology. This is a 1982 Philadelphia zinc large date graded MS69 red by PCGS.

14:49

Speaker A

This isn't just a penny, it's a technical marvel. This one sold in 2025 for $1,860.

14:59

Speaker A

When the mint switched to zinc, they struggled with plating blisters. Because the copper is just a thin shell, gas often gets trapped underneath, creating tiny bubbles on the surface. Collectors of course hate those bubbles. This coin, however, is one of only seven that PCGS

15:18

Speaker A

has ever seen in this lofty MS69 grade. It's essentially flawless. Notice the adhesion stippling mentioned in the auction notes. That's a fancy way of saying the copper stuck perfectly to the zinc without any gas pockets. For a registry set collector, this is the end

15:38

Speaker A

boss for the zinc large date series. But let's move to the bronze plus grade. We see how I appeal can drive a price even when the color isn't perfect. This is a 1982 Philadelphia bronze small date MS67 plus red and brown. It sold back in 2024

16:02

Speaker A

for $252. Now notice that this coin is red and brown or RB. Usually in the Lincoln series, full red is the only way to get the big money, but this coin has a plus after that 67. In the world of

16:18

Speaker A

professional grading, that plus means the coin has exceptional eye appeal. Look at the walnut brown toning mixed with those flashes of original orange.

16:29

Speaker A

It's a 3.11 g copper coin that managed to survive in a high state of preservation despite being a small date, which is the scarcer version of the copper strikes from Philly. Let's look at what the majority of you will find in

16:46

Speaker A

your high-grade mint sets, though. This is a 1982 Philadelphia zinc small date graded MS67 plus red. It sold in 2024 for only $77. This is what I call a volume rarity. Millions of these were made, and because they were the new

17:06

Speaker A

variety, people save them in rolls. To get even $77 for one, it has to be super high grade. If you look at this coin under a loop, you'll see it has a very clean look. There's no major scratches.

17:21

Speaker A

For a new collector, this is a great target. It's affordable. It's beautiful. And it teaches you what a plus grade looks like on a zinc surface. Now, let's get over to a Connelly collection pedigree, a word we use to describe a

17:37

Speaker A

coin's history or who owned it before you. This is a 1982 Philadelphia zinc large date graded MS68 red. This piece comes from the famous Connelly collection and sold for $149.

17:52

Speaker A

So, why does it even matter? Because serious collectors want coins that have been curated by other experts. This coin is an MS68, which is one step below that $1,800 coin we saw earlier. PCGS has graded 163 of these at this level. It

18:12

Speaker A

features a bold strike and that vibrant copper red luster. If you are looking to build a high-end set without spending thousands, the MS68 grade is a sweet spot where rarity and affordability meet. I think now we're getting into the

18:30

Speaker A

heavy hitters, though. This is the coin that every copper hunter dreams of finding. This is a 1982 Philadelphia bronze, small date, graded MS68 red. This is the sole finest certified, and it sold for a staggering $3,525.

18:52

Speaker A

Think about those numbers here. The mint made billions of pennies in 1982. Out of all the 3.11 gram copper small dates ever found, this is the single best one. PCGS is graded exactly one coin in MS68 red with zero finer. The

19:13

Speaker A

luster is described as copper orange and mint gold. There are no carbon specks, those tiny black dots that plagued copper coins. This is a trophy coin in every sense. It represents the absolute pinnacle of what was possible at the

19:30

Speaker A

Philly Mint in 82. But let's talk about the impossible $10,000 discovery. This is the 1982D small date struck in bronze graded AU58 by NGC. It sold for $10,800 for over three decades. Every book said that the Denver men only struck small

19:55

Speaker A

dates in zinc. They said they had already switched over all their machines by the time the small date dies arrived.

20:02

Speaker A

But Paul Malone, a collector just like you, didn't believe the books. He weighed a 1982 D small date he found in change. And it didn't weigh 2 1/2 g. It weighed 3.1 g. This coin is what we call

20:18

Speaker A

a transitional alloy error. A leftover copper planchet from the beginning of the year got stuck in the hopper and was struck by a small date die later that summer. It is the modern-day version of the 1943 copper penny. It's graded AU58,

20:37

Speaker A

which means it actually spent some time in someone's pocket before even being found. There are only a couple of these in the entire world. If you find one, you aren't just a collector, you're going to be a legend. Speaking of

20:51

Speaker A

legends, let's talk the minor one, the Denver zinc master. Even the standard Denver coins can bring big money if they are in really high condition. This is a 1982D zinc, small date graded MS68 plus red by PCGS. It sold in the tail end of

21:12

Speaker A

2023 for $4,800. Look at that price. Although this is a couple of years ago, it shows just how rare and valuable these can become.

21:24

Speaker A

Almost $5,000 for a zinc penny. Let's talk about why. Because while the copper version is an error, the zinc version is incredibly hard to find in that high-grade 68 plus condition. PCGS has only seen one coin at this grade level.

21:42

Speaker A

It beat out the population of 17 regular MS-68s to take the crown. If you have a bag of uncirculated 1982 pennies, old rolls, you come across them in a collection, you're looking for that one coin that looks like it was struck

21:59

Speaker A

basically yesterday. Since we're on the subject of perfection, we'll talk about the San Francisco perfection. Proofs are the super models of the coin world. This is a 1982S proof graded PR70 red deep cameo. It sold for $990 in the middle of 2025. All 1982s proofs

22:24

Speaker A

are made of zinc. Because they are handled with white gloves at the mint, you'd think they'd all be perfect, but they aren't. Plating bubbles and microscopic dust usually keep them at a PR68 or 69. To hit a perfect 70, the

22:39

Speaker A

highest grade possible, the coin must be flawless under five times magnification. There are only 69 of these in the world.

22:48

Speaker A

It's the ultimate way to represent the San Francisco Mint in your 1982 collection. Finally, we can't talk about 1982 without talking about the varieties. This is a 1982 Philadelphia large date zinc, but with a double die obverse, graded MS64 red. It sold for

23:09

Speaker A

$84. A phenomenal price for a double die. Even in the middle of the metal transition, the mint was still producing double dyes. Look at the word liberty and the eye of Lincoln. You'll see a distinct shelflike doubling. This coin

23:26

Speaker A

is an MS64, which is actually a pretty accessible grade. At $84, this is a fantastic entry point for a collector who wants to move beyond just dates and mint marks and into the world of variety hunting.

23:44

Speaker A

The transitional holy grail. This coin is the 1983 Philadelphia transitional error struck on a 95% copper planet.

23:55

Speaker A

This specific example is graded MS64 red and brown by NGC. To give you a little perspective, this is the modern-day version of the 1943 copper scent. In a March 2024 auction, bidding for this coin flew past 3 grand

24:14

Speaker A

weeks before the hammer even fell. We've seen MS61 examples sell for as high as almost $5,000.

24:23

Speaker A

It is a missing link that proves that even after the mint officially switches metals, the old guard still finds a way into the presses. But don't get mixed up. Even the standard zinc coins can be winners if they are in really high

24:38

Speaker A

condition. We'll talk about the Charlie O registry gem here. This is a 1983 Philadelphia zinc MS68 red. It sold for $312.

24:51

Speaker A

an awesome premium for that coin. This coin comes from the famous Charlie O's collection, so it has a lot of providence to it. In the world of zinc pennies, MS-68 is incredibly difficult to achieve. This is because of those gas

25:07

Speaker A

bubbles I mentioned earlier. BCGS has only seen 34 in this condition. When a coin has a pedigree and a top population status, registry set collectors are always going to fight for it. But let's move to the Denver Mint. This is a 1983D

25:25

Speaker A

graded MS68 red. This one sold recently back in the end of 2025 for $432.

25:34

Speaker A

Denver usually had slightly better striking during this year and better quality than Philly in the early8s in general really. But 1983 was still one of those really tough years for Denver.

25:47

Speaker A

With only 52 coins graded at this level, you can see why this commanded such a good value. Now, ones in even lower MS grades, though, more circulated coins can still command great values. $50 or more in some cases. So, let's talk about

26:04

Speaker A

one of those coins that's a little less money, but still a great premium. I want to show you how much the grade matters to that value. This next coin is also a 1983D, but it's a reality check. It's a

26:18

Speaker A

MS67 red. We're dropping one grade point. This one sold for $39. So, look at that jump. Between MS67 and 68, the price goes from about 40 bucks to $400 or so. This is why I always say it in

26:34

Speaker A

every video on any type of collectible. If the coin has a single distracting mark on Lincoln's cheek or a cluster of plating bubbles, any sort of major wear like that, it's probably not worth the grading fee in most cases. Just like

26:51

Speaker A

many other collectibles, if it's really beat up from just being handled, it may just not be worth the cost of sending it in. It's still a great collectible, though. Next, though, let's get to the proof. The San Francisco Mirror. This is

27:05

Speaker A

a 1983S graded PR70 red ultra cameo. It sold for $312. For 1983, San Francisco was only producing proof sets. To hit a 70, the perfect grade, the coin has to be flawless. No milk spots, no haze, and deep mirror like fields. So, finding

27:28

Speaker A

this 40-year-old zinc proof that hasn't developed spots is a challenge that any collector would just pay out to win in a bid. But let's talk about the variety that changed the game. A great error from 1983.

27:44

Speaker A

This is a 1983 FS801 double die reverse. This one's graded at MS68 red. It sold for a staggering $5,280.

27:57

Speaker A

This is one of the most famous double dyes in the entire Lincoln series. People absolutely love these coins. Just look at the lettering on the reverse.

28:08

Speaker A

This double die is awesome. In the phrase United States of America and 1 cent, they generally show a massive bold doubling on this air. This coin in particular is an MS-68, making it one of only eight known at this grade. But

28:24

Speaker A

don't get deterred in any way. If you find one of these DDR errors, you're sitting on great value. Finally, for the hunter on a budget though, I want to make sure we get out of those $5,000 price points and talk even more reality.

28:40

Speaker A

Now, by reality, I am talking about error prices and in relation to that $5,000 coin. So, we're not talking too cheap here, but we're dropping significantly. This coin is another 1983 double die reverse FS801, but this one's an MS-66 red. An

28:57

Speaker A

absolutely beautiful grade and beautiful coin valued at just over $500. So, this is the same variety as that $5,000 coin, just two points lower on the grading scale. This shows that you don't need a perfect coin to make that significant

29:14

Speaker A

profit. If you find this double die in any sort of way, you're looking at a multi00 coin in most cases. And hey, you might have that really, really high condition one. You send it off, it gets graded really well, and you might be

29:28

Speaker A

another person and up that number from 8 known to 9, 10, whatever it is, and be sitting on a multi,000 coin.

29:39

Speaker A

The standard for a high-end collection. This is a 1984 Lincoln scent graded MS-68 red. This one sold in January of 2025 for $99.

29:53

Speaker A

For a coin with a mintage of 8 billion, you might wonder why anyone would pay a h 100red bucks for one of these. The answer is the grade. An MS68 is technically superior to 99.9% of all 1984 pennies. At this level, you

30:12

Speaker A

are looking for a full red luster on the coin. That bright original orange glow that makes the coin look like it was minted just yesterday. Most pennies from the8s have turned brown or red brown due to moisture and exposure to the

30:27

Speaker A

elements. Finding a blazing red survivor is like the first step of building a winning registry set. Now, let's head over to the Denver Mint where the standards were even tougher. I think this is a 1984D graded MS68 red. It sold back in

30:45

Speaker A

November of 2023 for $216. I think is a prime example of what you're looking for on Denver minted coins from this year. Notice the jump though. The 1984D is significantly harder to find in high MSG grades than the Philadelphia cousin. According to

31:05

Speaker A

the PCGS population reports, there are only 32 or so at this grade with only one finer. When you see a 32 to1 population, you are looking at a serious condition rarity. Collectors fought over this coin because it represents a top

31:22

Speaker A

population opportunity for a Denver mint set. But you have to talk about the supermodel of 1984, the San Francisco Perfection. This is a 1984S proof graded PR70 red ultra cameo. This sold in the tail end of 2024 for $180.

31:44

Speaker A

Proof coins are struck specifically for collectors. Of course, this is done using polished dyes and planchets. While most proofs are high-grade, a PR70 is basically flawless. It means the coin is perfect under five times magnification.

32:02

Speaker A

The ultra cameo designation refers to that heavy contrast where Lincoln looks like a white frosted statue against a blackened mirror background. At $180, this is the ultimate showpiece for an 80s collection. A great premium over the 1-cent face value, over the cost of

32:20

Speaker A

proof coins, and really the cost of grading included in that. But now let's talk about the coin that made 1984 famous. The double die obverse. This is a 1984 DDO or doubledear Lincoln graded MS64 red and brown. This one sold in

32:40

Speaker A

December of 2024 for right over $100. This is the double ear variety. If you look right at Lincoln's earlobe, you will see a clear distinct second lobe hanging below the first. This isn't a bubble or a scratch. It's a true double

32:57

Speaker A

dye. This specific coin is a red brown and graded MS-64. Because it's not a gem like MS65 or higher, it's affordable.

33:06

Speaker A

So, for $109, you can own a piece of numismatic history that you can actually see with the naked eye. So, it's pretty cool. Finally, we see what happens when a famous error meets the high grade, though. This is a 1984 double die

33:21

Speaker A

obverse FS101 rated MS67 red. It sold in December of 2025 for $384. This is the FS101, the primary variety listed in the cherry pickers guide. Unlike the previous coin, this one is graded really high at MS67 red. It's a gem quality survivor with

33:46

Speaker A

full mint luster. When you combine a major variety like that with a really high grade, it's always going to sell for a ton of money. This coin sold for nearly 400 bucks because it satisfies both the error hunter and the condition

33:59

Speaker A

conscious collector. It is really a great definition of a double threat. Philly chrome survivor. We'll start off with Philadelphia with no mint mark on it in the strike. This is a 1985 Philadelphia Lincoln scent graded MS68 red. So really, really high. It sold in

34:22

Speaker A

the latter end of 20123 for $114. As you know, I like to keep all prices in any videos within the last couple of years, and I always update things as we go. Now, let's look at the population numbers for this coin. PCGS has only

34:41

Speaker A

graded 66 of these in this grade with only one single coin graded higher. So you can imagine the price tag on that.

34:49

Speaker A

When you have a mintage of over 5.6 billion of them and only 67 coins are known at this level or better, you are looking at a true condition rarity. This coin represents the ceiling so far for most collectors. It has that distinctive

35:07

Speaker A

85 chrome luster. Not quite a mirror, but a deep silky red that makes it stand out in the slab. It's a really beautiful coin. But we need to move over into the heavy hitters, the thousand Denver legend. This is the coin that every

35:24

Speaker A

modern hunter is going to dream of. This is a 1985D Lincolnent graded MS69 red.

35:32

Speaker A

It's an absolutely beautiful example that sold for over $1,000. Let's look at the grade MS69. In the world of coin grading, a 69 is essentially perfect to the naked eye. As most of you know, out of 5.2 billion pennies struck out of

35:50

Speaker A

Denver that year, PCGS alone has only certified 11 at this level. There are zero graded higher at any grading company. This is what we call the top of the population or top of pop. The buyer paid over $1,000 because this coin is a

36:07

Speaker A

straightup trophy. It has zero carbon spots and zero plating blisters. A near impossible feat for a 40-year-old zinc penny like this. This one is an ultimate example of what the Denver Mint was capable of in 1985. Finally, let's look

36:26

Speaker A

at the supermodel from San Francisco, the San Francisco proof. This is a 1985 S proof graded PR70 red ultra cameo.

36:37

Speaker A

It's absolutely gorgeous. It sold right at the end of 2024 for $99. If you don't want to spend a,000 bucks, this bad boy is your target. You can buy the 1985 proof set right now for around $15 to $30. Inside you'll find this

36:56

Speaker A

coin. However, most of them are going to grade PR69 or less. To get the $99 price tag or even higher in some cases, as we've seen across the internet, it has to be that pure 70, a perfect grade.

37:11

Speaker A

Look at the contrast. A deep mirror black field and that frosted look to Lincoln. It's the highest level of minting technology from 85. And it's one of the most beautiful coins in the entire Lincoln series, I think, for the

37:25

Speaker A

80s. Now, don't be discouraged, though. You don't need a 686970. Heck, if you bust open that proof set, it got rattled around a little bit. You still can have a pretty high grade on them that's going to turn a value much

37:39

Speaker A

more than your 15, 20, maybe $30 investment in the entire proof set itself. So, let's wrap things up. 1985 is a year where the package is more important than the pocket, I think.

37:55

Speaker A

The king of the mid80s, the Philadelphia Miracle. This 1986 Philadelphia Lincoln scent, graded MS69 red. This one sold at the very end of 2023 for $5,760.

38:12

Speaker A

This is one of the rarest of the modern Lincoln scents. Collectors love this coin and out of 4.5 billion of them struck in Philadelphia, PCGS has only ever seen two in this condition. Think about those odds. That is one in every

38:30

Speaker A

2.25 billion coins. Both sides are pristine. They're fully struck and they glow with that really pretty original mint copper red color. There are zero carbon spots and more importantly, zero plating blisters. When a condition sensus coin like this hits the auction block, the

38:51

Speaker A

price isn't set by a guide really. It's set by whoever has the deepest pockets.

38:57

Speaker A

But we have to look over to the Denver Mint. First talking about the Denver baseline. When you take a look at Denver, which was just as productive as Philly that year, we take a look at this coin, a 1986D Lincoln scent, graded MS68

39:15

Speaker A

red. This one sold in November of 2025 for $69. Now, that's what I still call a volume winner. At 69 bucks, this is an accessible coin for most serious collectors. While it's one grade lower than that MS69 we just saw, it still

39:34

Speaker A

requires that high level of preservation. In MS68, you're looking at a coin that was likely just that lucky hunter out there. If you're hunting for coins to send in for grading, that is your baseline target. If it doesn't look

39:49

Speaker A

this clean, you're kind of wasting your time and you're going to end up with a coin that's really going to just come back, maybe worth the cost of grading.

39:58

Speaker A

Now, let's talk about the Denver Powerhouse, though. We have to look at what happens when that Denver coin jumps up just one more grade, and we see this 1986D Lincoln scent graded MS69 red.

40:12

Speaker A

This one sold in April of 2025 for $2,40. Here is the power of the population report. PCGS has only seen 10 coins at this MS69 level from the Denver Mint.

40:31

Speaker A

Because it's slightly more common than the Philly version, 10 coins versus two coins, the price is a bit lower, but it still commands over $2,000.

40:42

Speaker A

This coin is effectively flawless. For a Denver penny to survive, the 1500 mile trip from the mint to a collector's hands without a single scratch is a minor miracle in itself. Finally, we have the San Francisco proof. The San

40:59

Speaker A

Francisco Perfection. This is a 1986s proof coin graded PR70 red ultra cameo. This one sold at the tail end of 2024 for $129.

41:15

Speaker A

Now, as we discussed in the last video with the 1985 sets, these are found in annual proof sets. While you can buy the whole set for about $15, maybe 20 with shipping. The individual penny inside usually grades a PR68 or 9. To hit PR70

41:35

Speaker A

and that $130 price tag, the coin must be perfect under five times magnification. It features that deep, beautiful mirror-l like finish and the ultra cameo frost on Lincoln's portrait that us collectors love. I think with the market so low as far as cost on a lot of sealed

41:55

Speaker A

mint sets that you can get especially from the 60s, the 70s, 80s, 90s, all those last few years before rolling into the 2000s with the changes to the Lincoln. Those you can pick up for really cheap. Those are of course a

42:10

Speaker A

great way to just expand your collection in my opinion, but also a good way to cheaply hunt for those proof coins that can be graded really well.

42:22

Speaker A

In 1987, the mint was perfecting the use of those chromeplated dyes we talked about in the last few videos. This produced coins with a very satiny or matte-like finish. While they look really beautiful, they are incredibly sensitive. The thin copper plating on

42:42

Speaker A

1987 pennies is super prone to micro toning. This is tiny black or brown spots that form when the zinc underneath reacts with air. To hit the big money, the coins have to be virtually spot-free and really, really clean. So, let's get

42:59

Speaker A

to the coins. Let's start off with the Philadelphia Powerhouse. This is a coin that is a true modern rarity. It's a 1987 Philadelphia Lincoln graded MS69 red. It sold in April of 2025 for $1,920.

43:19

Speaker A

Look at the population on this coin. PCGS has only seen seven examples in this grade with zero finer. Out of nearly 4.7 billion Lincoln struck in Philly that year, only seven are considered this close to perfection. At nearly two grand, this coin is a

43:40

Speaker A

registry crusher. It features full original copper red luster and a strike so sharp it looks like it was made yesterday. This is why we check those uncirculated mint sets. This is why we really keep an eye out in our pocket

43:54

Speaker A

change for those really clean coins in coin hunting in general. This is how you find the coins that turn good profit.

44:03

Speaker A

Let's move over to the Denver Mint though where production was also in the billions. And let's talk about the baseline. This is a 1987D Lincoln scent graded MS68 red. It sold in the very end of 2023 for $139.

44:22

Speaker A

This is the standard high-end target for most collectors, I think. With 56 of them known, it's rare, but it's not impossible. At $139, it's an affordable way to represent the Denver Men in a high-grade set. When you're looking at these, pay close

44:40

Speaker A

attention to the reverse. The pillars of the Lincoln Memorial are often where you'll find the first signs of wear or plating issues, but you might already know that. And this is going to apply to pretty much any Lincoln scent that's

44:53

Speaker A

like this with this design. We need to also talk about the variety from the Dmintmark. This is the real money maker, the 1987 D overD repunched mintmark.

45:06

Speaker A

This is a wonderful variety. And this one's graded MS-67 red. It sold for $528.

45:15

Speaker A

This is a repunch mintmark or RPM. And back in 1987, the mint marks were still punched into the dyes by hand. Sometimes the worker would hit the punch twice, creating a secondary D slightly offset from the first. This is the FS501

45:34

Speaker A

variety. And in the high MS-67 grade, it is incredibly rare with only four of them known. This coin proves that you don't just look for condition, you look for the story behind the strike. But speaking of story, let's talk about that

45:50

Speaker A

San Francisco proof perfection, the supermodel from the SM. This 1987 S proof, graded PR70 red ultra cameo. It sold in 2024 for $19.

46:06

Speaker A

This one is found in 1987 proof sets, which you can usually pick up for under $20. These coins are technically the best the mint could produce, but hitting a 70 is still a crazy challenge. Any tiny bit of dust or a single microscopic

46:24

Speaker A

hairline scratch, even from the mints machinery, will drop this down to a 69 or lower. At $19, it's the perfect way to cap off any 87 collection.

46:40

Speaker A

How do you spot the FS901? Before we look at those prices, you need to know exactly what you're looking for.

46:48

Speaker A

Grab your 10 times loop. Grab those 1988 Lincoln scents, flip them over, and check out the reverse. Look at the bottom right of the Lincoln Memorial for the designer's initials, FG for Frank Gasparro. The normal 1988 reverse of 88.

47:06

Speaker A

The initials look thin and flat. The vertical bar of the G is straight up and down. Crucially, the bottom of the G stops short. It does not dip below the curve. The variety. This is a reverse of 89 or an FS901.

47:24

Speaker A

The initials are thick and bold. The flare is what you're looking for, which is the top of the vertical bar of the G.

47:32

Speaker A

Has a distinct serap or flare pointing left. The vertical bar of the G extends below the bottom curve of the letter. It looks like a little hook. If you see that hook and that flare, you might just have yourself an FS901.

47:50

Speaker A

Now, let's see what those are worth. The first coin we're going to talk about is for the realist. It's a 1988 Lincoln scent flare G FS901 graded MS63 red brown. This sold in 2024 for only $31.

48:08

Speaker A

So, this coin sold for basically, if not less than the cost of getting it graded.

48:14

Speaker A

This is an MS63 RB. This means the coin has lost some of its original luster and is starting to turn brown. Even in the modest condition, it sold for 30 bucks.

48:25

Speaker A

That is 3,100 times its face value. And so, I call that a premium. This proves you don't need a perfect coin to make a little money. But like I said, it's one of those coins I'd say you need to hold

48:36

Speaker A

on to since that's going to be the cost of grading itself. If you find a brown 1988 Lincoln scent in your change with that flare G, don't throw it back. It's not retirement money, but it's something to hold on to and going to gain value

48:51

Speaker A

over time. Now, let's talk about the mid-tier Hunter. This is a 1988 Lincoln scent flare G reverse of 89. This one's graded MS65 red brown by NGC. It sold in late 2025 for $147.

49:11

Speaker A

Now notice the label and how it says reverse of89. That is just another name for the Flare G FS901.

49:19

Speaker A

This coin is an MS65. What we call gem condition. It's still red brown, but it has decent eye appeal.

49:27

Speaker A

I think it's a really pretty coin at nearly $150. This is the sweet spot for most variety hunters. It's rare, but not so expensive that you're afraid to jump after it.

49:39

Speaker A

This is the grade you are most likely to find if you are searching through original 1988 bank rolls, which you can pick up online. Next, let's jump to the jackpot. What happens if you find one that is fully red and flawless? This is

49:55

Speaker A

a 1988 Lincoln scent flare G FS901, graded MS67 red. It sold in 20124 for $1,350.

50:08

Speaker A

This is one of those treasures of the 1988 varieties. At MS67 red, it's incredibly difficult to find because, as we know, 1988 zinc lincolnents love to develop spots. To find this transitional error on a coin that also survive with

50:28

Speaker A

perfect surfaces is like a double lottery win. If you come across a really goodlooking 1988 scent like these, this is why you check it. You aren't just looking for those high grades. you are looking for that specific die pair.

50:44

Speaker A

Finally, I wanted to round out the video and talk about a 1988 variety that's unlike these. Let's look at this 1988 Lincolnent double die obverse graded MS65 red by Annex. It sold in the middle of 2025 for $656.

51:06

Speaker A

While everyone's looking at that FG on the reverse, they sometimes forget to check the obverse thoroughly. The major DDO for 1988, often the FS101 usually shows strong doubling on Lincoln's ear. You will see a second earlobe roughly protruding below the

51:24

Speaker A

main one. Even in an older annex holder, this variety commands a serious value. $650 for an MS-65. Tells you that the market for 1988 errors is very, very healthy.

51:41

Speaker A

This is a 1989 Philadelphia scent graded MS68 red. It sold at the end of 2024 for $124.

51:53

Speaker A

This is going to be the standard for a high quality collection. The Philly Mint pumped out billions of these, but finding one without spots is the challenge. PCGS has seen about 46 of these in MS68.

52:09

Speaker A

It's a respectable coin, bringing in over a hundred bucks. I think it sets the stage. 1989 is common, but clean 89s are really hard to find. Compare this $124 price tag to what happens when you cross the Mississippi River into the

52:31

Speaker A

Denver Mint. We're talking about an $8,000 monster. This is the coin that changes everything. This is a 1989D graded MS69 red. It sold in 2025 for $8,400.

52:52

Speaker A

Look at that phenomenal price. $8,400 for a zinc penny. Why? Because it is at the top of the grading charts, one point away from perfection. It's an MS69.

53:10

Speaker A

PCGS is only graded four coins at this level. There are zero graded finer. This coin is described as having vibrantly lustrous copper orange surfaces and being spotless. In the registry set world, this is a pop four trophy. An absolutely beautiful coin.

53:32

Speaker A

When you have 50 wealthy collectors bidding over four coins, the prices explode. This is arguably the most important 1989D in existence. To prove how important that 69 grade is, we need to talk about the Denver drop off. Let's look at the

53:53

Speaker A

very next step down. This is a 1989D graded MS68 red. It sold in January of 2025 for $24.

54:06

Speaker A

Now, this is an MS68, just one point lower than the $8,000 coin we just looked at, but the price drops to 200 bucks. That is a grade cliff, if I've ever seen one. If you are submitting coins to any grading service,

54:24

Speaker A

you are gambling on this difference. If you get the 69, you buy possibly a new car. If you get the 68, you buy yourself a really nice dinner. This coin is still beautiful and it's still valuable, but it highlights just how elite that MS69

54:43

Speaker A

really is. But now for something strange from San Francisco. This is a 1989 S proof graded PR67 red and brown. It sold at the end of 2025 for $360.

55:00

Speaker A

This is a weird one though. Usually proof coins are deep cameo and basically perfect. A grade of PR67 is actually quite low for a modern proof. And the color is red brown, meaning it has toned a bit. Yet, it sold

55:18

Speaker A

for $360 and more than the MS68 business stripe. This likely represents a very specific kind of eye appeal. perhaps spectacular rainbow toning or a matte-like appearance that attracted a specialist.

55:34

Speaker A

It proves that sometimes a really unique look can be beautiful to the right person and be worth more than a perfect technical grade. I absolutely love this coin. Finally though, let's get to the copper ghost. The lottery ticket. This

55:52

Speaker A

1989D struck on a pre83 copper planchet. It's graded MS65 red and it sold a little while back in 2018 for $7,500.

56:08

Speaker A

Now, first off, I know this was 78 years ago, but what a really cool coin. It's just a fun one to round out the list. It is incredibly rare, and this coin shouldn't even exist. Copper planets weighing 3.11 gram were phased out back

56:26

Speaker A

in ' 82. This coin was struck in ' 89, 7 years later. How did a copper blank hide in the mint machinery for 7 years? Or was it slipped in on purpose? That is the theory of many of us collectors.

56:42

Speaker A

This was purposely done, but we'll never know. But what we know is it weighs 3.1 gram and is composed of 95% copper. It's sold for over $7,000.

56:55

Speaker A

This is why you have to weigh your coins. If you find a 1989 that feels heavy, put it on a scale. If it hits over 3.1 g, you just hit yourself a jackpot. Check out my website, variety.com, for all things currency, precious

57:13

Speaker A

metals, and collectibles. And best of all, everything is free to use.

Topics: 1980s Lincoln cents doubled die error FS101 double die coin grading MS67 MS68 PR70 deep cameo coin collecting variety hunting Lincoln penny values


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