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So, we've made it to one of my favorite decades to look for Lincoln cents in your pocket change, the 1990s.
Explore the most valuable 1990s Lincoln cents, including rare proof coins, wide and close AM errors, and grading tips for collectors.
Key Takeaways
- High-grade 1990s Lincoln cents, especially proofs and mint errors, can be worth hundreds to thousands of dollars.
- Toning significantly affects coin value and should not be cleaned off by collectors.
- Grading is essential for unlocking the true value of near-perfect condition pennies.
- Proof coins with mint errors like the 1990 no S proof are extremely rare and valuable.
- The Denver Mint produced some of the most valuable high-grade Lincoln cents in the 1990s.
What the video covers
- The 1990s are a prime decade for valuable Lincoln cents, including rare proof coins and mint errors.
- 1990 Philadelphia cents are common but high-grade MS68 red examples can fetch over $180.
- Denver Mint 1990D coins are rarer in high grades, with MS69 red examples selling for $360.
- 1990 San Francisco proof coins, especially the no S proof error, are highly valuable, with some selling for thousands.
- Toned coins from the 1990s can command premium prices due to their unique eye appeal.
- 1991 Lincoln cents are notable for plating blister errors; pristine examples can be worth hundreds to thousands.
- High-grade 1991D Lincoln cents are extremely rare and valuable, with MS69 red examples selling near $3,000.
- Collectors are advised to avoid cleaning toned coins and to consider grading for high-grade specimens.
- Proof sets from the 1990s are affordable and a good starting point for collectors seeking rare varieties.
- The video provides detailed grading and value ranges for various mint marks and conditions throughout the 1990s.
Chapters
- 00:00Introduction to 1990s Lincoln Cents
- 03:471990 San Francisco Mint Proof Coins
- 07:23Toning and Collecting Tips
- 11:121991 Lincoln Cents and Plating Blisters
- 15:12High-Grade 1991 Denver Mint Coins
- 21:351994 to 1995 Lincoln Cents Overview
- 26:541999 Denver Mint Lincoln Cents
- 30:05Conclusion and Treasure Hunting Advice
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
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It is a great decade full of really valuable coins, so we're going to cover every one of them. All of them from every mint, including the proof coins and those wide and close AMs that are worth really good money. There's a bunch
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of other really fun ones throughout the 90s as well, so I think you'll really enjoy this video. So, let's get to it.
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Let's look at some valuable 1990s Lincoln cents. In 1990, the Philly Mint struck nearly 7 billion Lincoln cents. None of them have a mint mark. Those are worth usually around the face value of 1 cent. The rare no S is a proof coin. It must have
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a mirror-like finish, reflective background, and frosted details. These were only found in proof sets. If you find a shiny 1990 Lincoln cent in your grocery store change, it's likely just a very clean Philadelphia coin.
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The best of the normals. This is the Philadelphia workhorse, the 1990 Philadelphia Lincoln cent. This one graded MS68 red. It sold in November of 2025 for a healthy $181.
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This is what happens when a regular 1990 Lincoln cent survives in near perfect condition. MS68 is an elite grade, especially for zinc pennies, because they are so prone to zinc rot bubbles.
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$181 I think is a fantastic return for a coin that literally billions of people ignored for so long. Now, what if yours isn't that MS68? Most uncirculated 1990 pennies you would find in a roll or in your pocket change will generally grade
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still pretty well if they're really, really clean. They could even grade in the low MS grades.
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At those levels like MS61 through 63, they are worth between 10 cents and about five or $10. Once you get over the MS65 mark, you'll see these jump up to about 30 to $50 with MS67s and higher, of course, reaching higher values.
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So, although there is a cost of grading, some of these still found in pocket change are worth holding on to and getting graded down the road maybe. Now, let's look at the Denver Mint, though.
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This is a Denver gem. This coin is a 1990D Lincoln cent graded MS69 red by NGC. It sold in the middle of 2025 for $360.
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Last time we saw a 1989D in MS69 sell for over eight grand. So, why did this 1990D sell for, well, only $360?
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It comes down to the population. In 1990, the Denver Mint had been pretty quality controlled. There are more 1969s known for 1990 than '89. So, simply put, there's less of them out there for '89, they have more value.
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If you have a 1990D that looks really great, but isn't going to fetch that 69 you think, here's a better breakdown. An MS64 is still worth a couple bucks. Even in raw form if it was really, really clean, it will be worth more than the
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one cent face value, but not enough to talk about. If you can send it off to grade and get MS67 or higher, you'd be looking at a 25 or $30 coin or more.
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But, until they get to MS68 or higher is when they're going to breach $100.
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But, what about the San Francisco Mint? We have to talk about the proofs from 1990.
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This is a 1990 S proof graded PR70 deep cameo. It sold in the middle of 2024 for $252.
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This is a perfect 70. Under a microscope, this coin has no flaws basically. Even though millions were made, only a fraction of them will earn the PR70 grade. At $250, this is a staple for high-end collectors.
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For the standard 90S proof though, most will grade at PR68 or 69 deep cameo at best. Because they are so common so to speak, a PR69 is only worth about $20. If your proof has some minor spots or hairlines and
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grades PR67, 68, the value drops exponentially. But now let's get to the main event, the 1990 no S.
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This is a 1990 no S proof graded PR69 deep cameo. It sold during the latter end of 2025 for $7,200.
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This is going to be one of those true treasure finds. A mint worker accidentally used a Philadelphia die to strike proof cents in San Francisco. Only about 200 to 250 of these are expected to be in existence. This specific coin is a PR69,
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just one point away from perfection. At $7,200, this single Lincoln cent is worth more than 600 entire proof sets.
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Even in lower proof grades, this coin is still a monster. There's been evidence of one selling at PR67 for over $3,000.
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And a PR68 selling for $4,500. So even lower graded ones are still commanding a huge value.
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Finally, something for the art lovers. Something a little bit different and really valuable. This coin is a 1990-S proof graded PR68 red-brown toned.
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It sold at the end of 2025 for $925. Wait a minute. A PR68 sold for nearly a thousand dollars? That's more than the PR70.
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Why? Because of toning. This comes from the Terry's Toners collection. Over 30 years, the chemicals in the packaging created a rainbow effect. It made this coin absolutely beautiful. I love toning, maybe you do, too.
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Toned coins are really subjective, though. A normal brown or spotted PR69 is typically worth like eight bucks. But when you add monster toning, the grade almost doesn't matter.
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PR65 with spectacular neon colors to it can easily outsell some boring PR69 all day.
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This is niche, but eye appeal is the ultimate currency sometimes. As you can see, 1990 is a year of extremes. So, what's my strategy for hunting them? Get a hold of proof sets.
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They never hurt to be in your collection. They don't necessarily gain a ton of value over time, but for 1990, grabbing a couple of them up for 20-30 bucks and having some fun looking at the coins with your loupe or magnification
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to see if you have something. So, they're great to look through. Also, never clean a toned coin. Just because it has toning doesn't mean it needs to be cleaned. Collectors truly love the toning, as you can see with the
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sale of that thousand-dollar PR68. 1991 is a prime year for what we call plating blisters. Because the zinc core reacts so easily with the copper plating, you'll often see tiny bubbles.
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If you find a '91 Lincoln cent with zero bubbles and a very clean surface, a sharp strike on Lincoln's hair, and no carbon spots, which are those nasty little tiny black dots, you've found a candidate for grading. But remember, in
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the early '90s, the mint was pumping these out by the billions, so you really need to be looking for perfection.
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First up, a beautiful example from the Philadelphia Mint. This is a 1991 Philadelphia Lincoln cent graded MS68 red. It sold right at the end of 2025 for $260.
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This coin came from the Terry Toner's collection. You've probably heard about this before or in a few other videos I've made. It tells you right away it had a spectacular eye appeal. That whole collection is incredible. It is a top
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population coin for Philly from that year. For a zinc penny to reach MS68 without developing a single spot or bubble over 30 years is a feat by itself. At $260, this is a serious win for a penny you can still find. So, what
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if yours isn't that MS68 though? Now, when you get lower in grade, obviously, it's lower in value, but even the mid MS grades are still going to sell for an upwards of 40 or 50 dollars, in some instances, even more. If you can get to
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the higher MS grades though, that's when you'll break into triple digits. But now, we cross over to the Denver Mint, where the real money is hiding.
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This is a 1991 D Lincoln cent graded MS69 red with a green label. It sold in April of 2025 for $2,880.
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This coin is really special for two reasons. First, it's an MS69. There are only 10 of these known to exist at PCGS.
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Second, it's in an old green holder. In the coin world, green label holders often suggest that the grader was conservative and the coin might actually grade higher if it were to be resubmitted.
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At nearly $3,000, this is a registry set powerhouse already. It shows that satiny surfaces and a lack of any abrasions are really the key to a jackpot. It's also a little bit of wishful thinking. Possibly they could bust it out, send it in for grading, and
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increase the value exponentially. If your 1991 D is not that shiny MS69 though, don't panic. Even lower grade ones that are MS66 o
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But as you can see, a jump from MS68 to 69 can be the difference of thousands.
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This is the condition rarity game in a nutshell in one Lincoln cent. But let's get to a heavyweight for that year, even bigger than that previous price. This is a 1991 D Lincoln cent graded MS69 red.
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It sold for $3,722. So you can see that massive price jump in two coins that sold at similar times.
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This coin came from the Lincoln collection of Lincoln cents, a world-class pedigree. This sale actually outperformed that green label coin we just saw. Why?
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Because the market for tied for finest known coins is always aggressive. When a collector is building that number one set in the world. They're willing to pay a massive premium for a coin with a documented history and perfect copper
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orange luster. This is the ultimate goal for really any hunter of Lincoln cents. Again, for the Denver mint, don't be discouraged if yours isn't that top of population coin. You can still get really, really good value out of many
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'91 Denver cents if they are in high condition in general. But any tiny little scratch is going to drop the grade and of course drop the value. So really take note of the fields, the strike, and look at Lincoln's cheek. You
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want it to be really defined, but mainly, due to the production of pennies and the way they're transported, there can be tiny, tiny scratches on Lincoln's face, so you'll want to use a loupe.
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Now, let's look at the San Francisco mint though, a coin there that breaks the rules.
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This is a 1991-S Proof, graded PR66 Red and Brown, that sold in November of 2025 for $79.
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Now, let's wait a minute. When you normally see a PR66, which is quite low, and usually considered damaged for proof coins, they sell for really nothing. So $79 is actually a great price for this coin, but let's talk about why. If you
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look at the color, red and brown, you'll notice that this coin has developed unique, natural toning. And that eye appeal is really what's going to garner this value. Someone bought this for the look, not the technical grade. It proves
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to us all that even imperfect coins can have their own market if they have a little bit of character. A standard spotted PR66 is usually going to be considered a coal coin worth maybe a few dollars.
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Most collectors are really only going to want PR69 Deep Cameos or better. These sell for still around 20 to $40. So, this $79 sale for this coin is absolutely phenomenal. Finally, we're going to get to the benchmark for the
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San Francisco mint. This is the perfect proof. We mentioned PR 70, it's time to show one. This is a 1990 S Lincoln cent proof graded PR 70 deep cameo.
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It sold a little while back for $160 in 2023, but I wanted to show you pure perfection. What you're looking for on really any coin, but in this case proofs. There are 704 of these graded by PCGS. This makes them much more common
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than the business strikes we discussed earlier actually. At $159, this is a must-have for a complete 91 set. It features deep mirrored fields, that heavy frost on Lincoln, and that beautiful deep cameo look.
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If you have a 91 S proof that looks perfect, but only grades PR 69, don't be let down. It can still sell for well upwards of 50 to $100. Unfortunately, since so many of them are in that population, the value has not risen too
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much over the years, but that wax and Wayne is still on your side as values are slowly but steadily going up. 1991 is a year where Denver's really the king. So, my 91 hunting strategy is pretty straightforward. It's all about
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the Denver hunt. If you are buying original bankrolls, you come across an old collection, if you have a really clean one out of pocket change, the potential for a $3,000 MS 69 is actually much higher there than in Philly. But,
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you're probably going to find one of those in uncirculated bankrolls. You're going to want to watch the plating though. If you see bubbles, keep moving.
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Only the smoothest satiny surfaces are going to have a shot at real value. But again, look at those gambles of the proofs as well as any other coins.
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Sometimes crazy toning can supersede a lower grade. A really good eye appeal can always be seen selling high on the market in a lot of cases, especially for Lincoln cents.
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Before you get any big money, you have to know what you're looking at. Let's talk about close AM versus wide AM real quick. On the reverse of a standard 1992 penny, the A and the M in the word
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America should be clearly separated. This is known as the wide AM design. On the rare variety, the feet of the A and the M are practically touching one another. That is the close AM or FS-901.
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Also, look at the initials FG for the designer Frank Gasparro near the bottom right of the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse. On the rare close AM, the initials are further away from the building and lack the seraph on the G.
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If you find a '92 with these features, you're not just looking at a Lincoln cent, you're looking at a possible down payment on a house depending on your condition.
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So, let's get into the first one, the major win, a $22,000 Philly coin. The coin that keeps every hunter awake at night in this year is this 1992 Philadelphia Lincoln cent close AM graded MS-63 red-brown. It sold in
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February of 2025 for $22,500. Now, let's look at that price tag. This isn't even a perfect grade. It's an MS-63 red-brown. This coin spent some time being handled before it was identified. It shows that even a circulated-looking 1992 can be a massive
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winner if it has that close AM. At $22,500, this is the missing link that every roll hunter would dream of finding. But let's do a reality check for the lower grades.
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What if you find one that is even more worn? Because this is a major variety, even an about uncirculated or AU example of a Philadelphia close AM can sell for over two or three thousand dollars. Even in VF or very fine condition where the
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coin is basically heavily worn, it's still a thousand dollar plus coin. That's how rare these 1992 Philly close AMs are. Now let's talk about a normal version though. This is the regular 1992 Philadelphia Lincoln cent graded MS68 red. It sold in January of 2025
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for $74. Now this is a graded version of the Philly workhorse. This is a standard wide AM coin in near perfect condition.
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Even though billions were made, hitting an MS68 is actually really tough. At $74, it's a great example of why condition will matter in pretty much any coin you find when you're going to send it off to grade. But it also shows the
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massive gap between a perfect normal coin and a rare variety error. For standard 1992 pennies, anything below MS65 is worth exactly a penny pretty much. An MS66 might get you five to maybe $20, but MS67 and higher is where
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you're going to see any profit, really in the MS68 range or higher as you can see here. But don't fret because you can find great errors and mistakes in Denver as well. So let's get over to the Denver
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mint. This is a Denver brown-toned treasure, and it's just as elusive, really. This is a 1992 D Lincoln cent with a close AM graded MS64 brown. This one sold in 2025 right at the end of the year for $2,640.
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Now, this coin has a lot of toning to it. It's brown designated, meaning it has lost its original red luster.
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Despite the lack of color, the rarity of that close AM variety, especially in the Denver mint, drives the price into the thousands. There are only a handful of these known to exist. So, it shares a lot of the same things as the
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Philadelphia coin. Even in lower than MS grades, these Denver 1992 coins with that close AM can sell for hundreds of dollars. A Denver close AM in lower uncirculated grades, like MS60 to 62, still sells for like $500 to $1,000.
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If you find one that is truly circulated, like EF or AU, you're still looking at like $300 and upwards of a $600 payday. The Denver version is slightly more common than the Philly, but it's still an elite find.
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Let's see another Denver close AM for comparison. This is the Annex Denver discovery, a 1992 D Lincoln cent with a close AM graded MS60 red brown.
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It sold on May 5th, 2024 for $928. This coin was graded by Annex as an MS60. It's the baseline for the uncirculated coin. At nearly $1,000, it proves that you don't need a registry crusher to make big money. If the
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diagnostics are there, the variety is there, the money's going to follow. Even a raw, ungraded 1992-D close AM that you find in a bank roll can sell for well over 100 bucks if not more.
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Let's get back to the standard strikes though. You need to see a regular Denver minted coin so you can compare the values.
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This is a 1992-D Lincoln cent graded MS68 red. It sold in January of 2026 for $54.
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Now this coin is a technical beauty. It has vibrant copper red luster, a great strike, it's really clean, and like the Philly version, it's a top population coin for standard collectors.
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At 54 bucks, it's an affordable way to add a perfect Denver 1992 Lincoln cent to your collection. So I love it.
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Standard 92-D pennies are everywhere basically. In MS65, they're worth about two or three dollars. In MS67, they jump up to like 20 bucks. As you can see, unless you're an MS68 or as close to perfect, or it has that close AM, it's generally
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not going to be worth the grading fees. So I just want you to know that so you save the money. Finally, we talk about the proof for the year, the San Francisco perfection. This one is a 1992-S Lincoln cent graded proof 70 deep
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cameo. Sold on December 14th, 2025 for $51. This is a perfect 70. While it's a stunning coin with frosted details, a great strike, and mirrored fields, they're relatively common actually. At $51, it's the ultimate version of the 1992-S
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for any collector. Most 1992-S proofs will actually grade lower than this of course, usually at PR68 or 69. These are very common and usually sell for actually around $20. If yours has spots, it has scratches, it was banged around
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in the little protective case, or somehow is loose, it's probably not going to grade PR 70 ever. But, it doesn't mean that it's worthless. You can still get pretty good value for these even raw. I think 1992 is a year
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of the close AM. It is the year for this variety. It's the ultimate hunt for anybody looking through bank rolls, the modern coin collector, I think. My 1992 strategy is pretty straightforward. Of course, the AM test. Every 1992 cent
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gets flipped over. If the letters touch, you might have hit yourself a big payday. Always check the initials. Check the FG initials. If they are far from the building, you probably have that rare variety. Also consider condition verse variety. I'd rather find a
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beat-to-heck close AM than a perfect wide AM for this year. Let's see why these modern cents are fetching such high prices.
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We start with the top of the mountain for the Philly mint. The Philadelphia super gem. This 1993 Philadelphia Lincoln cent graded MS 69 red. This one sold in the middle of 2025 for $2050.
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This coin comes from a really prestigious collection. The Lincoln collection of Lincoln cents. Out of nearly 6 billion struck in Philly, only a tiny handful have ever been certified at this level. To reach MS 69, the strike has to be booming. It has to be
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really clean. So, really take notice here of the lack of zinc rot bubbles on the surface, because that's what makes this a $2000 Lincoln cent. But, let's talk about if yours is not quite a 69. An MS68 still
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can sell in upwards of a hundred or more dollars. An MS67 is going to fall sharply though down to around the $30 mark. So, you can see here for these Philly coins that top-tier condition is where the value is.
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But, let's talk about the art of the toner. We have something for the specialist here. This is a 1993 Philadelphia Lincoln cent also graded MS66 red-brown by PCGS. It's beautifully toned, and it sold right at the end of
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2025 for $215. This coin is out of the Terry Toners collection. An MS66 normally would be worth around $5 to $10, but because this one developed this unique attractive toning, that red-brown RB designation, a specialized collector paid a great premium for it.
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It's a great reminder that eye appeal can sometimes override those technical grades. But, let's move over to the Denver mint and talk about the Denver champion.
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Denver produced even more pennies than Philadelphia in 1993, but the quality was just as elusive really.
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This is a 1993-D graded MS69 red through PCGS. It sold for an incredible $1,140 in the beginning of 2025.
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The PCGS population on this is incredibly low. With over 6.4 billion struck, finding one that qualifies as an MS69 is nearly impossible. This coin sits in a registry set where the world's top collectors compete to have the finest
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known examples. That competition is what's going to drive this price to that over $1,000 mark. For the 1993 D's that aren't quite this supreme, a standard MS68 is much more common than the Philadelphia version still.
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Usually selling for around the 50 or $60 mark. An MS67 is common though. So, same deal here as the Philly coins. Denver minted 1993 Lincoln cents really need to be super clean, have no spotting, no blisters, and no blemishes to really garner the
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high values and the high grades. Now, let's look at the San Francisco proofs though. This is a 1993-S Lincoln cent proof 67 red brown. Another really beautiful coin with toning.
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This one sold in December of 2025 for $33. Now, I know what you're thinking. $33, that's not a crazy number. But, keep in mind the face value is 1 cent and this came out of a proof set which probably
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only cost around 7 to $15 at the time. So, a $33 value for just one of the coins out of there is actually pretty solid. And of course, it depends on when it was graded as far as cost for that.
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Proof coins are supposed to be perfect, but over time some develop natural toning even in the cases they come in.
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This Terry's Toners piece shows that even a proof 67, which is really a relatively low grade for a proof, can still find a buyer if it has unique looks. At 33 bucks, I think it's still a cool piece of numismatic art. Finally
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though, let's finish up with the perfect proof, the standard for excellence out of San Francisco. This is a 1993 S Lincoln cent graded PR70 deep cameo from PCGS. This one sold a few years back, but I wanted to show you an absolutely
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beautiful example of these proof coins. It sold in November of 2023 for $84. This one is a perfect 70. It is flawless under five times magnification and while there are hundreds of these known, they are still the must-have for
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any serious Lincoln cent set. For under $100, you can still own the absolute finest 1993 ever produced by the San Francisco Mint. A PR69 deep cameo drops in value incredibly because there are a ton of them out there. They're
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incredibly common and you can usually pick those up for around 25, $30. Unless it's top tier, a 70, that's really where you're going to see the value. 1993 is a year where the ordinary, I think, becomes the extraordinary and it's going
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to be through condition. My 1993 strategy for hunting these coins is pretty straightforward. First, the zinc check. I look for pennies with zero blemishes on them. No bubbles, no dots, no black marks, nothing like that. If the field is as smooth as glass, the
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strike is really, really detailed, it's a grading candidate. If you have old rolls or a jar of change and you can find yourself some mid-90s Lincoln cents, you might be sitting on a coin worth more than a used car.
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We're talking about the 1994 double die reverse. We're breaking down six different auction sales, all certified, that include a massive $7,000 error and a Denver strike that proves that even common penny errors can have a lead gems.
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Let's start off with a standard business strike from Philadelphia. This is a 1994 Philly Lincoln cent graded MS68 red. This one sold right in the middle of 2024 for $124.
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It's important to understand the Philadelphia standard. With nearly 6.5 billion of them minted, a standard 1994 has to be nearly perfect to have more than face value. This MS68 is a technical beauty. At 124 bucks, it's a strong price for a regular business
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strike, I think. It shows that registry set collectors are still hungry for those top population zinc pennies without those ugly plating blisters or any marks. But, what happens if your is not this perfect of a grade? Well, an
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MS65, a standard 1994 cent can still be worth a few dollars, but not worth the grading, really. When you hike up to MS66 or 67, you'll see them jump up to $15 to $25, and then upwards from there. But, you're
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pretty much going to have to be in the MS67, 68, or higher margin to break the $100 barrier.
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But, let's move over to the Denver gems. Next is a standout from the Denver mint.
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This is a 1994-D Lincoln cent graded MS69 red. This one sold right at the end of 2025 for $525.
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Now, finding an MS69 in the '90s is really an ultimate challenge. Denver's mintage was over 7 billion, but almost all of them were damaged in those big ugly mint bags. This coin is essentially perfect. At $525, it's a monster price for a Denver
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business strike. This is going to be driven by collectors who want that absolute finest known example. Now, for lower grades from 1994 D's, an MS67 is still worth an upwards of $20 to $30 with MS68's jumping up to the $50 to
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$100 region. But really, MS68 69 perfection is where you can see prices jump to $3 to $500.
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We can't forget about the San Francisco proofs though. Let's look at the proof quality from the San Francisco mint.
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This is a 1994 S graded PR70 deep cameo. It sold in the middle of 2025 for only $41.
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Now, I know what you're probably thinking. $41, why is it even on the list? Well, one, we like to cover every mint and version of each coin in each video. But also, if you think about it, if you would have bought it in a regular
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mint set, you actually made some value over the cost of this penny. This is from the Lincoln collection. Even with a famous pedigree and a perfect grade though, the mintage of over 3 million keeps this really low in value at that
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$41 mark. This is the perfect entry level though for anyone trying to get a truly beautiful copy of one of these San Francisco proof coins.
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Standard PR69's only are worth about $5 to $10 and anything lower that shows any sort of spots or haze is probably worth a few bucks. So, always aim for the most perfect, most beautiful looking version of these coins.
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Now, the moment you've been waiting for, let's talk about that $7,000 heavyweight. This one defines the year for 1994, I think. This is a 1994 Lincoln cent with a double die reverse FS-801 graded MS68 red.
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It sold in April of 2025 for $7,066. This makes it the king of '94.
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An MS68 grade on a major variety like the double die reverse is almost unheard of. The doubling is really crisp, visible as extra pillars in the base of the memorial.
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At $7,000, this single penny is worth more than most people's entire collections when first starting out or even for a while.
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It's an absolutely beautiful specimen of a Lincoln cent with this variety. Even a circulated brown version of this error can sell for an upwards of about 50 to 100 bucks all day with anything in MS63 or higher breaking the $100 mark.
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Now not every error though stays bright red. Let's look at this 1994 Lincoln cent with a double die reverse FS-801 also but graded MS64 red brown. This one sold a while ago but I wanted to show you the sheer drop off
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in value for a toned coin. It sold in 2018 for $57. This coin shows that even with some oxidation though, the rarity of the extra pillars keeps the value pretty high.
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At $57, you can see a significant premium for a coin that might look like an average penny to the untrained eye.
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In brown condition, an MS62 or 63 still sells for like $30. So, you can see that these varieties are worth looking for all day long.
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Finally, we have a mint state uncirculated red example. This one is the red discovery. A 1994 Lincoln cent double die reverse graded MS64 red. This one sold in June of 2025 for $182.
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Because this coin retained that full red luster, it brought triple the price tag of that previous red-brown one we just saw.
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It proves that when it comes to modern errors, and really most coins, color is a massive factor in the final auction price. Lower grade ones, though, can still fetch really good money. Over $100 in a lot of cases, if you can find any
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uncirculated rolls of 1994 coins, these are the ones you're going to want to look for because they're worth the good money.
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95 is a legendary year for us collectors. This is because it produced one of the most famous and visible double dies in history, and I'm not talking about the 1955, either. We're going to break down what you need to
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look for so you can find that famous error. We're exploring six incredible certified coin sales from the big auction houses. These include condition rarities worth over $2,000 and a Denver error that most people might not even know exists.
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Let's dive into 1995 Lincoln cents. We'll start off with a technical masterpiece out of Philly. The Philadelphia super gem, this 1995 Philadelphia Lincoln cent graded MS-69 red by NGC. This one sold for $785 in the end of 2025.
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Now, with over 6 billion pennies struck in Philadelphia that year, finding an MS-69 is actually a massive challenge.
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Most zinc pennies from the '90s, as many of you know, are plagued by spots.
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They're plagued by plating blisters and beat up from the massive canvas bags they were transported in. This coin managed to survive in nearly perfect condition, making it a mandatory piece for any top-tier set. It represents the absolute peak of what you're looking for
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as far as condition out of the Philly mint in 1995. But, let's do a lower grade value check.
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In MS-66, this coin is only worth five or 10 bucks maybe. In MS-67, MS-68, you can get up towards the $100 region. That jump to MS-69, though, is where the crazy money is going to happen and you'll start to see
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the multi-$100 bids happening at auction for these 1995 Philly cents. Next, we have a really cool one out of Philadelphia, so I wanted to make sure to show you this one.
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It's a specialized error that adds that extra spark to any 1995 collection or heck, any Lincoln cent collection.
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We're looking at this 1995 Philly Lincoln cent EIR variety from ANACS, graded MS-66 red in an old-style holder. This one sold for only $28, and I know that's not a ton of money, but this is such a cool and fun error
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that you can look for. This variety is a really great addition to any collection.
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This is the EIR variety, which is actually a die break error. Part of the BE in the word Liberty on the front or obverse gets chipped or broken, making it look like EIR in the word. This specific coin is graded MS66 red by
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ANACS, meaning it has that full original mint luster and no real wear. It's also in an old holder or OH on the label, which refers to an earlier style slab that many collectors prefer for their more vintage appeal. This is just
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a really fun, affordable error that proves even common years have those cool, quirky little hidden treasures.
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Because these die breaks are relatively accessible, too, you can find them in your pocket change.
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Now, let's head over to the Denver Mint for a coin that commanded a huge premium. It's a real Denver powerhouse.
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This is a 1995-D Lincoln Cent graded MS69 red through PCGS. It sold in the middle of 2025 for $2,160.
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Let's look at that price tag. Denver struck over 7 billion Lincoln Cents in '95, and only seven coins have ever been graded at MS69 red by PCGS.
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This is the definition of a condition rarity. Collectors compete fiercely for these because it's basically like the end boss for Denver in this series. It is perfectly clean, perfectly red, and perfectly struck. A very beautiful 1995-D.
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When you talk about other grades, though, there is a cliff. It drops off suddenly, and usually you see even ones in MS67 selling for only around 35 to 75 dollars depending on the auction.
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Let's check in on the proof production from San Francisco though. This is a 1995 S Lincoln Cent Proof 70 Red Ultra Cameo from NGC. This one sold for $58.
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Actually a really great price for a proof coin. San Francisco proofs are really like the super models of the hobby. This coin features that Lincoln label and hits the highest grade possible, a perfect 70.
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This means it is flawless under five times magnification. While these are beautiful, the population's pretty high for 70s actually for 1995.
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At basically $60, it's a perfect specimen for any collector wanting to represent the highest possible grade from the San Francisco mint for this year.
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When looking at lower graded proofs, PR69s, 68s are still absolutely stunning and sell for around 15 to 30 dollars. So there's still some value there, but it's really the perfect 70 that's going to garner the most value and be the most
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sought after. Now let's get to the superstar of 1995, the FS-101 double die. This is a 1995 Lincoln Cent Double Die Obverse FS-101 graded MS66 Red. It sold in June of 2025 for 192 dollars.
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This is really the big one everyone looks for. This coin is housed in one of those older generation 3.1 green label holders from PCGS.
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This adds a bit of a pedigree to the coin. The doubling on the word liberty and the phrase in God we trust is incredible. It can often be seen with the naked eye, and while thousands of these have been
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certified, finding one in a high red uncirculated grade like MS66 is going to be a major win for pretty much any coin hunter. The great thing is is that you can actually find these right in your pocket change. A
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circulated brown version of a 1995 DDO is still worth in upwards of 40 to 80 dollars. An MS63 sells for around 60 to 80 bucks all day.
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Finally, we see the Denver discovery. We have a rare Denver variety from a famous collection to close out the video. This is a 1995 D Lincoln cent doubled eye obverse or DDO FS103 graded MS66 red. This one sold for 1,550
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dollars. While the Philly DDO is of course more famous, the Denver FS103 is way more rare. This coin comes from also a prestigious collection, the Marigold collection. The doubling is more subtle than the Philly version, but the scarcity drives the price into the
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thousands as you can see. It features vibrant luster, a beautiful strike, and it makes this coin really a trophy for variety specialists. Now, in lower grades, these are still extremely rare.
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Even low MS grades can sell for hundreds of dollars, 3 to 500 dollars in a lot of cases, and even more beat-up specimens can still break the 100 dollar mark.
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If you're just starting out, 1995 is the perfect year to learn how to hunt for varieties. While most Lincoln cents are just worth 1 cent, the 1995 doubled eye obverse or DDO is the poster child for modern errors.
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To identify a real double die versus machine doubling, you can check out my extensive video on that right under my courses tab on my channel. But you want to look for clear notched separation in the letters.
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On the 1995 Philly DDO, you can see this clearly in the word Liberty and the phrase In God We Trust. But the real money, that comes down to condition.
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You need to look for coins that are full red and free of any spots or plating blisters.
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Those tiny bubbles caused by gas trapped under the copper wash are killers for value.
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Once you can spot the difference between a common spender, machine doubling and real doubling, and a technical gem, you're ahead of 90% of people that are just looking through their pocket change.
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We are looking at a year where a single cent recently sold for over $20,000.
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We're breaking down six certified auction sales of 1996 Lincoln cents that prove you should never overlook this common year. From an ultra high grade Philly to elite Denver strikes and a flawless proof, this is the 1996 mini deep dive you were looking for. We
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start with a coin that shows you that the entry point for high grade 90s pennies is achievable and at a relatively affordable price.
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This is a 1996 Philadelphia Lincoln cent graded MS68 red through PCGS. It sold through Heritage in January of 2026 for $94.
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For most 90s years, MS68 is really the sweet spot. It's a grade that is difficult to find in change but common enough that you can buy one for around 90 to $100.
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This coin has a technical registry value of P1, meaning it's highly sought after by collectors trying to build those high-ranked sets. If yours is a lower grade, lower condition, you still can make some money off of it. If your 1996
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Philly cent is like an MS65 or 66, it still can sell for around 5 to $20. Now, you move up to MS67 or higher, this is where the value will peak at the $75 or more mark.
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But now, you have to hold on to your seats for the biggest sale of the year.
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This next one is a $20,000 legend. This is a 1996 Philadelphia Lincoln cent as well, but graded MS69 red through PCGS. This one sold through Great Collections for $20,250.
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This is the coin that shocked the numismatic world. This is one of those technical masterpieces.
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There are essentially no scratches, no spots, and no plating bubbles on a coin that was never intended to be preserved that way. When a coin this perfect hits the auction block, those top registry set collectors are going to jump and go
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into a bidding war. At over 20 grand, this is one of the most valuable modern pennies ever sold. Now, of course, yours might not be that $20,000 piece. The gap between this coin and the one we just saw is obviously massive.
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While an MS68 is around $100, this MS69 is $20,000. And other versions in the same grade have still hit prices in the three to $6,000 mark in the last few years. So, you can see that top-end condition is really
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where it's at. But, let's move over to the Mile High City strikes. This is the Denver silver medal for the year.
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This is a 1996-D Lincoln cent MS68 red through PCGS. It sold in 2025 for $433.
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Denver strikes from '96 are generally considered a bit tougher than Philadelphia in these high grades. It's quite hard to find really high condition Denver strikes, not only from the minting process, but how they were transported. This MS68 brought over four
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times the price of the Philly version we started off with. It features a razor sharp strike, a beautiful vibrant color, and that fresh from the mint red luster.
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It really hasn't faded over these last 30 years. A 1996-D in lower grades can still fetch around $15 to $100 depending on condition. So, you'll really want to look for clean examples, and you can still pick up uncirculated rolls on the
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internet that you can search through. Let's look at the Denver elite, though. Even that $400 price tag is small compared to this Denver gem. This is a 1996-D Lincoln cent graded MS69 red by PCGS. This one sold in July of 2025
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for $4,162 from the Lincoln collection of Lincoln cents. This coin is one of the finest known survivors for the Denver mint. At over $4,000, it really shows that the demand for MS69 1990s Lincoln cents isn't just limited to Philadelphia. If
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you find one of those 1996-D pennies that's absolutely flawless, you might want to consider getting it graded.
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And now for the coins that were made specifically for us collectors, the San Francisco proofs. This is a 1996-S Lincoln cent graded PR70 deep cameo from PCGS. This one sold in October of 2024 for $71.
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I know that sale was a little while ago, but I wanted to show you the San Francisco perfection. San Francisco proofs are struck twice. This is done using polished dies and planchets. This coin achieved the perfect grade of 70.
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While it's beautiful, so many of these were kept in their original mint packaging that they aren't nearly as rare as the business strikes that we just went over. At $71 though, it's a great deal for a really perfect coin.
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Normally you see these at PR69, maybe PR69 deep cameo, which looks almost identical to this one with the naked eye. Those are only worth around $15 to $25.
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Let's round things out with the high-end proof though. Sometimes the price of perfection fluctuates.
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This is a 1996-S Lincoln cent graded PR70 deep cameo red through PCGS. It sold for $154.
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This is the oldest sale in the video, but it really shows a beautiful beautiful coin.
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This is the exact same grade as the previous coin, but it sold for double the price a year earlier.
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This shows how market timing and the specific eye appeal of a slab coin can change the final results. With a population of only about 800 of these, it's still a relatively low mintage trophy for any collector.
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If you're new to the hobby, you might wonder how can a penny from 1996 be worth 20 grand? It comes down to two words, condition rarity. In 1996, the mint used copper-plated zinc planchets that were extremely prone to plating
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blisters and also prone to tiny contact marks from being tossed into heavy mint bags and transported. So, when we talk about a grade like MS69, we're literally talking about a coin that is virtually perfect. And out of 13 billion Lincoln
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cents struck for '96, only a handful have ever achieved perfect grades. We're breaking down six incredible Lincoln cent sales, all from certified auction houses. But, before we get into that, let's talk about how the heck do you spot the doubled ear Lincoln in the
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first place? 1997 is one of the most rewarding years to search your pocket change for. Why?
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Because of the FS-101 doubled ear Lincoln. Unlike some varieties that require a microscope, you can see this one with the naked eye.
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It's pretty straightforward. You just want to look directly at the bottom of Lincoln's ear. Check out his earlobe. On a normal coin, it's a single smooth curve. On this variety, you'll see a clear secondary earlobe hanging right below the first one. It looks like he
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has a doubled lobe. But, don't forget the basics though. Even if it's not a variety, a 1997 Lincoln cent in really perfect high condition with that nice full red color can still be a trophy by itself and worth good money.
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We start off with the high grade beauty out of Philly. This is a 1997 Philadelphia Lincoln cent graded MS68 red through NGC.
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This one sold for $372. For a 1997 Philly cent hitting MS68 is a major hurdle and accomplishment. Out of billions of them struck, only about 50 have ever been graded this high. It carries a registry value of N69, which
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basically means it is a critical piece for completing a top-ranked set. It's brilliant, it's red, and it's nearly flawless.
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Now, what if yours falls a bit short? Even the lower MS grades can sell in upwards of 25 to around $35. So, that's not too shabby, but you'll have to keep in mind the cost of getting it graded
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will probably exceed that. But, they are a great piece to get graded and hold on to for a long-term collection.
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Now, let's look at the best of the best though. This is a registry king.
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A 1997 Philadelphia Lincoln Cent graded MS69 Red through PCGS. This one sold right in the middle of 2025 for 4,440.
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This is one of only four coins ever graded MS69 Red by PCGS. So, think about that. Out of 4.6 billion Lincoln Cents, only four are this perfect. Well, so far.
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The auction description calls this one remarkable, and it really is. It has a beautiful glisten and shimmer to it.
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It's an absolutely flawless strike. It really just looks like a piece of numismatic art that's well worth that $4,000 price tag. Now, sorry to say though, the price gap here is legendary.
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You can buy an MS68 for around $300, but to get that one extra point of perfection, you have to pay over four grand. Lower grade ones in the low MS grades AU are really not worth the grading fees, so that would be kind of
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up to you. Oddly enough, 1997 Philly Cents with really cool toning and eye appeal can actually garner more value than the regular strikes in the same grades. But, we have to head over to the Mile High Mint, the Denver proof-like
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discoveries and the value there. This is a 1997-D Lincoln cent graded MS68 red PL through PCGS.
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This one sold for $704. Now, notice the PL at the end of the grade. That stands for proof-like. This is a business strike that was intended for circulation, but because it was struck with a basically fresh polished die, it has mirror-like finish like a
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proof coin. Proof-like designations on Lincoln cents from the '90s are really, really rare. Also, finding one in MS68 grade is like finding that needle in a haystack, which collectors will pay easily the $700 price for.
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Now, let's do a lower grade check, though. A standard '96-D in MS68 without that PL is worth a lot less, but still well over $200. The PL designation is what really adds that massive several hundred dollar premium here.
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For comparison, let's look at a standard high grade Denver strike. This is a 1997-D Lincoln cent graded MS68 red through PCGS.
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It sold at the end of 2023, which was a little bit ago, but is a great comparison piece. It sold for $59.
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While still an absolutely beautiful MS68, this coin doesn't have that proof-like mirror finish. It doesn't have that extreme rarity of the Philadelphia version with those qualities. However, it still is a registry quality coin. At basically 60 bucks, it's an affordable way to add a
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high grade '90s Denver cent to your collection without breaking the bank. The drop-off in value though is really steep here. Anything below the MS67 range is going to be worth about $10.
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You can buy them for 10 to 25 bucks at most pretty much all day for grades under MS67.
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Now let's head west to the San Francisco mint. We'll talk a little bit about the San Francisco perfection. This is a 1997-S Lincoln cent PR70 deep cameo red. This one sold at the end of 2023 as well, but
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is an absolutely phenomenal example of a beautiful S mint proof for 1997. This one sold for $61.
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The 1997-S proof is stunning of course featuring the deep contrast between those frosted devices and the beautiful mirrored fields. While there are hundreds of these in PR70, they still maintain a steady value. So picking these up is actually an okay investment.
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It's the perfect representation I think of the year's proof production. Lower grades like PR69 and anything lower are only going to be worth about the 10 to $20 region, not worth the fee to get them graded. So that's really up to you.
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It's really this high-end 70 that's going to garner any sort of value. Now probably what you've been waiting for, let's get to the famous doubled ear Lincoln cent for 1997.
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This is a 1997 Philadelphia doubled ear FS101 graded MS65 red through PCGS. This one sold at the end of 2025 for $169.
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This is a superstar variety. Over the years there's other versions of this same error that have sold for tons of money. But, this is a recent sale and a really great example for one found in pocket change. You can clearly see the
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secondary earlobe dangling below Lincoln's real ear. This coin is graded MS65 red, which is a solid gem grade, I think. While prices for these can reach well over a thousand dollars, while prices for these can reach well over a thousand dollars, this MS65
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example is a great mid-range target for any of you collectors. The great thing is, like I said, you can find these in circulated condition in pocket change.
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And even brown circulated doubled ear 1997 Lincoln cents sell for 50 bucks or more. So, they're a great treasure hunt coin and one of my favorites.
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1998 is one of the most important years in modern numismatics. It's one of my favorite years to look for in pocket change. And if you enjoy finding those little treasures hidden in the coins that you would normally just throw in a
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jar, then this video's for you. In '98, the mint accidentally swapped proof dies with business dies, creating some of the most famous transitional varieties in history. Not to mention some of the most valuable. We're looking at six certified coin sales, including
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the famous wide AM and rare proof-like Denver strikes. This is going to be a great one for all the money lovers out there. So, let's jump right into it.
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We start off with a standard, but stunning, Philadelphia coin. This is a 1998 Philadelphia Lincoln cent graded MS68 red by PCGS.
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This one sold in the latter end of 2024 for $84. Even without a variety, a 1998 penny in MS68 is a survivor.
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Most zinc pennies from this era are covered in what's known as zinc rot or tiny little black spots all over the coins.
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Finding one this clean is a real rarity, which is why it carries that registry value of N69.
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It's the perfect coin for someone building a top-tier set. Now, what if yours is a lower condition though? You can still sell these really well even ungraded, but in lower graded conditions, they can still garner in upwards of 15 to $35.
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You'll have to consider the cost of grading though, but many of these are graded and then held onto long-term.
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But, let's look over to the Denver mint for its version of perfection. This is a 1998-D Lincoln cent graded MS68 red through NGC. This one sold for $139.
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Now, Denver produced over 5 billion Lincoln cents in '98, but finding one in this perfect of a grade is surprisingly difficult. This example brought almost $140 because only 53 or so have hit this grade at NGC.
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It features a booming luster, a razor-sharp strike, and it's just an overall beautiful Lincoln Memorial pop off the reverse. It's a great-looking coin.
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Now, 1998-Ds that aren't quite this condition are still really valuable. You can get an upwards of 10 to 12 bucks for one that looks really clean and still has that really nice red luster to it.
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But, let's talk about an oddball, a specialist dream, the proof-like surprise from Denver. This is a 1998 D Lincoln Cent graded MS67 Red PL. This one sold for $87. Check out that PL on the label. That stands for proof-like.
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Even though this was a business strike meant for a vending machine, the dies were so fresh, so polished, that the fields have a mirror-like reflection, just like a proof coin. While the grade is technically lower than the one we
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just saw, proof-like designation makes it a rare find for any Denver Cent from the late '90s. Of course, without the PL designation, these are not worth too much. The PL label literally adds 6 to 800% premium to the price of a normal
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1998 D graded the same way, which generally sells for around 10 to $25. Let's head over west, though, and let's look at the intended wide AM, the San Francisco proof. This is a 1998 S Lincoln Cent Proof 70 Deep Cameo from
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PCGS. It only sold for $38, though. This is what a normal '98 proof should look like. It has the wide AM spacing, and hits the perfect grade of 70. Because millions of these were saved in mint sets, the price remains very affordable
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for 1998 proof Lincoln Cents. They are gorgeous, they have that great deep mirrored-like finish that every collector should have, but they're simply just not crazy valuable. Ones in PR69 usually sell for around 15 or $20.
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Now, let's get to an error version of that proof, though, the rare proof close AM. I have an extensive video talking about how to tell the difference between a wide AM and a close AM on Lincoln cents. I'll link that video in a pinned
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comment on this video. This is a 1998-S close AM FS-901 graded PR69 deep cameo through PCGS.
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This one sold right at the end of 2025 for $288. Remember how a normal proof has a wide AM. This coin was accidentally struck with a business strike die giving it a close AM on the reverse. This is a major
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variety that is much rarer than the Philly wide AM. At $288 for a grade 69, this shows the high demand for any of these transitional errors. Because this is a rare error, even AU examples can sell in upwards of
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$100 or more. So, this is one of those great coins to look for out of the proof sets. But, what about the Philadelphia one? The one that's made as a business strike. We're talking about the one you can find in your pocket change, the
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famous Philly wide AM. This is a 1998 Philadelphia wide AM reverse FS-901 graded MS65 red. This one sold for $71.
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Now, I know what you might be thinking. I've seen a ton of videos, Kyle. A bunch of people across YouTube say these are worth thousands of dollars. Well, I'll let them believe that. Of course, if we're talking perfect grades like MS68s,
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69s, yes, they get way up there, well over the thousand or two thousand dollar mark. But, we're talking about recent sales. This is a realistic coin that someone came across, saw the wide AM, and really turned a profit. This is the
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reverse of the previous error. A business strike Philly penny with a wide AM proof reverse. This MS65 example is absolutely beautiful. It proves you can find actual auction-worthy treasures in those uncirculated rolls you can buy right off line. It's a must-have for any
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Lincoln cent variety collector. The great thing is you can find these in circulation. Even ones that are browned, circulated, sell for 10 to 25 bucks all day. You don't have to get them graded, either. You can sell these for over face
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value really easily. A few bucks over face value in raw form. 1998 is a really awesome year of Lincoln cents to search for. So, my strategy is really easy.
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First, check the Philly Lincoln cents for wide AMs and any proof coins that you might come across for close AMs.
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It's one of those double-sided hunts. If the AM spacing is hard to see, look at the initials FG next to the memorial. On a wide AM, the initials are closer to the building. On a close AM, they're farther away.
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Also, look for those proof-like Denver coins. They're really rare. They are sleepers, but they are worth great value.
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As we close out the '90s, we aren't just looking at the end of a decade. We are looking at the peak of the transitional die era. So, we're going to break down seven certified auction sales that define this year.
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From a standard, but beautiful gem to a legendary 1999 wide AM. This one is significantly rarer than the '98 or 2000 versions.
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So, grab your loops, plug in your USB microscopes, dump out those old jars of pennies, find those '99s, because this is a year that can turn your pocket change into real profit. Let's start off with a Philly perfection. This is a 1999
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Philadelphia Lincoln cent graded MS68 red through PCGS. This one sold right at the end of 2025 for $108.
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This is a definitive condition rarity. With over 5 billion struck in '99, a 1999 Philadelphia Lincoln cent is actually pretty common. But, 1999 was really bad for zinc planchet quality.
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Most are covered in tiny bubbles, a bunch of marks and zinc rod. This MS68 is essentially a flawless survivor. But, let's talk raw and lower grade values, the pocket change. Most are worth exactly 1 cent as you probably know. If
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you find one in a mint set that looks perfect, but is ungraded, you can still sell those for quite a bit above face value, but it's really the certified examples that can hit the $100 mark or higher. Let's jump over to the Mile High
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Mint though to talk about a Denver giant. This is a 1999-D Lincoln cent graded MS69 red through PCGS.
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It sold in July of 2025 for $605. From the famous Lincoln collection, this coin is a monster. An MS69 is one point away from the coveted perfect 70. In the world of modern cents, an MS69 is considered the terminal grade for Denver
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strikes of this year. But, what if yours is not so pristine? Now, generally they are worth just 1 cent. Even uncirculated raw Denver cents from rolls are worth about 50 cents at most. When they're graded though, the value can jump up exponentially with
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ones in mid MS grades or higher peaking 40, 50 dollars or more. We have to talk about the flawless S proof coins though. This is a 1999 S Lincoln cent proof 70 deep cameo through PCGS.
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It sold on January 25th of 2026 for $43. Now, I know what you're thinking, only 43 bucks? But, $43 is more than the whole set cost.
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This is a perfect coin from the Terry Stoner's collection. It's beautiful and it's a standard proof strike with the wide AM spacing, which is correct for proofs of that year. Because 3.3 million were made though, even a perfect 70
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stays affordable and I think it is a great pick up for any collector. In raw form, you can pick up proof sets from '99 for around $20 including shipping, making the individual raw penny worth about two or three bucks.
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Now, when it's graded, even if it's not 70, a PR 69 can sell in upwards of 20 or 30 dollars, which doesn't beat the cost of grading, but preserves the condition and is a great addition to any set.
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Now, let's get to what many of you came to this video for, the rare 1999 S close AM. This is a 1999 S close AM FS 901 graded PR 69 red deep cameo from PCGS.
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This sold in March of 2025 for $192. Now we're getting into the errors, and I love varieties and errors. Heck, it's the name of the channel. This is a proof coin struck with a business die. There are only 32 or so of these graded by
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PCGS in this grade. It's the opposite of the wide AM error we talk about in other videos. Now, if you discover one of these in a set ungraded, it is immediately worth $60 or more. Hunters love buying these raw and trying for
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that PR 70 grade. Even PR 68s can sell greatly for $100 or more all day.
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But what about that NGC close AM? This is the counterpart, a 1999-S close AM graded proof 67 red ultra cameo from NGC. It sold at the end of 2025 for $90.
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This proves that even low-grade proofs of this variety are trophies. A proof 67 is really actually quite low for a modern S mint coin, but because of the variety and its scarcity, it still commanded nearly $100. Now, if these
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coins have fingerprints, haze, they're problem coins, so to speak, but they show that close AM. They can still be worth $30 or more. When you get into certified examples, even lower proof grades can sell for $50 or more. Let's
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talk about one of my favorites from this year, though, the wide AM Philly king.
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This is a 1999 Philadelphia wide AM FS-901 graded MS 66 red from PCGS. It sold in the beginning of 2025 for $432.
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Here it is. This one I think everyone's heard of and wants. An MS66 red wide AM is a beautiful coin with full copper luster. Finding this variety in red is really difficult because most were circulated before being found and are
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quite beat up. Now, even ungraded, these coins with a wide AM and original red mint luster can be worth 150 or more dollars.
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But, what about the counterpart from ANACS? The ANACS wide AM. This is a '99 Philly cent as well with a wide AM FS-901 variety. It's graded MS64 RB from ANACS.
Speaker A
This one sold in November of 2025 for $139. This coin has a red-brown toning. Even though it's an MS64 and not from PCGS or NGC as you commonly see, it brought nearly $140.
Speaker A
This is the working man's variety, I think. It doesn't have to be perfect to be worth good money. Even ungraded, I think these are the ultimate jar find. A brown, kind of beat up, circulated '99 but with that wide AM can sell for 25 to
Speaker A
$50 to another collector or to a shop. Now, a key tip for hunters though, look for the initials FG on a wide AM, the FG is closer to the memorial building than on the standard cent.
Speaker A
If you're new to the hobby, then you do need to understand why the 1999 is a special coin to look for.
Speaker A
For years, the mint used wide AM reverses for everything. In '93, they switched to the close AM for business strikes, but in 1999, someone at the Philadelphia mint grabbed a proof die, the wide AM reverse, and threw it on a regular production press.
Speaker A
Here's the secret, though. While the '98 and 2000 wide AMs are relatively easier to find, the '99 wide AM is the rarest of the three. If you see a gap between the A and the M in America on the
Speaker A
reverse of a '99, you aren't just looking at a variety. You're looking at a possible three-figure find, even in ugly condition.
Speaker A
These are awesome coins to look for. The whole year has gems in it, and I think they're great to add to any collection.
Speaker A
All right, so there you have it, folks. Hopefully, you enjoyed the video. We covered a bunch of different stuff. It was over an hour of me just yapping your face off on one of my favorite hobbies in the world, which is collecting coins.
Speaker A
There's a ton of stuff to take away when it comes to 1990s Lincoln cents and their value. But what I'm interested in is what you guys have been coming across. So, jump in the comments, jump in the community tab, and drop images,
Speaker A
but let us all know what your finds are and what you're looking for. It's a great place over in the community tab to get your questions answered and to just discuss the greatest thing ever, which is money.
Speaker A
Not to mention it's a place where I drop posts, where you'll know what's coming up next on the channel, you'll know where you can get discounts on silver, gold, bullion, stuff like that, and other great deals across the internet,
Speaker A
and I'll link stuff on my website varietyars.com that's all completely free. So, free articles, free videos that aren't here on YouTube or across other social media, as well as my free bank note serial number lookup tool, which will let you
Speaker A
look up your star notes, your bank notes of all types from 1928 to current, and give you information on them and values. But anyway, I'll see you guys in the community tab in the comments. I'll see you in the next video, but until next
Speaker A
time, happy treasure hunting.
Topics:1990s Lincoln centsvaluable penniesproof coinswide AM errorclose AM errorcoin grading1990 no S proofplating blisterstoned coinsDenver Mint Lincoln cents
