Hidden Treasures: Rare
In this guide, we explore five of the rarest U.S. pennies from the 1960s, why they’re valuable, what errors to look for, and exactly how much these coins can sell for.
Let’s begin! 
1. The Incredible 1962 Lincoln Cent
A Common Penny With a Hidden Fortune Potential 
At first glance, the 1962 1-cent coin looks like any other Lincoln penny. But certain versions have shocked collectors by selling for up to $82,000.
Key Facts About the 1962 Penny
- Features the classic Victor David Brenner portrait
- Reverse still shows the iconic Wheat Ears design
- Minted in huge numbers at both Philadelphia (no mint mark) and Denver (D)
- But rare mint errors make specific coins extremely valuable
Valuable 1962 Penny Errors to Look For
Double Die Obverse – doubled letters in LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, or the date
Off-Center Strike – design shifted toward the edge
Die Crack / Die Break (Cud) – raised lines or blobs of metal
Clipped Planchet – missing curved portion of the coin
Wrong Planchet Errors – struck on different metal (extremely rare!)
Top Value
A rare 1962 penny with dramatic doubling or major mint errors:
Sold for as much as $82,000
2. The Fascinating 1963 Lincoln Cent
A Transitional Penny With Unknown Secrets 
The 1963 1-cent coin is another sleeper treasure. Billions were minted — yet a few rare examples have sold for staggering amounts.
Important Features
- Obverse: Brenner’s iconic Lincoln design
- Reverse: Lincoln Memorial (introduced in 1959)
- Minted in Philadelphia & Denver
- Billions produced… but rare errors change everything
Valuable 1963 Penny Errors
Double Die Obverse
Off-Center Strikes
Die Breaks / Cuds
Clipped Planchets
Foreign or Wrong Planchet Strikes
Top Value
A perfect-condition or error-filled 1963 penny:
Sold for up to $80,000
3. The 1965 Lincoln Cent
A Penny Born During a Turbulent Minting Era 
The 1965 penny was created during massive changes in U.S. coin production. The mint was eliminating silver from coins and racing to meet demand — resulting in rare and valuable errors.
Features of the 1965 Penny
- No mint marks used in 1965
- Made of 95% copper
- Reverse: Lincoln Memorial design
- Billions minted — but that doesn’t mean they’re all common
Rare Errors That Make the 1965 Penny Valuable
Strong Double Dies
Large Off-Center Strikes
Die Cracks / Cuds
Clipped Planchets
Penny Struck on Dime or Foreign Planchets (extremely rare!)
Special Mint Set (SMS) versions
Top Value
A high-grade 1965 penny with a unique error:
Sold for up to $77,000
4. The 1968 Lincoln Cent
The Year Mint Marks Returned — And Rare Errors Emerged
In 1968, mint marks returned after a three-year removal. This created three varieties:
- No mint mark (Philadelphia)
- D (Denver)
- S (San Francisco Proof coins)
Proof versions from San Francisco are especially stunning — and rare errors make them even more valuable.
1968 Penny Errors Worth Big Money
Double Die Obverse
Off-Center Strikes
Die Breaks / Cuds
Clipped Planchets
Wrong Planchet Strikes
Proof Errors (S-Mint)
Top Value
A rare high-grade or dramatic error 1968 penny:
Sold for as much as $74,000
5. The Legendary 1969 Lincoln Cent
The Penny That Shocked the Secret Service 
The 1969 1-cent coin is famous — especially the rare 1969-S Double Die Obverse, one of the most dramatic U.S. coin errors ever found.
The doubling is so bold that early discoveries were seized by the Secret Service, who thought they were counterfeit!
What Makes the 1969 Penny Special?
- Produced at Philadelphia, Denver (D), and San Francisco (S)
- Reverse shows the Lincoln Memorial
- The 1969-S Double Die is one of the rarest pennies in history
Valuable 1969 Errors
1969-S Double Die Obverse (VERY valuable)
Off-Center Strikes
Die Cracks / Cuds
Struck Through Cloth or Grease
Clipped Planchets
Transitional Metal Errors
Top Value
The most valuable 1969 penny ever sold:
Up to $71,000
Why These Pennies Are So Valuable
Collectors pay a premium for pennies with:
Rare minting mistakes
Bold doubling
Off-center designs
Unusual metals
Proof or SMS finishes
Stunning natural toning
High mint-state grades (MS-65 to MS-67+)
Even a penny worth just 1 cent in circulation can be worth thousands if it has the right error or condition.
Final Thoughts: Could YOU Be Holding a Fortune?
These tiny copper coins remind us of something important:
Even the smallest, most ordinary-looking coin can become incredibly valuable.
Whether in an old jar, drawer, or inherited collection, rare pennies from 1962–1969 have changed lives — some selling for $70,000+ each.
So before you spend your change…
Take a closer look.
You might be holding a hidden treasure worth more than gold.
