HOW TO SELL YOUR RARE LINCOLN PENNY FOR TOP DOLLAR – ULTIMATE GUIDE
YOUR LINCOLN PENNY COULD BE WORTH MILLIONS – HERE’S HOW TO CASH IN
A rare Lincoln penny recently made headlines with a record-breaking $33 million sale—and yours could be next! Whether you have a 1943 copper penny, a 1909-S VDB, or another rare variety, this guide reveals the step-by-step process to maximize your profit.
STEP 1: KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE (IS IT REALLY RARE?)
Top 5 Most Valuable Lincoln Pennies
- 1943 Copper Penny (250K–250K–1.7M)
- How to spot it: Weighs 3.11g, doesn’t stick to a magnet.
- 1909-S VDB (1,000–1,000–150K)
- Look for: Tiny “S” mint mark + “VDB” on the reverse.
- 1955 Doubled Die (1,000–1,000–100K)
- Key feature: Blurred doubling on “LIBERTY” and date.
- 1969-S Doubled Die (50K–50K–150K)
- Rarity: Only a few dozen confirmed.
- 1992 Close “AM” (500–500–20K)
- Error: The “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” nearly touch.
Pro Tip: Use a 10x magnifier and digital scale to verify.
STEP 2: GET IT GRADED (THIS CAN 10X THE VALUE!)
- Best Grading Companies:
- PCGS or NGC (most trusted by collectors).
- Cost: 30–30–300 (depends on coin value).
- Why Grade?
- Authenticates your coin.
- Adds 50–200% to the resale value.
Example: An ungraded 1943 copper penny might sell for 100K∗∗,buta∗∗PCGSMS−64∗∗examplesoldfor∗∗100K∗∗,buta∗∗PCGSMS−64∗∗examplesoldfor∗∗1.7M.
STEP 3: CHOOSE THE RIGHT SELLING PLATFORM
| Where to Sell | Best For | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Heritage Auctions | Coins >$10K | 15–20% |
| eBay | Coins 500–500–50K | 10–15% |
| Local Coin Dealer | Quick sale | 30–50% of value |
| Private Collector | Max profit | 0% (if negotiated well) |
Key Tip: For coins worth $50K+, auction houses attract deep-pocketed buyers.
STEP 4: MARKET IT LIKE A PRO (GET TOP DOLLAR!)
- Take High-Quality Photos: Use a macro lens to highlight errors/luster.
- Write a Killer Description: Include:
- Exact weight/magnetism test results.
- Grade (if certified).
- Historical context (e.g., “One of only 10 known 1943 copper pennies”).
- Promote It: Share on:
- Coin forums (Reddit r/Coins).
- Facebook collector groups.
- @PennyVerse (tag us for a free shoutout!).
STEP 5: NEGOTIATE LIKE A PAWN STAR
- Set a Reserve Price (minimum you’ll accept).
- Know Your Bottom Line: If a dealer offers 50K∗∗fora∗∗50K∗∗fora∗∗100K coin, counter with $80K.
- Leverage Competition: Mention other interested buyers to drive bids up.
Real-World Example: A 1958 Doubled Die Penny sold for $1.2M after a bidding war between 3 collectors.
BONUS: AVOID THESE SELLING MISTAKES!
Cleaning the coin (destroys value).
Selling raw (ungraded) (lose 50%+ profit).
Rushing the sale (patient sellers make more).
READY TO SELL YOUR RARE PENNY?
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Exact auction price records (see what similar coins sold for).
Negotiation scripts (how to respond to lowball offers).
Trusted buyer directory (avoid scammers).
Watch the 33MPennySaleBreakdown∗∗:[YouTube:”The33MPennySaleBreakdown∗∗:[YouTube:”The33M Lincoln Penny Explained”]
