The request asks about the “TOP 7 LINCOINS PENNY ONECENT 1989 PENNIES COINS IN CIRCULATION WORTH MONEY!”
The vast majority of 1989 Lincoln Cents are only worth their face value (1 cent) in circulated condition, as billions were produced. However, the coins from 1989 that are considered valuable and sought after by collectors are those with specific minting errors or in pristine, high-grade condition:
Valuable 1989 Lincoln Cent Varieties/Errors:
- 1989 Wide AM Error
- This is considered a significant error for this year.
- It occurs when a proof die with a Wide AM (a wider space between the ‘A’ and ‘M’ in AMERICA on the reverse) is mistakenly used to strike a business-strike circulation coin, which should have a “Close AM”.
- The scarcity of this accidental release drives its value, which can be substantial.
- 1989 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) or Tripled Die Obverse (TDO)
- This error results from a misalignment during the die-creation process, which causes a duplicated image on the coin.
- The doubling can appear on the date (“1989”) and the word “LIBERTY”.
- A very strong DDO or TDO, especially on a high mint state, uncleaned coin, is considered a rare error and highly desirable.
- The value depends on the prominence and visibility of the doubling.
- 1989 Struck on the Wrong Planchet Error
- A standard 1989 penny should be struck on a zinc planchet (97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper) and weigh 2.50 grams.
- Finding a 1989 cent struck on an incorrect, heavier bronze planchet (which was used for earlier years, typically weighing 3.1 grams) would be an extremely rare error that would dramatically increase its value, with one example selling for over $3,500.
- 1989 Double Denomination Error (e.g., Struck on a Dime Planchet)
- An extreme mint error where the 1989 Lincoln penny design is struck onto a planchet intended for a different coin, such as a Roosevelt dime.
- One such coin sold for over $1,600 at auction.
- 1989 High Mint State (MS) Grade Pennies
- A coin in perfect condition with full original red luster, a crisp strike, and no large distractions (e.g., MS68 or MS68+) is sought after by collectors.
- High-grade examples of the common 1989 cent (such as MS68+) can achieve large premiums, potentially thousands of dollars, when professionally certified.
Since the typical 1989 cent is not considered a key date, the “Top” most valuable Lincoln cents found in circulation are generally from other years, usually due to low mintage or significant minting errors, such as:
- 1943 Copper Lincoln Penny: Accidentally struck on a bronze (copper) planchet instead of steel (Value: up to $372,000 to over $1 million).
- 1944-D Lincoln Penny on a Zinc-Coated Steel Planchet: An error coin with an auction record of approximately $1.7 million.
- 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse: Known for strong doubling on the date and lettering (Value: up to $126,500 to $1.7 million).
- 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent: Dramatic doubling visible on the date and text (Value: up to $32,400).
- 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent: Low mintage with the designer’s initials on the reverse (Value: up to $10,000 to $1.2 million).
