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Why is the 1969 penny rare?

Remember, the proof coins never circulated. Only some Mint officials and some coin collectors got the pennies. So, expect the 1969 pennies from the San Francisco mint to have a high rarity and price today. Most people find the coin worth keeping because of its high copper value.

robpaulsenlive.com - 1969 Penny Value Guides (Rare Errors, “D”, “S”, and No Mint Mark)

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The 1969 pennies are one of the top-quality pennies with a low rarity. But do you ever look forward to buying or selling a 1969 penny? What price do you think suits your 1969 penny?

Some of the rare 1969 penny coins have unique errors. It makes the coins have a high market value today. Most of them are common today. You can also get this coin as change after washing your car or getting a service. It makes the circulating 1969 pennies have a low price. So, in this article, expect to know various facts about the 1969 penny value. You’ll learn how to sell or buy your 1969 penny at the best price.

1969 Penny value by different Grades

Once you know the price range of your 1969 penny, it becomes easy to sell or buy it. The values can change with different market trends in the future. So, here is a perfect guide to show you today’s prices of various series of the 1969 penny. 1969 Penny Value Chart Mint Mark Good Fine Extra Fine Uncirculated 1969 No Mint Mark penny At least 0.10 USD At least 0.25 USD At least 0.25 USD At least 0.50 USD 1969 “S” Penny At least 0.10 USD At least 0.25 USD At least 0.40 USD At least 0.60 USD 1969 “D” Penny At least 0.10 USD At least 0.25 USD At least 0.20 USD At least 0.40 USD 1969 “S” Proof Penny At least 1 USD

History of the 1969 Penny

Whether you are a coin dealer or a coin buyer, expect the 1969 penny’s historical facts to amaze you. The coins are in the great family of the Lincoln Memorial pennies. In 1959, the US government allowed the change of the pennies’ reverse design. A designer, Frank Gasparro, changed the art from two wheat sheaths to the Lincoln Memorial Hall. Altogether, the three US mints struck over 5 billion units of the 1969 penny. The Philadelphia mint made 1,136,910,000 units. Around 4,000,832,000 pieces came from the Denver mint. For the San Francisco mint, they had the least number. Only 544,375,000 units came from the mint. Also, the San Francisco mint struck 2,934,631 proof coins. Remember, the proof coins never circulated. Only some Mint officials and some coin collectors got the pennies. So, expect the 1969 pennies from the San Francisco mint to have a high rarity and price today. Most people find the coin worth keeping because of its high copper value. So, be keen because you can buy a fake 1969 penny.

Features of the 1969 Penny

Each design on the 1969 penny has a crucial meaning. Besides the great message they carry, the coin’s aspects help you know if you have a legit one or not. Now, below are the key features of the 1969 penny.

The Obverse of the 1969 Penny

On your 1969 penny’s obverse is the late president Abraham Lincoln’s bust. The engraver of the head placed the portrait facing to the right. Remember, the front of the 1969 penny honors the US’s 100th anniversary of Lincoln’s birthday. It has the words “IN GOD WE TRUST” on the top. The terms represent the US motto. You’ll see Victor David’s sign on some 1969 pennies, especially if the coin has zero wear. The symbol “VDB” is under Abraham Lincoln’s shoulders. It shows how much the Mint honored this artist’s work. On the center-left, there is the word “Liberty.” It urges US citizens to embrace peace and unity every day. At the bottom right, next to Lincoln’s chest, is the coin’s date. Note that you’ll enjoy these aspects if your penny has fewer wear marks.

The Reverse of the 1969 Penny

The beauty of the coinage also extends to the reverse. Here, the fantastic artist, Gasparro, placed the essential details of the Lincoln Memorial Hall. If you are keen enough and your 1969 penny is of excellent quality, you’ll enjoy the coin’s view. Behind the pillars, a tiny visage shows Lincoln on a seat. The visage represents a 19-foot-tall statue that you can see in the actual Lincoln Memorial Hall. Remember, the US built and dedicated the building in 1922. Besides the hall’s beauty, the coin has the words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curving on top. Such terms encourage citizens to embrace the nation’s heritage. Below the hall is a penny’s denomination, “ONE CENT.” Also, you’ll see the phrase “E. PLURIBUS. UNUM.” That comes in two lines and means more about the US motto. Once again, the mint placed the signs to applaud the coin’s reverse designer. If you are keen enough, you’ll see the artist’s initials, “FG.” They appear at the hall’s bottom right.

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Other Essential Aspects of the 1969 Penny

Every 1969 penny comes with a smooth edge. The metal alloy entails 95% copper and 5% zinc. The coins have a diameter of 19 millimeters or 0.75 inches. Also, all 1969 pennies weigh 3.11 grams. Remember, this weight can reduce if the penny is old and has much wear. Only two series of the 1969 pennies have mint marks. The ones from Denver have a “D” mark, while the ones from San Francisco have an “S” mark. You’ll see this mark on the coin’s obverse. It will be below the date mark and between the first number “9” and the number “6.”

1969 Penny Value Guide

The price of a 1969 penny entails more than its present features. Remember, the prices vary with their grade. Here are more details of the values of various types of 1969 pennies.

1969 No Mint Mark Penny

Expect all the 1969 pennies from the Philadelphia mint to have a low value. It’s because this mint struck the 1969 penny in high numbers. If your 1969 penny is in the uncirculated grade, it will have an average value of around 0.25 USD. In the uncirculated scale of at least AU 50, the coin will sell for at least 0.50 USD.

1969 “S” Penny

Since the San Francisco mint struck these coins in low numbers, expect them to have a great price. The Mint struck fewer coins than the Denver and Philadelphia mints. In most circulated grades, the coin sells for at least 0.40 USD. But if the 1969 “S” penny is in at least AU 50, the value starts from at least 0.60 USD.

1969 “D” Penny

The Denver mint struck the highest number of the 1969 pennies. So, it’s easy to get them in today’s market and at a low price. In most circulated grades, like EF 40 or F 12, you can sell the coin for at least 0.20 USD. If the 1969 “D” penny falls in the uncirculated grade, it can go for at least 0.40 USD.

1969 “S” Proof Penny

You’ll buy or sell a 1969 “S” proof penny for at least 1 USD. It can even be higher if the coin has a high, mirror-like look on both sides. The San Francisco mint struck them in large numbers. So, they are easy to get in today’s coinage market, and thus, they have a low price.

How to Grade the 1969 Penny

Like every other coin, the grade determines the coin’s value. Though it’s a complex and challenging process, it helps you know the correct worth of your 1969 penny. It kills the issue of overpricing or underselling the coin today. So, here are the grades where your 1969 penny can fall in today’s grading system.

Proof

Getting a 1969 “S” proof penny isn’t easy today. Such coins never left the Mint for circulation. Instead, the Mint struck them for a few mint officials and some coin dealers. If kept well by the owner, expect the coin to have a deep and shiny luster on both sides. It’s not easy to get wear marks on these coins. If they are present, you’ll see them using a magnifying glass. Looking at the 1969 “S” proof penny in its best state, they have mirror-like backgrounds. While minting, the Mint used a unique process to feed the coin blanks. The artisans struck these pennies at least two times to give them a perfect look. Today, most 1969 “S” proof pennies have a PCGS rating of PR 65.

Uncirculated

For a 1969 penny to fall in this grade, it must have its luster. Such coins never left the Mint for circulation. Only the mint officials and some collectors got such coins. However, the uncirculated 1969 pennies get their wear marks from poor keeping. Also, the coins get old after the owner sells them various times. You’ll see some wear on Lincoln’s cheek and the highest jaw points. The Memorial Hall is much more visible, and the pillars have great details. Such a coin still looks new and fresh from the Mint. The pennies rate from almost uncirculated (AU) 50 up to mint state (MS) 70. How high the coin will rate varies with the luster and amount of wear marks.

Extra Fine

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Your 1969 penny will be extra fine because it has light wear on the high points. The wear is present because the coin went through a few hands of trade during circulation. Looking at the reverse, the details of the Memorial Hall are present. However, there is still some slight wear. Also, light wear is on the hair above Lincoln’s ear and cheek. In some cases, you’ll be lucky enough to see that your coin still has some luster. You’ll be able to see this beauty under the sun. A 1969 penny in this grade will have an EF 40 or 45. It varies with the luster quality and amount of wear on the coin.

Fine

Every 1969 penny in this grade has moderate to heavy wear marks. The wear came from going through many people’s hands. Also, it could be that the owners never kept the coins well. Its obverse and reverse designs appear clear and bold. You’ll see Lincoln’s hair curls and the hairline. Also, the cheeks and jaw are present but look almost flat. At the back, the coin’s memorial pillars are in an excellent state but wear marks. You’d be lucky to note the coin’s staircase. All the letters on the obverse and reverse are still present. Due to the level of wear, these coins have a rating of at least F 12 on the PCGS scale.

Good

A 1969 penny in this grade went through many owners’ hands. So, expect it to have heavy wear. The heavy wear shows that the owners didn’t handle the coin well. Also, the coin has its legends and design on the tail and head. Such remaining details help you know that the coin is a 1969 penny. In some cases, you’ll see that the letters and dates are faint. All the pillars in the memorial hall appear flat, but there is still some outline. Your coin will have a grade of G 4. Remember, if a coin rates below G 4 on the PCGS scale, it shows they have no significant value.

1969 Penny Errors

Count yourself lucky if you own a 1969 penny with a mint error. Today, getting such a coin isn’t child’s play. Look at some of the 1969 penny error coins you can get on the market today.

1969 “S” Double Die Error Penny (Reverse and Obverse)

Most coin dealers wish to own this error coin. They are famous pennies, but rare to get. The coin dealers, Ceil Moorhouse and Bill Hudson, first discovered these unique 1969 “S” DD error coins. Also, it was when some scammers tried to make fake 1969 double-die pennies. You’ll see the coin’s doubling on the words and date. Also, the doubling is present in Lincoln’s ears and the pillars of the memorial hall. Its lowest-selling record was at 16,500 USD in 1996. Today, its price goes for at least 70,000 USD in the MS 64.

1969 “D” Floating Roof and Missing Details Penny

You’ll also earn a lot of profit from this coin’s sale. Here, the artisans made the mistake of failing to place all the details on the penny. Such an error comes from the polishing process. So, the artisans over-polished the coin. The act made the roof of the Lincoln Memorial separate. Also, the “FG” initials are missing on the reverse due to the over-polishing. Such a coin will give you a huge profit if it has a high MS grade.

FAQs

Focusing on the concerns that coin dealers ask will help you gain more facts about the 1969 penny’s value. So, please look at the following common questions from coin dealers:

Can you get any rare 1969 penny today?

Yes, some unique types of the 1969 penny aren’t easy to get. Most such coins have mint errors. A perfect example is the 1969 “S” double die error penny. You’d be lucky to get such a coin today.

Where can you buy or sell a 1969 penny?

Today, you can buy or sell any 1969 penny on online markets like eBay or Etsy. Also, you can go to antique shops and collector shops. Attending coin auction events allows you to buy rare coins. But as for grading, do it only with PGCS and NCG. You’ll get the correct grade and keep the penny safe.

robpaulsenlive.com - 1969 Penny Value Guides (Rare Errors, “D”, “S”, and No Mint Mark)

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