If you enjoy valuable penny coins, Indian Head Pennies, and Lincoln Pennies, you’ll enjoy this. Lincoln cents have been a favorite among collectors since they were first introduced in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth. These coins have become even more iconic because of the Lincoln Memorial design (1959–2008) on the reverse.
Lincoln Memorial pennies in mint condition and with errors can sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars, although the majority of used pennies are only worth their face value. Here are some of the most valuable Lincoln Memorial pennies you should look for.
Most Valuable Cent Coins: Lincoln and Indian Head Pennies Worth Money
1. 1909-S Indian Head Penny (Regular Strike)
Let’s look at one of the most valuable Indian Head pennies. We’ll use real sales data, but remember, coin prices can change with the seasons. Rarity and demand matter. Selling during a special anniversary or historic year can bring in more money.
- Mint Mark: San Francisco
- Grade: MS 67 RD
- Date of Sale: 5th January 2006
- Price: $97,750
To better understand each coin’s value, we’ll also explore the Indian Head Penny’s history—its designer, metal content, origin, where it was minted, and even some fun facts about American coins.
2. 1899 Indian Head Penny (Regular Strike)
Let’s begin with some basics about coin collecting. People who study coins are called numismatists, and the study itself is numismatics. The coin’s obverse side (heads) is front side, while the reverse (tails) side is back. The thin sides are called the edges.
- Year: 1899
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Grade: MS 68 RD
- Date of Sale: 18th August 2019
- Price: $108,000
Coins are made by feeding metal sheets into a blanking machine, which punches out small discs called planchets. These coins edges can have ridges known as rims or collars. If this coin include no ridges, it’s called smooth or plain. Some coins even combine both edge styles.
3. 1900 Indian Head Penny (Regular Strike)
Coins often include important words required by law—like the country’s name, a national motto, or the title of the person shown. These are called legends or mottos. They usually appear on the front or back of the coin, but sometimes they’re placed on the edge.
- Year: 1900
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Grade: MS 67+ RD
- Date of Sale: 25th February 2021
- Price: $28,200
When writing appears on the coin’s edge, it’s called edge inscription or edge lettering that is done using a Schuler Edge Incusion Machine. This technique was first used on gold and silver coins, known as specie metals, to help prevent counterfeiting.
4. 1905 Indian Head Penny (Proof)
In the early days, a coin’s value came from its metal content. For example, a $1 gold coin needed to be worth $1 when melted down. Some people cheated the system by shaving the edges, making the coin smaller and lighter.
- Year: 1905
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Grade: PR 67 CAM
- Date of Sale: 31st July 2009
- Price: $23,000
To stop this, the U.S. Mint added edge lettering. If someone shaved the coin, it would be obvious the edge writing was missing, alerting others to the tampering. This method faded out when coins started using base metals instead of precious ones.
5. 1859 Indian Head Penny (Regular Strike)
Let’s talk about the Indian Head Penny. Interestingly, the design doesn’t show a real Native American. This is a woman wearing a Native American headdress. Back then, U.S. coins didn’t feature presidents. The Founding Fathers didn’t support that idea.
- Year: 1859
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Grade: MS 66+
- Date of Sale: 2nd February 2012
- Price: $34,500
At the time, coins in other countries showed kings and queens. But early American leaders like George Washington and Benjamin Franklin thought that was too royal and undemocratic. So they made sure their images didn’t appear on coins during their lifetimes.
6. 1872 Indian Head Penny (Regular Strike)
The Founding Fathers preferred using symbols like Lady Liberty instead of real political figures. Early coin designs often showed Liberty, inspired by ancient goddesses. Later, some coins used real American women as models.
- Year: 1872
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Grade: MS 66 RD
- Date of Sale: 9th August 2007
- Price: $126,500
The Indian Head Penny is based on Sarah, who is the daughter of the Chief Mint Engraver. It’s said that he sketched her when she was 12 and used her image for the coin. However, both father and daughter denied the story.
7. 1864 Indian Head Penny L on Ribbon, (Proof)
There’s a charming story that young Sarah tried on a Native American headdress while visiting her father at the Mint, inspiring the coin’s design. But in reality, Sarah was already 30 years old and a mother—so that tale doesn’t quite add up.
- Year: 1864
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Grade: PR 65 CAM
- Date of Sale: 27th April 2016
- Price: $152,750
When asked about the design, James B. Longacre, the Chief Engraver, said he was inspired by Crouching Venus, a statue from the Vatican that was on display in Philadelphia. Still, it’s believed that some of Sarah’s facial features naturally made their way into the final portrait.
8. 1877 Indian Head Penny (Regular Strike)
The Indian Head Penny has a young Lady Liberty wearing a pearl necklace with a Native American headdress. This feathered headdress, often called a tiara, was traditionally worn by male chiefs, making it a strong, masculine symbol.
- Year: 1877
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Grade: MS 66 RD
- Date of Sale: 9th August 2007
- Price: $149,500
The coin followed constitutional design rules. On the obverse side of the coin had United States of America, the date at the bottom, and the word Liberty on the headband. Some coins also featured the letter L for Longacre, the designer, hidden in the lower strands of her hair.
9. 1908-S Indian Head Penny (Regular Strike)
Back in 1858, the reverse side of the Indian Head Penny featured a laurel wreath with berries, tied with a ribbon at the bottom. In the center, it simply read One Cent. We call them “pennies” today because of the influence from British currency.
- Year: 1908
- Mint Mark: San Francisco
- Grade: MS 67 RD
- Date of Sale: 24th January 2021
- Price: $21,600
In 1859, the reverse design was updated. The laurel wreath was replaced with an oak wreath topped by a shield, and at the bottom, three arrows were tied into the ribbon connecting the branches. It’s a small coin with a lot of history behind its design.
10. 1888 Indian Head Penny (Regular Strike)
Before 1971, a British penny was 1/240 of a pound, and the plural was “pence.” As a former British colony, America used similar terms. Though we now use dollars and cents, we’ve held on to calling our 1-cent coin a “penny.”
- Year: 1888
- Mint Mark: None (Philadelphia)
- Grade: MS 67 RD
- Date of Sale: January 7th, 2008
- Price: $63,250
In 1971, the UK adopted a decimal system. Even so, the nickname “penny” stuck in the U.S., even though One Cent is printed on the coin. It may not be worth much today, but we’re still fond of it.
Conclusion
Collecting Lincoln and Indian Head pennies is more than just a hobby—it’s a fascinating journey through American history. From rare minting errors to limited-edition releases, some of these small copper coins have fetched tens of thousands of dollars at auction. Whether you’re new to coin collecting or a seasoned numismatist, keeping an eye out for these valuable cent coins could lead to a surprising discovery.
To truly understand a coin’s worth, using a coin value checker can help you determine if that old penny in your drawer is just spare change or a hidden treasure. With so many unique and historical pennies out there, it’s always worth double-checking their value before spending or selling them.