Top 25 Most Valuable Lincoln Pennies Sold on eBay in August 2015

Lincoln pennies are one of the most popular collectible coins around, and they are also among the most valuable coins that can still be found in pocket change. The top 25 most valuable Lincoln pennies that were sold on eBay in August 2015 represent a wide range of the most desirable one-cent coins in terms of both date and condition.

In a fairly unusual occurrence, a whopping 4 of the top 10 Lincoln cents listed below sold for more than $5,000. Truly, any Lincoln cent that’s worth $1,000 or more is a “pretty penny,” but the last month of summer saw some sizzling hot Lincoln cents that grabbed the attention of coin collectors.

Here’s a rundown of the top 25 most valuable Lincoln pennies that sold on eBay in August 2015:

#1 – 1914-D PCGS MS-65 Red Lincoln Penny, $12,203.00

The 1914-D Lincoln wheat cent is a key date in any grade, but what some numismatists may not know is that this issue is far scarcer in the Mint State grades than is the much more popular Lincoln penny rarity, the 1909-S VDB. While 1,193,000 1914-D Lincoln pennies were made versus just 484,000 1909-S VDB Lincoln cents, the 1909-S VDB wheat penny was saved in large quantities, whereas the 1914-D was not. It’s estimated that around 200 to 250 exist in MS-65 and above, versus 3,000 for the 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent in the same condition.

#2 – 1936 PCGS Proof-66+ Red Lincoln Penny, $8,495.00

The 1936 proof Lincoln cent represents the first year of the “modern” proof coin. 5,569 proof Lincoln pennies were made in 1936, which is a tiny figure as compared to today’s proof coins. Because the 1936 proof cent is a first-year type in that sense and is, as explained, a scarce coin, these pieces tend to sell quickly when they hit the auction block.

#3 – 1909-S VDB PCGS MS-66 Red Lincoln Penny, $8,122.00

The first 1909-S VDB Lincoln penny (of many) on this list comes up at more than $8,000, which even for this issue, is unusually pricey. Of course this is an MS-66 Lincoln cent, which is a much nicer representative than most of the specimens that come up for sale on eBay. In fact, PCGS has certified just seven at this grading point.

#4 – 1950 PCGS Proof-66 Red Lincoln Penny, $5,250.00

The United States Mint took a break from minting proof coinage in the mid and late 1940s to focus on producing general circulation coinage and war medals. That changed in 1950, when the U.S. Mint resumed making proof coinage, and the 1950 proof Lincoln wheat cent is a scarce coin indeed, especially in a grade of Proof-66.

#5 – 1914-D PCGS MS-64 Red-Brown Lincoln Penny, $4,051.00

As mentioned earlier, the 1914-D Lincoln cent is not only a key date across the grading spectrum, but it’s especially scarce in Mint State – even more so than 1909-S VDB Lincoln wheat pennies. This 1914-D Lincoln cent is a truly rare piece that’s definitely worth every cent of its $4,000+ selling price.

#6 – 1909-S VDB NGC MS-65 Red Lincoln Penny, $3,995.00

1909-S VDB Lincoln cents may not be the scarcest Mint State key date wheat pennies, but they are nevertheless among the most sought-after rare coins out there. In MS-65, 1909-S VDB Lincoln cents are sure winners in every category.

Tied #7 – 1909-S VDB PCGS MS-65 Lincoln Penny, $2,995.00

This and the next MS-65 Lincoln cent represent true trophy coins for any penny enthusiast. MS-65 1909-S VDB Lincoln cents are great buys for any collector of Lincoln cents and make a great addition to any high-end set.

Tied #7 – 1909-S VDB PCGS MS-65 Red-Brown Lincoln Penny, $2,995.00

PCGS has certified 60 1909-S VDB Lincoln wheat cents at a grade of MS-65, which, while larger than most other early Lincoln cents at that grade level, is still, of course, a tiny figure as compared to the number of people who would love to own this coin. MS-65 1909-S VDB Lincoln cents are truly wonderful coins, even with the red-brown patination that this piece has.

#9 – 1912-D PCGS MS-65 Red Lincoln Penny, $2,750.70

Early mintmarked Lincoln cents in Mint States grades are perhaps the true rarities of this series, in terms of overall availability. PCGS has graded just eight 1912-D Lincoln cents in MS-65, and perhaps less than 500 still exist in grades as high as MS-65 or better.

#10 – 1936 PCGS Proof-65 Red Lincoln Penny CAC Designated, $2,695.00

The last coin in the top 10 for August 2015 is this 1936 proof Lincoln cent. Its CAC (Certified Acceptance Corporation) designation indicates it has superior surfaces to other 1936 proof Lincoln cents grading Proof-65, and this coin certainly seems to qualify.

The remainder of the top 25 coins on this list of the most valuable Lincoln pennies to sell on eBay in August 2015 includes the usual variety of key date coins along with one super-scarce modern Lincoln penny. Here are the 11th through 25th most expensive Lincoln cents:

#11 – 1955 Doubled Die PCGS MS-63 Brown Lincoln Penny, $2,440.00

#12 – 1909-S VDB PCGS MS-64 Red Lincoln Penny, $2,425.00

#13 – 1955 Doubled Die PCGS MS-63 Brown Lincoln Penny, $2,249.00

#14 – 1909-S VDB “Raw” Gem BU Lincoln Penny, $2,228.00

#15 – 1955 Doubled Die PCGS AU-55 Lincoln Penny CAC Designated, $2,200.00

#16 – 1909-S VDB PCGS MS-65 Lincoln Penny, $2,114.00

#17 – 1992-D Close AM PCGS AU-55 Lincoln Penny, $2,000.00

#18 – 1909-S VDB PCGS MS-64 Red-Brown Lincoln Penny, $1,995.00

#19 – 1914-D “Raw” Brilliant Uncirculated Red-Brown Lincoln Penny, $1,895.00

#20 – 1914-D PCGS AU-58 Lincoln Penny, $1,850.00

#21 – 1914-D PCGS AU-58 Lincoln Penny, $1,813.00

#22 – 1955 Doubled Die PCGS AU-58 Lincoln Penny, $1,800.00

#23 – 1909-S VDB PCGS MS-65 Red Lincoln Penny, $1,795.00

#24 – 1955 Doubled Die “Raw” Brilliant Uncirculated Lincoln Penny, $1,790.33

#25 – 1955 Doubled Die “Raw” Brilliant Uncirculated Lincoln Penny, $1,775.00