Price Guide for 1955 Cent Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $3.00 – $7,050.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $5,565.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2.00 – $6,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $523.00 – $2,115.00Uncirculated: $396.00 – $32,400.00
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eBayCirculated: $1,225.68Uncirculated: $54.00 – $10,399.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3,350.00 – $18,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1.00 – $7,475.00
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eBayCirculated: $10.50 – $25.00Uncirculated: $0.99 – $1,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2.00 – $10,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $604.00 – $2,530.00Uncirculated: $1,150.00 – $114,000.00
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eBayCirculated: $835.09Uncirculated: $300.00 – $33,100.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3,500.00 – $288,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,150.00 – $1,265.00Uncirculated: $6.00 – $38,400.00
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eBayCirculated: $1,836.00Uncirculated: $2.25 – $6,261.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3.00 – $2,750.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $9.02 – $3,600.00Uncirculated: $517.00 – $8,400.00
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eBayCirculated: $378.99 – $3,477.50Uncirculated: $262.00 – $24,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1,375.00 – $2,775.00Uncirculated: $2,850.00 – $30,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $14.00 – $35.00Uncirculated: $219.00
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eBayCirculated: $2.60 – $299.00Uncirculated: $0.99 – $761.01
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $6.00 – $18.00Uncirculated: $11.00 – $322.00
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eBayCirculated: $1.75 – $325.00Uncirculated: $2.28 – $175.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $67.00 – $1,320.00
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eBayUncirculated: $51.00 – $1,800.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $24.00 – $1,150.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $8.00 – $1,323.00
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eBayCirculated: $13.50 – $332.99Uncirculated: $2.76 – $1,090.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $10.00 – $1,150.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $6.00 – $2,585.00Uncirculated: $6.00 – $2,520.00
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eBayCirculated: $5.65 – $1,982.18Uncirculated: $0.99 – $2,325.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $161.00 – $50,400.00
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eBayUncirculated: $23.14 – $504.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $26.00 – $51,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $660.00 – $2,880.00Uncirculated: $960.00 – $30,550.00
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eBayCirculated: $8.00 – $2,749.00Uncirculated: $1,841.00 – $3,680.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1,400.00 – $2,800.00Uncirculated: $2,900.00 – $9,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $26.00 – $305.50
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eBayUncirculated: $40.00 – $212.50
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $30.00 – $1,850.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $5.00 – $1,840.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.01 – $420.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $25.00 – $112.00
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eBayCirculated: $34.31 – $77.00Uncirculated: $3.25 – $1,875.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $134.00 – $168.00
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eBayCirculated: $1,250.00Uncirculated: $41.00 – $175.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $85.00 – $1,200.00
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eBayUncirculated: $8.00 – $807.49
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $100.00 – $1,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $822.50 – $1,680.00Uncirculated: $1,320.00 – $8,400.00
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eBayCirculated: $1,895.00Uncirculated: $2,436.11 – $4,250.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3,100.00 – $18,250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $2,530.00 – $26,400.00
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eBayUncirculated: $5,150.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3,300.00 – $52,650.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $7.00 – $240.00
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eBayUncirculated: $2.29 – $225.00
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eBayCirculated: $26.00 – $70.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $30.00
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eBayUncirculated: $59.95
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eBayUncirculated: $99.95
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $65.00 – $204.00
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eBayUncirculated: $15.50 – $1,899.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $19.00 – $425.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $176.25
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eBayUncirculated: $1.75 – $129.99
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eBayCirculated: $2,149.00Uncirculated: $28.00 – $295.00
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eBayUncirculated: $28.95
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $26.00 – $1,880.00
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eBayCirculated: $95.00Uncirculated: $20.50 – $2,250.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $12.00 – $2,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $432.00 – $1,020.00
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eBayUncirculated: $30.00 – $1,555.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $110.00 – $450.00
Design and Specifications of the 1955 Cent
The 1955 Lincoln Cent is part of the Wheat Ears reverse design series, which was minted from 1909 to 1958. This year is particularly notable for producing one of the most famous error coins in U.S. numismatic history: the 1955 Doubled Die Obverse cent.
The Lincoln Cent, first introduced in 1909, was the first U.S. coin to feature a president’s image, marking a significant departure from the tradition of depicting allegorical figures on American coinage.
| Weight | 3.11 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 19.05 mm |
| Mint Marks | P (no mint mark), D, S |
| Composition | 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc |
| Obverse Design | Portrait of Abraham Lincoln, designed by Victor David Brenner |
| Reverse Design | Wheat ears, designed by Victor David Brenner |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1955 Lincoln Cents significantly impacts their value, particularly for high-grade examples. Coins in uncirculated condition (MS60 and above) command premium prices, with those grading MS65 or higher being especially desirable.
For the famous 1955 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) variety, even circulated examples can be quite valuable. The DDO error is visible to the naked eye, with doubling most prominent on the date and lettering.
Red copper coins (those retaining their original mint luster) are more valuable than brown examples, with Red-Brown (RB) specimens falling in between.
Mintage: 330,958,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in most grades, scarce in MS66 and above
Varieties Errors: 1955 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
Market Demand: High, especially for the DDO variety
Mintage: 563,257,500
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in most grades, scarce in MS66 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate
Mintage: 44,610,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in most grades, scarce in MS66 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate
Strike quality is an important factor for 1955 cents. Well-struck coins with sharp details, especially on Lincoln’s hair and the wheat ears, are more desirable.
The 1955 Doubled Die Obverse is the most valuable variety of this year, with prices ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars depending on condition. Its rarity and popularity among collectors make it a key numismatic treasure.
Toning can also affect value, with attractively toned specimens often commanding premiums. However, for copper coins, original red color is generally preferred over toning.
