Price Guide for 1969 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: $16,500.00 – $126,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $31,500.00 – $605,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $7.00
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eBayCirculated: $1.00 – $136.00Uncirculated: $3.25 – $191.38
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $4,715.00 – $54,625.00Uncirculated: $27,600.00 – $48,875.00
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eBayCirculated: $1.00 – $22,600.00Uncirculated: $79.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $13,000.00 – $25,000.00Uncirculated: $28,500.00 – $41,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $7,475.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $3,499.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5.00 – $8,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $56.00 – $505.25
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eBayUncirculated: $13.50 – $353.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $75.00 – $650.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $561.00Uncirculated: $6.00 – $4,406.25
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $600.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $8.00 – $10,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $30.00 – $99.00Uncirculated: $198.00
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eBayCirculated: $40.00 – $169.00Uncirculated: $52.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $2.00 – $55.00Uncirculated: $60.00 – $210.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $1,725.00
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eBayUncirculated: $2.25 – $475.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $4.00 – $625.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $5,750.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $525.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $6.00 – $575.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $15,000.00 – $28,800.00Uncirculated: $19,800.00 – $48,000.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $13,000.00 – $27,500.00Uncirculated: $29,000.00 – $42,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $26,400.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $37,500.00 – $62,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $4.00 – $230.00
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eBayCirculated: $17.50 – $69.85Uncirculated: $1.00 – $225.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $2.00 – $28.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $51,600.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00
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eBayUncirculated: $10.00 – $395.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,438.00
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eBayUncirculated: $19.99 – $20.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $1.00 – $8.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $374.00
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eBayCirculated: $1.05 – $226.00Uncirculated: $1.33 – $85.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $575.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $63.00 – $154.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $70.00 – $325.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $69.00
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eBayCirculated: $162.00Uncirculated: $3.58 – $270.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $16,675.00 – $85,100.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $30,000.00 – $60,000.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $104.50
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eBayUncirculated: $2.25 – $107.52
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $3.00 – $60.00
Design and Specifications of the 1969 Cent
The 1969 Lincoln Memorial Cent marked the 60th anniversary of the Lincoln Cent series. This year saw continued high production of cents due to the ongoing coin shortage in the United States. The Lincoln Memorial design, introduced in 1959, was still relatively new and popular among the public.
1969 was a significant year in American history, marked by the Apollo 11 moon landing and the Woodstock music festival, adding cultural context to coins minted this year.
| Weight | 3.11 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 19.05 mm |
| Mint Marks | None (Philadelphia), D (Denver), S (San Francisco) |
| Composition | 95% copper, 5% zinc |
| Obverse Design | Abraham Lincoln's profile facing right, designed by Victor D. Brenner |
| Reverse Design | Lincoln Memorial, designed by Frank Gasparro |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1969 Lincoln Cents significantly impacts their value. Circulation strikes in Mint State (MS) grades, particularly MS65 and above, command premium prices due to their scarcity. For proof coins, grades of PR68 and above are highly sought after.
Key factors affecting condition include:
1. Luster: Original mint luster adds significant value.
2. Strike quality: Well-struck coins with sharp details are more desirable.
3. Contact marks: Fewer marks, especially on Lincoln’s cheek and in the fields, increase value.
4. Toning: Natural, attractive toning can enhance value for some collectors.
Mintage: 1,136,910,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in grades up to MS66, scarce in MS67 and above
Varieties Errors: Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for high-grade examples and DDO variety
Mintage: 4,002,832,200
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in grades up to MS66, scarce in MS67 and above
Varieties Errors: None notable
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for high-grade examples
Mintage: 2,934,631
Rarity Scale: Common for proofs
Circulation Status: Not Intended for Circulation
Preservation Rarity: Common in grades up to PR68, scarce in PR69 and above
Varieties Errors: None notable
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for deep cameo examples
Additional factors impacting the 1969 Cent’s value include:
1. Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) variety: This rare variety, most noticeable in the date and lettering, can command significant premiums.
2. Red color: Cents retaining their original red color (RD) are more valuable than those with brown (BN) or red-brown (RB) coloration.
3. Deep Cameo proofs: Proof coins with strong contrast between frosted devices and mirrored fields (DCAM) are more valuable.
4. Error coins: Off-center strikes, wrong planchets, or other mint errors can significantly increase value.
5. Historical significance: As coins minted in the year of the moon landing, some collectors may place additional value on 1969 cents.
