1999 Penny Value Guides (Rare Errors, “D”, “S” and No Mint Mark) (2024)

Lincoln Memorial pennies replaced Wheat pennies in 1959 and were produced until 2008. The idea was to commemorate Lincoln’s 150th birth anniversary by replacing wheat stalks with his Memorial from Washington, DC.

Even though coins minted in 1999 are modern and expectedly inexpensive, the 1999 penny value can surprise you. Some specimens with characteristic wide AM are pricey, and one reached an auction record as the most valuable in the series.

*by USA Coin Book

History of the 1940 Lincoln Wheat Penny

The Lincoln penny is a one-cent coin produced from 1909 to now in the US Mint. Interestingly, this coin’s obverse has stayed unchanged all these years, but the reverse had a few redesigns, depending on the occasion.

In the very beginning, the penny reverse contained two wheat stalks on the reverse, providing it with the nickname Wheat Penny. It was the first American coin with a genuine person instead of imaginary characters on the obverse, like Lady Liberty and the American Indian.

That decision was controversial at those times, and many traditionalists remembered George Washington’s attitude that such a thing was too monarchical.

However, the idea was to honor the memory of one of the most prominent American Presidents. Therefore, the coin was released into circulation in 1909, when the nation celebrated Lincoln’s 100th birthday. Surprisingly, Americans adored their new penny.

The penny reverse was replaced with the Memorial in 1959 for the first time to commemorate the President’s 150th birthday. The Brenner’s reverse was replaced with Frank Gasparro’s Lincoln Memorial design.

Interestingly, his creation brought this penny one new solution in American coinage. Since you can see Lincoln between Memorial pillars, this coin is unique by depicting the same person on both sides.

Finally, Lincoln’s bicentennial birth was commemorated by the new reverse design in 2009. This time, the US Mint released four commemorative designs showing the four essential phases of the President’s life.

The curiosity is that three rare and valuable 1999 Lincoln Memorial pennies are still in circulation:

The 1999 S Lincoln Memorial penny with close AM

The San Francisco mint produced two 1999 S Lincoln Memorial penny varieties, with closed and widely spaced letters A and M in the word AMERICA. The penny with nearly touching A and M is the more pricey, highly collectible, and typically cost about $100.

The 1999 Lincoln Memorial penny with wide AM

In the case of coins struck in Philadelphia, both versions with wide and close letters A and M are equally sought after. Collectors are prepared to set aside approximately $120 to $800 for pieces with wide AM in the mint state.

However, you can also find these pennies in circulation. Their prices are lower but always significantly higher than their face value.

Related Post: 16 Most Valuable Wheat Penny Errors In Circulation

Features of 1999 Lincoln Memorial Penny

Even though 1999 Lincoln Memorial pennies look the same as those minted from 1959 to these days, their mass is significantly lower. It was reduced in 1982 from 3.11 g (0.10970 ounces) to 2.5 g (0.08818 ounces), making them lighter even from wartime steel cents weighing 2.7 g (0.09524 ounces).

The obverse of the 1999 Lincoln Memorial penny

As I have already mentioned, the Lincoln pennies obverse has stayed the same from the very beginning, and you can see the 16th President’s bust in the center.

The required statement IN GOD WE TRUST is written along the top coin rim, while the word LIBERTY is behind his back. This coin side also includes the DATE, 1999, on the right.

The reverse of the 1999 Lincoln Memorial penny

The 1999 Lincoln Memorial penny reverse includes Lincoln Memorial with the President’s figure between two centrally positioned pillars. You can read inscriptions, the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and ONE CENT, stretched along the coin rim.

The space between the Memorial and the country name is reserved for a required motto, E PLURIBUS UNUM. Finally, you can recognize the designer’s initials inconspicuously struck next to the steps.

Other features of the 1999 Lincoln Memorial penny

The 1999 Lincoln Memorial penny is a round one-cent coin with a plain edge. In 1982, the US Mint changed these coins’ composition by increasing the zinc proportion to 97.5%.

This penny has a diameter of 0.75 inches (19.05 mm), which is a standard for this coin type, while its weight was reduced to 0.08818 ounces (2.5 g) in 1982. The coin thickness stayed the same and is 0.05984 inches (1.52 mm).

Related Post: 19 Valuable Lincoln Memorial Penny Worth Money

1999 Lincoln Memorial Penny Value Guides

Since three mints produced 11,601,012,966 Lincoln Memorial pennies, you wouldn’t expect one of them to be the most expensive in the series. It was possible thanks to an unusual variation that appeared in the Philadelphia mint. Let’s see.

1999 No Mint mark Lincoln Memorial penny

Atypically, the Philadelphia mint wasn’t produced the highest number of Lincoln Memorial pennies in 1999. However, one of the 5,237,600,000 minted that year became the most expensive in a series after one collector paid $138,000 for it in 2006.

*by Greysheet

Besides this unique coin, most pennies minted that year are relatively inexpensive. You can buy any of those in the mint state for $0.10 to $60.

However, the 1999 wide AM RD pennies are more pricey, and their value is $120 to $800, depending on the condition. Only rare, precisely struck specimens in an MS 68 grade can reach $3,850 at auctions.

1999 D Lincoln Memorial penny

The Denver mint reached the highest mintage in 1999 with 6,360,065,000 produced Lincoln Memorial pennies. Their average price is $0.10 to $30, while you can find even beautiful pieces in an MS 69 grade for $260.

The most expensive 1999 D Lincoln Memorial penny is an extraordinary coin with MS 69 rating and red toning sold at Heritage Auctions. One collector added it to his collection for $1,293 in 2013.

1999 S Lincoln Memorial penny

This year, the San Francisco mint produced only proof coins. Precisely 3,347,966 pieces were struck, including collectible red-toned close AM penny variety. While one 1999 S proof RD DCAM penny is worth $0.50 to $4, you should set aside $25 to $130 for pieces with close AM.

*by Greysheet

You can recognize two of the most precious pennies struck this year. The 1999 S PR 70 DCAM Lincoln Memorial penny was paid $2,358 in 2004, while the one with close AM in a PR 69 grade reached $1,035 at an auction in 2008.

Related Post: 19 Most Valuable Wheat Pennies Worth Money

1999 Lincoln Memorial Penny Errors

You can recognize a few errors among the 1999 Lincoln Memorial pennies. Most are rare, so you can expect them to be collectible and expensive. Even though most appear as die errors and errors from mintage, some of those coins seem as scarce and valuable human errors.

1999 Wide AM

The 1999 Wide AM Lincoln Memorial pennies appeared accidentally during particular collector Lincoln pennies minting. Mistakenly using the reverse proof coin dies resulted in coins intended for circulation.

Unlike regular pieces with A and M nearly touching one another, such specimens had a significant gap between the A and M letter bottoms in the word AMERICA.

These coins are highly appreciated and are worth about $100, even in the lowest grade. Those in decent condition are worth $150 to $300, while the best-preserved pieces can go to $3,850.

Off-center

The off-die (off-center) penny occurs when the planchet is misaligned or the coin is positioned under the wrong angle during striking. Specimens with minor errors typically cost $5 to $6. On the other hand, those with high off-center percentages but the visible date and mint mark are always pricey.

Die to Crack

This Lincoln penny is a result of a cracked die. Since it is not smooth as required, coins have some flaws on the surface. However, collectors avoid these pieces, making them inexpensive.

Double Die

Double-die is one of the most common errors in the 1990s Lincoln Memorial penny series. You should pay about $5 to $10 for one of these coins.

1999 Lincoln penny Obverse / 1999 Roosevelt dime reverse

This strange error is an anomaly since it has the regularly issued 1999 Lincoln Memorial penny obverse with worn lettering near the rim. The catch is in the reverse that belongs to the 1999 Roosevelt dime. By now, only one such coin exists, and its price still needs to be determined.

FAQ about the 1999 Lincoln Memorial Penny

What makes a 1999 Lincoln Memorial penny rare?

Most 1999 Lincoln Memorial pennies are common, but those with the wide AM RD are considered scarce and can be expensive in high grades.

Which 1999 Lincoln Memorial penny is worth a lot of money?

• The 1999 MS 66 RD Lincoln Memorial penny won the auction record at Heritage Auctions after sold for $138,000 in 2006
• The 1999 S PR 70 DCAM Lincoln Memorial penny won the auction record at Heritage Auctions after sold for $2,358 in 2004
• The 1999 MS 65 BN Lincoln Memorial penny won the auction record at Superior Galleries after sold for $1,725 in 2003
• The 1999 D MS 69 RD Lincoln Memorial penny won the auction record at Heritage Auctions after sold for $1,293 in 2013
• The 1999 S PR 69 close AM FS-901 DCAM Lincoln Memorial penny won the auction record at Heritage Auctions after sold for $1,035 in 2008
• The 1999 S PR 68 close AM DCAM Lincoln Memorial penny won the auction record at David Lawrence RC after sold for $437 in 2011
• The 1999 D MS 64 BN Lincoln Memorial penny won the auction record at Stack’s Bowers after sold for $259 in 2011
• The 1999 S PR 69 close AM RD Lincoln Memorial penny won the auction record on eBay after sold for $208 in 2019
• The 1999 D MS 67 RD PL Lincoln Memorial penny won the auction record on eBay after sold for $110 in 2020
• The 1999 MS 65 RB Lincoln Memorial penny won the auction record on eBay after sold for $36 in 2022
• The 1999 D MS 64 RB Lincoln Memorial penny won the auction record on eBay after sold for $9 in 2022

How much did the 1999 No Mint mark Lincoln Memorial penny cost?

Most 1999 Lincoln Memorial pennies minted in Philadelphia are inexpensive, and even those in the mint state cost $0.10 to $60. However, those with wide AM and red toning are more pricey. They typically cost $120 to $800, depending on the condition.

What is the most expensive Lincoln Memorial penny?

The most expensive Lincoln Memorial penny is the one struck in the Philadelphia mint in 1999. It reached an unbelievable price of $138,000 at an auction in 2006. The second place went to the 1969 S DDO error penny produced in San Francisco after one collector paid $126,500 for it in 2008.