The first year of the Lincoln cent series saw a limited mintage of 484,000 coins with the initials "VDB" (for Victor David Brenner, the coin's designer) on the reverse. These are highly sought after by collectors.
With a low mintage of just over 1 million coins, the 1914-D Lincoln cent is rare and commands high prices in the collector's market.
Some 1922 Lincoln cents were minted without the Denver mintmark, making them extremely valuable. It is believed that a few were struck without the mintmark due to a worn-out die.
The 1931-S Lincoln cent had a mintage of only 866,000 coins, making it one of the rarest in the series. Its scarcity and historical significance contribute to its high value.
Most pennies in 1943 were made of zinc-coated steel due to World War II shortages, but a few were accidentally struck in copper. These rare copper alloy pennies are highly coveted by collectors.
This coin features a noticeable doubling of the date and other inscriptions due to a misalignment during the minting process. The error makes these pennies highly valuable to collectors.
Another doubled die error, the 1969-S Lincoln cent has prominent doubling on the obverse, particularly on the date and the word "LIBERTY." Collectors seek this coin for its rarity and unique appearance.
A less-known error, the 1983 Lincoln cent has doubling on the reverse, particularly on the letters of "ONE CENT" and the memorial building. This variety is highly valued by those aware of its existence.
In some 1992 pennies, the letters "A" and "M" in "AMERICA" on the reverse are closer together than usual. This small anomaly makes these coins rare and valuable among collectors.
As part of the four-coin series honoring Abraham Lincoln's life, the 2009 Formative Years cent stands out. With a low mintage, it pays tribute to Lincoln's early years and is prized by collectors completing the Bicentennial set.