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Coins that have been recently minted rarely store notable investment potential unless they are part of a key date series or contain striking errors instead. As for the latter, minting flaws and deviations do attract collectors, for they tend to be rare, intricate, and truly one-of-a-kind. But what about the smallest denomination in the country? Could it really compete in value with its higher-denomination counterparts?
The 2024 Lincoln cent is a surprisingly precious item that may be worth hundreds of dollars when it contains rare minting errors or varieties. What do these numismatic creations look like? How much does it cost to make a penny in 2024 enter your collection? And which features identify this coin as unique? Let us see.
Overview of the Lincoln Penny 2024
The 2024 Lincoln penny errors can be quite captivating to explore, but first of all, the basis of the coin is vital. As such, under the same Lincoln Shield reverse program, there were released three main iterations:
2024 Penny No Mint Mark: Produced at the Philadelphia Mint, with no mint marks at all.
2024 D Penny: Struck at the Denver Mint, with the “D” mint mark on the obverse.
2024 S Penny Proof: Special proofs released by the San Francisco Mint, with an “S”; for collectors only.
NB: The 2024 penny mintage figures have not been released yet. For more information, stay tuned and consult the official website of the US Mint.
Obverse (Front): The obverse continues the iconic portrait of Abraham Lincoln, originally designed by Victor David Brenner to commemorate Lincoln’s 100th birthday (explore the 1909 VDB penny). The detailed profile exhibits Lincoln facing right, with the designer’s initials “VDB” at the base of the image, “IN GOD WE TRUST” along the top edge, “LIBERTY” to the left of Lincoln’s profile, the date “2024” on the right side, and a mint mark below the year.
Reverse (Back): The reverse eloquently features the modern Union Shield design (by Lyndall Bass and Joseph Menna), consisting of thirteen vertical stripes, bound together by a horizontal bar, and a ribbon, as well as the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” curved along the upper rim, “E PLURIBUS UNUM” the horizontal bar, and the denomination “ONE CENT” on the ribbon (closer to the bottom).
Specifications | |
Series | Lincoln Cent (Shield Reverse series) |
Designers | Victor David Brenner (obverse) Lyndall Bass (reverse design) Joseph Menna (reverse sculpture) |
Composition | Copper-plated zinc, i.e., 97.5% zinc, 2.5% copper |
Weight | approx. 2.50 grams |
Diameter | approx. 19.05 millimeters |
Thickness | 1.52 millimeters |
Edge | Plain (smooth, no reeding) |
Mint Marks | No mint mark for Philadelphia “D” for Denver “S” for San Francisco (proofs only) |
2024 Penny Error List with Pictures: What Does the Market Have to Offer?
"W" on Lincoln’s Coat
Estimated Value: $2,400
The highest 2024 penny value can be proudly attributed to an error that consists in a sharply raised “W”-shaped gouge appearing on Lincoln’s coat (presumably caused by an accidental deep scratch or indentation in the working die). Although it is mainly a post-production flaw, it is still well-formed and instantly recognizable by collectors. All in all, this anomaly gained attention quickly and is one of the highest-priced 2024 d penny errors on record.
Retained Die Break (Cud)
Estimated Value: $850
The second-highest 2024 D penny value refers to retained die breaks, or cuds. Typically, it occurs when a section of the die begins to crack and detach but is not yet fully separated. As a result, metal flows into the damaged space during striking and produces a thick, blob-like raised area, widely known as a "cud".
Die Crack
Estimated Value: $600
Should we take a look at the 2024 penny errors with pictures, one may be particularly confusing – it is definitely a die crack. These can run through design elements like Lincoln’s face, lettering, or the shield, which makes them both intriguing to explore and valuable to collect. If the crack affects prominent areas, the prices go up immediately (this is the rule).
"No L" in LIBERTY
Estimated Value: $75
Imperfections make all the difference. In this error, for instance, one may notice that the letter “L” in the word “LIBERTY” can be faint, partially missing, or entirely absent. This is typically caused by a filled die, where grease or metal shavings temporarily clog a portion of the die, preventing a full strike. As for the 2024 version, they are generally sharp enough to be noticed without magnification.
Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
Estimated Value: $50
Finally, here is the classic 2024 error penny with a notable doubling in the inscriptions "LIBERTY”, “IN GOD WE TRUST,” or the date “2024”. These elements usually appear raised and slightly offset, for they result from a misalignment during the die creation process (i.e., the design is impressed more than once at slightly different angles). Imperfection at its best!
Related article: Top Double Die Pennies: Identify, Value, and Collect Rare Errors
How Much is a 2024 Penny Worth?
When it is time to determine how much a coin might be worth, it is important to have it graded by a reputable coin grading company like NGC or, at least, analyze it with tools like Coin ID Scanner*. On the professional level, they are generally graded on the Sheldon Scale, which ranges from Poor (P-1) to Perfect Mint State (MS-70). Mind that even a common sample in pristine condition may be worth hundreds or thousands – the key is in preservation.
Type | Circulated (G–XF) | Uncirculated (MS60–MS65) | Premium Grade (MS66–MS68) | With Notable Errors |
2024 1C | $0.01 – $0.10 | $0.20 – $2.00 | $5 – $25 | $50 – $250+ |
2024-D 1C | $0.01 – $0.10 | $0.15 – $1.50 | $4 – $20 | $50 – $200+ |
2024-S Proof 1C | Not found in circulation | $1.50 – $4.00 (raw) | $5 – $15 | $100 – $300+ |
*Coin ID Scanner is a young yet promising coin identifier that may facilitate currency analysis, error detection, collection management, and more. Try now and enjoy your personal numismatic assistant at once.
Time is the coin of your life. And in every coin, a sliver of that time is preserved.
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