More Than Face Value: How to Build a Fortune from a Single 1999 Lincoln Penny

Do you still doubt that the 1999 penny value can no longer be his face value? It’s time to dispel this belief. 

While some people collect collections with large denominations, others, more experienced numismatists, are just paying attention to 1-5 cent tokens. 

Of course, discussing this topic, one cannot mention the Lincoln penny — by collecting a high-quality album with only pennies, you can safely live on “passive” earnings. 

Today, let’s look at the 1999 cent.

1999 Lincoln penny with 1000$ price tag
Name of Coin VariationApproximate Value for Perfect Condition
1999-P (Standard)$0.50
1999-P Wide AM Error$500.00 – $5,000.00
1999-D (Standard)$0.50
1999-S Proof (Wide AM, Standard)$3.00 – $10.00
1999-S Proof Close AM Error$500.00 – $3,000.00
1999 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)$50.00 – $2,000.00
1999 Clipped Planchet Error$20.00 – $150.00
1999 Off-Center Strike Error$30.00 – $500.00
1999 Struck on Wrong Planchet$200.00 – $10,000.00

Values change based on market demand, condition, grading, and the specific characteristics of individual coins.

1999-P Lincoln Cent

Specifications:

  • Mintage: 5,237,600,000 pieces
  • Weight: 2.5 grams
  • Diameter: 19 millimeters
  • Composition: 97.5% Zinc core, 2.5% Copper plating
Coin ConditionApproximate Value
Circulated (Used)$0.01
Uncirculated (MS-60)$0.10
Gem Uncirculated (MS-65)$0.50
Superb Gem Uncirculated (MS-67)$10.00

Values change based on market demand, condition, grading, and the specific characteristics of individual coins.

1999-P Wide AM Error

Specifications:

  • Mintage: less than 1,000 pieces
  • Weight: 2.5 grams
  • Diameter: 19 millimeters
  • Composition: 97.5% Zinc core, 2.5% Copper plating
Coin ConditionApproximate Value
Circulated (Used)$150.00 – $300.00
Uncirculated (MS-60)$500.00 – $1,000.00
Gem Uncirculated (MS-65)$1,500.00 – $4,500.00
Superb Gem Uncirculated (MS-67)$5,000.00 and up

Values change based on market demand, condition, grading, and the specific characteristics of individual coins.

1999-D Lincoln Cent

Specifications:

  • Mintage: 6,360,065,000 pieces
  • Weight: 2.5 grams
  • Diameter: 19 millimeters
  • Composition: 97.5% Zinc core, 2.5% Copper plating
Coin ConditionApproximate Value
Circulated (Used)$0.01
Uncirculated (MS-60)$0.10
Gem Uncirculated (MS-65)$0.50
Superb Gem Uncirculated (MS-67)$8.00

Values change based on market demand, condition, grading, and the specific characteristics of individual coins.

1999-S Proof Cent Wide AM

Specifications:

  • Mintage: 2,543,401 pieces 
  • Weight: 2.5 grams
  • Diameter: 19 millimeters
  • Composition: 97.5% Zinc core, 2.5% Copper plating
Coin ConditionApproximate Value
Proof (PR-60)$1.00
Gem Proof (PR-65)$3.00 – $5.00
Deep Cameo Proof (PR-69 DCAM)$10.00 – $25.00
Perfect Deep Cameo Proof (PR-70 DCAM)$50.00 – $150.00

Values change based on market demand, condition, grading, and the specific characteristics of individual coins.

1999-S Proof Close AM Error

Specifications:

  • Mintage: Unknown
  • Weight: 2.5 grams
  • Diameter: 19 millimeters
  • Composition: 97.5% Zinc core, 2.5% Copper plating
Coin ConditionApproximate Value
Proof (PR-65)$500.00 – $1,000.00
Deep Cameo Proof (PR-69 DCAM)$1,500.00 – $3,000.00
Perfect Deep Cameo Proof (PR-70 DCAM)$3,000.00 and up

Values change based on market demand, condition, grading, and the specific characteristics of individual coins.

1999 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO) or Reverse (DDR)

Specifications:

  • Mintage: Unknown
  • Weight: 2.5 grams
  • Diameter: 19 millimeters
  • Composition: 97.5% Zinc core, 2.5% Copper plating
Coin ConditionApproximate Value
Circulated (Minor Doubling)$10.00 – $50.00
Uncirculated (Clear Doubling)$50.00 – $500.00
Gem Uncirculated (Strong Doubling)$500.00 – $2,000.00

Values change based on market demand, condition, grading, and the specific characteristics of individual coins.

1999 Clipped Planchet Error

Specifications:

  • Mintage: Unknown
  • Weight: Varies 
  • Diameter: Varies
  • Composition: 97.5% Zinc core, 2.5% Copper plating
Coin ConditionApproximate Value
Small Clip$20.00 – $50.00
Medium Clip (10-20% missing)$50.00 – $150.00
Large Clip (25% or more missing)$150.00 – $500.00

Values change based on market demand, condition, grading, and the specific characteristics of individual coins.

1999 Off-Center Strike Error

Specifications:

  • Mintage: Unknown
  • Weight: 2.5 grams
  • Diameter: Varies
  • Composition: 97.5% Zinc core, 2.5% Copper plating
Coin ConditionApproximate Value
Slight Off-Center (Up to 10%)$5.00 – $20.00
Significant Off-Center (40-60%)$100.00 – $500.00
Major Off-Center (Over 75%)$50.00 – $200.00

Values change based on market demand, condition, grading, and the specific characteristics of individual coins.

 close-up look of the 1999 Struck Thru Error

1999 Struck Thru Error

Specifications:

  • Mintage: Unknown
  • Weight: 2.5 grams
  • Diameter: 19 millimeters
  • Composition: 97.5% Zinc core, 2.5% Copper plating
Coin ConditionApproximate Value
Light Grease $5.00 – $20.00
Heavy Grease $20.00 – $100.00
Struck Thru Wire/Cloth$100.00 – $400.00

Values change based on market demand, condition, grading, and the specific characteristics of individual coins.

1999 Struck on Wrong Planchet

Specifications:

  • Mintage: Less than 10 pieces
  • Weight: Varies
  • Diameter: Varies
  • Composition: Varies
Coin ConditionApproximate Value
Nickel planchet$200.00 – $1,500.00
Thickness Stock$50.00 – $300.00

Values change based on market demand, condition, grading, and the specific characteristics of individual coins.

How to Check the Value of Your 1999 Penny

First, examine the date “1999” and look for a small letter below it to help you narrow 

If you find a potential error, assess the condition; a coin with no scratches, no dents, and a full, bright red color will be worth much more than a coin that is brown, dirty, or heavily used.

Because the valuable errors are often faked, you must send any highly promising coin to a respected professional grading service — PCGS or NGC  — and only after the coin is authenticated and placed in a sealed case with the stamp, its full, confirmed value will become known to the coin market.

Buying Authenticated 1999 Error Coins

Due to the high number of counterfeits for the 1999 Wide AM error, you should only purchase coins that have been graded by PCGS or NGC and are sealed in their plastic holders.

Use established numismatic venues that have a reputation to protect. This includes:

  • Major Auction Firms: Heritage Auctions, GreatCollections
  • PNP or ANA Members: Dealers with an established business that specialize in modern error coins
  • Specialized Online Marketplaces: eBay, Amazon

Be ready to spend thousands for top-end examples — if your budget is limited, focus on finding a certified mid-range coin, as the value still depends on the rarity of the error, regardless of minor defects.