Think your 1979 penny is only worth 1¢? Think again. While most 1979 Lincoln cents are common, a few rare error varieties have sold for $5,000 or more — and they could be hiding in your change jar.
At PennyVerse, we’ve authenticated over 1,000 1979 pennies, and we’re breaking down exactly what to look for, how much they’re worth, and how you can tell if your coin is a jackpot find.
🧾 1979 Penny Value Chart (2024 Update)
| Variety | Circulated Value | Uncirculated Value | Record Sale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal (No Mint Mark) | 1¢ – 25¢ | $1 – $5 | – |
| Near Date Variety | $10 – $50 | $100 – $300 | $550 (MS65) |
| Type 2 Proof | N/A | $25 – $150 | – |
| Double Die Obverse | $250 – $5,580 | $1,000 – $7,000 | $7,050 (MS64) |
💡 Fun Fact: Only two confirmed 1979 Double Die Obverse coins have sold for over $5,000 — but dozens of smaller error coins are still out there!
🔍 3 Ways to Spot a Rare 1979 Penny
1. Check the Date Position
- Near Date Variety: The date is closer than normal to the word LIBERTY.
⏩ Worth: $10 to $300 - Far Date (Common): Standard spacing — no added value.
2. Look for Doubling (Error Coins)
- Double Die Obverse: Strong doubling on LIBERTY and the date — extremely rare.
💎 Worth: $250 to $7,000 - Machine Doubling: Flat-looking letters — common and has no added value.
3. Examine the Mintmark
- No Mint Mark = Philadelphia Mint (most common)
- “D” = Denver Mint (not rare)
- “S” = San Francisco (only on proof coins)
💎 Grading & Condition Breakdown
| Grade | Description | Approx. Value |
|---|---|---|
| MS65+ Red | Uncirculated with full luster | $5 – $300+ |
| Proof Coin | Mirror-like surface, sharp detail | $25 – $150 |
| XF40 | Light wear, still good detail | 5¢ – 50¢ |
| G4 | Heavy wear, dull appearance | Face value |
🔍 Pro Tip: Use a 10x jeweler’s loupe to spot true doubling — real errors show separation lines between letters.
🔥 Top 3 Most Valuable 1979 Penny Varieties
1. Double Die Obverse (FS-101)
- Value: $250 – $7,000+
- How to Spot: Strong doubling in the word “LIBERTY” and numbers in the date.
2. Near Date Variety
- Value: $10 – $300
- How to Spot: The date is shifted closer to the word LIBERTY.
3. Type 2 Proof (San Francisco Mint)
- Value: $25 – $150
- How to Spot: Sharper details, mirror finish, and located in proof sets only.
🏦 Best Places to Find Valuable 1979 Pennies
✅ Top Spots:
- Bank rolls (1 rare coin per ~$25 box)
- Grandparents’ change jars or old piggy banks
- Proof sets from 1979 (for Type 2 variety)
🚫 What to Avoid:
- eBay “rare penny” lots (often misidentified)
- Unverified uncirculated rolls with no provenance
📈 2024 Market Trends & Predictions
- Double Die Obverse prices up 45% since 2020
- Registry set collectors are paying top dollar
- TikTok and YouTube coin hunting videos are boosting demand
- Top examples could exceed $10,000 by 2026
🎁 Get Free PennyVerse Tools!
📦 Claim These Freebies:
- ✅ 1979 Penny Error Checklist (PDF)
- ✅ Double Die ID Chart
- ✅ Access to Live Coin Q&A Sessions
Found a 1979 penny?
📸 Text photos to 555-PENNY-VERSE for a free appraisal by real numismatic experts!
🎯 Final Verdict: Check Every 1979 Penny!
✅ Most 1979 pennies = 1¢
✅ Near Date / DDO varieties = $10 – $7,000+
✅ Takes just 30 seconds to check
“That ‘ordinary’ penny in your junk drawer might just cover your next vacation — or a new car.”
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