3 Not-So Common Cents for Use Your Common Sense Day

Did you know that November 4 marks Use Your Common Sense Day? That’s right, the sensible holiday coincides with the birthday of American cowboy, humorist, and social commentator Will Rogers, who was born on November 4, 1879. He was known for coining many quotes on the matter of sense and sensibility, including the widely quipped “Common sense ain’t common.”

You know what’s not so common anymore? Cents! One-cent coins were taken off the U.S. Mint circulation lineup in 2025 and appear to be heading to the big ol’ change jar in the sky as politicians move to officially wipe them from the U.S. Mint roster altogether.

As we assuredly enter the waning years for the “penny” as a coin we frequently encounter in circulation, let’s check out three Lincoln Cents that you could land in pocket change yet are extraordinarily valuable:

1969-S Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent

The 1969-S Doubled Die Lincoln Cent has been heralded by collectors for more than 50 years as one of the most important varieties of the entire Lincoln Cent series. Worth more than $20,000, this coveted rarity showcases heavily doubling in the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST,” legend “LIBERTY,” and date “1969.” However, you will not see doubling in the “S” mintmark since that element was punched onto the die after the hubbing process where the doubling on this coin would have occurred.

1984 Doubled Ear Lincoln Cent

This popular 1984 doubled die is most notable for the prominent doubling in Abraham Lincoln’s auricle. That’s right! The major diagnostic marker for this coin is seen by way of Lincoln’s earlobe, which on the doubled die reveals a well-separated, doubled earlobe appearing below the primary image of Lincoln’s ear. The 1984 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent can be found in circulation (with a lot of luck) and is worth $20 even in circulated grades. However, a really nice specimen graded PCGS MS65RD can go for more than $300!

1992 Close AM Lincoln Cent

This widely sought variety shows nearly no space between the bottoms of the letters “A” and “M” in the word “AMERICA” on the reverse. But how did it happen? It’s a transitional variety that arose on what were likely experimental pieces the U.S. Mint struck when it was testing reverse dies with the Close AM letter arrangement, which rolled out as the norm for circulating Lincoln Memorial Cents beginning in 1993. The 1992 Close AM Lincoln Cent is a real rarity, with circulated specimens taking over $2,000. The tiny handful of examples grading PCGS MS64RD are each worth about $20,000. And, it should be noted that there’s a similar variety among 1992-D Lincoln Cents, some of which also boast a rare Close AM variant.