Modern Lincoln Penny Survival Ranking (Top 100)

Ever wondered how many of those legendary Lincoln cent varieties actually survived decades of circulation, hoarding, and melting? While millions—even billions—of pennies were struck, the survival story for key dates and varieties will absolutely blow your mind.

Consider this shocking reality: The 1992-D Close AM RB and 1992-D Close AM BN each have only FIVE known survivors in MS65+ condition. That’s right—in the entire world, only five people can own each of these coins. Meanwhile, some varieties thought to be “common” actually have fewer than 100 examples left on the planet.

This Top 100 Survival Ranking reveals the brutal truth about Modern Lincoln Penny scarcity. From those ultra-rare survivors with just 5 examples to varieties with 1,000,000+ examples still floating around, these numbers transform how you’ll view every penny that passes through your hands. Even coins with “high” survival rates can command stunning premiums in the right grade.

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• Lincoln Penny Key Dates (Rarity Ranking)
• 100 Most Valuable Lincoln Pennies Worth Money

Whether you’re sorting through inherited jars of pennies or actively roll hunting, survival numbers are your reality check. Our CoinValueChecker app helps identify what you’ve found, but knowing only 5 or 10 examples exist? That’s when penny collecting becomes penny treasure hunting. Ready to discover which Lincoln cents are truly one in a million—or one of a kind?

**The Survival number is estimated by experts

Survival Insights That Will Change How You See Pennies

After analyzing this survival data, several jaw-dropping patterns emerge that every penny hunter needs to know:

The Elite Five

Two different coins share the #1 spot with just FIVE known survivors each! The 1992-D Close AM RB and 1992-D Close AM BN represent the absolute pinnacle of modern Lincoln cent rarity. Even more interesting, the RD version has 10 survivors but often commands higher prices due to collector preference for the red designation.

The Close AM Phenomenon

The 1992-D Close AM varieties tell a fascinating story:

• RD version: 10 survivors
• RB version: 5 survivors
• BN version: 5 survivors

More survivors in better condition can actually mean HIGHER prices. Why? Because collectors desperately want the red version for their sets!

The 1960 Small/Large Date Maze

The 1960 date presents a labyrinth of varieties with wildly different survival rates:

• Small/Large Date DCAM: 50 survivors
• Small/Large Date CAM: 250 survivors
• Large/Small Date CAM: 400 survivors
• Regular Small Date: 65,000 survivors

But don’t let those higher numbers fool you—prices remain strong because everyone wants one!

The Proof Premium

Notice how Deep Cameo (DCAM) proofs dominate the mid-range rarity spots:

• 1959 DCAM: 5,000 survivors (#14)
• 1960 Large Date DCAM: 40,000 survivors (#15)
• 1961 DCAM: 190,000 survivors (#50)

These special finishes create rarity within otherwise common dates.

Modern Surprises in the 2000s

Starting at #42, we see 2002-2005 cents with 163,040-210,000 survivors. These “common” moderns in MS69 condition are proving that perfection is the new rarity. When everyone saved them, finding the perfect one becomes the challenge.

What These Numbers Mean For Your Collection

If You Own These Survival Levels:

• 1-10 survivors: You’re holding numismatic gold! Professional grading is absolutely essential
• 10-100 survivors: Still elite territory—handle with extreme care
• 100-1,000 survivors: Genuinely scarce—condition separates the valuable from the very valuable
• 1,000-10,000 survivors: Don’t dismiss these! In MS67+, they’re still trophy coins
• 10,000+ survivors: Focus on absolute perfection—MS69 or unique varieties

The Hunt Strategy:

• Check every 1992 and 1992-D for Close AM variety—with only 5-10 known, the next could be yours
• Examine all 1960 cents carefully—multiple varieties with vastly different survival rates
• Don’t overlook worn 1965 coins—with only 10 BN examples known, even low grades are incredibly rare
• Save all S-mint proofs—Deep Cameos are where the money lives
• Modern dates from 2000s need MS69 perfection to stand out

Reality Check:

Remember, these are expert estimates. New discoveries happen! That worn 1992-D penny in your pocket could be a Close AM variety nobody’s identified yet. The CoinValueChecker app can quickly verify varieties and help you spot the differences that separate a regular cent from a treasure.

Summary

Survival rankings transform pennies from pocket change into a thrilling treasure hunt. When you realize only FIVE people on Earth can own a 1992-D Close AM RB, or that finding any Close AM variety is literally a one-in-millions shot, every penny becomes a lottery ticket.

The beauty of this data? It shows opportunity at every level. Whether you’re chasing 5-survivor unicorns or building sets of 100,000+ survivor coins in stunning grades, there’s a collecting path for everyone. The key is knowing what you’re looking for—and now you do.

These aren’t just survival numbers—they’re a roadmap to the most exciting finds in numismatics. Every major discovery started with someone taking a second look at an ordinary penny. With survival numbers this low, your next penny could literally be one of a handful.

Happy hunting, and may your pennies be among the precious few survivors!

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