Price Guide for 1942 Cent Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $575.00Uncirculated: $6.00 – $12,650.00
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eBayUncirculated: $0.99 – $961.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5.00 – $8,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $10.00 – $77.00Uncirculated: $10.00
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eBayCirculated: $1.19 – $9.99Uncirculated: $6.17 – $93.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $19.00 – $2,990.00Uncirculated: $21.00 – $155.00
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eBayCirculated: $1.83 – $2,500.00Uncirculated: $1.25 – $299.99
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $26.00
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eBayCirculated: $6.99 – $18.00Uncirculated: $1.99 – $443.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $8.00 – $12,650.00
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eBayUncirculated: $1.00 – $1,400.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $8.00 – $9,500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1.00 – $4,080.00
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eBayCirculated: $30.00 – $53.80Uncirculated: $16.50 – $2,999.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $35.00 – $12,500.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $1,762.50Uncirculated: $8.00 – $3,960.00
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eBayCirculated: $16.50 – $30.00Uncirculated: $0.99 – $760.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $5.00 – $1,000.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $881.25 – $1,057.50Uncirculated: $12.00 – $1,527.50
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eBayUncirculated: $16.32 – $400.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $28.00 – $400.00
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eBayUncirculated: $28.09 – $39.99
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eBayUncirculated: $1,200.00
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eBayCirculated: $45.00 – $102.51
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $450.00
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eBayUncirculated: $137.50 – $999.95
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $165.00 – $490.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $10.00 – $70.50
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eBayUncirculated: $4.97 – $69.99
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eBayUncirculated: $125.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $228.00 – $1,130.00
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eBayUncirculated: $19.99 – $499.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $250.00 – $925.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $198.00 – $364.25
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $264.00
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eBayUncirculated: $153.53 – $525.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $125.00 – $650.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $10.00 – $62.00
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eBayUncirculated: $7.50 – $51.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $15.00 – $1,265.00Uncirculated: $11.00 – $621.00
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eBayUncirculated: $22.50 – $550.40
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $15.00 – $135.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $74.00 – $1,762.50
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eBayUncirculated: $149.99 – $360.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $225.00 – $1,800.00
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eBayUncirculated: $50.95
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $30.00 – $45.00Uncirculated: $50.00 – $250.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $198.00
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eBayUncirculated: $149.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $80.00 – $350.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $63.00 – $960.00
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eBayUncirculated: $100.00 – $2,349.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $100.00 – $910.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $7.00 – $891.00
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eBayUncirculated: $4.25 – $299.99
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eBayUncirculated: $88.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $176.25 – $381.88
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $74.00 – $17,625.00
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eBayUncirculated: $113.00 – $17,490.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $110.00 – $17,500.00
Design and Specifications of the 1942 Cent
The 1942 Lincoln Cent was minted during World War II, a period of significant global conflict. Despite wartime metal shortages affecting many other coins, the cent’s composition remained unchanged this year. The Lincoln Cent, first introduced in 1909, continued to be a staple of American currency, with its design honoring the 16th President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln.
| Weight | 3.11 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 19 mm |
| Mint Marks | P (Philadelphia), D (Denver), S (San Francisco) |
| Composition | 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc |
| Obverse Design | Portrait of Abraham Lincoln, designed by Victor D. Brenner |
| Reverse Design | Wheat ears flanking ONE CENT and UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, designed by Victor D. Brenner |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of 1942 Lincoln Cents significantly impacts their value. While circulated examples are common and generally worth little over face value, uncirculated specimens can command premium prices.
Coins in Mint State (MS) grades, particularly MS65 and above, are considerably scarcer and more valuable. The presence of original mint luster and the absence of contact marks or wear are crucial factors in determining grade and value.
Red (RD) specimens, which retain their original copper color, are the most desirable and valuable, followed by Red-Brown (RB) and then Brown (BN) examples.
Mintage: 657,796,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in lower grades, scarce in MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, mainly for high-grade examples
Mintage: 206,698,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in lower grades, scarce in MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, mainly for high-grade examples
Mintage: 85,590,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Common in lower grades, scarce in MS65 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, mainly for high-grade examples
Strike quality is an important factor for 1942 cents. Well-struck coins with sharp details, especially on Lincoln’s hair and the wheat stalks, are more desirable.
Toning can also affect value. While most collectors prefer original red coins, some may appreciate attractive, natural toning.
As a World War II-era coin, the 1942 cent holds historical interest, which can increase its appeal to collectors focusing on this period.
While not particularly rare, high-grade examples of 1942 cents are sought after for type sets and date/mint mark collections, maintaining steady demand among numismatists.
