Finding a rare treasure in your daily pocket change is the ultimate thrill for any coin collector. Recently, the 2024 Lincoln Shield Penny has taken the numismatic world by storm, with certain “Strike-Through” errors fetching upwards of $200 on the secondary market. While most pennies are only worth their face value, a tiny manufacturing mishap can turn a common 2024 cent into a significant profit.
If you’ve recently received a shiny new penny in your change, don’t spend it just yet. Here is a deep dive into the 2024 Strikethrough error, why it’s so valuable, and exactly what you need to look for.
What is a “Strikethrough” Error?
To understand why this penny is worth so much, you first have to understand how it was made. A Strikethrough error occurs during the minting process when a foreign object or substance gets caught between the coin die (the stamp) and the planchet (the blank metal disc).
When the tons of pressure from the coin press come down to strike the design, it strikes “through” that object. Common culprits include:
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Machine Grease: Often called a “Grease-Filled Die,” this causes letters or numbers to look faint, mushy, or disappear entirely.
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Metal Shavings: Tiny bits of copper or steel from the machinery that leave sharp, jagged indentations.
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Wire or Threads: These leave thin, squiggly lines that look like a “ghost” hair on the coin’s surface.
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Cotton or Cloth: Sometimes fibers from a cleaning rag get caught, leaving a textured, woven pattern on the coin.
The 2024 Penny Error: What to Look For
The 2024 1-cent coins from both the Philadelphia (no mint mark) and Denver (“D” mark) mints have shown various errors, but the “Strikethrough” is currently one of the most sought-after.
1. Missing or Faint Letters (The “Grease” Strike)
On the 2024 penny, look closely at the word “LIBERTY” and the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST.” Collectors are finding examples where the “L” in Liberty is completely missing or where “TRUST” looks like it was never engraved. If the rest of the coin is in “Mint State” (shiny and uncirculated) but these letters are gone, you likely have a strike-through-grease error.
2. The “W” Gouge Error
One of the most famous 2024 errors currently being tracked is a raised, “W”-shaped mark on Lincoln’s coat. While technically a “retained die break” or a “gouge,” it is often categorized with strike errors. This specific mistake has seen auction prices hit over $200, with some pristine versions reaching even higher.
3. Indentations and “Ghost” Shapes
Check the field (the flat background) of the coin. If you see a weirdly shaped indentation that doesn’t look like a scratch (scratches move metal aside; strikethroughs displace it smoothly), you’ve found a strike-through. A recent 2024-D penny with a reverse grease strike-through sold for approximately $190 at a major auction house.
Why Is It Worth $200+?
Value in coin collecting is driven by Rarity + Demand + Condition.
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Rarity: The U.S. Mint produces billions of pennies every year. Modern quality control is incredibly strict, meaning very few errors actually make it out of the facility and into bank rolls.
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Demand: Because 2024 is the current year, the “hype” is at its peak. Every collector wants the first discovered errors of the new year to complete their sets.
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Condition: Errors found in “Bank Wrapped Rolls” (uncirculated) are worth significantly more than those found after months of rattling around in a vending machine. A “Red” (RD) luster 2024 penny with a sharp strike-through is a premium item.
How to Check Your Pennies
You don’t need a laboratory to find these, but a few simple tools will help:
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A 10x Magnification Loupe: Most strikethrough errors are tiny. A jeweler’s loupe will help you distinguish between a mint error and “Post-Mint Damage” (PMD) caused by a coin being stepped on or scratched.
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Proper Lighting: Tilt the coin under a bright desk lamp. Genuine strikethrough errors will often have the same “mint luster” (the shine) inside the error as the rest of the coin.
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Check Both Sides: Don’t just look at Lincoln’s face. Turn the coin over and inspect the Shield. Strikethroughs on the reverse are just as valuable!
Summary Table: 2024 Penny Error Values
| Error Type | Key Identifier | Estimated Value |
| Grease Strikethrough | Missing “L” in LIBERTY or faint “2024” | $50 – $150 |
| W-Gouge | Raised “W” shape on Lincoln’s shoulder/coat | $200 – $250+ |
| Major Strikethrough | Identifiable shape (staple, wire, etc.) | $100 – $300 |
| Die Crack / Cud | Raised “blob” of metal on the rim | $75 – $150 |
Is Your Penny a Winner?
Before you run to a dealer, remember that damage is not an error. If your penny looks like it was caught in a lawnmower or dipped in acid, it’s likely just damaged. But if you see a crisp, clean coin with a missing letter or a strange indentation that looks like it was “pressed” in at the factory, you might be holding $200 in the palm of your hand.
Would you like me to help you identify a specific mark on your coin or explain how to get your 2024 penny professionally graded?
