Pennies are often seen as just small change, but some of them can be worth a lot of money! Over the years, certain pennies have become extremely valuable because they are rare, have unique errors, or hold historical importance. In this article, we will look at 20 of the most valuable pennies, some of which have sold for incredible prices at auctions, totaling an astonishing $5.5 million!
1. 1943 Copper Penny – $1.7 Million
Most 1943 pennies were made of steel due to a shortage of copper during World War II. However, a few copper pennies were accidentally minted. These rare coins can now sell for up to $1.7 million!
| Year | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1943 | Copper Penny | $1.7 Million |
2. 1944 Steel Penny – $375,000
Similar to the 1943 copper penny, the 1944 steel penny was also a minting mistake. Most pennies that year were made of copper, but a few steel pennies got through the process, making them highly valuable to collectors.
| Year | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1944 | Steel Penny | $375,000 |
3. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny – $100,000
The 1909-S VDB penny is famous for being the first year the Lincoln penny was minted. The designer, Victor David Brenner, added his initials (VDB) on the coin, but they were removed after complaints. This version is very rare and can be worth $100,000.
| Year | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1909 | Lincoln Penny (S VDB) | $100,000 |
4. 1955 Doubled Die Penny – $125,000
This penny has a noticeable error where the date and letters on the front appear doubled. This mistake was made in a small batch, making it one of the most well-known error coins worth $125,000.
| Year | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | Doubled Die Penny | $125,000 |
5. 1922 No D Lincoln Penny – $35,000
In 1922, pennies from the Denver mint were supposed to have a “D” mint mark. However, some were minted without it, making these “No D” pennies rare and valuable at $35,000.
| Year | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1922 | No D Lincoln Penny | $35,000 |
6. 1873 Indian Head Penny (Doubled Liberty) – $10,000
The 1873 Indian Head penny is special because some versions have a doubled “Liberty” on the headband. This error makes it more desirable to collectors, fetching around $10,000.
| Year | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1873 | Indian Head Penny (Doubled Liberty) | $10,000 |
7. 1969-S Doubled Die Penny – $88,000
Another famous doubled die penny, the 1969-S penny shows clear doubling on the date and the phrase “In God We Trust.” This rare error can be worth up to $88,000.
| Year | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Doubled Die Penny | $88,000 |
8. 1914-D Lincoln Penny – $150,000
The 1914-D penny is one of the rarest Lincoln pennies, with only a small number minted. Its scarcity makes it highly sought after, with a value of $150,000.
| Year | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1914 | Lincoln Penny (D) | $150,000 |
9. 1856 Flying Eagle Cent – $25,000
The 1856 Flying Eagle cent was one of the first small cents ever minted in the U.S. Limited in quantity, this coin is a favorite among collectors and is worth around $25,000.
| Year | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1856 | Flying Eagle Cent | $25,000 |
10. 1926-S Lincoln Penny – $150,000
The 1926-S penny is rare because only about 4.5 million of these pennies were made, making them highly sought after and valued at $150,000.
| Year | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1926 | Lincoln Penny (S) | $150,000 |
11. 1917 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny – $15,000
The 1917 doubled die penny features doubling in the lettering on the front of the coin, making it a classic error coin worth around $15,000.
| Year | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1917 | Doubled Die Penny | $15,000 |
12. 1909-S Indian Head Penny – $32,000
The 1909-S Indian Head penny was the last year this design was used. With a limited number produced, it has a value of $32,000.
| Year | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1909 | Indian Head Penny | $32,000 |
13. 1877 Indian Head Penny – $149,500
The 1877 Indian Head penny is one of the most sought-after pennies due to its low mintage. It can sell for about $149,500.
| Year | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1877 | Indian Head Penny | $149,500 |
14. 1943-D Copper Penny – $840,000
Like the 1943 copper penny, the 1943-D penny was accidentally minted in copper. These rare coins can be worth up to $840,000.
| Year | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1943 | Copper Penny (D) | $840,000 |
15. 1916 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny – $7,000
The 1916 doubled die penny shows doubling in the lettering and is worth around $7,000, making it a desirable error coin.
| Year | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1916 | Doubled Die Penny | $7,000 |
16. 1958 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny – $336,000
Only a few examples of the 1958 doubled die penny are known to exist, making it one of the most valuable error coins at $336,000.
| Year | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Doubled Die Penny | $336,000 |
17. 1942 Lincoln Penny (Bronze Planchet) – $80,000
In 1942, some pennies were mistakenly made on bronze planchets instead of the usual steel. These rare errors are valued at $80,000.
| Year | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1942 | Lincoln Penny (Bronze Planchet) | $80,000 |
18. 1909-S Lincoln Penny – $85,000
Another 1909-S penny without the VDB initials is still valuable due to its low mintage, worth around $85,000.
| Year | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1909 | Lincoln Penny (S) | $85,000 |
19. 1972 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny – $20,000
The 1972 doubled die penny features visible doubling on the word “Liberty” and the date, making it worth around $20,000.
| Year | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Doubled Die Penny | $20,000 |
20. 1944-D Lincoln Penny (Steel Planchet) – $115,000
Like the 1943 copper penny, a few 1944 pennies were mistakenly struck on steel planchets, making them rare and worth $115,000.
| Year | Type | Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1944 | Lincoln Penny (Steel Planchet) | $115,000 |
Conclusion
These 20 pennies show that small coins can have big value! Whether it’s due to a minting error, low production numbers, or historical significance, some pennies can become prized treasures worth a fortune. So, the next time you look through your spare change, remember that you might be holding onto a valuable penny without even knowing it! Keep your eyes open, as you might find a coin that could change your life!
FAQs
What makes some pennies worth so much money?
Certain pennies can be worth thousands or millions of dollars due to factors like rarity, minting errors, or historical significance.
Are there any tips for collecting valuable pennies?
Start by educating yourself about coin collecting and researching valuable coins. Look for pennies with minting errors, limited production years, or those with historical significance.
Is it worth it to invest in penny collecting?
Investing in penny collecting can be worthwhile if you enjoy the hobby and do thorough research. Some pennies can appreciate significantly in value over time.