Top 11 Most Valuable Pennies You Need to Know About (2024)

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July 19, 2024

by BOLD Precious Metals

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A few little pieces of copper can hold enormous financial value! The rarest and most valuable pennies in the world can be worth well over $100,000 to almost $2 million. But it's not just about rarity; the condition of the coin also plays a big part in determining its value.

Even coins that have remained out of circulation often have exquisite details and original coloring, increasing in value. Additionally, some misprinted coins, like the 1944 Lincoln pennies, which were struck in bronze instead of steel, gained value. In this article, let's explore the top 11 most valuable pennies.

11 Most Valuable Pennies

1) 1914-S Lincoln Penny

The 1914-S Lincoln cent is not rare, with more than 4 million minted. However, the great and advanced age at which it is makes it a valuable find. The surface doesn't have any mark at all; the original reddish-orange color still exists on the coin. It must have been saved in a collector's hands since 1914, put in good storage. Such coins represent a real treasure.

Value Grade Sold Date Auction House Collection
$105,800 PCGS MS-66 Red August 2006 Bowers & Merena Anne Kate Collection Part II

2) 1944-D Lincoln Penny

What makes the 1944 steel penny struck in Denver so rare is its makeup of steel, something totally different from the other pennies produced that year, hence one of the most valuable coins to any coin collector.

Value Grade Sold Date Auction House Location Auction Name
$115,000 NGC MS-63 August 2007 Heritage Auctions Milwaukee, WI ANA Signature Coin Auction

3) 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny

The Lincoln cent replaced the Indian Head penny in 1909. The initial design by Victor David Brenner featured his initials V.D.B., but these were later removed. The initial release of these pennies has made them highly sought after by coin collectors, who refer to them as the "Holy Grail" of Lincoln pennies.

Value Grade Sold Date Auction House Location Auction Name
$117,500 NGC MS-67 RED March 2014 Heritage Auctions Atlanta, GA ANA National Money Show US Coins Signature

4) 1872 Indian Head Penny

1872 Indian Head pennies are rare but can be found in circulated grades at coin shows or dealers. Only a little over 4 million were produced, and most were used due to financial hardships at the time. This particular coin is in outstanding condition with a sharp strike and has maintained its original reddish-copper hue.

Value Grade Sold Date Auction House Location Auction Name
$126,500 PCGS MS-67 RED August 2007 Heritage Auctions Milwaukee, WI ANA Signature Coin Auction

5) 1969-S Lincoln Penny–Doubled Die Obverse

In 1970, it was found and featured on the front page of Coin World. Initially, certain coins were seized and eliminated due to suspicions of being counterfeit. This penny's obverse has lettering, and the date is doubled, so even circulated specimens are valuable.

Value Grade Sold Date Auction House Location Auction Name
$126,500 PCGS MS-64 RED January 2008 Heritage Auctions Orlando, FL FUN Signature Coin Auction

6) 1926-S Lincoln Penny

This coin is exceptional due to its low mintage and original copper-red color. Uncirculated 1926-S Lincoln pennies with this color are hard to find.

Value Grade Sold Date Auction House Location Auction Name
$149,500 PCGS MS-65 RED January 2006 Heritage Auctions Orlando, FL FUN Signature Coin Auction

7) 1877 Indian Head Penny

The 1877 Indian Head Penny is considered the rarest date due to the economic hardship of the time, making it extremely rare to find one in uncirculated condition and even more remarkable to find in its original copper-red color.

Value Grade Sold Date Auction House Location Auction Name
$149,500 PCGS MS-66 RED August 2007 Heritage Auctions Milwaukee, WI ANA Signature Coin Auction

8) 1914-D Lincoln Penny

This coin saw a lot of circulation and was frequently exposed to the "penny boards" that were widely used in the 1930s and 1940s to gather coins out of circulation. Consequently, the 1941-D Lincoln pennies are mostly in circulated condition.

Value Grade Sold Date Auction House Location Auction Name
$152,750 PCGS MS-66+ RED August 2017 Heritage Auctions Denver, CO ANA US Coin Signature Auction

9) 1864 Indian Head Penny–"L" on Ribbon

In 1864, during the Civil War, the American economy suffered, and people hoarded coins. To address the shortage of metal for coins, James B. Longacre created the Indian Head penny in 1859. In 1864, an "L" was added to the tail of the ribbon on Lady Liberty's head. Around 5 million of these pennies were produced, and very few have survived in uncirculated condition.

Value Grade Sold Date Auction House Location Auction Name
$161,000 PCGS MS-65 BROWN October 2011 Heritage Auctions Pittsburgh, PA Signature Auction

10) 1943 Lincoln Cent Struck on Bronze Alloy

The 1943 Lincoln penny was mistakenly made with a bronze alloy planchet instead of a zinc-plated steel one. There's debate about whether this was intentional or accidental. Some of these rare pennies circulated before being collected by alert coin enthusiasts due to their high value.

Value Grade Sold Date Auction House Location Auction Name
$164,500 PCGS MS-63 RED January 2013 Stack’s Bowers Galleries - Americana Auction

11) 1958 Doubled Die Obverse Cent

The 1958 Doubled Die Lincoln cent is considered to be one of the scarcest coins in the Lincoln series, and only three specimens are known to exist. They are highly coveted by collectors despite the speculation surrounding their origins.

Value Grade Sold Date Auction House Location Auction Name
$336,000 PCGS MS-64 RED March 2018 Stack’s Bowers Galleries Baltimore Rarities Night, Including the ESM Collection

Conclusion

The most valuable pennies are treasures buried in plain sight. Common-looking coins, every single one, command extraordinary worth, sometimes running into millions of dollars. That is what gives them such value—not just the simple fact of their rarity but their condition and unique histories.

Others were mistakes from the mint itself at the time they were minted. Understanding these makes the difference between merely collecting and true fascination.

Now, keep looking—you never know when you'll run across that million-dollar penny!

Top 11 Most Valuable Pennies You Need to Know About (2024)

FAQs

Top 11 Most Valuable Pennies You Need to Know About? ›

Some of the most valuable pennies include the 1943 copper Lincoln cent, 1955 double die Lincoln cent, 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent, and the 1873 Indian Head penny with a doubled "LIBERTY". How can I tell if my penny is valuable? Check for key dates, mint marks, and errors. Research its history for rarity and demand.

Which year of pennies are worth money? ›

Some of the most valuable pennies include the 1943 copper Lincoln cent, 1955 double die Lincoln cent, 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent, and the 1873 Indian Head penny with a doubled "LIBERTY". How can I tell if my penny is valuable? Check for key dates, mint marks, and errors. Research its history for rarity and demand.

Why is the 1999 penny worth so much? ›

However, one exception is the 1999 “Wide AM” penny. In this case, the “AM” in “AMERICA” on the reverse side of the penny is spaced wider than usual. These pennies are relatively rare, and while they won't fetch thousands, they can still be worth up to $5 in uncirculated condition.

How do I know if my pennies are valuable? ›

Coins with mistakes, such as a double die or missing letters, can be worth significantly more than their regular counterparts. Another way is to look for specific years known to be scarce or have low mintage numbers. Collectors also value wheat pennies with a high level of detail and minimal wear.

What to look for in the 1982 and 1983 pennies? ›

For the 1982-S, look for one that weighs 2.5 grams, as all currently known weigh 3.11 grams struck in the traditional solid copper alloy with a Large Date. Look for a 1983-S that weighs 3.11 grams in the sold copper alloy, as all should have been struck on the 2.5 gram copper-plated zinc planchets.

Which 1982 D penny is valuable? ›

Of the three the 1982 no mint mark is slightly scarcer than the other two. But the 1982 D 3.11 gm SMALL DATE is extremely rare. So far only two specimens have been found, and have sold at auction for close to $35,000. I have a 1982 D small 2 penny which weighs 3.1 grams.

What makes a 1962 D penny rare? ›

In MS65 grades, 1962-D Lincoln cents are also considered scarce. Most 1962-D Lincoln cents contain nicks, scratches and corrosion spots. The luster is dull, uneven and the fields of the coin have a somewhat rough looking surface that keeps them from obtaining a high grade.

How rare is the 1999 Wide Am penny? ›

The 1999 Wide AM is by far the scarcest of the three. As of 2009, this coin commands over $100 even in the lowest condition. Furthermore, thousands of examples of this variety are probably still in circulation. The 1999 Wide AM cents can be found in mint state grades and higher with some searching.

What makes a 1964 D penny rare? ›

The 1964-D penny is relatively common in circulated grades until MS64. In MS65, they become harder to find. In MS66 condition, they become rare, with maybe less than 1,000 available. The ones minted at Denver Mint were the only ones that had a mint mark that year.

What is $1000 in pennies? ›

100,000 pennies is equivalent to 1,000 dollars. To convert 100,000 pennies to dollars, divide the number by 100. It's interesting to note that if you were to weigh 100,000 pennies, it would amount to approximately 250 kilograms.

What to look for in 1944 penny? ›

Immediately to the left of the central image is a raised inscription which reads “Liberty.” To the right of Lincoln's image is a raised inscription marking the 1944 year of minting. Arching overtop of the coin is an inscription which reads “In God We Trust.”

Is a 1964 penny worth anything? ›

The 1964 penny is one of the rare coins in United States history. Uncirculated or “mint condition” 1964 Pennies are worth around $1 to $2, while circulated examples are worth around $0.01 or less. A single 1964 D penny can fetch more than $10,000 at auction.

Is a 1969 penny worth anything? ›

The value of a 1969 Lincoln Penny will vary depending mainly on its condition and coloration; Regular Strikes of the 1969 penny in mint state are worth between $10 and $10,000 depending on the color and condition of the specimen.

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