9 Rare Pennies: Did you know that some pennies are worth much more than their face value of just one cent?
While most pennies are commonly circulated and aren’t particularly valuable, there are a select few that can fetch thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, of dollars.
These rare pennies are often the result of minting errors, limited production runs, or significant historical events.
Here are 9 rare pennies from the 20th century that are highly coveted by collectors:
1. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent
Estimated Value: $1,000–$3,000+
The 1909-S VDB is one of the most famous pennies and a favorite among collectors.
It marks the debut of the Lincoln cent and has an extremely low mintage of only 484,000 coins The addition of the designer’s initials “VDB” on the reverse side makes it even more desirable.
2. 1943 Copper Penny
Estimated Value: $150,000–$250,000+
During World War II, the U.S. Mint switched to steel pennies to conserve copper for the war effort.
However, a few copper pennies were mistakenly minted in 1943, making these rare coins worth a small fortune today.
3. 1955 Double Die Obverse
Estimated Value: $1,000–$25,000+
The 1955 Double Die Obverse is famous for its prominent doubling on the obverse, especially in the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
This error is so noticeable that it can be seen with the naked eye, which is part of what makes it so sought-after by collectors.
4. 1922 No D Lincoln Cent
Estimated Value: $500–$15,000+
Most 1922 Lincoln cents were minted in Denver and bear the “D” mintmark.
However, due to worn dies, a small number of these pennies were struck without the “D,” making them a rare and valuable find for collectors.
5. 1972 Double Die Obverse
Estimated Value: $300–$1,000+
The 1972 Double Die Obverse features doubling in the inscriptions “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and the date.
While not as rare as the 1955 double die, it is still highly collectible and commands a good price.
6. 1969-S Double Die Obverse
Estimated Value: $50,000–$100,000+
One of the rarest and most valuable Lincoln cents, the 1969-S Double Die Obverse is known for its clear and striking doubling, which can be easily seen on the word “LIBERTY” and the date.
Only a few examples of this error exist, making it one of the most coveted pennies among collectors.
7. 1944 Steel Penny
Estimated Value: $75,000–$100,000+
In 1944, the U.S. Mint switched back to copper for pennies However, a handful of leftover steel planchets from 1943 were mistakenly used to strike pennies that year, creating the rare 1944 Steel Penny Its historical significance and rarity make it highly valuable.
8. 1992 Close AM Penny
Estimated Value: $10,000–$25,000+
The 1992 Close AM penny features a small but important design error on the reverse, the letters “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” are unusually close together.
This small variation makes it a highly prized coin among collectors.
9. 1909-S Indian Head Penny
Estimated Value: $500–$3,000+
The 1909-S Indian Head penny marks the last year of the Indian Head design With only 309,000 coins minted, it’s a rare and historically significant piece that collectors eagerly seek.
Why Are These Pennies So Valuable?
Several factors contribute to the high value of these rare pennies:
- Low Mintage: Coins with limited production numbers, such as the 1909-S VDB and 1944 Steel Penny, are harder to find, which increases their value.
- Minting Errors: Mistakes made during the minting process like missing mintmarks, double dies, or incorrect planchets create unique, highly collectible coins.
- Historical Significance: Pennies minted during important historical events, such as the 1943 Copper Penny during World War II, become highly coveted due to their connection to those moments in history.
Quick Reference: Top 9 Rare Pennies
| Coin Name | Mint | Estimated Value | Unique Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent | San Francisco | $1,000–$3,000+ | “VDB” initials; 484,000 minted |
| 1943 Copper Penny | Various | $150,000–$250,000+ | Struck on copper during WWII |
| 1955 Double Die Obverse | Philadelphia | $1,000–$25,000+ | Doubling on “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” |
| 1922 No D Lincoln Cent | Denver | $500–$15,000+ | Missing “D” mintmark due to worn dies |
| 1972 Double Die Obverse | Philadelphia | $300–$1,000+ | Doubling on “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” |
| 1969-S Double Die Obverse | San Francisco | $50,000–$100,000+ | Doubling on “LIBERTY” and date |
| 1944 Steel Penny | Various | $75,000–$100,000+ | Struck on leftover steel planchets from 1943 |
| 1992 Close AM Penny | Various | $10,000–$25,000+ | Close spacing of “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” |
| 1909-S Indian Head Penny | San Francisco | $500–$3,000+ | Last year of Indian Head design; 309,000 minted |
Coin collecting offers a thrilling opportunity to discover hidden treasures Whether you’re sifting through your spare change or searching through old collections, you might just find one of these rare pennies and make an exciting discovery.