That jar of pennies gathering dust on your dresser might contain more than just spare change. While most of the copper coins passing through our hands daily remain worth exactly one cent, certain rare pennies can command thousands—or even millions—from eager collectors.
The humble penny, often overlooked in daily transactions, occasionally harbors extraordinary value beneath its modest appearance.
This exploration reveals ten exceptionally valuable pennies that have captivated collectors and achieved remarkable prices at auction.
From genuine rarities worth seven figures to overlooked varieties potentially hiding in pocket change, these coins represent the fascinating intersection of history, scarcity, and collector enthusiasm that drives the numismatic marketplace.
The Million-Dollar Pennies: The Crown Jewels of Copper Collecting
1. The 1943 Copper Penny: Wartime Mistake Worth a Fortune
During World War II, copper was needed for the war effort, prompting the U.S. Mint to strike 1943 pennies in zinc-coated steel instead.
However, a handful of copper planchets from 1942 accidentally remained in the presses, resulting in a few copper pennies being struck alongside their steel counterparts.
These 1943 copper cents represent one of the most famous errors in American coinage. Only about 20 authentic examples exist across all three mints (Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco), with the Philadelphia versions being the most “common” at around 12-15 known specimens.
The rarity and compelling wartime backstory have driven prices to extraordinary levels:
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In 2019, a 1943 bronze cent graded PCGS MS62BN sold for $504,000
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In 2021, another example reached $840,000 at auction
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Private transactions reportedly exceeding $1.5 million have occurred for the finest specimens
Counterfeits abound, with fraudsters often copper-plating genuine 1943 steel cents or altering the dates on 1948 pennies. Authentic examples must be verified through metal testing and professional authentication.
2. The 1944 Steel Penny: The Opposite Error
As the opposite error of the 1943 copper cent, the 1944 steel penny occurred when a few leftover steel planchets from 1943 were accidentally fed into the presses in 1944, after the Mint had switched back to using copper.
Even rarer than their 1943 copper counterparts, only about 8 confirmed 1944 steel cents exist across all mint facilities, with just a single known example from the San Francisco Mint.
Recent sales demonstrate their tremendous value:
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A 1944 steel cent from Philadelphia sold for $180,000 in 2021
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The unique 1944-S steel cent reportedly changed hands privately for over $400,000
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A particularly well-preserved example graded MS66 brought $408,000 at auction in 2022
Like the 1943 copper cent, authentication is critical, as genuine steel pennies will be attracted to a magnet while copper cents will not.
3. The 1856 Flying Eagle Cent: America’s First Small Cent
The 1856 Flying Eagle cent represents a pivotal transition in American coinage. As a pattern coin produced when the Mint was testing the shift from large cents to small cents, it was never intended for circulation. However, approximately 2,000 were struck—many distributed to congressmen to gain approval for the new coin size.
Despite their pattern status, these coins have been enthusiastically collected as part of the regular Flying Eagle series, creating exceptional demand:
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Worn examples typically bring $5,000-$15,000
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Well-preserved specimens command $50,000-$150,000
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The finest known examples have topped $250,000 at auction
Their historical significance as America’s first small-diameter cent, combined with their low production and distinctive design featuring a flying eagle on the obverse and a wreath on the reverse, establishes these coins as pivotal pieces in American numismatic history.
Hidden Treasures: Valuable Pennies That Could Be in Your Collection
4. The 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent: The Famous First Year
The 1909-S VDB represents the most famous Lincoln cent, beloved by collectors for over a century. When the Lincoln cent debuted in 1909, designer Victor David Brenner’s initials (VDB) appeared prominently on the reverse.
Public objection to their size and placement led to their removal later that year, but not before the San Francisco Mint produced 484,000 cents with the initials.
This relatively low mintage created an instant collector’s item:
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Worn examples typically sell for $700-$1,500
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Uncirculated specimens bring $2,000-$10,000
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Pristine red gems can exceed $50,000
Almost every American coin collector knows this famous rarity, making it perhaps the single most recognized key date in all of U.S. coinage.
Despite widespread knowledge of its value, examples occasionally turn up in old collections where owners remain unaware of their significance.
5. The 1955 Doubled Die Obverse Cent: The Most Famous Error
The 1955 Doubled Die cent occurred when a die was hubbed twice at slightly different angles, creating a dramatic doubling visible on the date, inscriptions, and Lincoln’s portrait. Approximately 20,000-24,000 entered circulation before the error was discovered.
The dramatic, easily visible doubling (particularly in the words LIBERTY and IN GOD WE TRUST) makes this coin exceptionally popular:
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Circulated examples typically bring $1,000-$2,000
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Uncirculated specimens sell for $3,000-$15,000
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Pristine red gems have sold for over $100,000
While scarce, these error pennies reached circulation primarily in cigarette packs as change, concentrating many in the New England area. Even today, examples occasionally turn up in collections from owners unaware of their significance.
6. The 1922 “No D” Lincoln Cent: When Denver Disappeared
In 1922, only the Denver Mint struck Lincoln cents, making all 1922 pennies Denver issues that should display a “D” mintmark.
However, die damage and improper maintenance led to some cents being struck with a filled die where the mintmark was completely invisible.
True 1922 “No D” cents (as opposed to those with just weakly struck mintmarks) resulted from a specific die pair and show certain diagnostic features that specialists recognize. Approximately 15,000-20,000 genuine “No D” variants are believed to exist.
These error coins typically bring:
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$500-$1,000 for well-worn examples
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$2,000-$7,500 for better-preserved specimens
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$20,000+ for uncirculated gems
The 1922 “No D” cent remains a coin that skilled collectors might still discover in circulation, as its value isn’t as widely recognized as some other rarities.
7. The 1914-D Lincoln Cent: The Overlooked Key Date
While not as famous as the 1909-S VDB, the 1914-D cent is actually scarcer in higher grades. With a mintage of 1.1 million—low for a circulation coin but not immediately alarming—these pennies circulated heavily before collectors recognized their scarcity.
By the time the collecting community realized their rarity, most had already experienced significant wear, making well-preserved examples particularly valuable:
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Worn coins typically sell for $300-$800
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Mid-grade examples bring $1,500-$4,000
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Uncirculated specimens command $10,000-$30,000
The 1914-D represents a classic “sleeper” coin that experienced collectors recognize as substantially undervalued compared to more famous rarities with similar available populations in high grades.
8. The 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse Cent: The Modern Rarity
The 1969-S Doubled Die cent wasn’t discovered until the early 1970s, creating a modern rarity that demonstrated valuable error coins could still emerge in contemporary production. Showing significant doubling similar to the 1955 variety, but much rarer, perhaps fewer than 50 genuine examples exist.
When these scarce error coins appear at auction, they command impressive prices:
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Even worn examples sell for $25,000-$40,000
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Uncirculated specimens have brought $80,000-$120,000
The coin’s modern production date (many collectors were actively searching rolls when these were made) combined with its extreme rarity makes it particularly intriguing—if more examples exist, they were likely spent unwittingly or remain hidden in collections by owners unaware of their significance.
9. The 1972 Doubled Die Obverse Cent: The Accessible Error
The 1972 Doubled Die shows significant doubling on the obverse, particularly visible in the date and the word LIBERTY. With approximately 20,000-40,000 produced, it’s accessible enough that collectors still occasionally find examples in circulation, yet scarce enough to command substantial premiums.
Unlike some other valuable pennies, these remain within reach of average collectors:
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Circulated examples typically sell for $100-$300
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Uncirculated specimens bring $400-$1,500
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Red gem examples can exceed $5,000
This represents perhaps the most realistic “valuable penny” that dedicated searchers might still discover in circulation or penny rolls from banks, making it particularly popular among those who enjoy the treasure-hunting aspect of coin collecting.
10. The 1992 Close AM Reverse Cent: The Overlooked Modern Variety
One of the most recent entries in valuable Lincoln cents, the 1992 Close AM variety shows the letters A and M in AMERICA nearly touching on the reverse—a die characteristic not intended for circulation strikes until 1993. Only a handful of these transitional errors exist.
The scarcity and subtle nature of this variety have created substantial premiums:
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Uncirculated examples have sold for $10,000-$20,000
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The finest known specimens have brought over $25,000 at auction
Most remarkably, this valuable variety wasn’t even discovered until 2006, demonstrating that significant rarities can go unrecognized for decades before specialists identify their distinctive characteristics. This suggests other valuable modern varieties might still await discovery by attentive collectors.
How to Identify Genuine Rare Pennies
The high value of these coins has inevitably attracted counterfeiting and misidentification. Collectors should consider several authentication factors:
Physical Characteristics
For specific rarities, certain physical tests apply:
- 1943 copper and 1944 steel cents can be verified with a magnet (steel is magnetic, copper is not)
- Weight testing helps authenticate questionable specimens (steel cents weigh 2.7 grams, copper cents 3.1 grams)
- Die markers and diagnostic points help specialists identify genuine examples of doubled dies and other varieties
Professional Authentication
For potentially valuable discoveries, professional authentication becomes essential:
- Third-party grading services like PCGS, NGC, and ANACS provide authentication and grading
- Encapsulation protects coins and provides market liquidity through certified status
- The cost of authentication ($25-$100 depending on service level) represents a small investment compared to the potential value of genuine rarities
Education as Protection
Knowledge remains the collector’s best defense against misidentification:
- Reference books and online resources help identify diagnostic features
- Comparison with authenticated examples develops visual recognition skills
- Understanding manufacturing processes helps distinguish genuine errors from post-mint damage
Searching for Valuable Pennies: Practical Approaches
For those inspired to search for these valuable cents, several approaches prove most effective:
For Circulation Finds:
- Check penny rolls from banks, particularly from smaller community institutions
- Examine older collections inherited from relatives who collected casually
- Pay attention to coins that look “different” in daily transactions
- Focus first on dates known for valuable varieties (1909, 1914, 1922, 1943, 1944, 1955, 1969, 1972)
For Collection Building:
- Start with more accessible key dates like the 1909-S VDB or 1972 Doubled Die
- Develop authentication skills before pursuing the most valuable and frequently counterfeited rarities
- Consider condition rarity—even common dates in perfect preservation can command impressive premiums
- Join collector organizations to learn from experienced numismatists
10 Rare Pennie coins value is $115 Million each
The hunt for valuable pennies combines historical appreciation, the thrill of discovery, and the potential for financial reward.
While finding a 1943 copper cent or 1969-S Doubled Die remains an improbable dream, discoveries of more accessible varieties like the 1972 Doubled Die continue to be reported regularly.
The knowledge that ordinary-looking pennies can carry extraordinary value transforms the simple act of checking your change into a treasure hunt with genuine potential for discovery.
Whether you’re an experienced numismatist or simply curious about the coins passing through your hands each day, these ten valuable pennies prove that numismatic treasures continue to circulate, waiting for the observant collector to recognize their true worth.
Most importantly, the educational journey involved in searching for these rarities connects collectors with American history, manufacturing processes, and economic developments—creating value far beyond the monetary worth of any discovered treasure.