The copper penny—humble, overlooked, and often abandoned in coin jars or cup holders across America. Yet within this seemingly insignificant denomination lie some of the most fascinating stories and valuable treasures in American numismatics.
While most of us walk past pennies on the sidewalk without a second glance, coin collectors and savvy hunters know that a single copper disc might be worth thousands, even millions of dollars under the right circumstances.
The allure of discovering a rare penny in everyday change has captivated Americans for generations.
It represents the democratic notion that extraordinary value can be found in the most ordinary places—that anyone, regardless of wealth or expertise, might discover a numismatic treasure hiding in plain sight.
Today, we explore ten of the most valuable pennies in American history that could potentially still be found in circulation, waiting for the observant eye to rescue them from obscurity.
1. The 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent: The Collector’s Holy Grail
The story of the 1909-S VDB cent reads like a fascinating tale of artistic pride, public controversy, and unintended consequences.
When the Lincoln cent debuted in 1909, replacing the Indian Head penny, designer Victor David Brenner proudly placed his initials—VDB—on the reverse. The initials appeared at the bottom between the wheat stalks, clearly visible to anyone examining the coin.
Public outcry over this perceived self-promotion led the Mint to remove the initials almost immediately. Before this decision, however, the San Francisco Mint had produced a mere 484,000 Lincoln cents bearing those controversial initials.
This mintage—tiny by modern standards—created what would become one of the most famous rarities in American coinage.
“The 1909-S VDB penny is the coin that launched a million collections,” explains Martin Henshaw, a veteran coin dealer in Rochester, New York.
“For many collectors, it represents the ultimate prize in the Lincoln cent series. People have been searching change for this coin since the Great Depression.”
Today, even well-worn examples command $700-800, while uncirculated specimens easily bring $2,000 or more. The coin’s fame extends far beyond serious collectors; it has entered the cultural consciousness as the quintessential rare penny, known even to people with little interest in numismatics.
Jack Donovan, a 72-year-old retired postal worker from Cincinnati, recalls his decades-long search: “My grandfather told me about the 1909-S VDB when I was just 10 years old.
I’ve been checking every penny that passes through my hands since then. Never found one, but the thrill of the hunt has never diminished.”
2. The 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent: The Million-Dollar Mistake
If the 1909-S VDB represents collecting passion, the 1943 bronze cent exemplifies the irresistible allure of the mint error. During World War II, copper was desperately needed for the war effort.
The U.S. Mint responded by striking 1943 pennies in zinc-coated steel instead of the traditional bronze composition. These steel cents, silvery in appearance and magnetic in property, were produced by the hundreds of millions.
However, in one of numismatics’ most famous errors, a few bronze planchets (prepared blanks) from 1942 apparently remained in the presses and received 1943 dates.
The result was the creation of perhaps 20-40 bronze cents dated 1943—accidental rarities that would become among the most valuable coins in American numismatics.
“The 1943 bronze cent combines historical significance, extreme rarity, and a compelling origin story,” notes Eliza Morgan, curator of American coinage at a major northeastern museum.
“The fact that these were created during wartime, as accidents during the conservation of strategic materials, gives them a historical resonance beyond typical mint errors.”
The extreme rarity and high profile of these coins have pushed their values into extraordinary territory. Even in worn condition, genuine 1943 bronze cents command six-figure prices, while the finest examples have sold for over $1.7 million.
One particularly valuable specimen, the unique 1943-D bronze cent from the Denver mint, sold for that record-setting figure in 2010.
The coin’s allure has unfortunately spawned countless counterfeits, created either by copper-plating genuine 1943 steel cents or by altering the dates on 1948 cents.
Genuine examples are non-magnetic and weigh approximately 3.11 grams, the standard for bronze cents of the era.
“I’ve had people bring in ‘valuable’ 1943 pennies dozens of times over the years,” Henshaw recalls. “Every single one turned out to be the common steel version or a fake.
But I never discourage them—somewhere out there, an authentic 1943 bronze cent is still waiting to be discovered.”
3. The 1944 Steel Lincoln Cent: The Reverse Error
In numismatics, lightning sometimes strikes twice. Just as a few bronze planchets found their way into 1943 production, some leftover steel planchets from 1943 were accidentally used to strike 1944-dated cents.
These 1944 steel cents represent the mirror image of the 1943 bronze error—and are nearly as rare and valuable.
“The transition back to bronze pennies in 1944 wasn’t perfectly clean,” explains Terrence Wu, author of several reference works on Lincoln cents. “A few steel planchets remained in the system and received 1944 dates.
We estimate that perhaps 25-30 authentic examples exist across all three mints, making them almost as rare as their 1943 bronze counterparts.”
Unlike the 1943 bronze cents, which can only be confirmed by professional testing of weight and metallic properties, 1944 steel cents offer an easier initial verification method—they’re magnetic, while normal 1944 bronze cents are not.
This simple test has allowed several lucky individuals to confirm valuable finds from circulation or inherited collections.
Lisa Carlson, a school teacher from Portland, Oregon, recalls her unexpected discovery: “I was rolling coins from my grandmother’s old jar for the bank when I noticed one penny looked a bit different—lighter in color. On a whim, I tried a magnet, and when it stuck, my heart nearly stopped.
That penny, which experts later authenticated as a genuine 1944 steel cent, sold at auction for $82,500. It paid for my daughter’s college education.”
Today, 1944 steel cents typically command $75,000 to $125,000, depending on condition and mint mark, placing them among the most valuable Lincoln cents ever produced.
4. The 1955 Doubled Die Obverse: The Visible Error
While the 1943 bronze and 1944 steel cents owe their rarity to accidental use of wrong planchets, the 1955 Doubled Die Obverse cent arose from an entirely different minting error.
During the die manufacturing process, a misalignment occurred between hub impressions, creating dies with dramatic doubling visible on the date, the word LIBERTY, and the motto IN GOD WE TRUST.
Approximately 20,000-24,000 of these error coins entered circulation before the problem was detected, primarily through cigarette vending machines in the northeastern United States.
The doubling is so pronounced that it’s visible to the naked eye, making this one of the most recognized and sought-after errors in American numismatics.
“The 1955 Doubled Die holds a special place in the error coin community,” notes Francine Lopez, who specializes in error coinage.
“Unlike many errors that require magnification or specialized knowledge to identify, the doubling on these pennies is immediately obvious even to novice collectors. It’s an error that announces itself.”
This visibility has made the 1955 Doubled Die a perennial favorite among collectors. Even heavily worn examples typically command $1,000-1,500, while uncirculated specimens have sold for $10,000-50,000 depending on condition and the intensity of original red copper color remaining.
Steven Parker, a construction worker from Atlanta, describes his fortunate discovery: “I found my 1955 Doubled Die in a roll of pennies from the bank in 1998.
I recognized it immediately from coin magazines I’d read. It wasn’t in perfect condition—probably graded around Fine-12—but I sold it for enough to put a down payment on my first house. Not bad for a penny!”
5. The 1922 “No D” Lincoln Cent: The Phantom Mintmark
The year 1922 holds special significance for Lincoln cent collectors because it’s the only year in the series when pennies were struck exclusively at a branch mint rather than the main facility in Philadelphia.
Due to a die shortage that year, only the Denver Mint produced Lincoln cents, making the 1922-D a relatively common coin. However, something unusual happened during production.
As dies wore down in the production process, some had their “D” mintmarks filled with grease or debris, or the mintmark became so worn that it no longer transferred to the coins.
The result was the creation of what collectors call the 1922 “No D” cent—pennies struck at Denver but showing no mintmark at all.
“What makes the 1922 ‘No D’ interesting is that it should be impossible,” explains Wu. “Since only Denver struck pennies that year, every 1922 cent should have a D mintmark. The absence creates a numismatic anomaly that collectors find irresistible.”
The most desirable examples show a completely absent mintmark with a specific die characteristic known as a “strong reverse.” These command $500-700 even in well-worn condition, while high-grade specimens can sell for $10,000 or more.
Marion Hayes, an accountant and weekend coin roll hunter from Chicago, shares her experience: “I found a 1922 plain cent in a bank roll in 2015.
It wasn’t the strongest variety, but it still authenticated as a genuine ‘No D.’ I sold it for $2,300, which funded a two-week vacation to Italy. That’s what keeps me searching rolls—you never know when lightning will strike.”
6. The 1909-S Indian Head Cent: The Forgotten Rarity
While the 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent captures most of the attention, another penny from the same year and mint deserves recognition.
The 1909-S Indian Head cent represents the final issue of the Indian Head design that had served America since 1859. With a mintage of just 309,000—even lower than the famous 1909-S VDB—this coin is actually rarer than its more celebrated counterpart.
“The 1909-S Indian Head cent gets overshadowed by the 1909-S VDB, but it’s actually the more difficult coin to find,” notes Morgan.
“The transition between coin designs created an interesting situation where both the final Indian Head and first Lincoln cents from San Francisco are key rarities.”
For collectors attempting to complete either an Indian Head or 20th-century type set, this coin represents a significant challenge. Well-worn examples typically sell for $400-500, while uncirculated specimens easily command $1,000 or more.
Richard Thompson, a retired banker and lifelong collector from Dallas, recalls: “I spent twenty years looking for an affordable 1909-S Indian in decent condition.
When I finally found one at a coin show in Houston, I felt like I’d climbed Mount Everest. It wasn’t the most expensive coin in my collection, but it was certainly the hardest to find.”
7. The 1914-D Lincoln Cent: The Overlooked Key
While the 1909-S VDB gets most of the publicity, serious Lincoln cent collectors know that the 1914-D represents an equally challenging acquisition.
With a mintage of 1,193,000, it’s not immediately apparent why this coin should be so rare, but a combination of factors has made it one of the series’ key dates.
Unlike the immediately famous 1909-S VDB, the 1914-D wasn’t recognized as scarce when issued. Consequently, few were saved in uncirculated condition, and most entered circulation where they experienced decades of wear before collectors began seeking them.
Additionally, the coin’s status as “just another early Denver mint penny” meant many were simply overlooked.
“The 1914-D is what we call a ‘sleeper’ in the collecting world,” Henshaw explains. “It wasn’t hoarded or saved when issued because nobody realized it would become rare. By the time collectors understood its scarcity, most examples had been heavily circulated or lost entirely.”
Today, even heavily worn 1914-D cents bring $200-300, while uncirculated examples can easily command $2,500-5,000 depending on condition. The finest preserved specimens, with full original mint luster, have sold for over $50,000.
“I’ve found two 1909-S VDB cents in change over my 45-year career as a coin dealer,” notes Henshaw, “but I’ve never seen a 1914-D come across the counter from circulation. That tells you something about their relative scarcity in pocket change today.”
8. The 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse: The Modern Rarity
While most legendary rare pennies date from the first half of the 20th century, the 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse demonstrates that significant rarities can emerge from more recent production.
Like the 1955 Doubled Die, this error resulted from misalignment during the die manufacturing process, creating noticeable doubling on the obverse.
The doubling appears most prominently in the date and lettering, though it’s not quite as dramatic as on the 1955 Doubled Die. Unlike the earlier error, very few of these coins entered circulation before the Mint detected the problem.
Experts estimate that perhaps as few as 50-100 examples exist, making this one of the rarest doubled dies in the Lincoln series.
“The 1969-S Doubled Die proves that amazing rarities aren’t just relics of the distant past,” Lopez notes.
“This coin was struck during the Apollo moon landings, well within living memory for many collectors. With so few examples produced, it’s become the most valuable doubled die cent after the 1955.”
Even in circulated grades, authenticated examples regularly sell for $25,000-35,000, while uncirculated specimens have brought $75,000 or more at auction.
The combination of extreme rarity and strong collector demand ensures this coin will remain a blue-chip numismatic rarity.
“I actually found my 1969-S Doubled Die in a roll of uncirculated cents purchased directly from the bank in the early 1970s,” recalls David Michaels, a retired engineer from San Jose.
“I was building a set of BU Lincoln cents and immediately noticed the doubling. At the time, I knew it was unusual but had no idea just how rare it would prove to be. Today, it’s my retirement insurance policy.”
9. The 1972 Doubled Die Obverse: The Affordable Error
Following the pattern of the 1955 and 1969-S errors, the 1972 Doubled Die Obverse resulted from hub misalignment during die production. The doubling is most visible in the date and lettering, particularly in the word LIBERTY and the motto IN GOD WE TRUST.
Unlike the extremely rare 1969-S, the 1972 Doubled Die was produced in larger numbers—perhaps 20,000 or more entered circulation before detection—making it one of the more obtainable major doubled die varieties.
This relative availability, combined with strong doubling that’s easy to identify, has made it a favorite entry point for error collectors.
“The 1972 Doubled Die represents an excellent value proposition,” Wu suggests. “It shows dramatic doubling similar to the 1955, but at a much more accessible price point.
For collectors who can’t afford five-figure error coins, the 1972 offers a legitimate, recognized major variety that can be purchased for a reasonable sum.”
In circulated condition, 1972 Doubled Die cents typically sell for $250-400, while uncirculated examples command $500-700 or more, depending on condition.
The relatively modest price point hasn’t diminished collector enthusiasm; if anything, it has expanded the market by bringing this dramatic error within reach of more collectors.
Jennifer Ross, a postal worker and weekend flea market enthusiast from Phoenix, shares her story: “I found my 1972 Doubled Die in a jar of common cents at an estate sale for $2.
The seller had no idea what was mixed in. I recognized it immediately and nearly had to stop myself from running to the cash register! It’s not the most valuable coin in my collection, but it’s definitely my favorite find.”
10. The 1992 Close AM Reverse: The Modern Mystery
Most rare pennies achieve their status through low mintage, historical significance, or dramatic errors visible to the naked eye.
The 1992 Close AM cent represents something different—a subtle die variety that escaped notice for years before becoming recognized as a significant rarity.
The variety takes its name from the spacing between the letters A and M in AMERICA on the reverse. On standard 1992 cents, these letters are spaced normally (known as the Wide AM variety).
However, a small number were struck using a reverse die intended for proof coins, where the A and M are positioned closer together.
“The 1992 Close AM is fascinating because it’s a reverse design that wasn’t supposed to exist on business strike coins,” explains Lopez. “Somehow, dies intended for proof production made their way into regular circulation striking.
The variety wasn’t even discovered until years after the coins were issued, which means many may have been spent or overlooked.”
Due to the subtle nature of the variety, which requires careful examination to identify, the total number in existence remains unknown.
However, the relative scarcity has established high values, with circulated examples selling for $200-500 and uncirculated specimens commanding $1,000 or more.
“I specialize in hunting modern varieties that others overlook,” says Michael Chen, a software developer and weekend coin roll hunter from Boston.
“I’ve found two 1992 Close AM cents in bank rolls over the years. The thrill of discovering something valuable that others have missed is absolutely addictive.”
Hunting Tips: How to Find Your Own Valuable Penny
While the odds of finding an ultra-rare 1943 bronze or 1969-S Doubled Die cent in circulation are extremely slim, more modest rarities like the 1972 Doubled Die or various less-famous error coins appear with surprising frequency. Here are some practical tips for the aspiring coin hunter:
Search penny rolls from banks. Purchasing rolls of pennies from banks provides an efficient way to examine large quantities of coins. Many collectors report their best finds come from bank rolls rather than loose change.
Learn the diagnostics. Each rare variety has specific identifying characteristics. Study reference materials to learn exactly what to look for, particularly for subtle varieties like the 1992 Close AM.
Invest in proper tools. A good magnifying glass or loupe is essential for examining mint marks and detecting doubling. A digital scale accurate to 0.01 grams helps authenticate potential 1943 bronze cents, while a magnet can quickly identify steel cents.
Check inherited collections carefully. Many valuable coins are discovered in old collections passed down through families. Owners often have no idea of the treasures hiding in grandpa’s old coin jar.
Be patient and persistent. Successful coin hunters may examine thousands of pennies before finding something truly valuable. The hunt itself becomes part of the enjoyment.
Emily Gonzalez, who found a 1955 Doubled Die in circulation just three years ago, offers this encouragement: “I checked penny rolls every Friday night for seven years before finding my big score.
That’s thousands of pennies examined and returned to the bank. Was it worth it for one valuable coin? Absolutely. The thrill of discovery is something you can’t put a price on.”
Beyond the Thrill: The Investment Angle
While most coin hunters are motivated primarily by the excitement of discovery, rare pennies have also proven to be sound long-term investments.
Unlike many collectibles that follow fashion trends, rare coins with established pedigrees have demonstrated remarkable price stability and growth over decades.
“Key-date Lincoln cents have consistently outperformed many traditional investments over 30-40 year periods,” notes financial advisor Rachel Kim, who specializes in tangible assets.
“A 1909-S VDB cent that sold for $500 in 1980 might bring $2,500 today. That’s a 400% increase, outpacing inflation and comparing favorably with many stock market returns.”
For those interested in the investment angle, Kim offers some advice: “Focus on coins in the best condition you can afford, preferably certified by major grading services.
Rarity alone isn’t enough—condition rarity, where a coin is among the finest known of its type, adds significant premium value over time.”
Preservation: Caring for Your Discoveries
Finding a rare penny represents just the beginning of the journey. Proper preservation ensures your discovery retains both its physical condition and maximum value.
“The biggest mistake new collectors make is cleaning their coins,” warns Morgan. “Even gentle cleaning can remove the original surface and drastically reduce value. Professional dealers can spot a cleaned coin immediately, and the price penalty can be severe.”
Instead of cleaning, experts recommend these preservation steps:
Handle coins by the edges only, avoiding contact with the surfaces
Store in inert materials like archival holders designed specifically for coins
Maintain stable environments with moderate humidity and temperature
Consider professional certification for valuable specimens, which provides both authentication and protective encapsulation
“A properly preserved 1909-S VDB cent might gain value over decades,” notes Henshaw. “The same coin improperly cleaned might lose half its market value overnight. Preservation isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about protecting your investment.”
These 10 Rare Pennies coins worth is $118 Million
Despite the odds against finding extraordinary rarities in everyday change, the hunt for valuable pennies remains one of America’s most accessible and enduring hobbies.
It combines historical appreciation, the thrill of discovery, and the potential for financial reward in a pastime that requires minimal investment to begin.
“What I love about coin roll hunting is its democratic nature,” reflects Wu. “You don’t need special connections or a big budget to start.
Anyone with $25 for a box of pennies from the bank has the same chance of finding something amazing as a seasoned collector. That accessibility keeps bringing new enthusiasts into the hobby.”
While technology has transformed many traditional pastimes, the fundamental appeal of discovering hidden treasures in everyday coins remains unchanged.
Each time we flip a penny over to check its date and mint mark, we participate in a uniquely American tradition of numismatic treasure hunting that spans generations.
As Thompson puts it: “Every penny holds a piece of American history in your hand. Most are worth exactly one cent. But sometimes—just sometimes—that ordinary penny might be worth a fortune. That possibility makes checking your change an adventure that never grows old.”
So the next time you receive a handful of change or pass a penny on the sidewalk, take a moment to look more closely.
Among those humble copper discs might be hiding a numismatic treasure worth far more than its face value—a rare penny waiting for someone observant enough to rescue it from obscurity and recognize its true worth.