What would you say if I told you there are at least 100 different pennies worth $100 or more?
Some are legitimately worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. And some have even sold for more than $1 million dollars at public auction.
Yes, there seriously are dozens of valuable old pennies out there with values of at least $100 apiece!
Not too bad for a single penny, huh?
You’re not going to find all of these rare pennies under your couch cushions, though. Some you’ll only have a chance of getting if someone passes down their old coin collection to you, you receive them through an inheritance, or you make a lucky find at an estate sale.
But many of the old valuable pennies on this list you actually do have a shot of finding in pocket change!
You might also find them in spare coin jars or by searching through rolls of pennies — like I love doing.
What Makes This List Of Valuable Pennies Different?
I’ve written articles like this before, including one that lists 43 of the most valuable U.S. pennies you should hold onto and not spend.
What makes this list of the top 100 pennies worth money different?
Aside from listing 57 more pennies this time (ha ha), it also includes many different types of pennies than the ones listed in the 43 valuable pennies article. (That article generally focuses only on rare Lincoln pennies.)
In this article, I’m going to provide an explanation as to why each of the pennies on this list is rare and worth its value.
That list of 43 valuable pennies is absolutely a top resource for Lincoln penny collectors and has been shared tens of thousands of times on social media (thank you!). But this top 100 most valuable pennies list is ideal for anyone who wants a more comprehensive rundown on values for old pennies, regardless of design.
Now, without further ado, let’s review 100 of the most valuable pennies worth $100 or more!
Top 100 Pennies Worth Money List
What follows are 100 of the most valuable U.S. pennies.
Thousands of coins are being bought and sold every day — many of those being pennies that sell for $100 or more. I’ll do my best to update this list of penny values as the market conditions change.
Many of the penny values here are record prices for coins that are in the best condition. Others are common going prices — which is usually the case for pennies that you’re more likely to find in spare change or might consider buying for your collection. I break this down a bit in the descriptions for many of the pennies on this list — so you’re not confused as to how much your coin may truly be worth versus a “record price.”
NOTE: Clicking on the name of the penny will show you what each coin looks like!
#1 – 1793 Chain AMERICA Flowing Hair Penny
One of the very first one-cent coins struck by the U.S. Mint, this penny is very rare. Most are worth around $7,500 to 10,000 and up. But only one is known to exist in the grade of Mint State-66 Brown by Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). It sold for a record $2,350,000 in 2015!
#2 – 1943-D Copper Lincoln Penny
It seems just about everyone is looking for the 1943 copper / bronze penny. I’ve written about this rare and valuable Lincoln Wheat penny here at TheFunTimesGuide many times over the years. I’ll have you know it’s a legitimately rare coin with perhaps a couple dozen specimens out there representing the 3 U.S. Mint locations: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. There are several (still very rare!) Philly and San Fran 1943 copper pennies around but just a single piece known from Denver. The 1943-D penny scored a record $1,700,000 in a private sale back in 2010. It later notched $840,000 in a 2021 public auction. Does that mean the value of this 1943 copper penny went down? Not necessarily… It’s still the kind of rare penny that could once again cross the block for over $1 million and nobody would be shocked, given the incredible rarity and demand for this unique coin.
#3 – 1793 Chain AMERI Flowing Hair Penny
This is the very first type of one-cent coin the U.S. Mint ever struck for mass circulation, and it’s extraordinarily rare. PCGS states only 187 examples of this very type of penny exist, counting all specimens regardless of grade. Even well-worn examples cost somewhere in the range of $9,000 to $12,000 or more. But the most valuable was graded Mint State-64 Brown and sold at auction in 2019 for an astounding record price of $1,500,000!
#4 – 1795 Reeded Edge Flowing Hair Penny
With just 4 known specimens, the 1795 reeded edge Flowing Hair penny is exceedingly rare and sought after among large cent specialists. The finest-known specimen, grading Very Good-10, sold in 2009 for a whopping record price of $1,265,000. The lower-grade examples of the 1795 penny easily take $250,000 to $300,000. Across the board, this is one of the most valuable and rarest U.S. pennies.
#5 – 1958 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny
Look at us, already 5 positions into this list of the top 100 rare pennies worth money and I’m still listing pennies worth a million dollars or more! This is the second Lincoln penny worth more than a million dollars. It’s the 1958 doubled die obverse Lincoln penny, and it sold for a record price of $1,136,250 in a 2023 auction. It also became the first Lincoln penny to ever cross a public auction block for more than a million dollars. (Remember, the 1943-D copper penny that took $1.7 million was sold in a private sale.) There are just 3 known specimens of the 1958 doubled die penny, and the other 2 are easily worth $300,000 to $500,000 these days. Get ready — there are many other rare and valuable doubled die Lincoln pennies coming up later on in this list. They’re just not worth a million dollars (yet!).
#6 – 1799 Draped Bust Penny
Another early large cent enters the list, and this is one of the rarest of them all. The 1799 penny saw a mintage of only 42,540 pieces, and only about 700 are thought to exist today. Values start around $5,000 for this coin, but the most valuable 1799 penny (the only one known to be uncirculated) sold for a record $977,500 in 2009.
#7 – 1793 Liberty Cap Penny
If there’s anything to be gleaned from the large cent values in this list, it’s this: Early U.S. large cents are downright rare! Fewer than 500 of the 1793 Liberty Cap pennies survive today, and they go for about $10,000 and up. One of the nicest specimens, graded PCGS About Uncirculated-58, deservedly took a record price of $940,000 in a 2009 auction.
#8 – 1794 Head Of 1793 Penny
What did I say?… Early U.S. large cents are rare and valuable — especially examples of those coins in top condition or pieces that are rare varieties, like this one. About 450 are thought to exist, and prices start around $5,000 for a well-worn specimen. The highest-graded example of this 1794 penny, encapsulated by PCGS and grading Mint State-64 Brown, took a record price of $881,250 in a 2013 auction.
#9 – 1793 Strawberry Leaf Flowing Hair Penny
The appearance of strawberry leaf detail in the wreath on the back of this penny is what makes it rare. Only 4 examples are known, and each goes for $350,000 to $500,000 and up. (All are in well-worn grades.) The most valuable 1793 Strawberry Leaf penny sold for a record price of $862,500 in 2009.
#10 – 1796 S-84 Liberty Cap Penny
As we enter the double digits on this list of top 100 most valuable U.S. pennies, we’re still talking about life-changing money here in the #10 spot. The 1796 Liberty Cap penny, designated as die pairing S-84, offers perhaps a few dozen or so specimens — each mostly selling for $10,000 or more. Just a few 1796 pennies are known to exist in Red-Brown uncirculated condition. But one graded PCGS Mint State-66+ Red-Brown sold for a record price of $705,000 in a 2017 auction.
#11 – 1804 Draped Bust Penny
Only 96,500 of the 1804 pennies were struck. And today, there are just a couple hundred or so estimated to exist. Any example of the 1804 penny is sought after by collectors, regardless of the coin’s condition! Prices start around $2,000 to $5,000 for well-worn examples, and they skyrocket into the 6 figures for the few-available uncirculated pieces. One example graded Mint State-63 Brown sold for a record price of $661,250 in 2009.
#12 – 1794 Starred Reverse Flowing Hair Penny
Another rare early large cent variety takes the stage here. And like the others we’ve seen so far, this is a really in-demand (and therefore valuable) old penny. Maybe a few dozen pieces are still around for collectors to vie for, and these coins go for $20,000 to $50,000 in well-worn condition. The most valuable 1794 penny, graded as PCGS About Uncirculated-50, sold for a record price of $632,500 in 2008.
#13 – 1793 Wreath, Vine & Bars Flowing Hair Penny
The 1793 Wreath, Vine & Bars Flowing Hair large cent is rare in any condition. Even the most well-worn specimens sell for at least $2,000 to $4,000. But as is so often the case, what makes a rarity among rarities is the coin’s impeccable condition. And that’s what we have here — a specimen that grades an outstanding PCGS Mint State-69 Brown. That’s one point shy of numismatic perfection (numerated as “70” on the Sheldon Grading Scale). This Mint State-69 specimen of the 1793 penny sold for a record price of $558,125 in a 2013 auction.
#14 – 1943-S Copper Lincoln Penny
Here’s another rare 1943 copper penny that appears on our list of the top 100 pennies worth money. This one comes from the San Francisco Mint and is one of just 5 known 1943-S copper pennies. This 1943 penny was graded Mint State-63 Brown and took a whopping $504,000 in a 2020 auction.
#15 – 1811 Classic Head Penny
Classic Head pennies, dated from 1808 through 1814, are scarce as a type. They generally sell for somewhere between $100 and $500 in average circulated condition. But examples in uncirculated condition are rare, often costing well into the thousands. Uncirculated pieces in mint-original “Red” condition (like a shiny, new penny) are much, much rarer still. Just one example of the 1811 penny was known to exist in Red condition (Mint State-65 Red) when it sold in 2017 for a record price of $493,500.
#16 – 1807/6 Large 7 Draped Bust Penny
This is an example of an overdate variety. In this case, the U.S. Mint punched a “7” over the “6” in the date on the die that struck the coin. About 1,500 to 2,000 examples may exist of this coin. Prices start at around $200 and go up from there. What makes the most valuable 1807/6 penny so rare is that just one is known in Red uncirculated condition. This unique specimen sold for $470,000 in a 2015 auction.
#17 – 1794 Head Of 1794 S-24 Liberty Cap Penny
The 1794 Liberty Cap pennies are scarce to rare, depending on the condition of the coin and the variety or design type at hand. This variety, cataloged as S-24 and known as the “Scarred Head,” offers a couple dozen or so graded specimens. These often sell for $2,000 to $10,000 apiece, depending on their condition. But just one specimen of the 1794 penny exists graded PCGS Mint State-67 Red-Brown, and it sold for $446,500 in 2017.
#18 (TIED) – 1795 Jefferson Head, Lettered Edge Penny
Early large cent varieties continue to dominate this list of the top 100 most expensive pennies. Again, we see a very early rare penny that offers just a handful of specimens for collectors, and it’s the 1795 Jefferson Head penny with lettered edge. A typical price for a 1795 penny like this one is $50,000 to $150,000 — a figure dependent on market conditions and the number of collectors fighting over the coin in an auction. The most valuable example of this 1795 penny was graded Very Fine-30 and snagged $408,000 in a 2020 auction.
#18 (TIED) – 1944-S Steel Lincoln Penny
After production of the 1943 steel cents ended, a few of the steel planchets apparently were left in hoppers that were feeding the copper blanks into the coin presses in 1944. There are only 2 known 1944-S steel Lincoln pennies, one of which traded for $408,000 in a 2021 auction.
#20 – 1794 No Fraction Bar Liberty Cap Penny
Even in well-worn grades, the 1794 No Fraction Bar Liberty Cap penny is a pretty rare coin, with the number of graded specimens hanging out around the two-dozen mark — maybe a few more than that exist. Values for this 1794 penny are around $5,000 to $10,000, which is pretty respectable if you ask me. But check out the only known specimen in Red-Brown uncirculated condition… A unique, PCGS-graded Mint State-64 Red-Brown example of the 1794 penny sold for $381,875 in 2014!
#21 – 1943 Copper Lincoln Penny
We arrive at another 1943 copper penny, this one hailing from the Philadelphia Mint. That’s where the bulk of the known 1943 copper pennies were apparently struck. We won’t be revisiting the 1943 bronze pennies again on this list, so it’s a good chance to share that the typical value (if we can use the word “typical” for a rare coin like the 1943 copper cent) for this coin is closer to $100,000 to $200,000 — with some going for less and others for more, depending on condition. This is a case of “more” here… The record price for the 1943 copper penny is $372,000 for a specimen grading Mint State-62 Brown that sold in a 2021 auction.
#22 – 1799/8 Draped Bust Penny
So, we already went over how rare the 1799 penny is. Now, take the rarity of that coin and multiply it a bit. This cool 1799/8 overdate offers maybe a few dozen specimens for all collectors to compete over. Even the most well-worn examples sell for $10,000 to $25,000. The record auction price for the 1799/8 penny is $368,000, obtained in a 2009 auction for a specimen graded PCGS Extremely Fine-40. Just one is known to exist at that grade, though at least one other example grades higher, yet hasn’t traded in a public auction. Imagine what that coin could sell for, if it did!
#23 – 1796 Reverse Of 1794 Draped Bust Penny
Early large cent varieties for the win again here! Anyone who studies large cents enough will come to find that various permutations of different die pairings tend to be extremely rare. The better the condition, the rarer the penny. As of this writing, fewer than a couple dozen examples of this relatively obscure but rare variety are graded and they sell for at least $2,000 to $5,000 apiece even in well-worn condition. The most valuable specimen of this 1796 penny was graded Mint State-66+ Brown and took a record price of $329,000 in a 2017 auction.
#24 – 1807/6 Small 7 Draped Bust Penny
An even rarer variant of the earlier mentioned 1807/6 overdate penny exists in the form of “Small 7” variety. Nobody knows exactly how many are still around, but only a few dozen or so have been graded or traded hands in the auctions. Well-worn specimens of the 1807/6 penny go for $5,000 to $10,000. Just 2 are known in the lofty grade of About Uncirculated-55 — a condition that helped score a price of $305,500 for one of these specimens in a 2017 auction.
#25 – 1793 Wreath, Lettered Edge Flowing Hair Penny
This first-year penny is a rare one indeed… It showcases the Flowing Hair motif on the head’s side, a wreath on the tail’s side, and lettering on the edge of the coin. PCGS estimates around 725 examples exist in all grades, and most specimens are quite well worn. This 1793 penny is worth $5,000 to $10,000 in the lower circulated grades, and uncirculated specimens are highly rare. That’s where the really big money comes into play… A Mint State-64 Brown example of the 1793 penny sold for $293,750 in a 2017 auction!
#26 – 1803 S-257 Small Date, Large Fraction Draped Bust Penny
Here’s another variety — one that most coin collectors probably haven’t heard of but is very important for the dedicated large cent connoisseurs who want to build complete sets of rare valuable pennies. Like so many of these rare early large cent varieties, few exist. And the ones that do exist are usually worn — often very much so. Circulated examples of this coin will fetch hundreds of dollars. But just one 1803-S penny is known in the very prestigious grade of Mint State-67 Red-Brown — it notched a final bid of $282,000 in a 2017 auction.
#27 – 1795 Jefferson Head, Plain Edge Sheldon 80 Penny
I have interviewed some of the most well-known large cent collectors. Let me tell you something… They are studious, patient people with deep pockets and an eye for detail! They always keep an eye out for the valuable coins they desire — because these pieces don’t always appear at auction. Here’s one such rare penny. A mere handful of the 1795 Jefferson Head penny with plain edge in this die pairing are known. They sell for about $40,000 and up. The finest-known example, grading PCGS Extremely Fine-40, sold for $264,000 in 2019.
#28 – 1909 VDB Proof Lincoln Penny
Can you believe a 1909 VDB penny sold for more than a quarter million dollars? OK, hold on… I want to make sure you read this very carefully. This is a record price for a proof 1909 VDB penny. Again, it’s a record price. And it’s for a proof 1909 VDB penny — not the far more common circulation strikes that are worth between $10 and $20 apiece in well-worn grades. But it’s true, a 1909 VDB Lincoln penny graded Proof-67+ Red-Brown sold for an astonishing $258,500 in a 2014 auction.
#29 – 1856 Flying Eagle Penny
In 1856, the U.S. Mint was experimenting with the new small cent, which would replace the large cents of the day. Only about 1,500 of the 1856 Flying Eagle pennies are believed to have been struck as proofs, and these are among the most sought-after 19th-century one-cent coins. Most examples sell for more approachable (shall I say?) prices of $10,000 to $20,000. But as we know by now, superior condition leads to superior prices. One 1856 Flying Eagle penny in the extraordinary grade of Proof-67+ sold at auction in 2020 for $240,000.
#30 – 1803 S-243 No Stems Draped Bust Penny
Handfuls of this 1803 penny exist, and large cent enthusiasts are the most likely type of collector to actively pursue them. But, like most of the rare early large cents, fewer examples exist than the number of collectors vying for them, so prices tend to trend higher. Circulated examples sell for prices in the high hundreds into the thousands of dollars. The record price for this 1803-S penny is $199,750, received for a PCGS-graded Mint State-66 Red-Brown example that was sold in a 2013 auction.
It’s believed that, all told, perhaps a couple dozen or so 1944 steel pennies survive, a good number of these being Philadelphia Mint strikes like this one. Condition is a factor in price, with circulated specimens trading for $35,000 to $50,000, more or less. Just 4 of them are graded PCGS Mint State-64, and one of those fetched $180,000 in a 2021 auction.
#31 – 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny
There are few coins as famous as the 1909-S VDB Lincoln penny — it’s one of the most famous and valuable of all Lincoln pennies. It carries the initials of designer Victor David Brenner (VDB). Only 484,000 specimens were struck at the San Francisco Mint (the “S” mintmark). Just a fraction of that number survives today. Every Lincoln penny collector needs a 1909-S VDB penny to have a complete set, and that’s one reason this old penny is so valuable. Most 1909-S VDB pennies can be bought for as little as $700 to $800. So why is this coin listed so high up on this list? Because the record price is in the 6 digits! One pristine specimen graded Mint State-67 Red sold for an astonishing $168,000.
#32 – 1914-D Lincoln Penny
Here’s another familiar, albeit rare, Lincoln penny worth big money. The 1914-D penny has a comparatively small mintage of 1,193,000, and relatively few of these coins were saved in uncirculated condition. Even in circulated grades, the 1914-D is a rare key date worth about $175 and up. Mint State examples are worth well into the thousands of dollars, including a stellar specimen graded Mint State-66+ Red that took $158,625 in a 2018 auction.
#33 (TIED) – 1877 Indian Head Penny
All 1877 Indian Head pennies are rare coins worth about $700 and up. Only 852,500 were struck, and there are far fewer survivors today. But beyond mintage numbers, we know that condition is key when it comes to the true value of a coin. And one 1877 penny really stood out, grading Mint State-66 Red. It sold for $149,500 in a 2007 auction.
#33 (TIED) – 1926-S Lincoln Penny
Condition is of paramount concern for many Lincoln penny collectors, especially those who build registry sets. Such Lincoln cent collectors compete for the (usually) very small number of top-grading vintage pieces like this 1926-S penny, a coin worth $7 to $15 in average circulated grades. One specimen, graded Mint State-65 Red, sold for an outstanding sum of $149,500 in a 2006 auction.
#35 – 1796 1C S-103, LIHERTY Draped Bust Penny
We’re going to start meandering our way out of early large cents on this list now. And this is one that I can’t not list. It’s the famous 1796 “LIHERTY” penny. What’s up with the “H”? Simple… It’s due to the mistakes that sometimes happened back when the dies that struck coins were hand-engraved. It’s a rare penny, with only a handful of known examples. The most valuable 1796 LIHERTY penny was graded Mint State-65 Brown and sold for $144,000 in a 2020 auction.
#36 (TIED) – 1872 Indian Head Penny
The 1872 Indian Head penny had a mintage of 4,042,000, and relatively few were saved in decent condition. The 1872 penny is now regarded as rare, with values hovering around $125 and up — even for well-worn specimens. Few are known to exist in uncirculated grades, and just 2 were graded PCGS Mint State-66 Red. One of them sold for a record price of $126,500 in a 2007 auction.
#36 (TIED) – 1969-S Doubled Die Lincoln Penny
Doubled die pennies are going to be showing up with more frequency on this top 100 most valuable pennies list as we get into the middle and beyond. The 1969-S doubled die penny is not only a rare and famous error, but it’s also one that has been found in pocket change and bank rolls — even in recent years! This 1969 error penny has a value of about $25,000 and up. The most valuable 1969-S doubled die penny sold for $126,500 in a 2008 auction.
#38 – 1917 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny
The 1917 doubled die Lincoln penny is a rare coin indeed — maybe 300 or so exist, putting it up there as one of the rarest coins in the series. This coin is pursued mainly by diehard Lincoln penny enthusiasts, and it can be had for around $500 and up. The record price was obtained for the only Mint State-67+ Red example of the 1917 doubled die penny, which sold for $120,000 in 2019.
#39 – 1944-D Steel Lincoln Penny
The Denver Mint struck a handful of the 1944 steel penny off-metal errors — these are worth about $40,000 and up. The finest-known specimen of the 1944-D steel penny was graded Mint State-63 and sold for an impressive $115,000 in a 2007 auction.
#40 – 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny
Easily the most famous error variety coin is the 1955 doubled die Lincoln penny. While not a necessity to complete a date-and-mintmark set of Lincoln cents, it is nonetheless a popular coin with penny collectors — because of the drastic doubling on the coin and its mystique as a highly sought-after and well-known rarity. Perhaps 20,000 to 24,000 survive, and the 1955 doubled die penny is usually worth about $1,500 and up. So how does this penny rank so high here on this list? The most valuable 1955 doubled die penny sold for $114,000, and it’s a doozy of a coin, graded Mint State-65 Red (which is very high grade for a 1955 doubled die penny!).
#41 – 1899 Indian Head Penny
The 1899 penny was struck to the tune of 53,598,000 pieces and is typically worth $1 to $2 in circulated grades. So, why is it on the list of 100 most valuable pennies? Because high-grade specimens are exceedingly rare, and just 2 are graded PCGS Mint State-68 Red. One of these specimens sold for $108,000 in 2019.
#42 – 1909-S Indian Head Penny
One of the top key dates in the Indian Head penny series is the 1909-S, struck the last year of the series. The 1909-S penny saw a mintage of only 309,000 pieces. Most circulated examples sell for prices of about $400 to $1,000. However, uncirculated examples are quite rare. Just 3 1909-S pennies are graded PCGS Mint State-67 Red, with one selling for $97,750 in 2006.
#43 – 1922 No D Plain Lincoln Penny
The 1922 no-D plain penny is one of the most sought-after rare Lincoln pennies. It’s the result of overzealous die polishing that removed the “D” mintmark (which signifies it was made at the Denver Mint — the only mint to strike Lincoln pennies in 1922). Over 7 million pennies were made at the Denver Mint in 1922, but only a small number, maybe 15,000, are of the no-D variety. Even in circulated grades, this 1922 error penny sells for $550 to $1,000. The record price for this valuable 1922 penny is a whopping $92,000, achieved in a 2004 auction by an example graded Mint State-64 Red-Brown.
#44 – 1869 Indian Head Penny
The 1869 Indian Head penny is a highly scarce coin from the onset, as only 6,420,000 were struck that year at the mint. Even well-worn examples go for $100 to $200, with prices skyrocketing upward as grades go higher and higher. Just 2 are graded PCGS Mint State-66+ Red, and one of those sold for $84,000 in 2019.
#45 – 1888/7 Indian Head Penny
This rare overdate shows evidence of a “7” under the last “8” of the date. It’s a popular and valuable Indian Head penny error with maybe 500 survivors. Only a few 1888/7 pennies are known in uncirculated grades, and the sole PCGS-graded specimen in Mint State-63 Brown took $74,750 in a 2007 sale.
#46 – 1868 Indian Head Penny
The late 1860s were a lean period for the Indian Head penny, and another emission from this era appears on this list, this time in the form of the 1868 penny. Only 10,266,500 examples of the 1868 Indian Head penny were struck, with few saved in decent condition. Prices start at around $50 for well-worn examples, though they climb rapidly in the uncirculated grades. The lone Mint State-66+ example of the 1868 penny sold for $72,000 in a 2019 auction.
#47 – 1909-S Lincoln Penny
The 1909-S Lincoln penny without the initials of Victor David Brenner may not be as rare as the coin’s famous 1909-S VDB sibling. But it’s still a key date worth about $100 and up. Top-grade examples of the 1909-S penny take the biggest bucks — which explains the $69,000 price achieved by one of the few specimens grading PCGS Mint State-67 Red in 2004.
#48 – 1911-D Lincoln Penny
Early mintmarked Lincoln pennies bearing the “D” or “S” mintmarks from the Denver and San Francisco Mints, respectively, simply weren’t saved in large quantities — especially in Mint State grades. A total of 12,672,000 of the 1911-D pennies were struck. You can buy a well-circulated 1911-D penny for as little as $5 to $10. But try finding an uncirculated one in nice “Red” grades… (Expect to pay big bucks if you do!) A really nice example grading Mint State-67 Red, one of only a few such specimens, sold for $66,000 at an auction in 2022.
#49 – 1913-S Lincoln Penny
Back to my point about early mintmark Lincoln pennies… Ha ha! Just 6,101,000 of the 1913-S pennies were struck, and prices start at around $15 to $20 for a heavily circulated piece. This makes the 1913-S among the more valuable semi-key dates. But a high-end uncirculated example is a far rarer coin still… Only a handful are graded at Mint State-66 Red, and one of these pieces snagged $63,250 in a 2006 auction.
#50 – 1907 Indian Head Penny
Gonna start this off by saying most circulated 1907 Indian Head pennies are worth $1 to $2. But, uncirculated examples are worth far more because they are scarce to rare. Just two 1907 pennies have been graded Mint State-67+ Red, and one of these notched $63,000 in a 2019 auction.
#51 – 1871 Indian Head Penny
Another Indian Head penny entry from the early 1870s appears here on this list of top 100 rare pennies worth money. Only 3,929,500 of these coins were struck, making it one of the lower-mintage circulation strikes in the series. Even well-circulated examples of the 1871 Indian Head penny sell for $100 to $300. Uncirculated pieces are much rarer still. One of the few examples of an 1871 penny graded Mint State-66 Red sold for $60,375 in a 2006 auction.
#52 – 1909 VDB Lincoln Penny
The circulation-strike version of this famous Philadelphia-minted penny comes up next. As mentioned earlier, a typical 1909 VDB Lincoln cent is worth $10 to $20 in moderately worn grades. But high-end uncirculated specimens take far more than that. An impeccable Mint State-68 Red example of the 1909 VDB penny sold for $56,400 in a 2021 auction.
#53 – 1839 Booby Head Coronet Penny
We’re going to dip back into large cents for a moment… This 1839 penny with the funny name is a favorite variety for large cent collectors — and it’s pretty scarce, too. Most circulated examples sell for around $100 to $200, though uncirculated specimens are quite rare. The lone example of this 1839 penny graded PCGS Mint State-67 Red-Brown sold for $55,813 in a 2015 auction.
#54 – 1914 Lincoln Penny
A well-circulated 1914 penny is worth somewhere between 50 cents and $5, but in higher uncirculated grades this coin becomes quite rare. Only a handful of 1914 pennies are graded Mint State-67 Red, and one hit a record price of $48,300 in 2005!
#55 – 1918-D Lincoln Penny
Here’s another earlier Lincoln penny worth big bucks in uncirculated grades. While most circulated specimens have values of $1 to $10, the rarity with this coin is found when looking for Mint State pieces. Just one example of the 1918-D penny is graded Mint State-67 Red, and it took $45,600 in a 2019 auction.
#56 – 1955 Lincoln Penny
This Lincoln Wheat penny is popular with collectors who check each 1955 penny out to see if it’s the valuable doubled die error (listed above) or not. Even regular 1955 pennies, which have a typical value of about 5 to 10 cents in circulated grade, are worth a lot of money if they’re in good enough condition. One truly exceptional 1955 penny grading Mint State-67+ Red sold for $38,400 in a 2022 auction.
#57 – 1839 Silly Head Coronet Penny
We’re going to wrap up coverage of large cents on this list of the top 100 pennies worth money with this comically named coin. The 1839 Silly Head penny is a favorite of large cent variety collectors, and it can be obtained for around $50 to $100 and up. The single-finest example of this 1839 penny sold for $35,250 in a 2017 auction.
#58 – 1857 Flying Eagle Penny
The 1857 Flying Eagle penny was the first small cent produced in mass quantities for circulation in the United States. Well-circulated specimens typically sell for $50 to $100, but uncirculated examples in top condition are worth considerably more. A few dozen of these 1857 pennies are known to exist in Mint State-66 grades, and one of them sold for $32,200 in a 2006 auction.
#59 – 1992 Close AM Lincoln Penny
This popular Lincoln Memorial error penny shows the bases of the “A” and “M” in the word “AMERICA” on the tail’s side of the coin nearly touching. This very rare 1992 penny error is worth about $1,500 and up, with an incredible Mint State-67 Red example selling for $25,850 in a 2017 auction.
#60 – 1990 No-S Proof Lincoln Penny
Many, many people are on the hunt for the 1990 no-S proof penny. It’s important to note that this coin is a proof — not a regular business strike — and will almost certainly never be found in circulation. So all those 1990 no mintmark pennies you found in pocket change? Yeah… Those are worth face value. But the rare 1990 no-S proof Lincoln penny (a rare modern coin in every respect that’s found in some proof sets) offers perhaps 200 specimens and sells for $3,000 and up. The most valuable example, graded Deep Cameo Proof-69, took a record auction price of $20,700 in 2007.
#61 – 1957 Lincoln Penny
You’re going to find from time to time some very common dates that earned their way to the top due to a rare, virtually perfect example selling at auction. There are actually too many to list, so I’m highlighting certain ones from dates that a lot of people ask about here. The 1957 penny is an extremely common date, with more than 282 million struck. Most are circulated and worth 3 to 5 cents. Yet only a handful of 1957 pennies are known to exist in Mint State-67+ Red grade, and one of these took $20,400 at a 2022 auction!
#62 – 1982-D Copper Small Date Lincoln Penny
When news broke in 2016 about a copper 1982-D small date Lincoln penny, collectors were ecstatic. Many believed the coin existed, but no specimens were known to prove it. The unique discovery example sold a year later for a whopping $18,800. A second example popped up within a few years, and with at least two specimens available to collectors, the value of this rare 1982 copper error penny took a bit of a hit. But with an estimated value of $8,000 to $10,000 today, the 1982-D copper small date penny is still very much worth looking for, and it could realistically turn up in your pocket change.
#63 – 1931-S Lincoln Penny
The 1931-S Lincoln cent is a well-known key date from the Great Depression era with a mintage of only 866,000 pieces. It was known early on that this was to be a very scarce coin and, therefore, it was saved in huge numbers (which is why this coin is roughly as common in uncirculated grades as it is in circulated grades). Any example of the 1931-S penny will set you back at least $50 to $100. However, pristine uncirculated examples are worth much more than that. A Mint State-66+ Red example of the 1931-S penny took $18,600 in a 2021 auction.
#64 – 1956-D Lincoln Penny
There actually are a number of common-date Lincoln Wheat pennies worth about the same amount as this 1956-D cent (3 to 5 cents) in circulated condition. Hundreds of millions of these coins were struck, so not many people think of them as belonging in a list of the top 100 pennies worth collecting. That is, until you see how much a pristine example took at auction. A Mint State-67+ Red specimen of the 1956-D penny sold for $18,000 in 2022 — proving once again that even common-date coins can be valuable rarities if the grade is high enough!
#65 – 1983-D Copper Lincoln Penny
The unique 1983-D penny error is worth thousands of dollars. Weighing around 3 grams (instead of the 2.5 grams that is typical for standard copper-plated zinc pennies), the rare Denver-minted 1983 copper penny graded About Uncirculated-55 sold for $17,625 auction in a 2017 auction.
#66 – 1964 SMS Lincoln Penny
A lot of people get confused about this rare 1964 penny. Most worn 1964 pennies are worth only 3 or 4 cents for their copper value. But a very tiny handful of ultra rare 1964 Special Mint Set (SMS) Lincoln pennies made for presentation purposes were discovered in the estate of a U.S. Mint official in the 1990s. They have satin-like finishes, sharp details, squared rims, and crystal-clear surfaces. A 1964 SMS penny has a value of about $5,000 or more. One that was graded Specimen-67 Red took $15,600 in a 2019 auction.
#67 – 1971 Doubled Die Penny
This rare 1971 penny error shows doubling in the obverse lettering. The doubling is evident in the word “LIBERTY,” in the motto “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and in the date. This variety is not as widely collected as other Lincoln cent doubled dies — but it’s still an important coin worth about $100 and up. The most valuable 1971 doubled die penny, graded Mint State-66 Red, sold for $14,950 in 2011.
#68 – 1972 Doubled Die Penny
One of the rarest Lincoln Memorial doubled die pennies was struck in 1972. There are several types of 1972 doubled die pennies, but the type with the most drastic doubling takes the cake as a collector favorite. Values start at around $150 to $300 and go up depending on the condition of the coin. The record price for the most valuable 1972 doubled die penny was seen in a 2019 auction, when a splendid Mint State-67+ Red specimen sold for $14,400.
#70 (TIED) – 1953 Lincoln Penny
You’ve probably come across some 1953 pennies in your pocket change — most are worth 3 to 15 cents, although some of the best examples take hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Enter the PCGS Mint State-67+ Red that sold for $14,100 at a 2014 auction. A record price like that shows quality is king among otherwise common coins!
#70 (TIED) – 1992-D Close AM Lincoln Penny
Though not quite as scarce as its 1992 Close Am sibling from the Philadelphia Mint, this popular and valuable 1992 penny error is still extremely scarce — with maybe 20 or so known specimens. Values start around $1,500 and go up from there. The record price for a 1992-D Close AM penny is $14,100, obtained at a 2014 auction for a Mint State-65 Red piece.
#72 – 1934 Lincoln Penny
Many consider the 1934 penny a sort of threshold in the Lincoln Wheat penny series, dividing the earlier cents from the latter. This isn’t just arbitrary. The pre-1934 Lincoln pennies generally saw much lower mintages and were saved in lower numbers in top condition than those struck from 1934 onward. The introduction of the penny board in the mid-1930s has something to do with this, too! Many collectors began keeping pennies in the mid-1930s as they tried to fill each slot in their penny albums. While most circulated 1934 pennies are worth 5 to 20 cents each, uncirculated examples are worth much more. A stunning Mint State-68 Red example of the 1934 penny sold for $12,650 in a 2003 sale.
#73 – 1958 Lincoln Penny
The last year of the Lincoln Wheat penny saw huge sums of new one-cent coins get churned out. Most are worth only 3 to 5 cents in worn condition. But a select few are valuable due to their superior condition. That’s the situation with a Mint State-67+ Red example of the 1958 penny that sold for $9,000 in a 2019 auction.
#74 – 1909 Lincoln Penny
The 1909 Lincoln penny from the Philadelphia Mint is the most common of the various 1909 Lincoln cents, with 72,702,618 specimens produced at the Philly Mint. Still, heavily worn examples are worth $2 to $3 and primo uncirculated specimens take prices that are thousands of times higher. One example of the 1909 penny that was graded Mint State-67+ Red sold for $8,518.75 in a 2023 auction.
#75 – 1941 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny
I’ll always have a soft spot for the 1941 Lincoln penny — the coin that sparked my interest in coin collecting when I was 11 years old. Mine may still be invaluable to me, but most circulated specimens are worth 3 to 5 cents apiece. And that’s what makes one particularly well-preserved specimen so cool… Especially given that more than 887 million were made and they are so common. One example of the 1941 doubled die penny took $8,280 at auction. What made it fly so high in price? Its grade of Mint State-66 Red is one thing, but so is the fact it’s a doubled die!
#76 – 1954-D Lincoln Penny
Like so many other Lincoln Wheat pennies of the era, the 1954-D penny is a common coin in circulated grades. It’s usually worth 3 to 25 cents. Even in uncirculated condition, this Lincoln cent is frequently encountered (sometimes even in penny roll quantities of 50!). But in the upper Mint State grades, the 1954-D is a rare coin, and the 2015 record price for a gorgeous Mint State-67+ at $7,638 shows just that!
#77 – 1989-D Copper Penny
This is a weird error, especially because it occurred 7 years after the last copper pennies were made for circulation! Whatever the case — or however this bizarre and valuable 1989 penny error was struck — here we have a coin worth thousands of dollars. A Mint State-65 Red example of the 1989-D copper penny took $7,500 at auction in 2018.
#78 – 1937 Lincoln Penny
The 1937 Lincoln cent is extremely common, with a mintage of just more than 309 million pieces and values of 5 to 10 cents for most worn examples. Of course, the better the condition, the higher the value. One exceptional 1937 penny, graded Mint State-68 Red, sold for $7,200 in a 2019 auction.
#79 – 1983 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny
Remember when I told you there’d be a lot of Lincoln doubled die pennies on this top 100 most valuable pennies list? Well, they just keep coming, and here’s another famous one: The 1983 doubled die penny! Typical values for this rare 1983 error penny hang out around $75 to $100 for circulated specimens and about $150 and up for uncirculated pieces. The record price for a 1983 doubled die penny is $7,050 — which was paid in 2017 for a Mint State-68 Red example.
#80 – 1995 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny
I remember when the 1995 doubled die penny was first discovered. It was a big deal. Turns out it was a more common coin than first thought, and you can buy your own example for around $50 or so. But pristine examples are worth hundreds and thousands of dollars. One of the few Mint State-69 Red specimens of the 1995 doubled die penny sold for $5,053 in a 2017 auction.
#81 – 1984 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny
This cool 1984 error penny shows doubling of Lincoln’s ear on the head’s side of the coin. The doubling is easy to see with the naked eye, and it’s a major variety that Lincoln cent collectors love. There may be thousands of examples of the 1984 doubled die penny out there — and values start at around $170. The record price of $3,910 was obtained on a Mint State-68 Red specimen that sold at auction in 2009.
#82 – 1934-D/D Repunched Mintmark Lincoln Penny
I haven’t included too many of these funky repunched mintmark errors here, but I wanted to share at least one that shows a “D” on top of a “D.” This rare 1934-D penny error is beloved by many Lincoln cent connoisseurs. Circulated specimens are worth $25 to $50, though higher-end uncirculated examples go for much more. The record price for this 1934-D penny error is $3,745 for a Mint State-67 Red specimen.
#83 – 1960-D Small Date Lincoln Penny
The 1960-D small date Lincoln penny is a scarcer variety — especially in uncirculated grades. While worth only around 20 to 50 cents in run-of-the-mill uncirculated condition, the 1960-D small date can go for several hundred dollars or more in top Mint State grades. Such is the case with one 1960-D penny graded PCGS Mint State-67+ Red that took $3,525 in a 2021 auction.
#84 – 1946-S/D Lincoln Penny
Another funky type of error (or variety, rather) is this overmintmark — created when an “S” mintmark was punched over a “D” on the die. These types of pieces are scarce, with a few pieces here and there coming up for sale on occasion. Circulated examples can be worth $50 to $100, but the record price, seen with a Mint State-66 Red example of the 1946-S/D penny that came up for sale in 2019, is $3,173.
#85 – 1968 Lincoln Penny
In another case of a common-date Lincoln cent gone rare, we see this 1968 penny that sold for a handsome 4-figure price. As you surely could guess by now, it’s a case of condition. Most 1968 pennies in worn grades are worth just their copper value of maybe 3 cents. But one 1968 penny grading Mint State-67+ Red (one of only a handful of its kind) sold for $2,880 in a 2018 auction.
#86 – 1974-S Lincoln Penny
Many collectors look for the S-mint Lincoln pennies from the late 1960s through mid-1970s. These coins really aren’t all that rare, as hundreds of millions were struck for any given year from 1968 through 1974. But they are indeed scarcer than their Philly and Denver Mint kin, and they’re seldom seen today. Are they worth more than face value? Yes, but really only for their copper value of approximately 3 or 4 cents. Only in top uncirculated grades do pieces like the 1974-S notch high prices worthy of being included in this list of the top 100 pennies worth money. One 1974-S penny, graded Mint State-67 Red, scored $2,702.50 in a 2016 auction.
#87 – 1977 Lincoln Penny
A common date with more than 4.4 billion struck, the 1977 penny is worth perhaps 3 cents in worn condition due to its copper value. Top-grade uncirculated examples sell for far more, with a PCGS Mint State-66 Red example of the 1977 Lincoln cent taking home $2,645 in a 2008 auction.
#88 – 1970-S Small Date Lincoln Penny
This popular and scarce 1970 penny is valuable because so many collectors need to add this coin to their Lincoln cent collections in order to have a complete set. You can tell a 1970-S small date by making sure the tops of the 4 digits in the date all touch an imaginary line that connects the “1” and “0” numerals. The 1970-S small date has a typical value of about $50, but ultra-nice examples command ultra-nice prices. A 1970-S small date Lincoln cent graded Mint State-67 Red sold for $2,464 in a 2008 auction.
#89 – 1982-D Zinc Large Date Lincoln Penny
The vast majority of 1982 zinc pennies are worth just face value if worn. But well-preserved uncirculated specimens are always worth more. One graded Mint State-68 Red 1982 penny went for $1,880 in a 2016 auction. How do you tell this zinc large-date cent apart from other 1982 varieties? This zinc penny weighs in at about 2.5 grams. Also, the tops of the “9” and “8” numerals stand higher than the “1” and “2” in the date.
#90 – 1998 Wide AM Lincoln Penny
On most 1998 pennies, the bases of the letters “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” appear to nearly touch. But that’s not the case with the 1998 Wide AM penny — there is more space between the bottoms of the 2 letters. Most pieces like this sell for $10 to $20. The record price? Much higher! A Mint State-67 Red specimen sold for $940 in 2014.
#91 – 1987 Lincoln Penny
Lincoln cents from the late 1980s turn up in pocket change with enough frequency that you may have some 1987 pennies laying around. Most are worth only face value if worn. However, nice Mint State examples of the 1997 penny are worth substantially more. One example graded Mint State-69 Red sold for $870 in a 2022 auction.
#92 – 1997-D Lincoln Penny
Most 1997 pennies are worth just their face value if worn. But by now you know the money is usually in the uncirculated examples, and geez do we have a valuable 1997 penny here! Graded PCGS Mint State-68 Red, a 1997-D Lincoln cent sold for a respectable $863 in 2007.
#93 – 1994-D Lincoln Penny
If you find any worn 1994 (or 1994-D) pennies in circulation, you can probably just skip over those for now — because they’re generally worth face value. However, if you find some really shiny, clean uncirculated 1994 pennies, they could be worth a second look. One 1994-D penny graded Mint State-68 Red sold for $633 in a 2010 auction.
#94 – 1978-D Lincoln Penny
Even as we get near the end of this list of top 100 pennies to look for, we see that 1970s Lincoln cents still have something to offer. While the 1978 copper pennies are worth about 3 cents for their metal value, extra-nice specimens have far higher values. One 1978-D penny, graded Mint State-67 Red, sold for $546 in a 2008 auction.
#95 – 2015-D Lincoln Penny
Time and time again, top-grading uncirculated specimens sell for many multiples of their much more common, circulated siblings. This 2015-D penny, graded PCGS Mint State-67+ Red is more evidence of that — it sold for a cool $381 in a 2023 auction.
#96 – 2002-D Lincoln Penny
This early 21st-century Lincoln penny is common in circulated grades but much tougher to find in nice uncirculated grades. One example of the 2002-D penny, grading an exceptional Mint State-69 Red, sold for $376 in a 2015 auction.
#97 (TIED) – 2003-D Lincoln Penny
You can just skip over most 2003 pennies with no mintmark and 2003-D pennies — both are usually worth just face value, if worn. But there are some really sharp 2003-D uncirculated Lincoln cents out there that look virtually perfect. One such Mint State-69 Red specimen sold for $299 at auction in 2005.
#97 (TIED) – 2009 Lincoln Formative Years Copper Penny
The 2009 pennies mark Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday with 4 special designs on the back that showcase the popular politician throughout his life. This Formative Years penny (the second in the Lincoln bicentennial series) is usually worth face value like the other 3 designs. But the satin-finish versions, struck for and sold to collectors, were made from a 95% copper composition and are worth more — $3 to $5 apiece. One example graded Specimen-69 Red sold for $299 in a 2011 auction.
#99 – 2007 Lincoln Penny
As we’ve seen several times throughout this list, common dates can bring a pretty penny — especially when the penny was pretty! A typical 2007 penny with no mintmark is worth its face value if worn. But in top Mint State grades, prices can go quite high. For example, a Mint State-67 Red 2007 penny sold for $230 in a 2008 auction.
#100 – 1959-D/D/D Lincoln Penny
This incredible, triple repunched mintmark 1959 penny error closes out our list of the top 100 most valuable U.S. pennies. An obscure but cool variety in any grade, it can go for $25 to $50 in circulated condition. A 1959 D/D/D penny grading Mint State-66 Red clinched a record price of $192 in a 2022 auction.
5 Factors That Determine A Penny’s Value
As this list shows, the value of a penny isn’t determined solely by the coin’s age. Contrary to what many people think about coin values, it’s not always the case that the older a coin is, the more it is worth.
Now, of course, you’ll probably notice the most valuable penny on the top 100 pennies worth money list just so happens to be the oldest — the 1793 Chain AMERICA Flowing Hair penny.
But then what happens next? We jump all the way up to a 1943 copper Lincoln penny for the #2 slot, then back to the 1790s for #3 and #4 then even farther into the future to 1958 for #5. A lot of other 1800s and 1900s pennies are also in the top third of this list.
So, what’s going on?
Every entry on this list of most valuable pennies is included here based on a combination of 5 factors.
5 Things That Make A Penny Valuable:
1. Rarity — The date on a penny tells you the age of the coin. The mintmark on a penny tells you where the coin was made. And the official mintage numbers for a penny tell you how many were struck at that mint that year. While all 3 of those things are important, it’s even more important to know how many examples of that penny were made in relation to how many are believed to still exist! Many coins have an official mint record that shows hundreds of thousands (or even millions) may have been struck, but it’s often the case with older coins that only a fraction of them have survived and are known to exist today. I know why a lot of people get fixated on mintage numbers alone — because they’re so tangible and they’re readily found in coin value guides. But don’t get too hung up on judging a coin’s rarity on mintage figures alone — that’s just one piece of the rarity pie. Instead, try finding a coin’s estimated survival figures or population reports from the third-party grading companies. This will clue you in on how rare the coin really is (or isn’t).
2. Condition — Probably second behind the number of survivors when determining a penny’s value is the condition (or grade) of the coin itself. Now, it probably makes sense that the nicer a penny looks, the more it’s worth. But that’s only half the story. Consider this: some pennies that are very common in lower circulated grades are exceedingly rare in top grades. Such coins are called condition rarities. And if you think only older pennies can be condition rarities, think again. Notice how many of the coins near the end of the list of top 100 most valuable pennies are Lincoln pennies of more recent vintage? You guessed it… They’re condition rarities!
3. Presence of errors or varieties — Did you keep track of how many pennies on this list are associated with being some kind of error or variety? For example, consider the #2 coin — the 1943 copper penny. It’s one of the most valuable pennies because it’s such a rare and sought-after error coin. And look at all the varieties on the list: the doubled dies, the overdates, the missing mintmarks, and the list goes on and on. Even the presence of a small (but significant and easily visible) error or variety can make what might have been an ordinary penny suddenly extraordinary! Therefore, an error or variety (or lack thereof) can easily make or break a coin’s value.
4. Bullion value — We’re talking about pennies here, so the issue of intrinsic precious-metal value doesn’t factor very heavily into the value of these pennies like it would if we were talking about silver coins or gold coins. But I mention the matter of bullion value here for thoroughness — because it is a major factor in determining the value of so many coins. Also, there is a subset of pennies for which bullion value does count for something… For example, circulated pre-1982 Lincoln Memorial pennies are worth more than face value because of their valuable copper composition. And while you can’t legally melt United States one-cent coins, you can sell these copper pennies for a couple cents more than their face value on the basis of their speculative bullion worth. Also, some 1982 pennies were struck in copper — they weigh around 3.0 to 3.1 grams versus about 2.5 grams for the less-valuable copper-coated zinc specimens. You’ll need a proper coin scale to accurately tell the difference in weight between the valuable copper 1982 pennies you should save and the zinc examples that you can safely spend. Those are two good examples of how bullion value relates to pennies.
5. Popularity and demand — Just because a coin has only a small handful of survivors doesn’t necessarily mean it’s worth a higher amount than more plentiful coins. For instance, there may be 50,000 examples of the 1909-S VDB Lincoln penny out there, versus just 400 examples of the 1865 Liberty Seated half dime. Yet, both coins can be bought at approximately the same price in a grade of Fine-12. What’s up with that? It’s a matter of popularity and demand. Millions of people know about and want the famous 1909-S VDB penny, yet only a relatively small handful of collectors (mainly those who specialize in the Liberty Seated half dime series) are actively seeking the comparatively obscure 1865 half dime — or even know that coin is rare at all! And that’s why it’s not just mintage that matters, but also demand and the dynamic of those two factors relative to each other.
FAQs About Valuable Pennies
Topping the list of most valuable pennies is the 1793 Chain AMERICA Flowing Hair penny.
It sold for $2,350,000, which may sound like a lot of money — and it is. But think about the significance of this coin for a moment…
It’s one of the very first pennies the United States Mint ever struck, and it’s in pristine uncirculated condition.
This coin should be classified as a national treasure, if you ask me. It’s a real piece of history, and a true rarity of rarities. This coin deservedly has every claim to its fame and preeminence as the most valuable penny.
Remember, it’s not just the coin’s age alone!
It’s the combination of factors listed above (survival numbers, condition, demand, and the presence of errors or varieties) that all weigh into a penny’s overall value.
Tell you what… I know some of you don’t have time to pore over a detailed list of the top 100 pennies to look for. So let me give you a shortened version of the list of pennies that are valuable!
These are the ones that I would say are the MOST rare and valuable pennies from the United States:
– 1909-S VDB penny
– 1914-D penny
– 1922 no-D plain penny
– 1931-S penny
– 1943 copper penny
– 1944 steel penny
– 1955 doubled die penny
– 1969-S doubled die penny
– 1972 doubled die penny
– 1982-D copper small date penny
– 1983 doubled die penny
– 1984 doubled die penny
– 1995 doubled die
Find any of these rare pennies and not only are you on your way to building one awesome coin collection, but you’ll also have some rare pennies worth money!
Thought you’d never ask!
I made a video to answer this very question…
Watch on YouTube: Valuable Pennies to Look for in Pocket Change
Yes, virtually all Lincoln Wheat pennies are worth at least 3 to 5 cents — but the majority of the most valuable ones were struck before 1934. Regardless of date, Wheat penny values are largely dictated by the coin’s condition. So, the better your original, uncleaned Wheat penny looks, the more it is worth.
Spoiler Alert: cleaning your pennies to make them look newer, brighter, or nicer will always lower their value by at least 50%. My advice? Just don’t clean your coins — not even your old, dirty Wheat pennies.
The 1943 steel penny is actually one of the most common Wheat pennies around — with more than 1 billion struck across the 3 U.S. Mint facilities that were then producing coins. That said, the 1943 steel penny is usually worth 5 to 10 cents, so it’s worth keeping in that sense. Also, steel pennies are historical relics of the supply shortages and material rations of World War II — they were made because the U.S. needed to use their copper supply to make war ammunitions.
You can pretty much bet on a 1969-S doubled die penny selling for at least $25,000, though some are worth much more — as we saw in the 100 most valuable pennies list above!
First, you’ve got to determine if your 1982 pennies are zinc or copper. The zinc ones are usually worth only their face value of 1 cent. The copper ones are worth about 3 cents and up. Zinc pennies weigh about 2.5 grams, while copper alloy pennies come in at 3 grams. (This is not something you can check using a kitchen scale — because most of those scales round to the nearest whole gram. You must have a proper coin scale to weigh coins.)
Next, if you’re after the rare and valuable 1982-D copper small date penny, pull aside all 1982 copper pennies with the “D” mintmark under the date. There are a few things you can check for — but the quickest method I use is to see if the tops of all 4 date numerals align along an invisible line. If the “9” and “8” are taller than the “1” and “2,” then you’ve got a large date 1982 penny (those really aren’t worth the big money). However, if the tops of the “9” and “8” are at the same plane as the tops of the “1” and “2,” then you may have scored the jackpot.
I hope you’ve found this list of the top 100 pennies worth money helpful.
I encourage you to not only share this list with your family and friends to help them make money with old coins, but also feel free to drop a comment below or upload pics of any U.S. pennies you want to know more about. I’ll always do my best to help you find out more about your old coins and how much they’re worth.
I’m the Coin Editor here at TheFunTimesGuide. My love for coins began when I was 11 years old. I primarily collect and study U.S. coins produced during the 20th century.
I’m a member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and the Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG) and have won multiple awards from the NLG for my work as a coin journalist. I’m also the editor at the Florida United Numismatists Club (FUN Topics magazine), and author of Images of America: The United States Mint in Philadelphia (a book that explores the colorful history of the Philadelphia Mint). I’ve contributed hundreds of articles for various coin publications including COINage, The Numismatist, Numismatic News, Coin Dealer Newsletter, Coin Values, and CoinWeek.
I’ve authored nearly 1,000 articles here at The Fun Times Guide to Coins (many of them with over 50K shares), and I welcome your coin questions in the comments below!
