The images on the penny have symbolized the spirit of America. It’s been part of US currency for almost as long as the country has been independent. It’s become nostalgic as well as a great item to collect. Those coins are hard to come by, but if you have one, keep it in a safe place. Check out this list of the most valuable pennies out there.
1. 1914-D Wheat Penny
Relatively few pennies were minted in Denver in 1914. Many of the 1914-D pennies have disappeared with some existing only in poor condition. Collectors began taking notice in the 1930s. A real 1914-D Lincoln Wheat Penny in mint condition is worth $281 to $5,500 and up.
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Source:
PCGS
2. 1858/7 Flying Eagle Penny
There were a few versions of this penny, but coins with the overdate markings, that is having one date stamped over another, are more sought after by collectors. See where the “8” appears over the “7” on the date. If they’re in great shape, they can be worth around $760 and even $1,000.
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Source:
PCGS
3. 1869 Indian Head Penny
This is a rare penny. There weren’t that many 1869 Indian Head coins made, with most of the surviving coins damaged or altered. So naturally, this makes the coin a much sought after piece. You’re looking at $80 to $750 and up.
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Source:
PCGS
4. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Wheat Penny
It was president Theodore Roosevelt that decided to change the design of the penny. Artist Victor David Brenner worked on the coin for about a year before it was released in 1909. Pennies that bear Brenner’s initials can fetch a high price today. They go for $950 and up.
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Source:
PCGS
5. 1917 Doubled Die Lincoln Wheat Penny
A wheat penny from 1917 isn’t worth much on its own. The really valuable versions are the ones that have been struck twice by the die on the front, or obverse, of the coin. Minted in Philadelphia, it is a favorite among collectors. You’re looking at $5,500 for this pretty penny.
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Source:
PCGS
6. 1873 ‘Open 3’ Indian Head Penny
Similar to the earlier, pricier 1873 Doubled Die Indian Head Penny, but the serifs at the ends of the “3” in 1873 do not come as close to the middle of the digit as the “closed” version produced earlier in the year. These go from $22 to $344 and up.
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Source:
PCGS
7. 1955 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Wheat Penny
Here’s an example of another doubled die mistake from an unaligned die. Mint employees did not notice the mistake until thousands of coins had already entered circulation. Or at least that’s how the story went. This one is notable for the obvious doubling of the year and lettering. They go for $700 and up. In a 2006 auction, one sold for $50,000.
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Source:
PCGS
8. 1922 No ‘D’ Plain Lincoln Wheat Penny
This coin should have a “D” mint mark, though some do not have any mark at all due to an overworked coin die. Others only have weak, almost imperceptible strikes. If you can find a 1922 penny without any “D” mark whatsoever, you are sure to get $900 to $28,000 and up.
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Source:
PCGS
9. 1873 Doubled Liberty or ‘Closed 3’ Indian Head Penny
If your 1873 penny has a doubled die mistake on the word “Liberty” in the Indian’s headband, you’ve got the real deal. The “closed 3” version of the coin refers to the serifs used on the “3” digit in 1873, which are close enough to the digit’s middle to make it appear to be an “8.” This is much rarer than the “open 3” version of the coin. Prices vary from $20 to $10,000 and up.
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Source:
PCGS
10. 1877 Indian Head Penny
The 1877 Indian Head Penny is so valuable because there weren’t that many made. Just a little over 850,000 coins were minted in 1877. The previous year saw 7.9 million pennies created, with the year after having 5.9 million coins made. They can get you $367 to $3,000 and up.
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Source:
PCGS
11. 1856 Flying Eagle Penny
There were only 700 Flying Eagle pennies initially produced which were never really in circulation. Members of Congress and other politicians got the first batch of the day as a trial run. They loved it, and 3,000 more Flying Eagles were made. They are highly valuable, fetching prices of $6,500 and up.
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Source:
PCGS
12. 1943 Copper Wheat Penny
The 1943 Copper Wheat Penny is also quite valuable. It came about in the same way as the 1943-S, via some leftover copper in the mint’s machines. Only about 40 coins are said to exist, so good luck ever finding one. Watch out for counterfeits. These are worth up to $82,500.
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Source:
Wikimedia
13. 1969-S Doubled Die Penny
Images or letters appear “doubled” on the coin if the die used to stamp a coin with an image aren’t correctly aligned. The 1969-S Doubled Die Penny is one such coin. The coins are quite valuable. Michigan collector, Michael Tremonti, found one in a roll of uncirculated pennies which he later sold for $126,500.
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Source:
PCGS
14. 1944 Steel Wheat Penny
Copper was added to the penny in 1944 with the alloy also incorporatinig recycled ammunition shells. The 1944 Steel Wheat Penny was created when some steel planchets were left in the machines at the US Mint. These rare pennies go from $75,000 to $110,000.
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Source:
PCGS
15. 1943-S Copper Lincoln Wheat Penny
In 1943, pennies were made from steel planchets that were coated with zinc. Some copper planchets from the year before were left behind, so the coins were struck on those. This is the “holy grail” of pennies for collectors since there were only 5 from that year. In 2012, Bob R. Simpson, co-chairman of the Texas Rangers, brought out a million dollars for this.
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Source:
PCGS
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