The initial cost to get started is just $25.00 and your time. While the front of the 1983 Lincoln Memorial Cent looks perfectly ordinary, the back might have a particularly lucrative error. Initially, the government believed that these were counterfeit coins and began confiscating them. Like the previous two pennies mentioned, the wording on both sides is doubled, plus there's a doubling of the date. A coin from the late 1700s has alsosold for more than $6,000. 1944-D Lincoln Penny on a Zinc-Coated Steel Planchet, Lincoln Wheat Penny Key Dates, Rarities and Varieties, 10 Rarest and Most Valuable Coins in the World, Kennedy Half Dollar Values and Prices (1964-2015), The 1943-S Copper Penny Found by Kenneth Wing. Estimated coin prices and values in our database are updated twice per year. It is estimated that fewer than 20 were released by each of the Philadelphia and San Francisco mints. This Indian cent had a total of six bids at the close of the auction on eBay. Nostomania's 100 Most Valuable U.S. . Almost every collector of United States coins began collecting the Lincoln penny. Most recent sales of the 1943 Copper Penny. On closed 3 examples, it appears that the 3 has two nearly complete loops, whereas on the open 3 there is much more space between the ends of the 3 and the digits middle section. This is one of the most exceedingly rare and intriguing Lincoln cents. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSunUS and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunUS, Just days until a whole new slew of beloved stores close - see where, Major department store chain to close multiple shops this year, 20 'secret' clearance items to buy at Walmart at up to 75% off, Brand new $914 direct payment drops in two weeks - when to check your account, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, We round up some pennies that have recently sold for quite the value, This popular coin has a controversial past, Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk, This coin is extremely popular among collectors, A mistake at the mint lead to this being a very valuable coin, Just 850,000 of these pennies were minted in 1877, This is the Sheldon-189 version of the late the 1700s coin, The flying eagle coin is made out of copper-nickel, Check your pocket change as a rare Lincoln penny error coin could earn you money, six other rare and valuable error coins worth up to $599, the most valuable US coins worth up to $10,633. This error is similar to the 1943 D Struck on Bronze Planchet, there are however more specimens with the S mint mark. This is making them worth significantly more than their original value of one cent. This is definitely one of the most valuable pennies in circulation, fetching prices as high as $500 in mint state condition. 1969-S doubled die obverse Lincoln Memorial penny, $10,000 Doubled die coins have to be one of the most popular error coin varieties out there. Fifteen bidders fought it out to get themselves this coin on eBay, with the winner shelling out $1,725. Any one of these coins in circulated or uncirculated condition is extremely rare. The force needed to create a copper penny is less than that needed to create a steel penny. But, of course, rarity is a significant factor in determining a penny's worth. These are coins you can find in your pocket change. Minted in Philadelphia, the coin features an Indian head with the United States of America on the sides, with the year 1877 below. Coin Chart: Tap a '+' sign to expand further coin details. However, newspaper reporters had an issue with the placement of the initials, which were located on the bottom of the reverse side of the coin, according to Professional Coin Grading Service president Ron Gruth. Source 1909 Penny The first Lincoln Penny was struck by the U.S. Mint in 1909 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth. With $25 you can buy a box of penny rolls to search through in between episodes of your favorite tv shows. Be sure to check your change for this one! An uncirculated example in its original mint state red color is extremely rare and valuable. But the move needed Congressional approval, so the mint produced a batch of about 800 of the new pennies and presented them to the lawmakers. Why is this coin so rare? Thepennies that arent on this list are worth only a nominal amount usually between 3 cents and $1. Even the smallest abrasions can affect the coin's value. These are the ones you want in your collection, 1856 Flying Eagle Penny: $25,000-$170,000, 1943 Copper Wheat Penny: $85,000-$370,000, 1944 Steel Wheat Penny: $110,000-$180,000. The story behind copper 1943 Lincoln Pennies is presumed to be a pure accident at the U.S. Mint perhaps a few leftover copper planchets from 1942 were stuck in the coining press system and struck with 1943 penny dies. If youre looking to purchase an 1857 Flying Eagle Penny for your coin collection, this is one of the cheaper dates, as long as youre okay with a lower grade of coin. 25 Most Valuable Pennies. The collector also ensured that the coin was correctly stored to preserve its color. This made is difficult for the federal government to obtain the metal needed for minting coins. 1944 Steel Wheat Penny struck in San Francisco Mint. The Lincoln cent (technically, only Great Britain officially has adenomination called the penny) is a favorite among collectors young and old, rich and poor. In 2021, an MS64 graded coin (pictured left) sold for $180,000. Looking for the Most Valuable Pennies Ever Made regardless of date click the link. Similar to the other 1944 pennies mentioned here, there were only two San Francisco-minted steel pennies produced in 1944. Back to top. If you enjoy this article please be sure to share on your favorite social media platform. Real Experiences. The 1944 steel wheat penny is another instance of the United States Mint using the wrong planchet. 1926-S Buffalo Nickel. Although there were many of these coins made, they're hard to come by since they're so sought after and usually sell very quickly. As opposed to the 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent, where thousands of them are known, there are only three 1958 Doubled Die Lincoln pennies known to exist. In 1944, Lincoln pennies were reverted to the original bronze alloy made of 95 percent copper and 5 percent tin. USA Coin Book has compiled a list of the most valuable US Quarters (Washington Quarters, America the Beautiful Park Quarters, 50 States Quarters, Standing Liberty Quarters, Barber Quarters, Seated Liberty, Draped Bust and Capped Bust Quarters) using a database of over 6,000+ coins and valuations. Thanks for subscribing! 01:14 1920 s wheat penny - $900; 00:45 1871 indian head penny - $875; 00:11 1921 s wheat penny - $850; we strive to put out videos as quickly as we can that cover coins and bank notes. Our most valuable coins list includes coins starting in 1793 up to the present (2023). The 1943 D Copper / Bronze penny has been deemed the Holy Grail of penny errors. The close "AM" version is the more valuable penny of the two. Ive 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! These factors make this a very rare and valuable penny indeed. Whatever the origin of the 1943 copper pennies, they are considered by the Professional Coin Grading Service to be the most desirable and valuable of all Mint errors and are highly sought-after by U.S. coin collectors. Not because of its date of minting, but because of its die variety. Ive contributed hundreds of articles for various coin publications including COINage, The Numismatist, Numismatic News, Coin Dealer Newsletter, Coin Values, and CoinWeek. ships in penny sleeve, inside top loader, with extra protection. The ever popular Lincoln wheat penny was first produced by the U.S. Mint in 1909. This is an easy way to build a collection, and all it takes is time. *All of the coin values listed from 1958 or earlier came from USA Coin Book, unless otherwise noted. In 2004, an MS66 graded coin sold for $172,500. We earn a small commission for purchases made through the links below, which helps keep our site running. Heres a list of the top 25 most valuable pennies: 1943-S copper Lincoln Wheat Penny, $185,000 The 1943-S copper cent is the one of the most valuable small cents, with one example having sold for a cool $1 million at an auction in 2012. Coins are in order from Most to Least expensive. Most recent sales of the 1944 Zinc coated steel penny sales. All of these factors together make this the second most valuable penny in the world. 1. The odds of finding a 1943 D Penny struck on a bronze planchet is likely around 10 in 217 million. According toCoinTrackers, just 850,000 of these rare pennies were minted. The Top 16 Most Valuable Pennies Small Pieces of Copper Worth Huge Amounts of Money By James Bucki Updated on 09/17/22 While the pennies pictured in the above photo are not valuable, the ones listed below are worth a whole lot more. Thanks for joining the currency and coin community here on YouTube! The 1914-S Lincoln cent is by no means a rare coin. USA Coinbook Top 30 Most Valuable Wheat Pennies 2022 1909 S VDB MS67RD ($108,000) 1955 Doubled Die Obverse MS65+RD ($114,000) 1944 D Steel MS63 ($115,000) 1909 S VDB MS67RD ($117,500) 1917 MS67+RD Doubled Die Obverse ($120,000) 1914 PR68RD ($126,500) 1926 S MS65RD ($149,500) 1914 D MS66+RD ($158,625) 1944 Steel MS64 ($158,625) Are you concerned the precious metals train has left the station without you. While a circulating coin typically lasts 30 to 40 years, some lucky collectors have found pennies minted in the mid-1900s in their pocket change. Condition is another; coins that stayed out of circulation may retain their original coloring and fine details, significantly adding to their value. The 1877 version has been said to be the rarest Indian head penny there is. Another element that identifies this rare penny is the spacing between the "FG" initials and the Lincoln Memorial Building. Feb 2016 - AU58 $280,000. Watch out for fakes as these are commonly counterfeited! 1873 doubled Liberty Open 3 Indian Head penny, $1,650 This is simply another version of the 1873 doubled die Indian Head penny. The mint mark is a smaller letter on the face of the coin underneath the year that signifies where it was minted. This is just speculation from CoinTrackers.com. This is one of the most popular and controversial coins among collectors. For this list, we are only including small cents: Flying Eagle Cents, Indian Head Pennies, Lincoln Wheat Pennies, Lincoln Memorial Cents, and Lincoln Shield Cents. This is a genuine coin that was dug by a metal detectorist, according to the listing. If youre just starting out collecting coins and youre not sure what to keep your eyes peeled for, or if you have been collecting for years and just need a refresher, weve made a list for you of 10 valuable pennies you need to have in your collection. These rare examples can fetch up to $375,000 in excellent condition, according to Coin Trackers. An 1872 Indian Head penny is a scarce coin but can readily be found at any coin show or coin dealer in circulated grades. In 1943, pennies were made from steel planchets coated with zinc, but some copper planchets from the year before were left behind, and the coins were struck on those. Slightly less than a half-million of these pennies were minted before the Treasury Department demanded that the initials be removed. The coins - of which there are about 40 or50 in existence- are quite valuable. Only 2,000 1856 Flying Eagle Cents were minted, making this quite the rare coin! Planchets are stored in bins, and just a few copper ones were hidden in the bottom and covered up with loads of steel planchets. Sold: August 2014; Heritage Auctions, Chicago, IL, ANA US Coins Signature Auction. 4. Which coins currently in circulation are worth the most? What penny errors should I be looking for? Think of how much ammunition was needed during world war three, and then you can begin to understand why the US Mint switched from copper to steel planchets. These are the rarest and most valuable pennies that are worth more than $1 apiece: *Values are for problem-free coins in a grade of Good or better, and uncirculated for those dated 1959 and later. Lincoln pennies are the first coins I ever collected when I initially charted my path in the hobby back in 1992, and its by far the coin series Im most often asked about from readers here at The Fun Times Guide. 7 Rare Wheat Pennies To Collect & What Theyre Worth Today, All Lincoln wheat pennies made from 1909-1958. Most recent sales of the 1943 Copper Penny. James Bucki is a nationally-recognized coin collector and numismatic expert and author, sharing his knowledge and specialized training in coin grading, minting errors, and collection techniques. To lower costs, the United States Mint sought to reduce the size of the penny (to its current diameter). The 1969-S (San Francisco Mint) is no exception, and its not only one of the most expensive small cents, but also the priciest among the Lincoln Memorial series. However, the financial hardship of the time (including the economic downturn following the "Panic of 1873") meant that few people were able to save coins for their collections. There are still a lot of Lincoln pennies that are valuable that we don't define as still being in circulation because they were minted before 1950. It may be worth taking a look, because many of the most valuable pennies on this list were made in the 20th century. Just over 42,000 of the normal date versions of the coin were minted in 1799, according toUSA Coin Book. Out of all the leftover zinc-coated steel used in minting these pennies, Philadelphia produced about 30 of them. The penny dates listed below are worth more than just a few cents(unlike most of the ones referenced above). This pocket change price guide for the year 2023 details worthwhile coin finds that you likely have just sitting around the house. This coin should've had a "D" for its Denver mintage, but the space on this coin is blank. Pennies offer a plethora of errors and varieties some are fairly common and some are extremely rare. Counterfeits abound but usually have the wrong mint mark. Here are 4 ofthe best places to find rare pennies: Read next: Most Valuable Nickels A List Of Silver Nickels, Buffalo Nickels & Old Nickels Worth Holding Onto! At Coin Values, we are always staying on top of the latest changes in coin prices, and we have a list of the top 25 most valuable pennies. Use this cheat sheet tosee which pennies are worth saving and which ones are worth spending. The lines "In God We Trust" and "Liberty" are both doubled as well as the 1955 date itself. It is unknown how only three examples got to leave the United States Mint facility in Philadelphia, but because all of them are in Mint State Red condition, it is speculation that they may have been smuggled out of the mint by an unscrupulous mint employee. CoinTrackers.com is an invaluable resource dedicated to helping the coin collector and silver community. Perhaps 15,000 to 20,000 plain 1922 Lincoln Cents were made, but nobody knows the exact number of examples that were made, let alone how many remain to this day. There are a few different varieties of the 1873 Indian Cents, with all of them being rare and quite valuable, theres the open 3, and the closed 3, but the most valuable is the doubled Liberty. All Rights Reserved. Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552. Since this coin exhibits evidence of circulation and must have exited the mint via regular distribution channels. Regular minted coins from 1992 will have a noticeable gap between the two letters. Most valuable penny and Lincoln coins revealed - and one piece sold for $11,128 Anthony Russo Josephine Fuller Published: 7:45 ET, Oct 16 2021 Updated: 15:34 ET, Sep 2 2022 YOU'VE likely come across plenty of pennies in your life - but rare ones from the 1900s and before then are selling for a ton of cash online. As a result, demand for United States coinage was at an all-time low, and families struggled to make ends meet. Sold: March 2018; Stacks Bowers; Baltimore - Session 3 - Rarities Night Including the ESM Collection. Dont miss the 1936 Lincoln Wheat Cent Penny in your search for rare pennies, as one of these bad boys could be worth $2,222 in uncirculated mint condition. Whether you collect Flying Eagle pennies, Indian Head pennies, or Lincoln pennies, you will find that the market for rare pennies is quite active. A handful of these 1990s pennies didnt get the signature "S" mint mark. The penny has been part of US currency almost as long as the country has been independent. Another double-died error can be found on the 1984 Lincoln Memorial Cent. 6. While a circulating coin typically lasts 30 to 40 years, some lucky collectors have found pennies minted in the mid-1900s in their pocket change. Experts claim that plates of this metal were slipped in during the minting by . Only 1,194 of these proof coins were struck at the Philadelphia mint before the Treasury Department dictated that the designer's initials be removed from the coin. We offer reliable real coin melt conversions and hand written stats on each and every coin in our database. Another coin for avid coin collectors to look out for is the 1858 Flying Eagle Cent. If you want this coin be prepared to shell out $1.2 million as that is the current asking price. What It's Worth: One Michigan collector, Michael Tremonti, found one in a roll of uncirculated pennies. Also try the Interactive, sortable, searchable pennies page. The most exciting thing is you can find some of these rare, valuable pennies easily because they're still in circulation. If you ever come across one of these rare pennies, don't use it on a parking meter. This coin was heavily circulated and was commonly subjected to the widespread use of "penny boards" in the 1930s and 40s, which people use to collect coins from circulation. These are in order with the newest being on top. These are in order with the newest being on top. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. This is a labor of love you might say, so it is resource intensive and slow. 1943 Struck on Bronze Planchets are cleanly struck and likely in great condition. What follows are the 11 through 25th most valuable pennies: 1917 doubled die Lincoln Wheat Penny, $1,350, 1972 doubled die obverse Lincoln Memorial penny, $290, 1909-S/S over horizontal S Lincoln Wheat Penny, $275. Another Indian centsold for more than $3,000 online. @mohammed_nanotech / Twenty20 Some little pieces of copper can be worth some huge dollar amounts. $6.24 . Since pennies hold a special place in almost every coin collector's heart, demand for high-quality coins can drive the value through the roof. Good news however. It will stick to a magnet. This wheat cent is the only example known to exist. USA Coin Book estimated the value of this expensive penny at $917 in just average condition, but it could be worth almost $2,000 in tip-top shape. The 8 over 7 is the most valuable of the three types. Bottom line: OK, we'll admit it. List only contains coins from 1965 to 2023. Of the many variations D, S, P the Denver minted ones is possibly the rarest, and has as recently as 2021 sold for $840,000.00. As a result, a majority of the 1941-D Lincoln pennies are in circulated condition. Of course, they're worth more if they're in better condition, and all circulating coins tend to have a lot of wear and tear. Prior to this date, pennies were large and bulky and were almost the size of a half-dollar. These steel planchets were used primarily in 1943. Those coins are hard to come by, but if you have one, you may be in line for a real financial windfall. Here's a list of the top 25 most valuable pennies: 1943-S copper Lincoln Wheat Penny, $185,000 - The 1943-S copper cent is the one of the most valuable small cents, with one example having sold for a cool $1 million at an auction in 2012. For the world's rarest and most coveted pennies, values are well over $100,000 and approaching $2 million. There is no noticeable bag mark on the coin's surface, and it has retained its original bright red-orange copper color. This one, however, can earn you more than $1,000. Extra notes: 1944 steel cents should technically be a weaker strike than 1943 steel cents. Its believed that less than 30 copper 1943 pennies exist from across all three mints (Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco) operating at that time. Up to this point, coin designers used only the first initial of their last name. OK, we'll admit it. My love for coins began when I was 11 years old. Sold: February 2016; Heritage Auctions, Long Beach, CA, US Coins Signature Auction. While the two most valuable coins on this list are coincidentally the rarest (between 20 and 40 specimens each of the 1943 bronze cent and 1944 steel cent are thought to exist), the order of which coins are most valuable doesnt necessarily correspond with the order of rarity. Some pennies, originally worth a single cent, are now worth thousands of dollars. Either way, its a great rarity and a coin every collector should have. Slightly more than 4 million of them were minted. To hold an 1877 Indian Head Penny in uncirculated condition is an extreme rarity given the poor economic conditions of that year. The 1944 steel to copper/bronze transition of pennies involved the inclusion of leftover zinc-coated steel. What It's Worth: $185,000, butsold for $1 million to Bob R. Simpson, co-chairman of the Texas Rangers, in 2012. The TOP 25 Most Valuable Pennies. 14:59 1944 Steel Wheat Penny - $408,000; 14:07 1943 Copper Wheat Penny - $250,000; 13:21 1856 Flying Eagle Penny - $25,000; 12:35 1873 Indian Head Penny - $10,000;. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); In 1943 the United States switched all pennies to 2.702 g zinc coated steel planchets. For instance, Denver only minted seven of the 1944 steel pennies, making it the second rarest mint mark out of all three mints. YOU'VE likely come across plenty of pennies in your life but rare ones from the 1900s and before then are selling for a ton of cash online. Image: USA CoinBook. It is estimated that only 5 million of these coins were made, and very few of them were saved in uncirculated condition. 1917-S Buffalo Nickel. There have been to our knowledge no coins in this condition and color found. In fact, the first "Fugiocent" wasdesigned by Benjamin Franklin. In fact, only 852,500 were originally minted, and only a small fraction of 1877 pennies from the original mintage remain today. 1944 Steel Lincoln Wheat Penny, $125,000 Its believed that a similar story behind the creation of the 1943 copper cent is also what led to minting of the 1944 steel penny; blank steel cent planchets from 1943 that were hiding away in the coining presses wound up getting stamped with the 1944 dies, and the result is a rarity that financially well-heeled coin collectors will pay hundreds of thousands to buy. Im the Coin Editor here at TheFunTimesGuide. Real Helpful. Our most valuable pennies list includes coins starting in 1856 up to the present (2023) - including rare penny errors and rare varieties that could still actually be found in pocket change. Also, the listing claims that it was the first American coin to use nickel to inspire a coin-collecting hobby in the late 1800s. Additionally, it has been sufficiently well preserved to retain its original bright red-copper color. The 1922 D Wheat Cent is actually one of the most common dates of the 1920s, but its value comes from the fact that now pennies were minted at the Philadelphia or the San Francisco Mints. If you have a rare variety, it will have a small space between the letters A and M in "AMERICA." Value. The 1955 Doubled-Die Obverse (DDO) Penny is one of the most famous examples of design doubling on coinage. Designed by portraitist James Barton Longacre in 1856, the circulated coin features an eagle on one side, with one cent shown on the other. 1943 S Copper Penny Sales. We are using our database of nearly every US coin ever produced (6,000+ coins) based on year, rarity, mint mark, major varieties, errors and their associated price values to come up with a list of the top most valuable coins known. Having one in its original copper-red color makes it much more extraordinary. In 1943 copper was being used heavily to create casings for ammunition. Most Valuable Coins by Type. This coin was first discovered in 1970 and was reported by Coin World on the front page in its July 8, 1970 edition. But it is scarce to find an uncirculated 1926-S Lincoln penny with its original copper-red color. This coin is the second example of a 1943 Lincoln cent that should have been struck on a zinc-plated steel planchet but was instead coined on a bronze planchet. During this time, all the pennies were made of steel, as copper was needed for the War effort. PCGS MS-63 (PR-63 for proofs) is the baseline grade for comparison. Fiction Writing. However, when the die used to stamp each penny became overused, this led to a batch of coins with either a very weak "D" marking or some in which the "D" was nonexistent. Of all the coins ever made by the United States Mint since 1793, arguably the most popular and widely collected among them areLincoln pennies. Sold: August 2008; Heritage Auctions, Baltimore, MD, ANA US Coin Signature Auction. But, a mix-up in the San Francisco mint resulted in about 30 pennies being made from steel left over from the 1943 pennies. A doubled die coin of any era is usually pretty scarce to begin with, but an Indian Head cent is scarcer still. In 2014, an MS65+ 8 over 7 (pictured left) sold for $74,025. As with the 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny, this highly valued penny proof bears all three of the coin designer's initials: "VDB." However, after many complaints, the United States Mint changed back to the regular copper planchets beginning in 1944. This penny is the undisputed "King" of Canadian Pennies As a rule, 1873 open 3 Indian cents are more common than the closed 3 variety. This one's going to be tough to find in circulation, but since it was produced after the 1950s, we had to include it. While it is uncirculated and retains its original copper-red color from the day it was minted, the date and mintmark combination sets this coin apart from all others. In this case, the wide "AM" version is just as sought after as the close "AM" version. About two billion one-cent coins were made that year, but, as with the 1943 Copper Lincoln Wheat Penny, the 1944 Steel Wheat Pennywascreated when some steel planchets were left in the machines at the US Mint. Leftover steel planchets from 1943 Steel War Cents were left in bins and mixed with 1944 Copper Penny Planchets. In 2021, an MS62 graded coin (pictured left) sold for $372,000. 1913-D Buffalo Nickel-Type 2. Share to help us grow Lots Of Rare Pennies And How Much Theyre Worth Today (Most Are Worth $500+). While others are drawing attention on basis of how old and rare they are. This rare coin stands out among the Lincoln cents worth a lot of money. That said, we realize that some people might still be using these pennies to buy things without realizing their value. This coin had a doubled "D" mint mark thats easily visible. This only takes place in the small date version. There has been talk in recent years of doing away with the pennyas we move toward a more cashless society, but we're not quite there yet. 50 Most Valuable Coins in the World | Work + Money Coins 50 Most Valuable Coins in the World By Kimberly Yavorski, updated on August 22, 2022 Stack's Bowers Coin collecting goes back to medieval Mesopotamia. 3) Large One-Cent Pieces, Flowing Hair, Wreath Reverse 1793 S-NC-2 Strawberry Leaf PCGS MS-63 Value: Change 3 Mo 1 Yr 5 Yr 10 Yr 15 . This rare penny is pulling in values of up to $500 in mint state condition, and with almost 4.5 billion pennies produced at the Denver Mint in 1992, there's a good chance that these are still in circulation.. Mr Hernandez wrote of this coin that it's the only Lincoln cent in the entire series which lacks its intended mint mark. Victor David Brenner created the design under the auspices of President Theodore Roosevelt. Below we unveil the most valuable circulated pennies worth up to $11,128, based on recently completed eBay listings. Nov 2020 - MS63 Brown $500,000. Such is the story of the 1969-S Doubled Die Penny. But of course, youll want to keep in mind that the value of the coin could depend on the grade and condition. (Psst! The 1909 S Indian Head Cent was the last year the Indian Head penny was minted, and has the lowest mintage of the Indian Head Cent series. On one side, "In God We Trust" is doubled, and "Liberty" is doubled on the other. Source: PGCS.com. Only nine other Lincoln wheat pennies have a lower mintage. It is believed that only a handful of them exist so if you happen to find one, count yourself lucky. 1913 Liberty Nickel-The Olsen Specimen. On the surface, there is nothing visually spectacular about this coin. Sold: August 2007; Heritage Auctions, Milwaukee, WI, ANA Signature Coin Auction. This example is not only uncirculated, but it is extremely well preserved and shows a minimal amount of bag marks from the minting process. There are six known examples of this error being produced at the San Francisco mint in 1943. Since the very beginning, the images on the penny have symbolized the spirit of the country. Small Pieces of Copper Worth Huge Amounts of Money. C $18.15 Free shipping 187 sold. In 2018, an MS66+RD graded coin (pictured left) sold for $158,625. In the case of this rare 1917 penny, the words "In God We Trust" are doubled. Most Valuable Canadian Pennies, 1. As a result, most of these pennies went into circulation. 25 Most Valuable Pennies (Updated)Thanks for joining the currency and coin community here on YouTube! The best known specimen as of late is an MS63 Brown (BN) and it has sold for more than $500,000. This is an indication that they were not "helped" by some unscrupulous mint employee. 1922 No D plain Lincoln Wheat Penny, $2,050 Repairs to a damaged coin die left the 1922-D cent without any visible trace of its mint mark, leaving a coin that many thought back in the mid 1920s was a typical unmarked penny from the Philadelphia Mint. Because of their uniqueness, theyre remarkably valuable. These are everyday, run-of-the-mill coins currently in circulation. The penny features the letters VDB on the bottom of the back of the coin, which are the initials of designer Victor David Brenner. This post may contain affiliate links. Thecoin sold in the listingis the Sheldon-189 version. Check your seat cushions, change piles, and miscellaneous change from your cash purchases for these. What makes this particular coin extremely valuable is its pristine condition despite being over 100 years old. If you think you might be in possession of this rare error here are the steps you should take. Click coin image to view full-size image. As with anything that's mass-produced, some mistakeshave crept into the penny's circulation. If so, the modern United States cent is one of the best places to start looking. Because of this long history, many people expect older coins to have more value. Even for an example in a lowly grade of Good-4 on the Sheldon Grading Scale, 1856 Flying Eagle pennies are valued at about $7,000! 1916 Buffalo Nickel-Doubled Die Obverse. This list and the prices are current as of 2023. The 1922 Lincoln Wheat Cents were minted at the Denver Mint using a "D" lettered coin die. Although the 1909-S Indian Head Penny has a smaller mintage, more of them were saved in uncirculated condition. To this day, they are the only two known to exist. 1999 Wide AM. We offer reliable real coin melt conversions and hand written stats on each and every coin in our database. But regardless, if you have one of these coins its fair to expect them to be quite valuable given the year it was minted. Steel cents require greater force when struck by dies. 10 most valuable pennies If you're just starting out collecting coins and you're not sure what to keep your eyes peeled for, or if you have been collecting for years and just need a refresher, we've made a list for you of 10 valuable pennies you need to have in your collection. These are the most valuable pennies in circulation.And they are worth a pretty penny if you find them. The majority of these coins are Denver and Philadelphia issue coins, and all have been issued within the last 55 years. Minted in Denver, USA Coin Book estimated the value of this rare 1914 penny at $278 in average condition and over $3,000 in uncirculated mint condition. This 1999 S penny looks almost identical to the last one on this list, except, you guessed it, the A and the M are closer together. It simply is a regular-issue piece that was struck in relatively low numbers. While mintage numbers tell part of the story about a coins rarity, they dont show you a complete picture. 1944-S copper Lincoln cent: 283 million minted, worth between 3 and 5 cents 1944-D over S copper Lincoln cent: worth $100 or more 1944 steel penny: 15 - 20 minted, worth $100,000 or more 1951 Wheat Penny Value Over 1 billion wheat pennies were struck in 1951. But two zinc-plated steel planchets somehow ended up in the coining press in the San Francisco mint. Just as with the flying eagle cent, this coin was designed by Mr Longacre. Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription. We strive to put out videos as quickly as we can that c. These are in order with the newest being on top. Thisstray planchet created a great rarity treasured by coin collectors, and they are willing to pay handsomely to add this coin to their collection. Consequently, all 1922 cents should bare the D mint mark," wrote Mr Hernandez. Well, heres a cheat sheet of the most valuablepennies to keep. Copper Lincoln Memorial pennies made in 1982 (These weigh 3.11 grams versus 2.5 grams for the pennies made from copper-plated zinc) 43 Most Valuable Pennies By Date So now that you have a good idea of which types of pennies to keep, you're probably wondering about specific dates. Why It's Worth So Much: Created at the San Francisco Mint, this was a happy accident for collectors. The Philadelphia mint produced about 20 bronze/copper coins in 1943, making this one incredibly rare and valuable. Looking to make a profit coin roll hunting? If you know what to look for, this hobby could pay serious dividends. It also rightly excludes Proof Coins, Special Issues, Commemoratives, and the like. Sold: January 2004; Heritage Auctions, Orlando, FL, FUN Signature Auction. This penny was minted in Philadelphia, and letters on both side of the coin make it one of the rarest pennies you can find today. Many of these coins exhibit wear from circulation. You should follow us on Facebook too, we occasionally run contests on our page!). Some of these rare pennies feature 16th PresidentAbraham Lincoln. To have all three initials ona coin's design was unheard of. While there are very few guarantees in the rare coin industry, you can always count on nice, problem-free coins yielding better returns on your investment than coins that have been cleaned or have nicks, dents, scratches, and holes. Get ready its a long list! Either way, there are only five known copper pennies from that year, making this coin the "holy grail" of pennies for collectors. Similar to the 1972 penny mentioned, the 1971 S penny has a doubling error on both sides. It was soon learned that only the Denver Mint struck pennies in 1922, and one-cent coins without a mint mark but bearing that date were in fact mistakes. Coins list is recomputed with each pricing update. Sold: January 2006; Heritage Auctions, Orlando, FL, FUN Signature Auction. These planchets were then fed into the machines and struck by the die means for the 1944 copper penny, creating 1944 Steel cent errors. 10 Most Valuable Walking Liberty Half Dollars. This one's going to be tough to find in circulation, but since it was produced after the 1950s, we had to include it. The top 100 penny stock listTop 10 Rare Canadian Pennies! Free shipping . CoinTrackers.com is an invaluable resource dedicated to helping the coin collector and silver community. In the close "AM" variety, the "FG" is closer to the building. A close examination of Lincoln's ear shows a definitive double stamp. Such a clean example of doubling has made it one of the most popular and valuable DDOs in existence. However, a steel planchetleft over from 1943 must have found its way into the coining press. It is the most valuable Lincoln penny in the world. Coins that are in higher grades, come under suspicion that they may have been helped by a mint employee. Because not many of these pennies were minted, proof coins of either variety are valuable. In addition to the doubling of wording, the date and "S" mint mark are also doubled. We are using our database of virtually every US coin ever produced (6,000+ coins) based on year, mint mark, major varieties, errors and their associated price values to come up with a list of the top most valuable pennies known. tv. Well here you go a list of the most valuable pennies, each worth more than $1 apiece! Of all the cents currently in circulation these pennies are worth the most money. Remember, a substantial fraction of the coins that were once minted no longer survive today, as many have been lost, melted, or damaged beyond recognition. Most of them pulled the coins out of circulation. While the original edition pennies from 1909 can have significant collectable value, other editions of the Lincoln penny can be highly desired by coin collectors as well. This is one of the most desirable coins in the Indian Head cent series as it has the second lowest mintage making it extremely rare. Check out our penny price guides below. The list below details by far the most valuable cents released into the United States monetary supply from 1900 to 2020. The top 25 most valuable pennies. For this list, we are only including small cents: Flying Eagle Cents, Indian Head Pennies, Lincoln Wheat Pennies, Lincoln Memorial Cents, and Lincoln Shield Cents. One variety had a widely spaced "AM" in the word "America.". Since most people do not look at the date on every coin that they receive in change, some of these 1943 bronze alloy pennies circulated for a while before being snatched up by an alert coin collector intent on cherry-picking the valuable Lincoln penny out of circulation. While theyre still more common than those from other mints that year, they are still considered rare and valuable. 10 Most Valuable Walking Liberty Half Dollars. This penny exhibits doubling on the date and lettering on the obverse. 25 Most Valuable Silver Dollars 25 Most Valuable Half Dollars 25 Most Valuable Quarters 25 Most Valuable Dimes 25 Most Valuable Nickels 25 Most Valuable Pennies 10 Most Valuable Morgan Silver Dollars 10 Most Valuable Peace Dollars 10 Most Valuable Barber Half Dollars 10 Most Valuable Walking Liberty Half Dollars This 1982 Copper Penny Is Worth $10,000! One example circulated for a while before being picked up by a collector. The bins of steel planchets were fed into machines and the handful of left over copper planchets overlooked. Some believe it was a mistake, while others think someone created the coins deliberately. Isn't it funny how having an extra ear can make a penny valuable? We've also rounded upthe most valuable US coins worth up to $10,633. A.) The list above also doesnt include proof Lincoln cents which you wouldnt ordinarily findin circulation. If you are investing money in rare pennies, buy coins that are in the best condition you can afford, and always focus on purchasing coins that display original color and are in nice shape overall. $11.50 In 2006, an MS67RD graded coin (pictured left) sold for $97,750. *This list of most valuable pennies refers to problem-free coins grading Extremely Fine-40 on the Sheldon Grading Scale. In fact, the first "Fugio cent" was designed by Benjamin Franklin. The 1909 S Indian head cent is popular amongst collectors as it is one of only two in the series to have been minted at the San Francisco Mint. 01 of 15. We've compiled a list (with ref pictures) of the most valuable Lincoln penny errors that are in regular everyday circulation. This penny is the rarest date of all the Indian Head pennies ever minted. These were steel planchets that were coated in a layer of zinc to improve their luster. Why It's Worth So Much: Copper wasadded to the penny in 1944; the alloy also incorporatedrecycled ammunition shells. If you happen to find one it could be worth 1 Million, and possibly even more. Some pennies, originally worth a single cent, are now worth thousands of dollars. We have discounted proof coins, error coins, as well as any "special strikes", to create a clean list of pennies you have a higher probability of finding from the current pool of circulating United States currency. The year 1971 was a good one for penny collectors. The U.S. Mint knew this before the coins were released to the public, but officials didnt want to destroy an entire batch of perfectly normal Lincoln Pennies to catch the ones with the doubled image, so off these beauties went, and soon they were discovered in New England vending machines. If you want to know what your U.S. penny is worth, then read on! Although there is some argument that mint workers actually struck these coins on bronze alloy planchets on purpose, it is more probable that a few bronze planchets left over from the previous year got stuck on a conveyor belt or tote and was incorporated into the regular striking process. 1924-S Penny The estimated value of 1924-S Lincoln Wheat Penny is worth $1.54 in average condition and can be worth $126 to $230 or more in uncirculated (MS+) mint condition. As these anomalies have become more known, more and more specimens have come to light. 1943 copper Lincoln Wheat Penny, $45,000 A Philadelphia Mint version of the 1943 copper penny may not be worth quite as much as a San Francisco Mint or Denver Mint example in Extremely Fine grade on the Sheldon Grading Scale, but its a rare coin nevertheless. Be careful not to scratch the coin however. Similar to the copper penny of 1943, Its speculated that while in production, a few steel planchets were accidentally mixed in with the copper, or the dies were tested on the steel and mixed in that way. Up until the late 1950s, Mr Brenner designed all the years ofthe coinsfeaturing Lincoln. There's also a subtle doubling of the mint mark. 1944 Steel Lincoln Cent: $75,000 to $125,000+##. Value. We will notify you each week there's a new article posted! San Francisco is known to have only produced five of the 1943 bronze/copper pennies, making them especially rare, but some experts have been willing to note that there may be more in existence. In 1877, the economic slump that began in 1873 continued with full force. What makes this coin extremely valuable is the fact that it was struck on a zinc-coated steel planchet. However, what is known for sure is that the 1922 no-D penny is quite scarce and in high demand among coin collectors. 24/100 - Rare Heavily Played Pokemon EX - Sandstorm . 1877 Indian Head penny, $2,650 Unlike the first five pennies listed in this article, the 1877 Indian Head cent isnt any type of error or pattern coin. As a collector, you eventually reach the point where you need to purchase your coins from a coin dealer or at auction to achieve the quality you want. Pennies minted in zinc-coated steel planchets in 1944 are pretty scarce and, of course, highly valued by coin collectors. One factor contributing to this coin's significant value is its low mintage. For a coin like this to survive so long in pristine condition, it is evident that a collector in San Francisco back in 1914 must-have set it aside before it could become tattered and worn in circulation. 1873 doubled Liberty closed 3 Indian Head penny, $2,400 Another doubled die cent, this piece features doubling in the word LIBERTY. Real People. If you find a 1983 penny with everything doubled, the Lincoln Memorial Building included, save it for a rainy day. Pay attention to the photos and details below to see if you have one of these valuable nickels in your piggy bank. The machines from 1944 should have been dialed back from 1943 in an effort to preserve the dies longevity. 1958 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Penny - About $336,000 The 1958 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Penny is one of the most valuable pennies in the world, considered as the holy grail by many coin collectors . Most ammunition consists of a copper or brass (copper/zinc) casing, filled with gunpowder, and capped with a lead, copper or steel bullet. For example, many of the doubled die entries on the list above (such as the 1971, 1972, 1983, and 1984 doubled die Lincoln cents) are much scarcer in number than the 1877 Indian Head cent or 1914-D Lincoln cent, but are not as widely collected, thus the values of those somewhat more obscure coins are lower. The most expensive coin on the list is also an Indian Head cent. They range in value from a few dollars to as much as $200,000+ and include a smorgasbord of cool rarities and unusual pieces. Jan 2018 - AU53 $228,000. While 484,000 were struck, several population estimates suggest only 50,000 to 100,000 may still exist a fairly large number indeed, but much lower than mintage numbers suggest. Nearly all of the 1943 Lincoln Wheat Cent produced are steel cents, but there were some that used copper planchets in addition to the steel. The bottom line When it comes to pennies, there are lots of valuable errors to look for! Legend Rare Coin Auctions. Roosevelt Dime, PR 8 1990 No S Lincoln Cent, PR 9 2000-P Cheerios Sacagawea Dollar, SP 10 See the complete TOP 100 list READ MORE The Top 100 Foreword By Ron Guth The modern coin era began in America in 1965, the first year the U.S. Mint produced copper-nickel "clad" coins as a replacement for silver coins, ending an unbroken, 173-year tradition. This is a valuable coin that actually has a few different varieties, the large letters, small letters, and the 8 over 7. If you buy thru these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. The low mintage alone makes this coin extremely rare, but the brilliant colors that resulted from a coin being stored for 100 years makes this coin extremely attractive to collectors. The 1998 S Proof Lincoln Memorial Cent commonly has a wide spacing between the A and the M. In the close "AM" version, the letters almost touch. The closed 3 is especially rare because only a tad more than 1 million 1873 cents of this variety were made, whereas about 11 million open 3 cents were made. Take, for instance, the popular 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent. But the rarest of all is this single known pristine example from the Denver mint. By checking this box, I agree to recieving email and phone communication about blog posts, coins, and coin related products from Coin Collecting or their trusted partners. In 2009, an MS66RD graded coin (pictured left) sold for $149,500! These were minted in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco, as well as in proof sets. Wondering which pennies are worth more than face value? The 1958 Doubled-Die Obverse penny is one of the rarest pennies ever made. The number "7" appears higher than usual, nearly level with the "0.". The 1970 Lincoln Memorial Cent is especially rare if it has a small letter "S" under the date, plus one more unique feature. In 2006, an MS66 graded coins sold for $32,200. 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