Could That Penny in Your Pocket Be Worth Thousands—or More?
It might sound crazy, but some pennies are worth way more than one cent. We’re talking hundreds, thousands, or even millions of dollars. Lincoln pennies, which most people don’t even notice, can be hiding valuable surprises. Because of rare mistakes, low production numbers, or special designs, certain Lincoln cents have become very valuable. Let’s take a look at 10 of the rarest and most expensive Lincoln pennies that collectors are always searching for.
1. 1909-S VDB Penny
This was one of the very first Lincoln pennies ever made. Only 484,000 were produced in San Francisco. The “VDB” on the back stands for Victor David Brenner, the coin’s designer. People complained about the big initials, so they were quickly removed. Today, a 1909-S VDB penny can sell for more than $2,000.
2. 1943 Bronze Penny
In 1943, the U.S. Mint switched to steel pennies to save copper for the war. But a few bronze blanks were still in the machines and got used by mistake. These rare 1943 bronze pennies have sold for over $1 million at auctions. One of the rarest coins ever!
3. 1955 Doubled Die Penny
This penny has a clear error where the date and letters appear doubled. You don’t even need special tools to see it—it’s that obvious. Prices for this coin range from $1,000 to $25,000, depending on how well it’s been preserved.
4. 1922 No D Penny
All 1922 pennies were made in Denver, so they should have a “D” mintmark. But a worn-out die caused some to be struck without it. These “No D” coins are considered rare errors and can be worth between $500 and $5,000 or more.
5. 1909-S Penny (No VDB)
This coin came out the same year as the famous VDB version but without the designer’s initials. About 1.8 million were made, which makes it more common than the VDB, but it’s still collectible. High-quality examples sell for over $500.
6. 1944 Steel Penny
The Mint went back to using bronze in 1944, but a few leftover steel blanks from the previous year were used by accident. These 1944 steel pennies are extremely rare. Some have sold for more than $100,000.
7. 1972 Doubled Die Penny
Like the 1955 version, this penny shows doubling on the date and letters. It’s not quite as noticeable, but collectors still want it. Depending on the condition, it could be worth $300 to $3,000.
8. 1914-D Penny
Only about 1.1 million of these pennies were made in Denver in 1914. That’s not many, especially for a regular-issue coin. If you find one in great condition, it could be worth $5,000 to $10,000 or more.
9. 1931-S Penny
During the Great Depression, people weren’t spending much money, so the Mint didn’t make many pennies. Only 866,000 of these were made in San Francisco. Well-kept examples have sold for over $1,000.
10. 1992 Close AM Penny
This coin looks pretty normal at first. But look closely at the word “AMERICA” on the back. Most 1992 pennies have a gap between the “A” and “M.” On the rare “Close AM” version, the letters are almost touching. One in excellent shape could bring in over $20,000.
Quick Summary of the Top 10 Rare Lincoln Pennies
| Coin | Year | Mint | Value | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1909-S VDB | 1909 | San Francisco | $2,000+ | First Lincoln penny with designer’s initials |
| 1943 Bronze | 1943 | Various | $1,000,000+ | Struck on bronze by mistake |
| 1955 Doubled Die | 1955 | Philadelphia | $1,000–$25,000 | Double image on date and letters |
| 1922 No D | 1922 | Denver | $500–$5,000+ | Mintmark is missing due to worn die |
| 1909-S No VDB | 1909 | San Francisco | $500+ | Early penny without initials |
| 1944 Steel | 1944 | Various | $100,000+ | Steel planchet used in error |
| 1972 Doubled Die | 1972 | Philadelphia | $300–$3,000 | Light doubling on front |
| 1914-D | 1914 | Denver | $5,000–$10,000+ | Very low mintage |
| 1931-S | 1931 | San Francisco | $1,000+ | Depression-era rarity |
| 1992 Close AM | 1992 | Philly & Denver | $20,000+ | Tiny letter spacing error |
Why These Pennies Are Worth So Much
These coins can be so valuable because:
- They’re rare – Fewer coins mean higher demand.
- They have mistakes – Errors like double printing or using the wrong metal make coins unique.
- They’re old and historic – Some mark special years or changes.
- They’re in great shape – Coins that look brand new sell for the most.
So next time you’re holding some spare change, take a closer look. You just might be holding a penny worth a fortune.
