You may think of pennies as just a nuisance—worthless clutter in the bottom of your purse or weighing down your pockets. But think again! Some pennies are far from worthless and could actually be worth a small fortune. In this blog post, we’ll reveal 11 rare pennies that could make you rich.
So, start rummaging through your change jar, checking under the sofa cushions, and flipping over every penny you come across. You never know what treasures you might find!
1. 1943 Copper Penny
During World War II, pennies were made from steel to preserve copper for wartime necessities. However, a few copper pennies were accidentally minted in 1943. These pennies are extremely rare and could be worth thousands of dollars. A 1943 copper penny sold for $1.7 million in 2010!
If you’re lucky enough to find a 1943 copper penny, it’s essential to get it authenticated by a professional coin grading service. Many counterfeits have been produced over the years, so ensure that your penny is one of the genuine articles before trying to sell it. The 1943 copper penny is a true collector’s item, so keep your eyes peeled for this valuable piece of history.
2. 1909-S VDB Penny
This penny is one of the most sought-after coins by collectors. The 1909-S VDB penny is named for its designer, Victor David Brenner, whose initials appear on the reverse of the coin. Only 484,000 were minted, making them quite rare.
The value of a 1909-S VDB penny can vary greatly depending on its condition. In excellent condition, these coins can sell for over $1,000! However, even in poor condition, they are still worth considerably more than their face value. So, don’t dismiss any 1909 pennies you come across without checking for the elusive ‘S VDB’ mark.
3. 1992 Close AM Penny
In 1992, a few pennies were minted with a variation in the design on the reverse side. The ‘AM’ in ‘AMERICA’ is closer together than on standard pennies. These ‘Close AM’ pennies are extremely rare and can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Identifying a 1992 Close AM penny requires a keen eye or a magnifying glass. The difference in the spacing of the ‘AM’ is subtle but noticeable when compared to a standard penny. If you think you’ve found one, it’s best to have it authenticated by a professional to confirm its authenticity and value.
4. 1955 Double Die Penny
The 1955 double die penny is one of the most famous error coins. The term ‘double die’ refers to a mistake in the minting process that resulted in the design being stamped on the coin twice, causing a noticeable doubling of the image.
Double die pennies are highly sought after by collectors and can fetch a high price. A 1955 double die penny in excellent condition can sell for over $1,000. However, be aware that many reproductions exist, so it’s important to have any potential finds authenticated.
5. 1982 Small Date Zinc Penny
In 1982, the U.S. Mint changed the composition of pennies from mostly copper to mostly zinc. During this transition, a few pennies were accidentally minted with the old ‘small date’ design but with the new zinc composition. These ‘small date’ zinc pennies are very rare and can be worth a pretty penny (pun intended!).
Identifying a 1982 small date zinc penny can be challenging. The difference in the size of the date is minute and the zinc composition isn’t visually distinguishable from copper. However, zinc pennies weigh less than copper pennies, so a scale accurate to the tenth of a gram can help identify these rare coins.
6. 1972 Double Die Penny
The 1972 double die penny is another famous error coin. Like the 1955 double die penny, the design was stamped on the coin twice, causing a doubling of the image. However, the doubling on the 1972 penny is even more pronounced and affects not just the date but also the word ‘LIBERTY’ and the motto ‘IN GOD WE TRUST’.
These error coins are highly sought after by collectors and can be worth hundreds of dollars. As with other rare pennies, it’s important to have any potential finds authenticated to confirm their authenticity and value.
7. 1969-S Double Die Penny
The 1969-S double die penny is another error coin that can fetch a high price. The doubling is most noticeable on the date and the words ‘LIBERTY’ and ‘IN GOD WE TRUST’. Only a few dozen of these coins have been found, making them extremely rare.
The value of a 1969-S double die penny can vary greatly depending on its condition. In excellent condition, these coins can sell for over $40,000! However, even in poor condition, they are still worth significantly more than their face value. As always, have any potential finds authenticated to confirm their authenticity and value.
8. 1970-S Small Date Penny
The 1970-S small date penny is a rare variation of the Lincoln penny. The ‘small date’ refers to the size of the date relative to the ‘LIBERTY’ motto. These pennies are scarce and can be worth up to $500 in uncirculated condition.
Identifying a 1970-S small date penny requires a keen eye. The difference in the size of the date is subtle but noticeable when compared to a standard penny. If you think you’ve found one, it’s best to have it authenticated by a professional to confirm its authenticity and value.
9. 1922 No D Penny
In 1922, a mistake in the minting process resulted in some pennies being produced without the usual ‘D’ mint mark. These ‘No D’ pennies are quite rare and can be worth hundreds of dollars.
Identifying a 1922 No D penny can be tricky as many pennies with weak or worn ‘D’ mint marks have been altered to resemble ‘No D’ pennies. So, if you think you’ve found one, it’s best to have it authenticated by a professional to confirm its authenticity and value.
10. 1995 Double Die Penny
The 1995 double die penny is the last major double die error that has been discovered to date. The doubling is most noticeable on the words ‘LIBERTY’ and ‘IN GOD WE TRUST’. Despite being relatively recent, these error coins are still quite valuable and can sell for over $50 in uncirculated condition.
As with other double die pennies, it’s important to have any potential finds authenticated to confirm their authenticity and value. Many reproductions exist, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and seek professional advice.
11. 1944 Steel Penny
Like the 1943 copper penny, the 1944 steel penny is a product of wartime necessity. In 1944, pennies were supposed to be made from recycled shell casings, but a few steel pennies were accidentally minted. These pennies are extremely rare and could be worth thousands of dollars.
If you’re lucky enough to find a 1944 steel penny, it’s essential to get it authenticated by a professional coin grading service. Many counterfeits have been produced over the years, so ensure that your penny is one of the genuine articles before trying to sell it. The 1944 steel penny is a true collector’s item, so keep your eyes peeled for this valuable piece of history.