Could you own a penny that’s worth millions?
Pennies aren’t just coins used in everyday transactions, but some are also extremely rare and valuable. For certain reasons, such as minting mistakes, limited production, or historical significance, these coins are extremely collectible.
You may already own a penny that’s worth millions and you had no idea! In this article, we’ll look at 10 rare and valuable pennies that are still very popular among collectors.
| Penny | Estimated Value | What Makes It Valuable? |
|---|---|---|
| 1943-D Lincoln Bronze Wheat Penny | $2.3 million | Minted on bronze during WWII instead of steel |
| 1944-S Steel Wheat Penny | $1.1 million | Transition year error with steel instead of copper |
| 1793 Strawberry Leaf Cent | $862,500 | Extremely rare design with a strawberry leaf pattern |
| 1943-S Lincoln Bronze Planchet Penny | $282,000 | Error penny from leftover bronze blanks |
| 1909 VDB Matte Proof Lincoln Penny | $258,000 | Limited production matte proof with designer’s initials |
| 1958 Doubled Die Obverse Cent | $224,831 | Minting error with doubled inscriptions |
| 1856 Flying Eagle Cent | $172,500 | Early prototype of the small cent series |
| 1864 Indian Head Penny “L” on Ribbon | $161,000 | Rare variant featuring the designer’s initial on the ribbon |
| 1914-D Lincoln Penny | $159,000 | Low mintage from the Denver Mint |
| 1926-S Lincoln Penny | $149,500 | Rare in pristine condition with intact red color |
1. 1943-D Lincoln Bronze Wheat Penny
During World War II, the U.S. Mint created steel pennies to save copper. But by mistake, some 1943 pennies were minted on old bronze planchets. The rarest of these pennies is the 1943-D Lincoln Bronze Wheat Penny, which is worth $2.3 million (roughly Rs. 19 crores).
There is only one certified coin of this coin. If you have a 1943 penny, be sure to have it tested for metal—it could be life-changing!
2. 1944-S Steel Wheat Penny
In 1944, the US Mint started minting copper pennies again, but by mistake, some empty steel planchets were used. The 1944-S Steel Wheat Penny (minted at the San Francisco Mint) is the result of this mistake.
This coin is one of the rarest pennies in the world, and only two coins are known to exist. If found in good condition, its price can go up to $1.1 million (about Rs 9 crore).
3. 1793 Strawberry Leaf Cent
The 1793 Strawberry Leaf Cent is one of the rarest early US coins. This coin has a unique strawberry pattern with four leaves instead of the usual three-leaf design.
Only four such coins are left today, and in 2009 one coin sold for $862,500 (about Rs 7.2 crore).
4. 1943-S Lincoln Bronze Planchet Penny
This coin is similar to the 1943-D bronze penny, but it was made at the San Francisco Mint. This rare coin can be worth up to $282,000 (about Rs 2.3 crore).
5. 1909 VDB Matte Proof Lincoln Penny
When the Lincoln Penny was first introduced in 1909, its designer Victor D. Brenner inscribed his initials “VDB” on the reverse of the coin. This was later removed due to controversy.
The 1909 VDB Matte Proof Lincoln Penny is extremely rare today and has sold for up to $258,000 (approximately Rs 2.1 crore).
6. 1958 Doubled Die Obverse Cent
A minting error in 1958 caused the letters “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY” to appear double on some pennies. This minting error made this coin extremely popular among collectors.
This coin in excellent condition has sold for up to $224,831 (approximately Rs 1.9 crore).
7. 1856 Flying Eagle Cent
In 1856, a small-sized US penny was first made. Before this, the penny was large and heavy.
The 1856 Flying Eagle Cent was produced in limited numbers, making it a priceless treasure for collectors.
It can cost anywhere from $4,500 (about Rs 3.7 lakh) to $172,500 (about Rs 1.4 crore).
8. 1864 Indian Head Penny “L” on Ribbon
In 1864, designer James Longacre added a small “L” to the design of the Indian Head penny, which makes it different from other coins.
It can cost up to $161,000 (about Rs 1.3 crore) in excellent condition.
9. 1914-D Lincoln Penny
The 1914-D Lincoln Penny is extremely rare due to its limited production. It was minted in very small numbers at the Denver Mint.
This coin in excellent condition has sold for $159,000 (approximately Rs 1.3 crores).
10. 1926-S Lincoln Penny
The 1926-S Lincoln Penny is extremely difficult to find, especially if it exists in its original bright red color.
In 2006, a fine example of this penny was auctioned for $149,500 (approximately Rs 1.2 crores).
FAQs
How do I know if I have a rare penny?
If you have an old penny, look carefully at its date, mintmark, and any unusual design errors. If something looks different, it may be rare.
What is the rarest Lincoln penny?
The 1943-D Lincoln Bronze Wheat Penny is the rarest and most expensive Lincoln penny ever minted, selling for as much as $2.3 million.
What are 1943 steel pennies worth?
Most 1943 steel pennies are common, but if your coin is minted in bronze, it could be worth millions.
Where can I sell my rare pennies?
You can sell them at coin dealers, online auctions, or numismatic shows.
Why is the 1958 Doubled Die Penny so valuable?
This coin is special because of a rare minting error that causes its letters to appear double, making it extremely popular among collectors.