Just a few leftover copper penny planchets from the early 1940s were accidentally used to create 1943 Copper Pennies. This coin should've had a "D" for its Denver mintage, but the space on this coin is blank. Most recent sales of the 1944 Zinc coated steel penny sales. The full backside of the coin is doubled. If you ever come across one of these rare pennies, don't use it on a parking meter. 1955 doubled die obverse Lincoln Wheat Penny, $1,900 Its estimated that some 24,000 Lincoln Cents from 1955 were struck with a doubled die. List only contains coins from 1965 to 2023. There's also a subtle doubling of the mint mark. Small cents, by the way, are 19.1 millimeter diameter pennies that have been produced by the United States Mint since 1856. Here's a list of the most valuable pennies out there to help you spot that one-of-a-kind gem. If a 1999 penny has a large space between the A and the M, and it's in amazing condition, odds are good it's one of the most valuable pennies still in circulation. Watch out for fakes as these are commonly counterfeited! Lots Of Rare Pennies And How Much Theyre Worth Today (Most Are Worth $500+). As a result, demand for United States coinage was at an all-time low, and families struggled to make ends meet. 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. To My Young Brothers & Sisters at Reddit & Elsewhere. 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. 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. Source: PGCS.com. Many of these coins exhibit wear from circulation. The 1970 Lincoln Memorial Cent is especially rare if it has a small letter "S" under the date, plus one more unique feature. Check out our penny price guides below. These are in order with the newest being on top. It is the most valuable Lincoln penny in the world.
Sold: August 2008; Heritage Auctions, Baltimore, MD, ANA US Coin Signature Auction. How to Find Rare Coins Worth Money and Wanted by Collectors. Even the smallest abrasions can affect the coin's value. He later sold it for$126,500. 1873 doubled Liberty closed 3 Indian Head penny, $2,400 Another doubled die cent, this piece features doubling in the word LIBERTY. These planchets were then fed into the machines and struck by the die means for the 1944 copper penny, creating 1944 Steel cent errors. To have all three initials ona coin's design was unheard of. $6.24 . Since this coin exhibits evidence of circulation and must have exited the mint via regular distribution channels. Actually, 1856 Flying Eagle pennies were made as a pattern coin, and while many of them circulated, the series wasnt intended to be produced on a mass scale yet not until 1857, anyway. Those coins are hard to come by, but if you have one, you may be in line for a real financial windfall. The best known specimen as of late is an MS63 Brown (BN) and it has sold for more than $500,000. *All of the coin values listed from 1958 or earlier and 1959 to 2000 came from USA Coin Book, unless otherwise noted. Counterfeits abound but usually have the wrong mint mark. steel planchets were left in the machines. 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. The 8 over 7 is the most valuable of the three types. This is making them worth significantly more than their original value of one cent. A 1933-D, for example, may be valued at $2.30 or more. As youll notice, there are several dates missing in the list above. It may be worth taking a look, because many of the most valuable pennies on this list were made in the 20th century. Because not many of these pennies were minted, proof coins of either variety are valuable. Sold: August 2014; Heritage Auctions, Chicago, IL, ANA US Coins Signature Auction. CoinTrackers.com is an invaluable resource dedicated to helping the coin collector and silver community. CoinTrackers.com is an invaluable resource dedicated to helping the coin collector and silver community. But, of course, rarity is a significant factor in determining a penny's worth. The standard for the 1940 era would be something akin to a MS-65 RD. Be careful not to scratch the coin however. In fact, the first "Fugio cent" was designed by Benjamin Franklin. 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. Some pennies, originally worth a single cent, are now worth thousands of dollars. A 1931-S could be worth $40 or more. All of these factors together make this the second most valuable penny in the world. It is estimated that only 5 million of these coins were made, and very few of them were saved in uncirculated 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. The 1943 Copper Wheat Cent is a coin that was not supposed to exist. Additionally, it was extremely well-struck, as evidenced by the minutest details present on the coin. Most Valuable Coins by Type. 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! In 1877, the economic slump that began in 1873 continued with full force. . This coin features the same proof die reverse as the 1998 wide AM coin. 24/100 - Rare Heavily Played Pokemon EX - Sandstorm . 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. Most Valuable US Pennies - Highest Value 1 Cent Coins USA Coin Book has compiled a list of the most valuable US pennies ever known. These coins in circulated condition are also valuable, but uncirculated coins are extremely rare. Top 100 valuable pennies. Just over 42,000 of the normal date versions of the coin were minted in 1799, according toUSA Coin Book. 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. What sets this special penny apart from the crowd is a doubling of the date, with a smaller set of digits appearing on top of the larger set. Im also the editor at the Florida United Numismatists Club (FUN Topics magazine), and author of Images of America: The United States Mint in Philadelphia (a book that explores the colorful history of the Philadelphia Mint). If you enjoy this article please be sure to share on your favorite social media platform. Nov 2020 - MS63 Brown $500,000. While others are drawing attention on basis of how old and rare they are. 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. You should follow us on Facebook too, we occasionally run contests on our page!). The 1914-D Wheat Cent is a great addition to anyones collection. He has over 50 years of numismatic and writing experience, including a monthly magazine column for the American Numismatic Association. 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. Of all the cents currently in circulation these pennies are worth the most money.
Either way, there are only five known copper pennies from that year, making this coin the "holy grail" of pennies for collectors. Legend Rare Coin Auctions. To identify this ultra-valuable penny, take a close look at the date and mint mark. As a result, most of these pennies went into circulation. As a result, a majority of the 1941-D Lincoln pennies are in circulated condition. Take, for instance, the popular 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent. This page is a work in progress, share to social media and check back later for updates. Im a member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA) and the Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG) and have won multiple awards from the NLG for my work as a coin journalist. If you buy thru these links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. In 2014, an MS65+ 8 over 7 (pictured left) sold for $74,025. What makes this coin extremely rare is its exceptional condition that combines a nearly flawless coin with a sharp strike from a fresh set of coin dies. The number "7" appears higher than usual, nearly level with the "0.". It will stick to a magnet. The penny features the letters VDB on the bottom of the back of the coin, which are the initials of designer Victor David Brenner. The machines from 1944 should have been dialed back from 1943 in an effort to preserve the dies longevity. 2019 Penny Value Guide: Some 2019 Pennies Are Worth $3,600 Apiece! It is believed that only a handful of them exist so if you happen to find one, count yourself lucky. Coins Signature Auction. 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 One example circulated for a while before being picked up by a collector. 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. Leftover steel planchets from 1943 Steel War Cents were left in bins and mixed with 1944 Copper Penny Planchets. These factors make this a very rare and valuable penny indeed. Since the very beginning, the images on the penny have symbolized the spirit of the country. In 2021, an MS62 graded coin (pictured left) sold for $372,000. 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. The 1877 version has been said to be the rarest Indian head penny there is. 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. 1926-S Buffalo Nickel. Another coin for avid coin collectors to look out for is the 1858 Flying Eagle Cent. Thisstray planchet created a great rarity treasured by coin collectors, and they are willing to pay handsomely to add this coin to their collection.
To this day, they are the only two known to exist. Why It's Worth So Much:Sometimes, if the die used to stampa coin with an image aren't correctly aligned, images or letters appear"doubled" on the coin. The most expensive coin on the list is also an Indian Head cent. In 2018, an MS66+RD graded coin (pictured left) sold for $158,625. The 1944 steel wheat penny is another instance of the United States Mint using the wrong planchet. Pay attention to the photos and details below to see if you have one of these valuable nickels in your piggy bank. This is the second-lowest number of 1943 Lincoln pennies on bronze planchets produced at any of the United States Mint locations. 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. An uncirculated example in its original mint state red color is extremely rare and valuable. 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. 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. If you want to know what your U.S. penny is worth, then read on! While the front of the 1983 Lincoln Memorial Cent looks perfectly ordinary, the back might have a particularly lucrative error. Our most valuable coins list includes coins starting in 1793 up to the present (2023). 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. We strive to put out videos as quickly as we can that c. In addition to the pennies mentioned above, here aresome otherpennies worth money: And heres my video explaining how to tell if youve got a valuable penny or not: Do you know where to look for the most valuable pennies? We offer reliable real coin melt conversions and hand written stats on each and every coin in our database. This list and the prices are current as of 2023. OK, we'll admit it. The top 25 most valuable pennies. Not because of its date of minting, but because of its die variety. In 2004, an MS66 graded coin sold for $172,500. If you know what to look for, this hobby could pay serious dividends. 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. This is one of the most popular and controversial coins among collectors. Also, in the 1930s and 40s, most coin collectors acquired their coins from circulation, so it is not hard to find a circulated example of a 1926-S Lincoln penny. The 1958 Doubled-Die Obverse penny is one of the rarest pennies ever made. What makes this coin extremely valuable is the fact that it was struck on a zinc-coated steel planchet. Initially, the government believed that these were counterfeit coins and began confiscating them. Jan 2018 - AU53 $228,000. Real Experiences. Also, the listing claims that it was the first American coin to use nickel to inspire a coin-collecting hobby in the late 1800s. There are six known examples of this error being produced at the San Francisco mint in 1943. Sold: January 2006; Heritage Auctions, Orlando, FL, FUN Signature Auction. Like the previous two pennies mentioned, the wording on both sides is doubled, plus there's a doubling of the date. Damaged coins or those grading lower based on wear will be worth less than the coin values listed above. 4. The list above also doesnt include proof Lincoln cents which you wouldnt ordinarily findin circulation. 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. On one side, "In God We Trust" is doubled, and "Liberty" is doubled on the other. This penny is the undisputed "King" of Canadian Pennies One variety had a widely spaced "AM" in the word "America.". 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. Thepennies that arent on this list are worth only a nominal amount usually between 3 cents and $1. 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. 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. My love for coins began when I was 11 years old. 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. The lines "In God We Trust" and "Liberty" are both doubled as well as the 1955 date itself. Visitors can click on the links in the list below to view larger images of both sides of the coins (mint mark locations, error/variety diagnosis, etc), detailed pricing data for various conditions/grades of the coins, mintage figures, metal composition, history and other encyclopedic information regarding each individual coin. Because of the increased pressure bronze examples of the 1943 Cent should in general be in better condition than most copper pennies from the 1940's. Of all the cents currently in circulation these pennies are worth the most money. Sold: October 2011; Heritage Auctions, Pittsburgh, PA, Signature Auction. 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 . There are about 30 of these coins in existence today. 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. The Secret Service confiscated the early specimens until the U.S. Mint admitted they were genuine. These were steel planchets that were coated in a layer of zinc to improve their luster. In 2017, an MS66+RD graded coin (pictured left) sold for $19,975. Stay up to date with everything about U.S Coins, We dont spam! The 1856 Flying Eagle cents were initially struck as presentation pieces and given to members of congress and other dignitaries,according to the eBay listing. The 1958 Doubled-Die Obverse penny is one of the rarest pennies ever made. 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. But two zinc-plated steel planchets somehow ended up in the coining press in the San Francisco mint. 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. 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. Are you concerned the precious metals train has left the station without you. But it is scarce to find an uncirculated 1926-S Lincoln penny with its original copper-red color. Do you have any of these coins in your penny jar? When an example as fine as this one crosses the auction block, it is certain to set record prices. C $18.15 Free shipping 187 sold. The mint mark is a smaller letter on the face of the coin underneath the year that signifies where it was minted. Almost every collector of United States coins began collecting the Lincoln penny. The difference between this 1873 penny and the closed 3 listed above is the way the serifed ends of the 3 come near the middle of the digit. 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. Jaime Hernandez wrote on PCGS that one of the things making this coin so rare is the low amount of coins that were collected this year versus in 1909. Rather than a special addition, this penny is valuable for something it lacks. This is a valuable coin that actually has a few different varieties, the large letters, small letters, and the 8 over 7. 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