Most people see a penny and ignore it. But what if that small coin in your change jar is worth thousands—or even hundreds of thousands—of dollars? Some Lincoln pennies have become legendary for their rarity, historical errors, or unique minting quirks, turning them into valuable collector’s items.
Whether you’re a numismatist or a curious coin holder, here are 10 rare Lincoln pennies to look for before they disappear forever.
1. 1943 Copper Wheat Pennies
In 1943, pennies were made of steel to conserve copper for World War II. However, a few were accidentally struck on leftover copper planchets from 1942. These are now incredibly rare.
- Mint Year: 1943
- Key Feature: Copper composition instead of steel
- Estimated Value: Up to $375,000
2. 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse Penny
One of the most famous error coins, this penny has a noticeable doubling of the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
- Mint Year: 1969
- Mint Mark: S
- Key Feature: Strong doubled die on the obverse
- Estimated Value: Up to $125,000
3. 1922 No D Penny
This rare error occurred at the Denver Mint, the only facility producing pennies that year. Some coins were struck without the “D” mintmark, making them extremely rare.
- Mint Year: 1922
- Mint Mark: None
- Key Feature: Missing mintmark
- Estimated Value: Up to $55,000
4. 1955 Doubled Die Obverse Penny
This penny features dramatic doubling visible to the naked eye on the date and inscriptions.
- Mint Year: 1955
- Mint Mark: None
- Key Feature: Obvious doubling of obverse text
- Estimated Value: Up to $30,000
5. 1909-S VDB Penny
The first Lincoln cent ever minted included the designer’s initials “V.D.B.” at the bottom. Only a small number were made before they were removed due to public backlash.
- Mint Year: 1909
- Mint Mark: S
- Key Feature: Designer initials V.D.B.
- Estimated Value: Up to $10,000
6. 1992-D Close AM Penny
This penny has a unique error where the letters “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” are closer than usual—due to a proof reverse die being used.
- Mint Year: 1992
- Mint Mark: D
- Key Feature: Close spacing of A and M
- Estimated Value: Up to $4,000
7. 1970-S Small Date High 7 Penny
This variety has a smaller date with the “7” positioned higher than normal. It’s subtle but valuable to collectors.
- Mint Year: 1970
- Mint Mark: S
- Key Feature: Small date, high 7
- Estimated Value: Up to $2,500
8. 1984 Doubled Die Ear Penny
A strong doubling around Lincoln’s ear makes this penny a unique and valuable find.
- Mint Year: 1984
- Mint Mark: P (Philadelphia)
- Key Feature: Doubled ear on Lincoln
- Estimated Value: Up to $300
9. 1995 Doubled Die Obverse Penny
This coin features a more subtle doubling compared to earlier issues but is still noticeable on “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
- Mint Year: 1995
- Mint Mark: D or None
- Key Feature: Doubling of obverse text
- Estimated Value: Up to $500
10. 1999 Wide AM Penny
Unlike the 1992-D Close AM, this one has an unusually wide gap between the “A” and “M” in “AMERICA,” again due to a reverse die mix-up.
- Mint Year: 1999
- Mint Mark: P
- Key Feature: Wide AM on reverse
- Estimated Value: Up to $600
10 Rare Lincoln Pennies
| Penny | Year | Mint Mark | Key Feature | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 Copper Wheat Penny | 1943 | None | Copper composition | Up to $375,000 |
| 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse | 1969 | S | Doubled text on obverse | Up to $125,000 |
| 1922 No D Penny | 1922 | None | Missing mint mark | Up to $55,000 |
| 1955 Doubled Die Obverse | 1955 | None | Doubled inscriptions | Up to $30,000 |
| 1909-S VDB Penny | 1909 | S | V.D.B. initials on reverse | Up to $10,000 |
| 1992-D Close AM Penny | 1992 | D | A & M close together | Up to $4,000 |
| 1970-S Small Date High 7 | 1970 | S | High 7 in date | Up to $2,500 |
| 1984 Doubled Die Ear | 1984 | P | Doubled Lincoln’s ear | Up to $300 |
| 1995 Doubled Die Obverse | 1995 | D or None | Slight doubling on text | Up to $500 |
| 1999 Wide AM Penny | 1999 | P | Wide AM on reverse | Up to $600 |
These 10 rare Lincoln pennies are worth much more than their face value. Whether you’re a casual coin collector or just curious about your spare change, it’s worth taking a closer look. You could be holding onto hundreds or even thousands of dollars without knowing it.
Check your coins—because treasures don’t always come in gold. Sometimes, they’re copper.
FAQs
How do I know if I have a rare Lincoln penny?
Check for key features like doubling, missing mint marks, or spacing errors. Use a magnifying glass and compare with images online or in coin guides.
Where can I sell a rare Lincoln penny?
You can sell through coin dealers, auctions, or certified coin grading services. Getting the coin professionally graded can increase its value.
Are all old pennies valuable?
Not necessarily. Age alone doesn’t make a coin rare—it must have a low mintage, an error, or be in exceptional condition.