San Francisco is known to have only produced five of the 1943 bronze/copper pennies, making them especially rare, but some experts have been willing to note that there may be more in existence. In order to preserve copper for the war effort, the U.S. Mint switched to making pennies from zinc-coated steel planchets, instead of the usual bronze coin blanks, Stone explained. To lower costs, the United States Mint sought to reduce the size of the penny (to its current diameter). These are auction records for the rarest Mercury Dime series: 1921-D: $23,500 Legend Rare Coin Auctions. Sold: August 2014; Heritage Auctions, Chicago, IL, ANA US Coins Signature Auction. Only nine other Lincoln wheat pennies have a lower mintage. Pre-1960 Lincoln Wheat Pennies: These pennies were produced between 1909 and 1958 and feature an image of Abraham Lincoln on one side and wheat stalks on the other. Another double-died error can be found on the 1984 Lincoln Memorial Cent. Until then Philadelphia produced all cent and two cent denominations. 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. But two zinc-plated steel planchets somehow ended up in the coining press in the San Francisco mint. If your coins are not worth money as a collectors item but contain precious metals like gold and silver, you can sell them for their scrap metal value. As example; a 1907 Indian penny is available in all grades and affordable. Of all the cents currently in circulation these pennies are worth the most money. This coin had an RRP of $80 and a mintage of just 5,000. 1944-D Lincoln Penny on a Zinc-Coated Steel Planchet, Lincoln Wheat Penny Key Dates, Rarities and Varieties, 10 Rarest and Most Valuable Coins in the World, The 1943-S Copper Penny Found by Kenneth Wing, Lincoln Memorial Penny: Key Dates, Rarities, and Varieties, Kennedy Half Dollar Values and Prices (1964-2015), Top 10 Most Valuable U.S. All Rights Reserved. Morgan Dollars were produced from 1878-1904, then again in 1921. A penny or cent is one-hundredth of a dollar, which means a hundred cents or pennies make a dollar. Most major and minor design features are now a flat surface. Penny values span a wide range. Today, these coins are all accounted for, and two are on display in museums. "A nice circulated example, like Lutes' coin, could sell for around $150,000 to $200,000. Mint State Grade: A coin with no wear to the surface is considered Mint State grade. The image of a bison initially adorned the reverse of the nickel from 1913-1938, before transitioning to the Jefferson nickel, which is still in circulation today. There are more than 10 doubled dies for the 1972 Lincoln cent, but Type 1 is the most valuable. For this list, we are only including small cents: Flying Eagle Cents, Indian Head Pennies, Lincoln Wheat Pennies, Lincoln Memorial Cents, and Lincoln Shield Cents. For instance, Denver only minted seven of the 1944 steel pennies, making it the second rarest mint mark out of all three mints. From rare dates to rare very small details, if they are in your box you will find the rare pennies. Auction record: $4,560,000 Stack's Bowers. An 1872 Indian Head penny is a scarce coin but can readily be found at any coin show or coin dealer in circulated grades. Not all wheat cents are worth keeping, and preserving. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Privacy Policy & Terms | Circulated Lincoln Wheat cents with soft even toning, highlighting the remaining design, are appealing to beginning collectors. These are some of the most valuable coins in circulation, based on PCGS record auction pricing: Online appraisals for valuation and selling purposes are available for free, including by auction houses that will list your item. However, what is known for sure is that the 1922 no-D penny is quite scarce and in high demand among coin collectors. Most Valuable Half Dollars: A List Of Silver Half Dollars, Kennedy Half Dollars & Others Worth Holding Onto! These steel planchets were used primarily in 1943. But the move needed Congressional approval, so the mint produced a batch of about 800 of the new pennies and presented them to the lawmakers. $55. The Lincoln cent (technically, only Great Britain officially has a denomination called the "penny") is a favorite among collectors young and old, rich and poor. What year steel pennies are worth money? "The most valuable Lincoln cent sold privately in 2010 for $1.7 million," said Stone. The 1958 Doubled-Die Obverse penny is one of the rarest pennies ever made. The most exciting thing is you can find some of these rare, valuable pennies easily because they're still in circulation. The doubling on the 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse is especially prominent in the words "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST," he said. This particular die gouge is highly visible running through the bisons back. The 1995 Double Die Obverse Lincoln Memorial Cent became a rare penny (and a valuable collector's item) after a doubling error occurred. Recommendations on basic supplies that greatly improve coin storage. Prior to this date, pennies were large and bulky and were almost the size of a half-dollar. Additionally, it was extremely well-struck, as evidenced by the minutest details present on the coin. Some pennies, originally worth a single cent, are now worth thousands of dollars. Sold: August 2017; Heritage Auctions, Denver, CO, ANA U.S. 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. 2010 - 2023 USA Coin Book. !To check out o. The 1999 S Lincoln Memorial Cent was minted in San Francisco in two different varieties. Even for an example in a lowly grade of Good-4 on the Sheldon Grading Scale, 1856 Flying Eagle pennies are valued at about $7,000! Your email address will not be published. If no evidence of wear is seen a coin grades in the mint state category. They're worth far more than the famous 1909-S VDB penny - the rarest regular-issue Lincoln cent: The 1944 steel penny is worth between $75,000 and $110,000, depending on its condition. Any one of these coins in circulated or uncirculated condition is extremely rare. Why so few? This 1999 S penny looks almost identical to the last one on this list, except, you guessed it, the A and the M are closer together. If you have any of the coins on this list or other coins worth money, you should always have them authenticated by a reputable coin dealer, like a member of the Professional Numismatists Guild, before trying to sell: In 1942 in an effort to save copper for ammunition in World War II the U.S. Mint began producing steel pennies for the first time in history. $20 Saint Gaudens Double Eagle 1933 "King Farouk of Egypt". 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. 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. Read on to find out what makes these 16 coins the most valuable U.S. pennies, based on over 250,000 public records and auction sales figures. Her greatest joy is spending time with her two kids and dabbling in her creative passions of photography, dance, and art. Step 1 image and text links lead to series pages of in-depth coverage. To this day, they are the only two known to exist. This is a labor of love you might say, so it is resource intensive and slow. Of course, receiving 5 copper pennies weekly isnt a very efficient way of building a nice hoard of copper pennies. A penny's worth depends on its quality and rarity. However, the financial hardship of the time (including the economic downturn following the "Panic of 1873") meant that few people were able to save coins for their collections. And they represent the introduction of the modern small cent size. Below we unveil the most valuable circulated pennies worth up to $11,128, based on recently completed eBay listings. Most people think that the silver in U.S. coins ended in 1964, but this isn't true. Finally, demand is the factor that drives value the most. As always, nicer, better preserved coin are always worth more. Carefully examine your coins for condition. The Half Dollar coin had silver in it until 1970. However, an 1877 Indian penny is rare and highly valuable. However, after many complaints, the United States Mint changed back to the regular copper planchets beginning in 1944. Scarcity and rarity from one date to the next vary greatly within each series. The most elusive of these coins was owned by George Walton, the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence. Your email address will not be published. It looks like you're seeing double," said Bucki. And, yes, theyre made from copper, too with one exception: steel pennies. He has over 50 years of numismatic and writing experience, including a monthly magazine column for the American Numismatic Association. The difference with looking through rolls of pennies is that Im looking at many more coins that way than I ever would through my cash transactions alone. Thieves in Philadelphia broke into a truck filled with $750,000 (598,000) worth of dimes. In commemoration of the bicentennials of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition, the U.S. Mint resurrected the bison design as part of the four-coin Westward Journey Nickel Series. But the rarest of all is this single known pristine example from the Denver mint. Coin Chart: Tap a '+' sign to expand further coin details. Additionally, it has been sufficiently well preserved to retain its original bright red-copper color. 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! There are six known examples of this error being produced at the San Francisco mint in 1943. There are still a lot of Lincoln pennies that are valuable that we don't define as still being in circulation because they were minted before 1950. Valuable because they are so popular. Separate your old wheat pennies into the main value groups - different decades, mintmarks, rare dates and importantly condition. I, on the other hand, am simply holding onto my copper pennies with no particular plans except to perhaps search them someday for varieties, errors, and other interesting numismatic aberrations. Read more in our privacy policy. We'll tell you of course what you need to look for. 1914-S Lincoln Penny 1944-D Lincoln Penny (Zinc-coated steel) 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny 1872 Indian Head Penny 1969-S Lincoln Penny-Doubled Die Obverse 1926-S Lincoln Penny 1877 Indian Head Penny The purpose of this page is to provide coin valuation data to collectors, investors, the media, and anyone interested learning what the most valuable pennies and one cent coins are. Coins in this condition are few and far between and are truly treasures to behold. However, a steel planchetleft over from 1943 must have found its way into the coining press. Many large cents in nice condition with abundant detail remaining, are a valuable find. Step 1 above are image links to match your coin. Required fields are marked *. "I know a couple of people who have found these in their pocket change.". If you have gold coins or silver coins that arent a collectors item, we recommend selling to top online metals buyer CashforGoldUSA or its sister site CashforSilverUSA. While some people may think that all pennies are made entirely from copper, virtually every one-cent coin made since late 1982 has a composition consisting of 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper. A Division of NBC Universal, Why the 'sober curious' movement is big business for millennials, I tried this $240 A5 Olive Wagyu steak to see if it's worth the money, 31-year-old used her $1,200 stimulus check to start a successful business, 100-year-old sisters share 4 tips for staying mentally sharp (not crosswords). The story behind copper 1943 Lincoln Pennies is presumed to be a pure accident at the U.S. Mint perhaps a few leftover copper planchets from 1942 were stuck in the coining press system and struck with 1943 penny dies. 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). "The then 16-year-old Lutes received the copper-colored penny in change at his high school cafeteria in 1947," David Stone, a coin cataloger for Heritage, told CNBC Make It. 1943 copper Lincoln Wheat Penny, $45,000 A Philadelphia Mint version of the 1943 copper penny may not be worth quite as much as a San Francisco Mint or Denver Mint example in Extremely Fine grade on the Sheldon Grading Scale, but its a rare coin nevertheless. Bottom line: The 1955 Doubled-Die Obverse (DDO) Penny is one of the most famous examples of design doubling on coinage. We have discounted proof coins, error coins, as well as any "special strikes", to create a clean list of pennies you have a higher probability of finding from the current pool of circulating United States currency. Confirm your coin as a half cent by denomination on reverse. Often it is these subtle points elevating a coin to solid collector quality and appeal. Steel cents were made in 1943, though a few 1944 steel pennies were made by accident. Compare your now very old Indian pennies to the series value chart. This penny is the rarest date of all the Indian Head pennies ever minted. 1931-S Wheat Penny Value: $70-$150 Auction Record: $18,600 Shop 1931-S Wheat Cents on eBay.com The 1931 S Lincoln Wheat Penny is a key date in the series, with only 866,000 coins minted. Of all the 1943 copper pennies, only one Denver-minted copper cent is believed to exist, making it one of the rarest U.S. coins to date. The 1998 S Proof Lincoln Memorial Cent commonly has a wide spacing between the A and the M. In the close "AM" version, the letters almost touch. Some pennies, originally worth a single cent, are now worth thousands of dollars. Their demand is supporting strong values, high condition examples are avidly sought. Though you're less likely to come across these highly prized pennies in your pocket change, the following are the most valuable Lincoln, Indian-Head, and Wheat Penny cents, as well as the most expensive pennies of all time. Auction record: $10,200 Heritage Auctions. Lincoln pennies minted from 1959 to 1982 are made of 95 percent copper and have about 2.5 cents worth of copper in them. You do the same comparing to images of the different grades and matching your coin. Visit the series page for value charts and details on how to value your old penny. Keep that in mind! "The few bronze coins that were struck went unnoticed and got released into circulation.". A 1933-D, for example, may be valued at $2.30 or more. Most of these S-Mint Lincoln Memorial cents have been pulled from circulation, so they rarely turn up in pocket change anymore. Officially, theyre worth only face value if worn, but Ive seen many circulated S-mint Lincoln Memorial cents selling at coin shops for 5 to 10 cents. In addition to the doubling of wording, the date and "S" mint mark are also doubled. At least, that's what was supposed to happen. Accidents can produce the rarest coins. Half cents are a series with many examples in very worn condition. However, during the transition period between 1942 and 1943, there were a number of leftover copper planchets (the plain metal discs used to make coins) that were accidentally struck with 1943 dates. All Wheat Pennies are worth at least three times face value, but of course many are worth substantially more especially the key date Wheat pennies. What makes this particular coin extremely valuable is its pristine condition despite being over 100 years old. For 2008, the U.S. Mint decided to modify the reverse design of Silver Eagle coins. Match your coins to each penny series value chart. Coin Values Moving with Precious Metals: Up-Dated 4/17/2023: Gold $2009 | Silver $25.38. When coins are being pressed, lubricant is used on the machine to reduce friction between parts. This act required the U.S. government to purchase large quantities of silver and turn them into silver dollars, which were called Morgan Dollars after their designer, George T. Morgan. Toning of the surface continues, unless protected, to very deep shades of brown-black. Initially, the government believed that these were counterfeit coins and began confiscating them. Minted in Denver, USA Coin Book estimated the value of this rare 1914 penny at $278 in average condition and over $3,000 in uncirculated mint condition. Most Valuable Canadian Pennies 1. Sold: October 2011; Heritage Auctions, Pittsburgh, PA, Signature Auction. Notice that those mintage numbers for the business-strike S-mint Lincoln pennies are in the millions, not billions like most Philadelphia and Denver pennies from that era. This coin is the second example of a 1943 Lincoln cent that should have been struck on a zinc-plated steel planchet but was instead coined on a bronze planchet. What years of pennies are worth money? The U.S. Mint knew this before the coins were released to the public, but officials didnt want to destroy an entire batch of perfectly normal Lincoln Pennies to catch the ones with the doubled image, so off these beauties went, and soon they were discovered in New England vending machines. It is estimated that fewer than 20 were released by each of the Philadelphia and San Francisco mints. Bottom line: OK, we'll admit it. Auction record: $6,000 Heritage Auctions. Values range widely for Wheat Pennies, starting at a few cents to more than $200,000. This one's going to be tough to find in circulation, but since it was produced after the 1950s, we had to include it. $9,360,000. There are estimated to be about 15-20,000 of these pennies still in existence, though there are many counterfeits on the market. In the case of this rare 1917 penny, the words "In God We Trust" are doubled. Nearly all of the 1943 Lincoln Wheat Cent produced are steel cents, but there were some that used copper planchets in addition to the steel. Its just not worth it. But there are several valuable pennies worth money, much more than just a few cents apiece. The home page is an excellent index, quickly leading to the major coin series. Sometimes called "Lincoln Cents" (without mentioning the Memorial as described below,) they are made of almost pure copper (95%) except for one year, the 1943 penny, which is made of zinc-plated steel. While mintage numbers tell part of the story about a coins rarity, they dont show you a complete picture. These newer, zinc-based Lincoln cents are often called Zincolnsand are widely available in circulation today. They also offer professional coin grading. Old coins and collections are enjoyed because the eye appeal and aesthetics of each example in the set. So, check your change and coin roll hunt too! Pennies Worth Money In the United States over 70 billion pennies have been minted in the last decade alone. Whats the easiest way to search for copper pennies? A coin in good condition could go for about $75,000. Sold: January 2013; Stack's Bowers Galleries, Americana Auction. Older copper pennies are 95% copper and 5% something else. Thieves in Philadelphia broke into a truck filled with $ 750,000 ( )... Cents in nice condition with abundant detail remaining, are a series with many in! Doubled dies for the American numismatic Association circulated example what pennies are worth money like Lutes ' coin, could for. S-Mint Lincoln Memorial cent was minted in San Francisco mints are more 10! Pa, Signature Auction an 1872 Indian Head penny is a labor of love you say... 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