Most pennies are worth… one cent. But mint errors, tiny production runs, and historical accidents turned a handful of 20th-century Lincoln cents into six- and seven-figure treasures.
A Quick History of 20th-Century Lincoln Pennies
Launched in 1909 for Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday, the Lincoln cent switched from wheat ears (1909–1958) to the Lincoln Memorial (1959–2008). Along the way, wartime metal changes and die mistakes created some of the most coveted rare coins in American history.
The 13 Rarest Pennies That Can Make You Rich
- 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent – The Holy Grail ($200,000–$1.7M)
- 1944 Steel Penny – Wrong metal again ($100,000+)
- 1955 Doubled Die Obverse – Dramatic doubling ($1,000–$40,000)
- 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse – Insanely rare ($35,000–$126,000)
- 1972 Doubled Die Obverse – Easy to spot ($200–$2,000)
- 1914-D Lincoln Cent – Low mintage key date ($200–$25,000)
- 1909-S VDB – The famous designer initials ($600–$20,000)
- 1922 No-D (Strong Reverse) – Missing mintmark error ($500–$35,000)
- 1931-S Lincoln Cent – Only 866,000 minted ($50–$2,000)
- 1917 Doubled Die Obverse – Subtle but valuable ($150–$15,000)
- 1943-S Bronze Cent – Just one known ($336,000 in 2022)
- 1983 DDR (Doubled Die Reverse) – Modern sleeper ($200–$2,500)
- 1992 Close AM Lincoln Cent – Tiny design change ($2,000–$25,000 in MS)
Price Comparison Table (2025 Average Values – PCGS/NGC MS65 or better)
| Rank | Coin | Good–Fine | MS65 Red | Record Sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1943 Bronze | $100,000+ | $300,000+ | $1.7M (2010) |
| 2 | 1943-S Bronze | — | $336,000+ | Only 1 known |
| 3 | 1969-S Doubled Die | $15,000 | $126,000 | $126,500 (2022) |
| 4 | 1955 Doubled Die | $800 | $2,000 | $124,000 (2006) |
| 5 | 1944 Steel | $30,000 | $180,000+ | — |
Famous Sales & Record Prices Table
| Year Sold | Coin | Grade | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 1943 Bronze | MS62 | $1.7 million |
| 2019 | 1943-D Bronze (only one) | MS64 | $840,000 |
| 2022 | 1969-S Doubled Die | MS64+ | $126,500 |
| 2023 | 1955 Doubled Die | MS66+ Red | $48,000 |
How to Spot These Treasures in Your Change
Grab a 10× loupe, good light, and check dates first. Look for:
- Steel or bronze in 1943–1944
- Obvious doubling on letters/date
- Missing or weak mintmarks
- “Close AM” vs normal “wide AM” on 1992–2000 memorials
Expert Tips for Beginners
- Never clean coins – it destroys value
- Buy a Red Book price guide ($15)
- Use PCGS CoinFacts or NGC Coin Explorer apps (free)
- Get suspicious coins certified – it’s worth the $20–$50 fee
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I still find these in circulation?
A: Extremely unlikely for the million-dollar ones, but 1972 and 1983 doubled dies still pop up!
Q: Where should I sell a rare penny I found?
A: Heritage Auctions, GreatCollections, or Stack’s Bowers – never pawn shops.
Final Thoughts – Start Hunting Today!
That dusty jar on your shelf could literally contain a college fund or down payment on a house. The 13 rare 20th-century pennies above have already made ordinary people rich. Grab a magnifying glass, check every wheat penny and weird-looking Lincoln cent you own – your fortune might be staring back at you right now.