The Lincoln penny, a staple of U.S. currency since 1909, is more than just pocket change. Over the years, certain rare Lincoln pennies have become highly sought after by collectors, with some even fetching prices that could make you a small fortune. Whether it’s a unique minting error or a coin produced in limited numbers, some Lincoln pennies have turned into valuable treasures. Here are the top 10 most valuable Lincoln pennies that could make you a fortune.
1. 1943 Copper Lincoln Penny
Perhaps the most famous and valuable of all Lincoln pennies, the 1943 copper penny is an extremely rare error coin. During World War II, the U.S. Mint switched from copper to zinc-coated steel for penny production, but a few copper pennies were mistakenly struck in the same year. Only a handful of these copper pennies were minted, and they’re worth a fortune today—some have sold for over $1 million at auction.
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2. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny
The 1909-S VDB Lincoln penny is another highly prized coin. Minted in San Francisco, this penny features the initials “VDB” of designer Victor David Brenner on the reverse side of the coin. The “S” mintmark and the controversial VDB initials made this penny a rare and significant piece for collectors. In excellent condition, this penny can be worth thousands of dollars.
3. 1955 Double Die Lincoln Penny
The 1955 double die Lincoln penny is one of the most famous error coins in U.S. history. The coin features a doubled die on the obverse, where the date and the word “Liberty” appear with a clear doubling effect. While many of these pennies are common, a well-preserved example can fetch thousands, with some selling for over $20,000 depending on its condition.
4. 1922 No D Lincoln Penny
The 1922 No D Lincoln penny is another example of a minting error. In this case, a 1922 penny was struck without the “D” mintmark, which was supposed to appear on coins minted in Denver. These pennies were originally produced with the mintmark, but a die error led to a small number of them being released without it. A 1922 No D penny in fine condition can be worth anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars.
5. 1970-S Small Date Lincoln Penny
The 1970-S small date Lincoln penny is a rare variation of the 1970 penny. It is distinguished by a small date on the obverse, which makes it stand out from the regular large date variety. While not as valuable as other error coins, in uncirculated condition, it can fetch a price upwards of $2,000 or more from collectors seeking to complete their collections.
6. 1944 Steel Lincoln Penny
In 1944, the U.S. Mint switched back to producing copper pennies after using steel for a year due to wartime shortages. However, a small number of steel pennies were mistakenly struck in 1944 using leftover steel blanks. These steel pennies are incredibly rare, and an example in good condition can be worth tens of thousands of dollars to the right buyer.
7. 1931-S Lincoln Penny
The 1931-S Lincoln penny is considered rare due to its low mintage. With only around 866,000 of these pennies produced, they are difficult to find in circulation today. In excellent condition, a 1931-S penny can be worth thousands of dollars. Even a coin in lower grades can command a premium price among collectors.
8. 1909 VDB Lincoln Penny
The 1909 VDB Lincoln penny is significant because it was the first year the U.S. Mint issued pennies featuring the likeness of Abraham Lincoln. The “VDB” initials on the reverse side represent the designer’s name, Victor David Brenner, and they were controversial at the time. While many of these pennies were melted down, those that have survived can be worth hundreds to thousands of dollars, depending on their condition.
9. 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Penny
The 1969-S doubled die obverse Lincoln penny is a highly sought-after error coin. The doubling effect on the coin’s obverse, particularly on the word “LIBERTY” and the date, makes it a standout among other pennies from that year. If you come across a 1969-S penny with this error in good condition, it could be worth several thousand dollars.
10. 1914-D Lincoln Penny
The 1914-D Lincoln penny is another valuable coin due to its low mintage, with only around 1.1 million coins produced that year. The “D” mintmark indicates that it was minted in Denver. While most of these pennies are in poor condition, well-preserved examples can be worth thousands of dollars, especially if they are in uncirculated or nearly mint state.
Conclusion
While the majority of Lincoln pennies are worth just their face value, some of these coins have become incredibly valuable due to minting errors, low mintage numbers, or historical significance. If you find a rare Lincoln penny in your collection or spare change, it’s worth checking its details to see if it could be worth a small fortune. If you think you might have one of these valuable pennies, consider getting it appraised by a professional numismatist. Who knows? You could be sitting on a rare treasure!
