Pennies may seem small and ordinary, but some of them are worth a fortune. Collectors are always on the lookout for rare and unique pennies, especially those minted in the 20th century. While most pennies are worth just one cent, certain coins with errors, low mintages, or special designs can sell for thousands—or even millions—of dollars.
If you’ve ever wondered which pennies from the last century are the most valuable, here’s a list of 10 rare 20th-century pennies collectors dream of finding.
1. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent
This was the first year the Lincoln cent was minted, and the coins made in San Francisco with designer Victor D. Brenner’s initials (“VDB”) are extremely rare. With only 484,000 minted, they are highly prized.
2. 1914-D Lincoln Cent
Struck in Denver, the 1914-D penny had a very low mintage of about 1.2 million. Finding one in excellent condition is tough, making it one of the most valuable Lincoln cents.
3. 1922 No D Lincoln Cent
All Lincoln cents in 1922 were minted in Denver. However, a die error caused some coins to be struck without the “D” mint mark. This “No D” error penny is highly collectible.
4. 1931-S Lincoln Cent
This penny had a very low mintage of just 866,000, which makes it rare. While not as valuable as earlier rarities, it’s still a key coin for serious collectors.
5. 1943 Copper Penny
During World War II, pennies were struck in steel to save copper for the war effort. But a few copper planchets were mistakenly used. These 1943 copper pennies are incredibly rare and have sold for over $1 million.
6. 1944 Steel Penny
The opposite error happened in 1944—pennies were supposed to be copper again, but a few were mistakenly struck on leftover steel planchets. These are rare and highly desirable.
7. 1955 Double Die Lincoln Cent
This famous error coin shows strong doubling in the date and lettering. It’s one of the most recognized and collectible error pennies of the century.
8. 1969-S Double Die Lincoln Cent
This penny displays dramatic doubling on the date and inscriptions. High-grade versions can fetch tens of thousands of dollars.
9. 1972 Double Die Lincoln Cent
Similar to the 1955 and 1969-S varieties, this penny also has visible doubling. It’s one of the most popular error coins for collectors.
10. 1992 Close AM Lincoln Cent
Most pennies have a small gap between the “A” and “M” in “AMERICA,” but in 1992, some were struck with a close AM design. These are rare and valuable modern pennies.
FAQs
Q1: What makes a penny valuable?
Low mintage, historical significance, mint errors, and excellent condition can make a penny rare and valuable.
Q2: How can I tell if I have a rare penny?
Look for unusual features like doubling, missing mint marks, or unique spacing in the design. Professional grading services can confirm authenticity and value.
Q3: Are modern pennies collectible too?
Yes! Certain error pennies from the 1990s and 2000s are already considered collectible and can bring in high prices.
Final Thoughts
From century-old rarities to modern error coins, pennies can be worth far more than face value. Whether you’re digging through an old coin jar or starting a collection, keep an eye out—because even a simple penny could turn out to be a treasure.
