Most people don’t think twice about pennies. They collect in jars, get left in car cup holders, or sit at the bottom of purses. But did you know some pennies could be worth thousands—or even millions—of dollars?
While the idea of a penny selling for $70 million isn’t true, there are real, valuable pennies that have sold for huge amounts. Some are rare because of mistakes at the mint, while others are special due to history.
Here are five rare pennies that might still be in circulation—and how you can spot them.
1. 1943 Copper Penny – A Wartime Mistake Worth $1.7 Million
During World War II, the U.S. Mint switched from copper to steel to save metal for the war. However, a few leftover copper blanks were used by mistake, creating the rare 1943 copper penny.
Only about 40 exist. One sold for $1.7 million in 2010, and another sold for over $1 million in 2012.
How to identify it:
- Use a magnet—real copper pennies won’t stick, but steel ones will.
- Look for a reddish-brown color instead of a silver-gray steel tone.
- Be careful of fakes—some steel pennies are coated to look like copper.
2. 1944 Steel Penny – The Opposite Error
In 1944, the Mint returned to copper pennies. However, a few steel blanks from the previous year were accidentally used. These 1944 steel pennies are just as rare as the 1943 copper ones.
Only about 30 are known to exist. One sold for $373,750 in 2008, and its value has continued to rise.
How to identify it:
- A 1944 penny made of steel will stick to a magnet.
- Unlike common 1944 pennies, which are copper-colored, these have a silver-gray steel look.
3. 1909-S VDB Penny – A Controversial First-Year Coin
The first Lincoln penny, released in 1909, had the initials “VDB” (for designer Victor David Brenner) on the back. Some people thought the initials were too large, so the Mint quickly removed them. However, before the change, 484,000 pennies were made in San Francisco with the “S” mintmark and “VDB” initials.
Today, this penny is one of the most sought-after coins. Worn versions sell for $2,000–$2,500, while perfect ones can be worth $10,000 or more.
How to identify it:
- Check the back for the small “VDB” initials at the bottom.
- Look for an “S” mintmark under the date.
4. 1955 Doubled Die Penny – An Error You Can See Easily
This coin is one of the most famous error pennies. Due to a mistake in the minting process, the lettering and numbers appear doubled. Around 20,000–24,000 of these coins entered circulation before the error was caught.
Collectors love this coin because the mistake is easy to see, and it can be worth up to $18,000 in top condition.
How to identify it:
- Look at the words “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and the date—if the letters look doubled, you may have one.
5. 1969-S Doubled Die Penny – A Modern Rarity
This penny is even rarer than the 1955 version. Only about a dozen are known to exist. One sold for $126,500 in 2008, and it would likely be worth even more today.
How to identify it:
- Check for slight but clear doubling in the letters “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
- Be cautious—many pennies have minor doubling that isn’t valuable.
Where to Look for Rare Pennies
You don’t need to go to an auction house to find valuable coins. Many have been discovered in:
- Loose change
- Old piggy banks or jars
- Coin collections from family members
- Bank coin rolls
What to Do if You Find a Rare Penny
If you think you have a valuable penny, follow these steps:
- Do not clean it. Cleaning can lower its value.
- Use a magnet. This can help check if it’s steel or copper.
- Check the date and mintmark. Some combinations are worth more than others.
- Get it authenticated. Professional grading services like PCGS or NGC can verify its value.
- Look up recent sales. Research how much similar coins have sold for.
Summary of the 5 Rare Pennies
| Penny | Year | Mint Mark | Estimated Value | Key Features | Known Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 Copper Penny | 1943 | P, D, or S | $100,000–$1.7 million | Copper color, does not stick to magnet | ~40 |
| 1944 Steel Penny | 1944 | P, D, or S | $75,000–$375,000 | Silver-gray steel, sticks to magnet | ~30 |
| 1909-S VDB Penny | 1909 | S | $2,000–$10,000+ | “VDB” initials, “S” mintmark | 484,000 minted |
| 1955 Doubled Die Penny | 1955 | None | $1,000–$18,000+ | Strong doubling in text and date | ~20,000–24,000 |
| 1969-S Doubled Die Penny | 1969 | S | $75,000–$126,500+ | Doubling in lettering, rare modern error | ~12 |
Could one of these pennies be hiding in your pocket change? It’s worth taking a closer look!
