The Lincoln penny has been a staple of American currency since 1909, but while most pennies are worth only their face value, certain rare Lincoln pennies can be worth hundreds, thousands, or even millions of dollars! These valuable coins are often prized for their rarity, errors, or historical significance.
If you’re a coin collector or just curious about what rare pennies you might own, here are 10 super rare Lincoln pennies you should look for — your pocket change could surprise you!
1. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny
- Why it’s rare: The first year the Lincoln penny was minted, with the initials of the designer Victor David Brenner (VDB) on the back. The San Francisco mint only produced about 484,000 of these pennies.
- Value: In good condition, can be worth $1,000 to $50,000+.
2. 1914-D Lincoln Penny
- Why it’s rare: Only 1.19 million were minted at the Denver Mint, making it a low mintage for the time.
- Value: A fine or better specimen can fetch between $100 and $10,000.
3. 1931-S Lincoln Penny
- Why it’s rare: Another low-mintage penny from the San Francisco mint, with just over 866,000 made.
- Value: Depending on condition, worth $150 to $5,000+.
4. 1943 Copper Lincoln Penny
- Why it’s rare: Most 1943 pennies were made from steel due to copper shortages during WWII. A few copper pennies were mistakenly minted, making them incredibly rare.
- Value: Can sell for $50,000 to $1,000,000+, depending on condition.
5. 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny
- Why it’s rare: This famous error penny has a doubled image on the date and inscriptions due to a misaligned die.
- Value: High-grade specimens can be worth $1,000 to $100,000+.
6. 1969-S Doubled Die Lincoln Penny
- Why it’s rare: Like the 1955 penny, this coin shows clear doubling, but it’s much rarer because fewer were produced.
- Value: Can fetch $5,000 to $75,000+ in good condition.
7. 1909-S Lincoln Penny (No VDB)
- Why it’s rare: The same year as the famous VDB penny, but without the designer’s initials, also with a low mint count.
- Value: Typically worth $200 to $10,000+ depending on condition.
8. 1922 No D Lincoln Penny
- Why it’s rare: This penny was supposed to be minted in Denver (D mint mark), but some were minted without the mark due to a die error.
- Value: Prices range from $1,000 to $10,000+.
9. 1972 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny
- Why it’s rare: Another notable doubled die error, showing doubling on the date and lettering.
- Value: Can be worth $500 to $3,000+.
10. 1983 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny
- Why it’s rare: Although not as old as the others, this penny shows a strong doubled die effect and is becoming increasingly collectible.
- Value: Usually valued between $100 and $1,000+.
How to Spot These Rare Pennies
- Look closely at the date and lettering for signs of doubling or missing details.
- Check the mint mark carefully — some rare pennies are identified by unique mint marks or the absence of them.
- Use a magnifying glass or loupe for detailed inspection.
- Get your penny professionally graded for an official assessment if you believe you found a rare one.
Final Thoughts
Rare Lincoln pennies are among the most exciting finds in coin collecting. Whether it’s a 1943 copper penny or a 1955 doubled die, these pennies could be worth far more than their face value — sometimes even thousands or millions of dollars.
If you want to explore your coin collection or loose change, keep an eye out for these rare pennies — you might be sitting on a hidden treasure!