Most people wouldn’t bend down to pick up a penny, but some of those little copper coins could secretly cover your rent. Mint mistakes, low mintages, and odd quirks have made certain “pocket change” worth real money. Want to see which old cents could fatten your wallet?
1909-S Indian Cent
The 1909-S Indian Head cent marked the end of an iconic era in American coinage. Only 309,000 pieces were struck at the San Francisco Mint before the Lincoln design took over. Collectors now pay around $350 for circulated examples, while mint-condition coins can bring in more than $1,000.
1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent
A tiny detail sparked huge controversy on the 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent — designer Victor David Brenner’s initials. The mint quickly removed them, but not before 484,000 coins were struck in San Francisco. These celebrated pennies often sell for $600 or more, even in worn condition.
1914-D Lincoln Cent
Few coins match the desirability of the 1914-D Lincoln Wheat cent in American numismatics. Denver’s limited mintage that year created an instant classic. Worn examples command $150, while uncirculated specimens fetch over $2,200. Its high value has also made it a prime target for counterfeiting.
1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent
The rarest Lincoln cent emerged from a World War II production error. While the 1943 penny run used steel to conserve bronze for the war, some 1942 bronze planchets mistakenly entered production. These coveted mistakes now bring over astronomical prices, which earns them the “million-dollar penny” nickname.
1944 Steel Lincoln Cent
The story of the 1944 steel penny reveals an extraordinary mint error. Although copper became the standard material again that year, a few coins were still struck on 1943’s leftover steel planchets. These magnetic rarities are highly sought after, and with only a handful known, their value can exceed $50,000.
1969-S Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent
This rare 1969-S penny features dramatic doubling on its front face. Therefore, it’s instantly recognizable to trained eyes. Only a few dozen authentic pieces are known to exist. The Secret Service once confiscated some specimens, believing them counterfeit. And a prime example fetched $126,000 at a 2018 Baltimore auction.
1972 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent
The dramatic doubling visible on “LIBERTY” and the date make the 1972 doubled die cent a collector favorite. That spectacular error penny created excitement when people discovered specimens in circulation throughout the 1970s. Collectors pay thousands for the boldest examples, but the subtler versions see only modest demand.
1982-D Small Date Copper Lincoln Cent
Two copper Small Date pennies emerged from the Denver Mint in 1982 during the historic switch to zinc-based composition. These coins weren’t supposed to exist; that’s why they are among the most sought-after modern U.S. mint errors. Premium examples are extremely expensive, while standard uncirculated pieces exceed $100.
1992 Close AM Lincoln Cent
Among modern Lincoln cent varieties, the 1992 Close AM stands out as a subtle but important error. On these coins, the letters “A” and “M” in AMERICA appear nearly joined, unlike the wider spacing found on regular issues. Collectors prize well-preserved examples, and high-grade coins have sold for several thousand dollars.
1999 Wide AM Lincoln Cent
The 1999 Wide AM Lincoln cent stands out for its notable spacing error between the letters “A” and “M” in “AMERICA.” This mistake happened when the proof dies ended up in regular production. As one of the most sought-after modern penny varieties, top specimens command impressive prices above $1,000.
