Top 20 Most Valuable US Pennies of All Time
 Top 13 Rarest 2-Dollar Bills That Worth Thousands |
 Top 14 Most Valuable and Rarest Morgan Dollars |
 |
| Top 20 Most Valuable US Pennies Of All Time. Photo KnowInsiders.com |
| Contents |
If you've ever considered throwing away the loose pennies in your coin bag, think again. You might be squandering thousands of dollars.
According to Cointrackers.com, a few 1943 and 1944-dated pennies are currently the top 20 most desirable pennies for coin collectors today.
Top 20 Most Valuable US Pennies In Hisrory
1. 1943-D Lincoln Wheat Cent Penny: Bronze/Copper
 |
Value: $2,305,706
The 1943-D Bronze/Copper Lincoln Wheat Cent is one of the most uncommon and fascinating US coins. The majority of 1943 pennies are supposed to be steel cents. But during the switch to steel planchets in 1943, a few extra copper planchets from 1942 were still in use. All three mints produced the 1943 copper cent.
Only one 1943-D Denver-minted copper cent is known to exist, though. Most experts think there are still a few out there that haven't been found!
READ MORE: Who Are On South Africa’s Money Of All Time
2. 1944-S Lincoln Wheat Cent Penny: Steel Cent
Value: $1,137,794
The 1944-S Steel Lincoln Wheat Cent is one of the most elusive and fascinating US coins. It is believed that nearly all 1944 pennies have made the switch back from steel to copper/bronze. However, a few zinc-coated steel planchets from 1943 that were left over and used in 1944 during the switch to steel planchets are similarly rare as the 1943 copper cent. All three mints produced the 1944 steel cent.
However, only two 1944-S Steel Cents from San Francisco are known to exist, making them the rarest 1944 Steel Penny mints. Most experts think there are still a few out there that haven't been found!
READ MORE: Top 10 Most Popular CryptoCurrencies in the World
3. 1943-S Lincoln Wheat Cent Penny: Bronze/Copper
Value: $593,651
This was an unintentional triumph for collectors that was produced at the San Francisco Mint. Pennies were made in 1943 using steel planchets coated with zinc, but some copper planchets from the previous year were left over and were used to strike the coins. Some people think it was an error, while others think someone made the coins on purpose.
Regardless, this coin is the "holy grail" of pennies for collectors as there are only five known copper pennies from that year.
How do I know if my penny is real?According to Coin Trackers, you can quickly determine whether a 1944 steel penny is real by seeing if it adheres to a magnet. Genuine steel pennies will adhere to magnets, but copper- and zinc-coated imitations won't. A 1948 copper penny can have the left side of the 8 filed down so that it looks like a 3, according to the website, which also warns that many 1943 copper pennies are fakes. Some con artists also copper-plate steel coins. Use the magnet test to verify that your 1943 copper penny is not actually made of steel. The coin is a copper-plated steel and is therefore a fake if it adheres to the magnet. |
4. 1943 Lincoln Wheat Cent Penny: Bronze/Copper
 |
Value: $409,301
The 1943 Copper Wheat Penny is also quite valuable, just like the 1943-S Copper Wheat Penny without the mint mark. It originated from some leftover copper in the mint's machinery, much like the 1943-S. Finding one of these coins is like finding a needle in a haystack because it is believed that only about 40 of them are in existence.
Additionally, there are numerous fake coins from this year that have been produced by changing the dates or applying copper to steel pennies.
5. 1958 Lincoln Wheat Cent Penny: Doubled-Die Obverse
Value: $224,831
Doubled Die Obverse pennies command some of the highest prices at auction because there were only a few minted. You’ll recognize one by the “doubled” lettering of the words “In God We Trust” and “Liberty.” On the 1958 version, you’ll also see that the date is slightly doubled, too.
6. 1888 Indian Head Cent Penny: Last 8 Over 7
Value: $74,201
There is a major variety of the 1888 Indian head Cent (Penny) where the 1888 date was punched over a 1887 date. This resulted in an 1888/7 or 8/7 variety where a small subtle portion of the "7" appeared under the leading "8". One way to identify this error is to note a small knob under the "8" which represents the bottom of the "7" as depicted in the example image of this penny above.
In other cases an additional small portion of the underlying "7" may also appear above the last "8" in the 1888 date as well.
7. 1944-D Lincoln Wheat Cent Penny: Steel Cent
Value: $62,001
There is nothing special about a 1944 Lincoln penny produced by the Denver, Colorado mint. There were more than 430 million produced by the American Mint. The fact that this coin was struck on a zinc-coated steel planchet renders it extremely valuable. Most of these steel planchets' use occurred in 1943. However, starting in 1944, the United States Mint switched back to the standard copper planchets in response to numerous complaints.
However, it appears that a steel planchet from 1943 somehow made its way into the coining press. Coin collectors are willing to pay a premium to add this coin to their collection because it was made possible by a stray planchet.
8. 1944 Lincoln Wheat Cent Penny: Steel Cent
 |
Value: $58,491
The 1944 Steel Lincoln Wheat Cent is one of the most elusive and fascinating US coins. It is believed that nearly all 1944 pennies have made the switch back from steel to copper/bronze. However, a few zinc-coated steel planchets from 1943 that were left over and used in 1944 during the switch to steel planchets are similarly rare as the 1943 copper cent.
The 1944 steel cent is the most prevalent of the three because it was produced at all three mints, with about 30 being produced in Philadelphia. Most experts think there are still a few out there that haven't been found!
9. 1856 Flying Eagle Cent Penny
 |
Value: $28,597
Only 2,000 examples of the Flying Eagle cents were ever made. Why so few? Actually, 1856 Flying Eagle pennies were made as a pattern coin, and while many of them circulated, the series wasn’t intended to be produced on a mass scale yet – not until 1857, anyway. Even for an example in a lowly grade of Good-4 on the Sheldon Grading Scale.
10. 1922-D Lincoln Wheat Cent Penny: No D Mint Mark
 |
Value: $18,030
The Denver Mint produced all of the 1922 Lincoln Wheat Cents (Pennies), and they all ought to have a "D" mintmark. At the Denver Mint, there was a problem with the coin dies being overworked and overused. A weak "D" mint mark would occasionally appear on coins, and in extremely rare circumstances, it might even be completely absent.
Due to the dies' extreme wear, the rest of the coin's features would also strike more weakly. The most expensive and rarest variety is "No D." The "No D" variety lacks any traces of the mint mark, which is one way to distinguish it from the "Weak D" variety. In addition
The word "TRUST" is much clearer than the other words in the motto "IN GOD WE TRUST" on the obverse of the coin, as shown in the example image above, and the last "2" is typically more legible than the rest of the date.
11. 1955 Lincoln Wheat Cent Penny: Doubled-Die Obverse
 |
Value: $17,470
Another double-die error resulting from an unaligned die can be seen in this case. This mistake is thought to have been made overnight by mint staff, who were unaware of it until thousands of the coins had already left the mint and entered circulation. They made the decision to permit circulation of the entire batch. This coin is notable for the lettering and year being doubled in a way that is visible without a magnifying glass.
In a batch of 10 million coins, nearly 24,000 mistakes were made. They eventually made it into New York and Massachusetts cigarette vending machines. There are thought to be 15,000 of these pennies left in existence today, and they are a well-liked collectible in any state.
12. 1970-S Lincoln Memorial Cent Penny: Doubled Die
Value: $14,247
This 1970 S Doubled Die Obverse DDO variety of the Lincoln Memorial Cent is one of the valuable and uncommon ones. The letters "In God We Trust" and the word "Liberty" on the left side of the coin, which have been doubled, are the easiest ways to recognize this coin.
Additionally, as shown in the example image above, the 1970 date and S mint mark are doubled on this penny. However, because there are different variations of this particular doubled die, the doubling is not always as noticeable. Heritage Auctions is the source of the illustrative photo.
13. 1873 Indian Head Cent Penny: Double Liberty
Value: $14,240
The 1873 Doubled Liberty Indian Head Cent (Penny) is one of the rare and valuable doubled die errors. The best way to identify this coin is to notice the prominent doubling of the word "LIBERTY" within the Indian headband as depicted in the example image of this coin above. Source of example image is courtesy of Heritage Auctions.
14. 1858 Flying Eagle Cent Penny: 8 Over 7
Value: $14,239
The 1858/7 8 Over 7 Overdate error, in which the 1858 date was stamped on top of the 1857 date, is one of the more significant flaws in the Flying Eagle Cent (Penny) series. The obverse of the penny has a number of features that can help you identify it. The arrow on the left side of the example image above shows how the eagle's tip is slightly broken up. This is the first thing to notice. The 1858 date is the next place to check for signs of the leading "7" there.
With worn coins, this can occasionally be very difficult to see. One last indication is to search for an obverse "die chip" directly above the date, which is essentially just a very small chip that appears in the same location on all of these kinds of error coins.
15. 1992 Lincoln Memorial Cent Penny: Close AM
Value: $11,359
The 1992 Lincoln Memorial Cent came in two main varieties from the US Mint (Penny). The wide "AM" variety is the most popular one for 1992. Even though the one pictured above is a more uncommon close "AM" variety.
The letters "A" and "M" were nearly touching in the close "AM," whereas the wide "AM" had the letters much farther apart. Additionally, on the wide "AM" variety, the initials "FG" were closer to the Lincoln Memorial Building, whereas on the close "AM" variety, they were farther away.
16. 1992-D Lincoln Memorial Cent Penny: Close
Value: $11,359
The 1992 D Lincoln Memorial Cent was available in two major varieties from the US Mint (Penny). The wide "AM" variety is the most popular one for 1992. Even though the one pictured above is a more uncommon close "AM" variety.
The letters "A" and "M," which make up the word "AMERICA," are very close together and nearly touch in the close "AM" versus the wide "AM" on the reverse of the coin. Additionally, on the wide "AM" variety, the initials "FG" were closer to the Lincoln Memorial Building, whereas on the close "AM" variety, they were farther away.
17. 1917 Lincoln Wheat Cent Penny: Doubled Die Obverse
Value: $8,018
The 1917 Doubled Die Obverse DDO Lincoln Wheat Cent (Penny) is one of the more valuable doubled die errors. This can best be identified by noticing the doubling of the words "IN GOD WE TRUST" and the 1917 doubled date as depicted in the example image above. Example Image Courtesy of Heritage Auctions.
18. 1877 Indian Head Cent Penny
 |
Value: $7,295
Unlike the first five pennies listed in this article, the 1877 Indian Head cent isn’t any type of error or pattern coin. It simply is a regular-issue piece that was struck in relatively low numbers. In fact, only 852,500 were originally minted, and only a small fraction of 1877 pennies from the original mintage remain today.
19. 1914-D Lincoln Wheat Cent Penny
Value: $3,394
Another double-die error resulting from an unaligned die can be seen in this case. This mistake is thought to have been made overnight by mint staff, who were unaware of it until thousands of the coins had already left the mint and entered circulation. They made the decision to permit circulation of the entire batch. This coin is notable for the lettering and year being doubled in a way that is visible without a magnifying glass.
In a batch of 10 million coins, nearly 24,000 mistakes were made. They eventually made it into New York and Massachusetts cigarette vending machines. There are thought to be 15,000 of these pennies left in existence today, and they are a well-liked collectible in any state.
20. 1894 Indian Head Cent Penny: Double Date
 |
Value: $2,332
The 1894 RPD Doubled Date error is a prevalent variation of the 1894 Indian Head Cent (Penny). It can be distinguished by looking at the doubled "94" on the year 1894. This resulted from the date being repunched or being stamped on top of the original date. Just to the right of the primary date, as shown by the arrows, is a subdued "94" that should be noted.
 Top 10 Most Expensive U.S. Quarters Coins of All Time In this article, we have compiled a list of the most valuable US quarters ever known. These quarters are worth more money than most people ... |
 Who Are On The UK Money Of All Time? Do you want to know the names and stories behind the faces on UK’s banknotes? |
| Top 14 Most Valuable and Rarest Morgan Dollars Do you love collecting coins? If you are a coin collector, you should not miss Morgan dollars in your collection. Check out Top 14 Most ... |
