The Lincoln penny is the most collected coin in America. Since 1909, it has shown President Abraham Lincoln on the front, and over 115 years it has gone through many small changes. Most pennies are worth only one cent, but a few rare ones have sold for hundreds of thousands – even over a million dollars! If you love coins or just enjoy treasure hunting, here are the 11 ultra-valuable Lincoln cents every collector dreams of finding. Let’s explore them in simple words so anyone can understand.
Why Some Lincoln Pennies Are Worth a Fortune
Value comes from three main things:
- Very few were made (low mintage)
- Mistakes made at the mint (errors)
- Perfect or almost-perfect condition
The biggest price jumps happen when a coin has a famous error or was made in a tiny number by accident.
The Top 11 Rare & Valuable Lincoln Cents (1909–Today)
1. 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse – The King of Lincoln Errors
This penny shows clear doubling on the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” and the date. Only a small number escaped the Mint before the error was caught.
Worth today: $35,000 to $126,000+ in top condition.
2. 1955 Doubled Die Obverse – The Most Famous Penny Error
Doubling is so strong you can see it without a magnifying glass. Thousands were released by mistake.
Worth today: $1,000 to $25,000+.
3. 1972 Doubled Die Obverse
Another strong doubled die, but not as dramatic as 1955 or 1969-S. Still very popular.
Worth: $200 to $1,500+.
4. 1992 & 1992-D Close AM Variety
On normal 1992 pennies, the letters “A” and “M” in AMERICA almost touch (Close AM). On these rare ones, they are far apart like on proof coins.
Worth: $2,000 to $25,000 each.
5. 1983-D Bronze Transitional Error
In 1983, pennies switched from 95% copper (bronze) to copper-plated zinc. A few Denver coins were accidentally struck on old bronze blanks.
Worth: $15,000 to $30,000.
6. 1943 Bronze Cent (All Mints)
In 1943, pennies were made of steel because copper was needed for war. A handful were mistakenly struck on bronze planchets.
Worth: $100,000 to $1.7 million (yes, really!).
7. 1944 Steel Cent
The opposite error – steel planchets left over from 1943 got used in 1944.
Worth: $75,000 to $375,000.
8. 1922 No “D” (Plain) – The Famous Missing Mint Mark
The Denver Mint made 1922 pennies, but some accidentally without the “D” mint mark.
Worth: $500 to $40,000+ depending on wear.
9. 1914-D – Low Mintage Key Date
Only 1.19 million made – very few for a 20th-century coin.
Worth: $150 to $20,000+.
10. 1909-S VDB – The First Year Rarity
The very first Lincoln cent with designer Victor David Brenner’s initials “VDB” on the back. Only 484,000 made in San Francisco.
Worth: $600 to $10,000+.
11. 1958 Doubled Die Obverse
Very strong doubling, but most people don’t know about it because it’s less famous than 1955.
Worth: $1,000 to $20,000.
| Rank | Year & Variety | Key Feature | Approximate Value (Uncirculated) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1969-S Doubled Die | Extreme doubling on front | $35,000 – $126,000+ |
| 2 | 1955 Doubled Die | Very visible doubling | $1,000 – $25,000+ |
| 3 | 1943 Bronze (any mint) | Wrong metal during WWII | $100,000 – $1.7 million |
| 4 | 1944 Steel | Leftover steel planchet | $75,000 – $375,000 |
| 5 | 1992 Close AM | Letters A & M far apart | $2,000 – $25,000 |
| 6 | 1972 Doubled Die | Clear doubling on date & letters | $200 – $1,500+ |
| 7 | 1922 No D | Missing Denver mint mark | $500 – $40,000+ |
| 8 | 1914-D | Only 1.19 million made | $150 – $20,000+ |
| 9 | 1909-S VDB | First year with designer initials | $600 – $10,000+ |
| 10 | 1983-D Bronze | Struck on old copper planchet | $15,000 – $30,000 |
| 11 | 1958 Doubled Die | Strong but lesser-known doubling | $1,000 – $20,000 |
Easy Tips to Check Your Pennies at Home
- Grab a magnifying glass (10x is perfect).
- Look at the date first – focus on the years above.
- Check for doubled letters, numbers, or missing mint marks.
- Weigh suspicious 1943 or 1983 pennies: bronze weighs 3.11 grams, steel or zinc is lighter.
- Compare the “AM” in AMERICA on 1990–1999 pennies.
Conclusion: Your Jar of Pennies Could Hold Real Treasure
Lincoln cents have been made for over 115 years and billions exist, but just a tiny percentage are the super-valuable errors and rarities listed here. Checking your change, old jars, or inherited collections only takes a few minutes and could change your life. Many of the most expensive pennies ever found were discovered by regular people – not professional collectors. Start looking today; your million-dollar penny might be waiting!