A lot of us have pennies lying around the house in different places, like a cash bank, a drawer, or an old jar. But what if we told you that some of those coins, which don’t seem worth much, could be worth a lot more than that? For fans, rare pennies, especially ones from certain years or with mistakes in the minting process, can be worth thousands or even millions of dollars.
The 10 Most Valuable Pennies to Look For in 2024
If you have a collection of old pennies lying around, you might want to take a closer look. Some pennies are worth hundreds of thousands—or even millions—of dollars. Here are the top 10 most valuable pennies to keep an eye out for in 2024:
1. 1943-D Lincoln Bronze Wheat Penny – $2.3 Million
As of now, the 1943-D Lincoln Bronze Wheat Penny is one of the rarest and most expensive coins in circulation. During WWII, most pennies were made from steel to save copper.
However, some were made from bronze by mistake. In perfect shape, these extremely rare pennies are worth a huge amount of money. Of these, only one known 1943-D Lincoln Bronze Wheat Penny exists. It is the most well-known.
2. 1944-S Steel Wheat Penny – $1.1 Million
This penny from the time of World War II is another rare find. In 1944, most pennies were made of copper again, but a few were made on steel planchets by mistake. There are only two known examples of the 1944-S Steel Wheat Penny, which makes it very rare, especially if it has never been used.
3. 1793 Strawberry Leaf Cent – $862,500
The 1793 Strawberry Leaf Cent is a very rare and expensive penny. It has a mistaken four-leaf strawberry design on the back of it, which was later fixed. We know of only four of these coins, and in 2009, one went for $862,500. Think of yourself as very lucky if you find one of these pennies.
Also see:-How much value do my old coins have Collectors explain how to identify them and earn lots of cash
4. 1943-S Lincoln Cent Struck on Bronze – $282,000
Some 1943 pennies were made on old bronze planchets, which makes them very rare and very expensive. One such coin is the 1943-S Lincoln Cent Struck on Bronze. In 2016, one of these coins was auctioned off for $282,000.
5. 1909 VDB Matte Proof Lincoln Penny – $258,000
The 1909 VDB Matte Proof Lincoln Penny is highly coveted by collectors due to its rarity and unique design. The coin features the initials “VDB” (for designer Victor David Brenner) on the reverse, making it especially valuable. A well-preserved example of this coin has fetched up to $258,000 at auction.
6. 1958 Doubled Die Obverse Cent – $224,831
The 1958 Doubled Die Obverse Cent is a notable example of a penny with a minting error. The coin’s “In God We Trust” and “Liberty” inscriptions are doubled, making it highly collectible. An uncirculated version of this coin can be worth as much as $224,831.
7. 1856 Flying Eagle Cent – $172,500
Another rare coin is the 1856 Flying Eagle Cent. There were only a few hundred of these pennies ever made. On the back, there is a design of an eagle flying. This penny is not as expensive as some of the others on this list, but it can still fetch up to $172,500 at auction.
8. 1864 Indian Head Penny “L” on Ribbon – $161,000
Each 1864 Indian Head Penny is different because it has a “L” on the string instead of a head. The designer’s letters were added to the ribbon on the front of the coin by adding a “L.” There are times when this penny is worth as much as $161,000 for good shape.
9. 1914-D Lincoln Penny – $159,000
Another coin that people want is the 1914-D Lincoln Penny because it is so rare. These pennies are hard to find because only 1.2 million were made. A penny that was one of the rarest ever sold for $159,000.
10. 1926-S Lincoln Penny – $149,500
The 1926-S Lincoln Penny is an expensive coin, especially if it is still mint. At sale, a coin that is in great shape has been known to fetch $149,500. Watch out for these pennies; they could be worth more than you think.
