In today’s world, everyone is looking for ways to make a little extra money. Collectible items, like coins, stamps, and cards, might not be as widely valuable as they once were, but some rare pieces still hold significant worth. If you haven’t checked the coins in your wallet or change jar recently, it might be time to take a closer look! Among the everyday pennies you may find, some are far more valuable than their face value. In fact, these 10 rare pennies are worth a lot more than just one cent, and you might have one without even realizing it.
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1. 1944 Steel Wheat Penny
The 1944 Steel Wheat penny is one of the most famous rare coins, and only a handful of these mistake coins were released into circulation. Most pennies from 1944 were made from copper, but a few steel versions accidentally slipped through the cracks. Even in average condition, these rare pennies can sell for around $10,000. If you happen to have one in mint condition, it could be worth a jaw-dropping $408,000. To check if your penny is one of these, simply test it with a magnet—the steel will make it stick. Even without the mint mark, these coins can go for about $2,000 online.
2. 1909 S VDB Wheat Penny
Another highly sought-after coin is the 1909 S VDB Wheat penny. Only about 500,000 of these smooth-edged pennies were minted in San Francisco, making them a collector’s dream. Coins in average condition can fetch around $950, while a mint-condition version could be worth as much as $4,150. These coins are currently listed for slightly more on online marketplaces like eBay.
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3. 1943 Copper Wheat Penny
If you’re hoping for a penny that could change your financial situation, keep an eye out for the 1943 Copper Wheat penny. These pennies were another mistake, as most pennies in 1943 were made from steel due to copper being used for the war effort. Only a few copper versions were accidentally released, and today, one of these rare coins could earn you up to $100,000. Be careful, though—there are many fake versions out there. Genuine 1943 Copper Wheat pennies are highly valuable, but they’re also incredibly rare.
4. 1914 D Wheat Penny
Though it may not be worth quite as much as some of the others on this list, the 1914 D Wheat penny is still highly valuable. This coin was part of a series created to celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday. In mint condition, these coins are worth about $5,600, and even pennies in rough condition can sell for a few hundred dollars. If you come across one, it’s definitely worth checking its value.
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5. 1922 D Wheat Penny
With a production of just over 7 million, the 1922 D Wheat penny is another rare find. The “D” stands for Denver, where these coins were minted. In mint condition, these pennies are worth around $6,000. However, if you’re lucky enough to find one without the “D” marking, you could be looking at a much larger payday—up to $33,000! Coins with this rare error are incredibly valuable, so it’s worth having your penny checked by a professional if you think you’ve found one. Online, versions of this penny with a faint “D” can go for over $1,000, while those with no “D” are listed for more than $3,000.
6. 1856 Flying Eagle Penny
The Flying Eagle pennies were designed with an impressive image of an eagle soaring through the sky. The 1856 version of this coin had a very limited run, with only about 2,000 produced, making it one of the rarest pennies on the list. While forgeries are common due to their popularity, a real 1856 Flying Eagle penny could be worth around $25,000 at auction, or about $8,000 in average condition. Online, these coins are listed for anywhere from $15,000 to even higher.
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1857 Flying Eagle Penny
In 1857, about 17 million Flying Eagle pennies were produced, so this version isn’t quite as rare as the 1856 coin. However, it’s still worth checking if you have one! A penny in average condition is worth about $15, but one in mint condition could be valued at $7,000 or more. Some online listings currently have these coins priced around $4,000.
8. 1858 Flying Eagle Penny
The 1858 Flying Eagle penny came in three varieties: small-lettered, large-lettered, and the “8 over 7” variety, which is the rarest of the three. While the small- and large-lettered coins are valuable, a penny from the 8 over 7 variety could be worth as much as $10,000 in mint condition. These pennies are listed for as much as $37,600 online, depending on the condition.
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9. 1872 Indian Head Penny
Indian Head pennies were in production from 1859 to 1909, and almost any version of this coin is worth more than its face value. However, the 1872 penny is especially rare and can be difficult to find. At auction, one of these pennies sold for an astounding $126,500. On the more affordable side, an 1872 Indian Head penny can be worth anywhere from $150 to $525 on online marketplaces like eBay, depending on its condition.
10. 1873 Doubled LIBERTY Indian Head Penny
The 1873 Indian Head penny is notable for having about 300 coins pressed with a double “LIBERTY” mark on the front. This rare error makes the coin extremely valuable, with prices ranging from $367 to $20,125, depending on the condition. Some of these pennies are listed on eBay for up to $9,000.
Bottom Line
These 10 pennies are just a few examples of how even the most ordinary-looking coins can be worth a significant amount of money. If you have any old coins lying around, it might be worth taking the time to go through them and see if you have a hidden treasure. You never know—one of these rare pennies could be sitting right in your pocket, waiting to change your financial future.