10 Most Valuable Pennies in Circulation: Check Your Change Now!

1909-S Indian Cent: $300 to $1,000+

The 1909-S, with 309,000 pieces minted, was the lowest-mintage Indian cent series striking. Uncirculated pieces cost over $1,000, while well-worn ones cost $300.

1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent: $600 to $1,300+

Perhaps no 20th-century coin is more famous than the 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent. All collectors who want this rare coin want it, not only Lincoln series fans.

1914-D Lincoln Cent: $150 to $2,200+

The 1909-S VDB penny and this early mint-marked Lincoln cent are important rarities. Today, only a minority of the 1,193,000 coins struck survive.

1922 Plain Lincoln Cent: $500 to $10,500+

Numerous numismatists believed a 1922 Lincoln cent without a mintmark was a Philadelphia strike. The Philadelphia Mint did not make Lincoln cents in 1922, and all pennies were coined in Denver.

1931-S Lincoln Cent: $65 to $100+

During the Great Depression, the US Mint cut coin manufacturing, including the Lincoln cent. The U.S. Mint produced less Lincoln cents in 1931. 

1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent: $125,000+

The US Mint struck Lincoln cents from zinc-coated steel in 1943 to save copper for WWII armaments. While over one billion 1943 steel pennies were struck, some were mistakenly manufactured from bronze planchets. 

1944 Steel Lincoln Cent: $75,000 to $125,000+

The mint moved to a bronze alloy (95% copper and 5% tin) in 1944, hence the 1943 steel pennies were only manufactured for one year.

1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent: $1,000 to $2,000+

1955 doubled die Lincoln cents were among the most popular. The coins in circulation made a stir and boosted coin collecting throughout the 1950s and 1960s.

1969-S Doubled Die Lincoln Cent: $30,000+

The 1969-S penny error doubling die is one of the most precious ever. Experts estimate this issue has only a few specimens and is worth over $30,000.

1972 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent: $200 to $300+

This iconic 1972 doubled die Lincoln cent rounds off the top 10 most costly pennies. This 1972 twofold die penny has noticeable doubling on the obverse, especially in the date and “LIBERTY.”

See Also

10 Most Valuable Coins of the 21st Century: Collector's Edition