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Could your spare change be worth a fortune? Check your piggy bank for these rare pennies!
While most pennies are worth, well, a penny, certain rare specimens can fetch a small fortune. If you’ve got a jar of old change lying around, it might be time to take a closer look. Here are ten rare pennies that could be worth significantly more than one cent:
- 1944 Steel Wheat Penny: A minting error resulted in a handful of steel pennies being released in 1944.
These rare coins can be worth up to $408,000 in mint condition, and even average condition coins fetch around $10,000. A quick test: see if it sticks to a magnet!
- 1909 S VDB Wheat Penny: With fewer than 500,000 produced, this San Francisco-minted penny features the initials “V.D.B.” at the bottom. A professionally graded coin in average condition could be worth around $950, while mint condition ones could bring in over $4,000.
- 1943 Copper Wheat Penny: Another minting error, the 1943 copper penny is exceptionally rare and could be worth close to $100,000. Be aware of counterfeits, though!
- 1914 D Wheat Penny: Commemorating Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday, this penny can be worth up to $5,600 in mint condition. Even worn examples can still be sold for a few hundred dollars.
- 1922 D Wheat Penny: Minted in Denver (hence the “D”), this penny can be worth around $6,000 in mint condition. However, an even rarer version without the “D” marking can be worth upwards of $30,000.
- 1856 Flying Eagle Penny: Featuring a detailed eagle in flight, only 2,000 of these pennies were made.
Authentic examples can be worth around $25,000 at auction, while average condition ones can still bring in around $8,000. Be wary of forgeries!
- 1857 Flying Eagle Penny: While more common than its 1856 counterpart, a mint condition 1857 Flying Eagle penny can still be worth about $7,000.
- 1858 Flying Eagle Penny: This penny comes in three varieties: small-lettered, large-lettered, and the rare “8 over 7” variety. A mint condition “8 over 7” penny can be worth up to $10,000.
- 1872 Indian Head Penny: The 1872 Indian Head penny is a difficult find. Depending on the condition, these pennies can range from $150 to a staggering $126,500 (the price of one sold at auction).
- 1873 Doubled LIBERTY Indian Head Penny: This Philadelphia-minted penny, with its distinctive doubled lettering on the front, can be worth anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over $20,000, depending on the condition.
So, before you toss your spare change, take a moment to examine it closely. You might be holding onto a small treasure!