It looks like you're seeing double," said Bucki. "The few bronze coins that were struck went unnoticed and got released into circulation.". Similar to the 1969 Doubled Die, the doubling on this penny is especially prominent in the words "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST" â with some light doubling on the date, said Stone. These old coins have errors in them from the mint and it means they could be worth thousands of dollars. This coin is the second example of a 1943 Lincoln cent that should have been struck on a zinc-plated steel planchet but was instead coined on a bronze planchet. Due to its value, some counterfeits were created with steel cores. In 1993, all pennies switched to the close AM design. Values, images, specs on penny coins from Britain, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, United Kingdom. Proceeds of the sale went to the Berkshire Athenaeum in his hometown of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, according to the Dallas-based auction house. A coin in good condition could go for about $75,000. Also, look for the letter "S" right below the year 1969, which means it was created at the San Francisco Mint. Stone estimates that 15 to 20 are known to collectors today, although it's possible that there are a few that have not yet been accounted for. Here is the TOP 7 most valuable pennies in US. A used coin could sell for $75 or less, while a cleaner one could go for around $200. In that case, pennies worth money are more about rarity and errors. "The then 16-year-old Lutes received the copper-colored penny in change at his high school cafeteria in 1947," David Stone, a coin cataloger for Heritage, told CNBC Make It. Get Make It newsletters delivered to your inbox, Learn more about the world of CNBC Make It, © 2021 CNBC LLC. Although the 1909-S Indian Head Penny has a smaller mintage, more of them were saved in uncirculated condition. Since pennies hold a special place in almost every coin collector's heart, demand for high-quality coins can drive the value through the roof. For the world's rarest and most coveted pennies in the world, values are well over $100,000 and approaching $2 million. Although there is some argument that mint workers actually struck these coins on bronze alloy planchets on purpose, it is more probable that a few bronze planchets left over from the previous year got stuck on a conveyor belt or tote and was incorporated into the regular striking process. Specifically copper pennies. All of these factors together make this the second most valuable penny in the world. Not because of its date of minting, but because of its die variety. We've searched through the coin catalogues, books, and online stores and made a huge list of coin values. Most pennies are worth 1 cent, but to coin collectors, some are worth more than their weight in gold. Lutes owned the coin until his death in 2018. Sold: January 2008; Heritage Auctions, Orlando, FL, FUN Signature Coin Auction. Some little pieces of copper can be worth some very large dollar amounts. ***Do you have some coins that you think might be worth some money? See more ideas about valuable pennies, coins worth money⦠This tiny penny ranks third in this select group of pennies worth money. As a result, most of these pennies went into circulation. Additionally, it was extremely well struck, as evidenced by the minutest details present on the coin. The Indian Head penny was designed by mint engraver James B. Longacre and was first issued in 1859. Sold: March 2014; Heritage Auctions, Atlanta, GA, ANA National Money Show US Coins Signature Auction. On the surface, there is nothing visually spectacular about this coin. Subscribe to CNBC Make It on YouTube! Finally, demand is the factor that drives value the most. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. The design was created by Victor David Brenner under the auspices of President Theodore Roosevelt. What makes this coin extremely rare is its exceptional condition that combines a nearly flawless coin with a sharp strike from a fresh set of coin dies. At least, that's what was supposed to happen. When an example as fine as this one crosses the auction block, it is certain to set record prices. (Collectors refer to the obverse of a coin as the front or "heads" side â usually bearing a portrait.) A used one of these might be worth about $100, while a cleaner one could go for $500, he said. "I know a couple of people who have found these in their pocket change.". Unfortunately, 1943 steel pennies ⦠âCouldnât I just melt pre-1982 pennies top extract and sell the copper that made them?â you may be thinking to yourself.Well, it is not that easy.Youâre not legally allowed to realize the value of the pre-1982 penny. Also, in the 1930s and 40s, most coin collectors acquired their coins from circulation, so it is not hard to find a circulated example of a 1926-S Lincoln penny. He estimates that a coin in new condition could be worth around $500, while a used one could fetch up to $45. Like this story? finance; money; Rare coins that could be worth up to $4000. Some little pieces of copper can be worth some very large dollar amounts. From $131,000 in Debt to Building $100,00 in Net Worth. While over $350 is a considerable sum, that is not what I thought about from the phrase of a ton of money. To have all three initials on a coin's design was unheard of. Brenner added his initials V.D.B. For one, a lot of folks seem to think itâs the 1943 steel penny that is the rare and valuable penny. #1 â 1944 Steel Wheat Pennies. Yes. Slightly less than a half-million of these pennies were minted before the Treasury Department demanded that the initials be removed. But the rarest of all is this single known example from the Denver mint. Around one in ⦠Search for them using the search box at the top right hand side of this website. This 1943 Lincoln penny should have been struck on a zinc-plated steel planchet but was in fact made with a bronze alloy planchet. Other Valuable Pennies Worth Money Image via eBay. While it is uncirculated and retains its original copper-red color from the day it was minted, it is the date and mintmark combination that sets this coin apart from all others. There is no noticeable bag mark on the surface of the coin, and it has retained its original bright red-orange copper color. Any one of these coins in circulated or uncirculated condition is extremely rare. Here is a cool list that details the top 25 most valuable pennies ever minted in the United States of America (updated: 2015). But two zinc-plated steel planchets somehow ended up in the coining press in the San Francisco mint. Sold: August 2007; Heritage Auctions, Milwaukee, WI, ANA Signature Coin Auction. Sold: February 2016; Heritage Auctions, Long Beach, CA, US Coins Signature Auction. Most of them pulled the coins out of circulation. Stone estimates that a coin in good condition could sell for up to $45. As a collector, you eventually get to the point where you need to purchase your coins from a coin dealer or at auction to achieve the quality you are looking for. The finest known 1792 Birch cent sold at a Heritage auction in 2015 for nearly $2.6 million, making it the most ever paid for a one-cent piece at auction, he said. And some coins are made more valuable simply by being unintentional, as with the 1943 Lincoln pennies that were mistakenly made with bronze rather than steel. This is because the copper penny (made of 95% copper and 5% zinc) is worth over 2x in its metal value than its face value.. The doubling on the 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse is especially prominent in the words "LIBERTY" and "IN GOD WE TRUST," he said. Here are 15 of the most valuable U.S. pennies, based on over 250,000 public records and auction sales figures. King George III era copper UK penny values - 1760 to 1820 King George III era copper UK penny values - 1760 to 1820 What makes this particular coin extremely valuable is its pristine condition despite being over 100 years old. In 1909, the Indian Head penny was replaced with the Lincoln cent. Accidents can produce the rarest coins. Here are the top 25 most valuable silver dollars (Morgan's/Peace Dollars) from the late 1800's to the early 1900's (updated: 2021). In 1877, the economic slump that began in 1873 continued with full force. Coins Signature Auction. Additionally, it has been sufficiently well preserved to retain its original bright red-copper color. Sold: January 2013; Stack's Bowers Galleries, Americana Auction. It is unknown how only three examples got to leave the United States Mint facility in Philadelphia, but because all of them are in Mint State Red condition, it is speculation that they may have been smuggled out of the mint by an unscrupulous mint employee. Sold: August 2014; Heritage Auctions, Chicago, IL, ANA US Coins Signature Auction. That makes them much easier to find than the 1969 Doubled Die coins. Last year, one sold for $35,000, according to Coin World, a popular news and analysis website for collectors. Keep an eye out for these rare and key dates when coin roll hunting. 4. Banks will provide rolls of change free of charge that includes pennies. Sold: August 2017; Heritage Auctions, Denver, CO, ANA U.S. Minda Zetlin is a freelance writer covering business, money, tech and collectibles. So read on and find out together with us which are the most valuable pennies, among all the coins that have been sold at numismatic auctions. Heritage auctioned a similar one â in slightly lower grade â for $186,000 earlier this month," he said. But due to a mix-up, a proof die was used for the reverse of the coin before it was supposed to be used starting in 1993. *** For instance, the 1922-D wheat penny without the "D" can sell for $1,000 to $3,500. Top 10 Collectible Items That Could Be Worth It eBay handles roughly $3 billion a year in collectible sales alone and according to their site, these are the top 10 most collectible items . Check out the list below, some of these old coins are worth a ton of money. Sold: January 2004; Heritage Auctions, Orlando, FL, FUN Signature Auction. Today, the 1943 bronze Lincoln cent is described as "the most famous error coin in American numismatics" â and the odds of finding one are astronomically against. Bucki estimates that a 1992 Close AM coin in fairly new condition could be worth about $20,000, while a used one could sell for around $2,000 to $3,000. It is estimated that only 5 million of these coins were made, and very few of them were saved in uncirculated condition. Coin Collecting Guide for Beginners: Rare Wheat Pennies 1909-1958 ; A US penny weighs 2.5 grams each: so a ton of pennies would be worth only $363.54. Here is my post on the Top 10 Rare Canadian Pennies. The collector also ensured that the coin was stored properly to preserve its color. This coin was heavily circulated and was commonly subjected to the widespread use of "penny boards" in the 1930s and 40s, which people use to collect coins from circulation. Therefore, the pennies from 1992 should have a noticeable space between the "A" and the "M." So if there is no space between the "A" and "M "on the backside of yours, then you have a rare coin worth thousands depending on its condition (prices start near $1000). "I've found one myself.". This penny sold for over 1 million dollars (read more here about: 1943 Pennies) and is one of the highest auction sales every for a one cent coin. As fate would have it, "some of the old bronze planchets got stuck in the big tote bins that the Mint used to feed the coin presses at the end of 1942," he said. One hundred âlucky penniesâ have been placed on the streets of 10 U.S. cities, with each penny worth a $1,000 prize, Ally Bank has announced. 100 âLucky Penniesâ Scattered Across the U.S. Are Worth $1,000 Each A bank is leaving 100 "lucky pennies" in cities across the United States, each one worth $1,000 to its finder. In 1944, Lincoln pennies were reverted to the original bronze alloy made of 95 percent copper and 5 percent tin. What is a UK penny worth? There are six known examples of this error being produced at the San Francisco mint in 1943. So before you say, "Keep the change," check to see if you have any of these valuable pennies: Only a handful of these bronze pennies have been discovered, including the one found by Lutes. References. Sold: September 2010; Legend Numismatics, Private Sale. As a result, a majority of the 1941-D Lincoln pennies are in circulated condition. Almost every collector of United States coins began collecting the Lincoln penny. One factor that contributes to this coin's significant value is its extremely low mintage. 25 Most Valuables Pennies. It is the most valuable penny in the world. For the world's rarest and most coveted pennies in the world, values are well over $100,000 and approaching $2 million. To have one in its original copper-red color makes it that much more extraordinary. This created an overnight sensation among coin collectors, and this penny has come be known as the "Holy Grail" for collectors of Lincoln pennies. A 1944 Lincoln penny struck at the Denver, Colorado mint facility is nothing special. With so many rare coins out there, being a "penny pincher" might not be such a bad thing after all. Saving even a penny for a coin collection was not an option for most Americans. But the move needed Congressional approval, so the mint produced a batch of about 800 of the new pennies and presented them to the lawmakers. Demand for United States coinage was at an all-time low, and families struggled to make ends meet. This penny exhibits doubling on the date and lettering on the obverse. We then filtered the data to show only the most expensive silver dollars, and this is what we came up with. 1943 steel penny Value: 45 cents - $10 Originally, the government believed that these were counterfeit coins and began confiscating them. It's likely that an entire run of 250,000 pennies were printed this way, he said. Rarity is a significant factor in determining a penny's value. Some wheat pennies are worth several hundred dollars each and can run up to a few thousand. In fact, over 430 million of them were struck. Only nine other Lincoln wheat pennies have a lower mintage. "One-cent coins have been around since the beginning of the U.S. monetary system," Stone said. Earlier this year, an ordinary looking penny made headlines when it was found among the possessions of a man named Don Lutes. After many complaints, the United States Mint changed back to the regular copper planchets beginning in 1944. Since most people do not look at the date on every coin that they receive in change, some of these 1943 bronze alloy pennies circulated for a while before being snatched up by an alert coin collector intent on cherry-picking the valuable Lincoln penny out of circulation. Additionally, they can help get your coin certified by a grading service and guide you through the entire selling process. This is one of the most exceedingly rare and intriguing Lincoln cents. Most Lincoln Memorial Pennies are only worth face value unless they have their original copper luster from the Mint. As with the 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny, this highly valued penny proof bears all three of the coin designer's initials: "VDB." During 1982 the composition was changed to 97.5% zinc, with a thin copper plating, so that you have pennies dated 1982 made of both metal types. Each of these coins are worth at least $500 and date all the way back to the late 1800s. You can make money off of pennies. For this list, we are only including small cents: Flying Eagle Cents, Indian Head Pennies, Lincoln Wheat Pennies, Lincoln Memorial Cents, and Lincoln Shield Cents. The 1999 Wide AM penny is the exact opposite of the 1992 Close AM. Because the 1943 copper penny (or, more technically, 1943 bronze penny) is one of the most popular, most valuable pennies around.Thereâs a lot of confusion about 1943 copper pennies, though. The 1943 bronze Lincoln cent attracted nearly 30 bids and sold for $204,000 in January, according to Heritage Auctions, the organization that conducted the sale. The 1943 copper wheat penny was one of the rare copper pennies from the war, and it can earn $60,000 to $85,000 at an auction. "It's especially obvious in the words 'ONE CENT' and 'E PLURIBUS UNUM.' Many people donât think about the penny, but the truth is, pennies have distinct advantages as an investment that are unique to themselves. The pennies that arenât on this list are worth only a nominal amount â usually between 3 cents and $1. Think about tipping a coin worth over 1 million euros, wouldnât you feel bad? (1801 to 1967). Although the doubling on these coins isn't as prominent as it is on the 1972 Doubled Die coins, Bucki said it's quite noticeable in the word "LIBERTY," especially in the letter "B." This coin was first discovered in 1970 and was reported by Coin World on the front page in its July 8, 1970 edition. to the reverse of the coin, at the bottom between the two stalks of wheat. Yes, I know, the copper content of pre 1982 pennies is sufficiently high so as to make the pennies worth more than one cent. VIDEO 9:19 09:19 Why the 'sober curious' movement is big business for millennials We made the switch over to zinc pennies in 1982, but before that (with the exception of one year), pennies were pure, cold copper. If you think you've found a valuable penny, Stone suggests consulting a professional. You never know, one of your pennies could be worth the price of a nice dinner â or a whole lot more. To lower costs, the United States Mint sought to reduce the size of the penny (to its current diameter). This came about because in the 1990s and early 2000s, the Mint used different dies for producing coins for circulation and proof coins for collectors, explained Bucki. In 1856, the price of copper rose to the point that it took more than a penny's worth of copper to make a penny. Prior to this date, pennies were large and bulky and were almost the size of a half-dollar. Sold: October 2011; Heritage Auctions, Pittsburgh, PA, Signature Auction. All Rights Reserved. A penny's worth depends on its quality and rarity. "A nice circulated example, like Lutes' coin, could sell for around $150,000 to $200,000. In failing health, he consigned it to Heritage. Sold: March 2018; Stacks Bowers; Baltimore - Session 3 - Rarities Night Including the ESM Collection. And pennies dated from 1879 to 1909 are worth at least $1. A small number of 2015 Britannia £2 coins showing the Queen's head upside down are in circulation, and they could be worth up to 45 times face value. Five coins were confiscated and destroyed before they were acknowledged as being genuine. For a coin like this to survive so long in pristine condition, it is evident that a collector in San Francisco back in 1914 must have set it aside before it could become tattered and worn in circulation. #1 1943 Bronze Wheat Penny â $60,000 â $1,750,000 Rare pennies worth money. "Several prototypes for the cent were produced in 1792, including the large Birch cent.". (Most pennies minted that year have very definite spaces between those letters.). Sep 14, 2020 - Explore Linwood Coins: Coin Collecting's board "Valuable Pennies to Collect", followed by 729 people on Pinterest. However, financial hardship of the time (including the economic downturn following the "Panic of 1873") meant that few people were able to save coins for their collections. As opposed to the 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln cent, where thousands of them are known, there are only three 1958 Doubled Die Lincoln pennies known to exist. Bucki estimates that 1,000 or less were made before the Mint discovered its error. The low mintage alone makes this coin extremely rare, but the brilliant colors that resulted from a coin being stored for 100 years makes this coin extremely attractive to collectors. Though there's certainly something eerie about talking owl robots, kids went crazy for them upon their initial release in 1998âso crazy, in fact, that at one point they were even selling in store for as much as $300.Today, you'll find the vintage birds selling online for around that same price, and some special edition ones will even get you as much as $750. This is the elite class. These coins in circulated condition are also valuable, but uncirculated coins are extremely rare. Yes there is currently a conspiracy to hoard nickels to bankrupt the government of the united states in case you missed it. This made is difficult for the federal government to obtain the metal needed for minting coins. Coins in this condition are few and far between and are truly treasures to behold. Condition is another; coins that stayed out of circulation may retain their original coloring and fine details, greatly adding to their value. I get lots of questions about various coins. These are 10 of the lowest minted Lincoln Cents that are worth some big money! The Top 10 Penny Stocks to Watch in February 2021 While the story above may be hypothetical, a quick Google search proves itâs not too far from the truth for many successful penny stock traders. The odds are long, but they're still well worth searching for. "The regular run was supposed to have the letters 'A' and 'M' in 'AMERICA' almost touching, and the special proof coins were supposed to have a wider space between those letters," said Bucki. This is the second-lowest number of 1943 Lincoln pennies on bronze planchets produced at any of the United States Mint locations. Roughly 250,000 of these pennies were minted, he said. Sold: August 2008; Heritage Auctions, Baltimore, MD, ANA US Coin Signature Auction. Quarters weight 5.67 grams each, so a ton (2,000 pounds) of quarters would be worth $4007. One sold at a Heritage sale in 2012 for more than $20,000, according to Coin World. The doubling occurs from mistakes in the minting process, James Bucki, a coin expert at The Spruce Crafts, explained to CNBC Make It. The rarest and most valuable penny to date of this post is the 1943 San Francisco mint copper penny. You see, itâs An 1872 Indian Head penny is a scarce coin but can readily be found at any coin show or coin dealer in circulated grades. The list above also doesnât include proof Lincoln cents â which you wouldnât ordinarily find in circulation. Bucki estimates that at least 250,000 coins released with the doubled die. But when we reach grade MS66, there is a very important price change, and as you can see, the 1957 Wheat Pennies in MS67 costs approximately 100 times more than in MS60. However, a steel planchet left over from 1943 must have found its way into the coining press. Up to this point, coin designers used only the first initial of their last name. In order to preserve copper for the war effort, the U.S. Mint switched to making pennies from zinc-coated steel planchets, instead of the usual bronze coin blanks, Stone explained. In 1864, the Civil War was dragging on, and the United States economy was extremely fragile. This stray planchet created a great rarity treasured by coin collectors, and they are willing to pay handsomely to add this coin to their collection. Slightly more than 4 million of them were minted. Must read: How To Determine The Grade Of A Coin . "These are one of the easiest valuable pennies to find," he said. Doubled dies are created when the hub imprints an additional image onto a die â or stamp â causing some misalignment. If you think you've found a 1943 Bronze Lincoln, the Mint suggests testing it with a magnet first. (Image credit: Heritage Auctions, HA.com), "On the reverse of the 1992 Close AM, the right foot of the 'A' and left foot of the 'M' in 'AMERICA' touch," said Stone. Being more common, they're also less valuable. A Division of NBC Universal, Why the 'sober curious' movement is big business for millennials, I tried this $240 A5 Olive Wagyu steak to see if it's worth the money, How start-up backed by Gates, Bezos aims to make unlimited clean energy, 23 Black leaders who are shaping history today, Amex launches a $200 statement credit offer for the Amex Blue Cash Everyday Card. To hold an 1877 Indian Head Penny in uncirculated condition is an extreme rarity given the poor economic conditions of that year. James Bucki has over 40 years of coin collecting experience, receiving specialized training in coin grading, minting errors, and collecting techniques. There's also some light doubling on the date. If it sticks, it's not copper. It is estimated that fewer than 20 were released by each of the Philadelphia and San Francisco mints. If youâve read many of my coin posts, youâll know Iâve written pretty extensively about the 1943 penny.Why? This is the rarest date of all the Indian Head pennies ever minted. Melting down pennies and nickels is a federal offense, but the coin might still fetch you enough for a decent lunch, if it's in good condition. Beginning approximately halfway through the mintage of 1864 pennies, an "L" was added to the tail of the ribbon in the war bonnet on Lady Liberty's head. From 1983 until today, all U.S. pennies are made of mostly zinc. These coin values / worths are not based off common errors like double dies, but rather coins that were issued into circulation as is. Indian Head pennies from the 1870s can be worth $1,000 or more, and pennies from 1909 issued in San Francisco can ⦠USA Coin Book has compiled a list of the most valuable US pennies ever known. 1873 Doubled 'Closed 3' Indian Head Penny. Only 1,194 of these proof coins were struck at the Philadelphia mint before the Treasury Department dictated that the designer's initials be removed from the coin. By using The Spruce Crafts, you accept our, 1944-D Lincoln Penny on a Zinc-Coated Steel Planchet, Lincoln Wheat Penny Key Dates, Rarities and Varieties, The 1943-S Copper Penny Found by Kenneth Wing. What makes this coin extremely valuable is the fact that it was struck on a zinc-coated steel planchet. One example circulated for a while before being picked up by a collector. If youâre interested in collectible and rare pennies, then this is the post for you. In this case, the doubling is on the reverse of the coin. The unusual contest began on Tuesday and features custom copper-colored discs that look like ordinary U.S. pennies. Many citizens hoarded gold, silver, and copper coins as a store of wealth. DJ: Our financial journey started shortly after my mother took her own life.We were financially unprepared for the unexpected expenses that ⦠Then, there is another level. The high value of this coin is due to its uncirculated condition and its original copper-red color. Considering that 1943 pennies are ⦠An uncirculated example in its original mint state red color is extremely rare and valuable. Itâs worth $100. These steel planchets were used primarily in 1943. Sold: January 2006; Heritage Auctions, Orlando, FL, FUN Signature Auction. The Spruce Crafts uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. #5 â 1922 Wheat Pennies D. The 1914-S Lincoln cent is by no means a rare coin. While most pennies are only worth a few bucks, highly coveted ones might be sitting in your pocket or stuck somewhere in your couch cushions. Once again, the mint erroneously used a proof die to strike normal circulation coins. A used one of these might be worth about $100, while a cleaner one could go for $500, he said. When the U.S. switched from bronze alloy to zinc-plated steel pennies in 1943, only a relative handful of bronze pennies slipped through. Although the doubling is not as dramatic as that of the 1955 doubled die obverse, it is plainly evident with low-level magnification. Marcus: Howâd you pay off $130,912 and what inspired you to start? The valuable pennies listed below, though, could fetch an eagle-eyed collector far more than one cent. After all, there were over 4 million of them minted at the San Francisco mint. Special examples (especially those in near perfect condition) can be worth much more. Just look at Josh Sason who made millions , or Tim Grittani who started with $1,500 only to turn it into a portfolio worth over $1 million. This example is not only uncirculated, but it is extremely well preserved and shows a minimal amount of bag marks from the minting process. Some auction houses offer free evaluations. It is a rare American penny minted at the Denver Mint (hence the D) and can fetch prices of up to $5,500. Most Valuable Pennies; Most Valuable US Pennies - Highest Value 1 Cent Coins. "The most valuable Lincoln cent sold privately in 2010 for $1.7 million," said Stone.