Welcome back to Caps Collectibles! Hope you guys are having a great day. In today’s article, we are looking at ten Lincoln pennies that are worth serious money. Some of these coins have sold for tens of thousands of dollars!
If you’re searching through penny rolls from the bank, looking for old coins, rare coins, or error coins, this list is your essential guide. Don’t forget, if you want to enter to win a Silver Morgan Dollar, click the link in the description (or the form below for our website readers). It will take you to a page where you can subscribe to the two featured channels, and you’ll be entered twice for that Silver Morgan Dollar! So, without further ado, let’s hop into the list and check out these valuable Lincoln Cents.
In This Article: 10 Valuable Lincoln Pennies
- 1. 1914-D Wheat Penny (Weak D)
- 2. 1917 Double Die Obverse Lincoln Cent
- 3. 1924-D Lincoln Penny
- 4. 1955 Double Die Obverse Penny
- 5. 1971 Double Die Obverse Lincoln Cent
- 6. 1972 Double Die Obverse Lincoln Cent
- 7. 1983 Double Die Reverse Lincoln Cent
- 8. 1992-D “Close AM” Lincoln Penny
- 9. 1944 Steel Lincoln Penny (Error)
- 10. 1943 Copper Lincoln Penny (The Ultimate Error)
1. 1914-D Wheat Penny (Weak D)
Sale Price: Over $4,000
Key Feature: Extremely Low Mintage (Only ~1.1 million produced)
Grade: About Uncirculated (AU-58)
This is a classic key-date coin for any wheat penny collection. If you find a 1914 penny, check the mintmark carefully. The Denver-minted “D” variety is the rare one. This example, even in a modest grade, sold for over four thousand dollars. Always save your wheat pennies!
2. 1917 Double Die Obverse Lincoln Cent
Sale Price: Over $5,700
Key Feature: Prominent Doubling on “In God We Trust” and Date
Tip: Use a USB microscope to examine your coins closely.
The doubling is most noticeable on the word “TRUST” and the date “1917.” This striking error makes the coin highly desirable to collectors, pushing its value into the thousands.
3. 1924-D Lincoln Penny
Sale Price: Over $3,200
Key Feature: Another Low-Mintage Key Date (~2.5 million produced)
Another Denver mint rarity. If you find one, consider getting it professionally graded by a service like PCGS or NGC, as its value can vary greatly based on condition.
4. 1955 Double Die Obverse Penny
Sale Price: Over $2,500
Key Feature: The Most Famous Lincoln Cent Error
Grade: About Uncirculated (AU-55)
The doubling on the date and lettering is dramatic and easily visible even to the naked eye. It’s a cornerstone error coin, valuable even in lower grades.
5. 1971 Double Die Obverse Lincoln Cent
Sale Price: Over $290
Key Feature: Modern Doubling Error
Always check your modern pennies for doubling on the date and lettering. This 1971 example shows how even relatively recent errors can carry a significant premium.
6. 1972 Double Die Obverse Lincoln Cent
Sale Price: Over $320
Key Feature: Condition is King for Modern Errors
This coin highlights a critical point: for modern errors, condition dramatically affects value. A coin in mint state (MS) condition could be worth much more than this circulated example.
7. 1983 Double Die Reverse Lincoln Cent
Sale Price: Over $200
Key Feature: Doubling on the Reverse (Back) of the Coin
Most collectors look for obverse (front) errors. Don’t forget to check the reverse! The doubling on “ONE CENT” and the Lincoln Memorial can create valuable varieties.
8. 1992-D “Close AM” Lincoln Penny
Sale Price: Over $5,600
Key Feature: The “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” are nearly touching.
On a normal 1992 penny, the A and M are clearly separated (a “Wide AM”). On this rare variety, they are almost closed. For a deep dive, search “1992 penny Couch Collectibles” on YouTube. This tiny design difference is worth thousands.
9. 1944 Steel Lincoln Penny (Struck on Wrong Planchet)
Sale Price: Over $37,000
Key Feature: A 1944 Penny that Looks Like a 1943 Steel Cent
In 1943, pennies were made of steel to save copper for WWII. In 1944, they returned to copper. This coin is a 1944 design accidentally struck on a leftover steel planchet. Warning: Many fakes exist. Knowing the correct weight of a penny is crucial for authentication.
10. 1943 Copper Lincoln Penny (The “Holy Grail” Error)
Sale Price: Over $88,000
Key Feature: A 1943 Penny that Looks Like a Normal Copper Penny
This is the opposite error of #9. While 1943 cents were supposed to be steel, a few were mistakenly struck on copper planchets. Finding one in a coin roll would be a life-changing jackpot. Even in heavily damaged condition, as this example shows, it’s worth a fortune. In mint condition, they can sell for over $200,000.
Final Thoughts & How to Learn More
Thank you so much for reading! The world of coin collecting is full of hidden treasures waiting to be found in everyday change. The key is knowledge. Examine your coins closely, learn about key dates and errors, and invest in basic tools like a magnifying glass or USB microscope.
Want to see these coins in detail? Check out the full video on the Couch Collectibles YouTube channel. Don’t forget to explore all the other coin videos on the channel for more collecting tips and treasure hunts!
Until next time, happy hunting! See you in the comments section below. This is Couch Collectibles, signing off.
