10 Rare Pennies That Could Fetch You Hundreds of Dollars – Check Your Spare Change Today

Have you ever stopped to wonder if that dusty old penny in your drawer could be worth more than its face value? Turns out, some pennies are rare gems that collectors would pay a fortune to get their hands on.

From minting mistakes to limited releases, these coins could be sitting unnoticed in your coin jar right now. Let’s take a closer look at ten of the rarest and most valuable pennies in U.S. history.

1943 Bronze Penny

During WWII, copper was needed for ammunition, so the U.S. Mint switched to zinc-coated steel pennies. But a few bronze planchets (blanks) from 1942 were accidentally used in 1943. The result? The incredibly rare 1943 bronze penny. Some have sold for over $300,000. If you find one, don’t spend it—retire on it.

1955 Double Die Penny

This is one of the most famous error coins. A misaligned die caused the date and lettering to appear doubled. If you spot a 1955 penny with very clear doubling—especially on “LIBERTY” or the date—you might be looking at a $1,000+ coin, depending on its condition.

8 Rare U.S. Coins That Could Turn You Into a Millionaire – Know Their Hidden Value

1909-S VDB Penny

The first year the Lincoln cent was minted, designer Victor David Brenner’s initials “VDB” were printed on the back. But the San Francisco version with those initials was produced in limited numbers—just under 500,000. That scarcity makes the 1909-S VDB penny a collector’s holy grail, often valued at $1,000 to $5,000.

1943 Copper Penny

The opposite of the bronze story: while 1943 was the year for steel cents, a few copper blanks accidentally got struck. These are even rarer than the bronze ones. Just a few exist, and one once sold for over $1 million. This is the kind of coin you see in museums—or incredible flea market finds.

1992 Close AM Penny

Here’s a modern rarity. On some 1992 pennies, the “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” are printed unusually close together. Most coins from that year have the letters spaced wider. If you see the close version, it could be worth a few hundred bucks or more.

1972 Double Die Penny

Another clear doubling error, the 1972 version shows noticeable doubling in the word “LIBERTY” and the date. These are not as rare as the 1955 version but still fetch good money—often $200–$500 in high grades.

9 Valuable Half Dollar Coins That Could Fetch You Hundreds – See What to Look For

2004-D Wisconsin Extra Leaf Penny

Okay, this one’s actually a state quarter—but it’s too cool to leave out. Some 2004-D Wisconsin quarters were minted with an extra leaf on the corn stalk, thanks to a die flaw. There are “low leaf” and “high leaf” versions, and both can be worth $300 or more.

1983 Double Die Penny

This is another modern error to watch for. Doubling is visible on Lincoln’s portrait and some lettering. These are worth around $100 to $300, depending on condition. Keep your eyes peeled, especially when checking older change.

1958 Double Die Penny

A true rarity in the world of error coins. Only a few are known to exist, making the 1958 double die penny a white whale for collectors. If you find one, you’re talking a price tag in the five figures—maybe even six in pristine condition.

1914-D Lincoln Penny

This one wasn’t an error—it was just minted in small quantities in Denver. That makes it a sought-after piece for Lincoln penny set collectors. Even in lower grades, it can pull in several hundred dollars, with mint state versions going for thousands.

Here’s a quick summary of the most valuable rare pennies:

Penny	Est. Value	Key Feature
1943 Bronze	$100,000+	Wrong metal used
1955 Double Die	$1,000+	Clear doubling of date/text
1909-S VDB	$1,000–$5,000	First Lincoln, low mintage
1943 Copper	$250,000–$1M	Rare metal use
1992 Close AM	$250–$1,000	Letter spacing on back
1972 Double Die	$200–$500	Doubling on obverse
2004-D Extra Leaf	$300–$600	Die flaw on corn leaf
1983 Double Die	$100–$300	Modern doubling error
1958 Double Die	$10,000+	Ultra-rare doubling
1914-D Lincoln	$200–$2,500+	Low-mintage Denver issue

Some of these coins may be rare, but they’re still out there. Whether it’s a dramatic double die or a nearly invisible spacing difference, each of these pennies has a story—and possibly a serious price tag.

FAQs