If you’ve ever found an old penny lying around the house or received one in change, you might want to take another look. Some pennies are worth a lot more than just one cent. In fact, a few rare and old pennies can be worth thousands—even millions—of dollars today. You may be carrying one in your pocket without even knowing it.
Collectors and coin lovers are always on the lookout for special coins. Whether it’s due to a mistake made at the mint, a rare metal used, or just the year it was made, these small coins can tell big stories. Let’s go through ten of the most valuable pennies that might still be hidden in homes, change jars, or even in someone’s wallet.
1943 Copper Penny
In 1943, the United States Mint switched from using copper for pennies to using steel, because copper was needed for World War II. But a few copper blanks accidentally got used. Only about 40 copper pennies from 1943 are known to exist. If you find one, it could be worth more than $100,000. This coin is probably the most famous and most wanted among collectors.
1909S VDB Penny
This penny marks the first year that the Lincoln penny was made. It also has the initials of the designer, Victor David Brenner (VDB), on the back. The San Francisco Mint made a small number of these coins. Only about 484,000 were produced. If the coin is in good condition, its value can go up to $2,000 or more.
1914 D Penny
This penny was made in Denver and is another rare find for coin collectors. It’s not easy to spot one in great condition. Because only a small number were made and many didn’t survive the years well, a top-quality piece can sell for more than $1,500.
### 1955 Doubled Die Penny
This is one of the most famous error coins. When the coin was made, the die (the tool that stamps the image) printed the front of the coin twice, just slightly off, leading to a double image. The date and the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” appear blurry or shadowed. A 1955 Doubled Die Penny can be worth more than $1,000.
1926 S Penny
Made in San Francisco, this penny is valuable mostly because it’s rare to find in good condition. Many of these coins were used for so long that they became very worn. If you find one that still has clear details, it could be worth $400 or more.
### 1877 Indian Head Penny
The 1877 Indian Head Penny is one of the hardest coins to find from the 1800s. Very few people saved coins from this time, so not many survive today. A coin like this in decent condition can fetch anywhere from $1,000 to even $5,000. In excellent condition, it can go even higher.
1917 Doubled Die Penny
Like the 1955 version, this coin has a doubled image, but it’s much older. It’s easy to miss unless you look very closely. The doubling here appears in the date and the words on the front side of the coin. These coins can be sold for hundreds of dollars if in good condition.
1983 Doubled Die Reverse Penny
This error penny has a doubled image on the back of the coin, unlike the 1955 and 1917 versions. If you look at the words “ONE CENT” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” they may appear thicker or shadowed. If a collector can verify it’s a true doubled die, this penny might bring $250 or more.
1992 Close AM Penny
This is another small difference that makes a big value. On the regular penny, the letters “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” on the back are spaced apart. But in this rare version, they are very close together. Only a few of these were made by mistake. If you find one, it could be worth between $1,000 and $20,000 depending on its condition.
1969 S Doubled Die Penny
Another doubled die coin on this list, the 1969 S penny is very rare and very valuable. The doubling is strong and easy to spot with the naked eye. Because only a handful exist, one of these coins in great shape can sell for over $35,000.
Final Thoughts
Finding one of these pennies in your pocket or at home can feel like winning a small lottery. Most of these coins are valuable either because they are very old, have an error, or were made in smaller numbers. While the chances of finding one are low, it’s still worth checking your coins. You never know what treasure you might be holding.
So, the next time you come across some spare change, take a moment to look closely. You just might find a rare penny that’s worth way more than just one cent. Keep your eyes open and maybe even start a small collection—you never know when you might discover something special.
