17 of The World’s Most Expensive Pennies ǀ Truly Experiences (2024)

The most expensive pennies in the world are so valuable because of their history, rarity, and/or beauty.

We’re going to show you some of the most prized pennies in the world, and we’ll tell you why they’re worth so much money!

We all know that there is a vibrant coin market among collectors. But would you pay thousands or even millions for a penny? Some people do!

It could be worth your while to check those old coins lying at the bottom of a drawer somewhere.

Take a look at the world’s most expensive pennies and how much they’re worth.

What Factors Determine A Penny’s Worth?

The world’s rarest and most coveted pennies are valued at more than $100,000 and some even go for $2 million.

Rarity is a significant factor in determining a penny’s worth. The condition of the coin is another. But demand is the factor that drives coin values the most.

The World’s Most Expensive Pennies

Let’s start with the most valuable pennies minted in the USA.

S Lincoln Penny – $105,800

The 1914-S Lincoln cent is not a rare coin. More than 4 million of them were minted at the San Francisco mint. This coin is valuable because of its excellentconditiondespite being more than 100 years old. There is no noticeable bag mark on the coin’s surface, and it has retained its original bright copper colour.

1944-D Lincoln Penny on a Zinc-Coated Steel Planchet – $115,000

A 1944 Lincoln penny struck at the Denver mint is fairly common. The mint produced more than 430 million. What makes this coin extremely valuable is the fact that it was minted on a zinc-coated steelplanchet. These steel planchets were used primarily in 1943 during World War II. But complaints got the mint to change back to the copper planchets in 1944.

But a steel planchetleft over from 1943 must have found its way into the coining press. Thisstray planchet created a great rarity treasured by coin collectors.

1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny

In 1909, The United States Mint replaced theIndian Head pennywith theLincoln cent. The designer added his initials VDB to the coin’s reverse side. It also appeared at the bottom between the two wheat stalks.

Slightly less than 500,000 of these coins were minted before the Treasury Department directed that the initials be removed.

1872 Indian Head Penny – $126,500

An 1872 Indian Head penny is a scarce coin but can be easily found at any coin show or coin dealer in circulated condition.

The financial hardship of the time resulted in few people saving coins, so most were in circulation in people’s purses and pockets.

What makes this coin extremely rare is its condition, combining a flawless coin with a very sharp strike from a new set of coin dies. In addition, it was superbly stored so has excellent shine and colour.

1969-S Lincoln Penny–Doubled Die Obverse – $126,500

This coinwas first discovered in 1970. Initially thought to be counterfeit,the government started confiscating them. Five coins were taken and destroyed before they knew they were genuine.

This penny shows a doubling on the date and lettering on the obverse side. These coins in circulated condition are also valuable, but the uncirculated coins are extremely rare.

1926-S Lincoln Penny – $149,500

On the surface, there is nothing visually special about this coin. Uncirculated coins retain their distinctive copper-red colour. It’s the combination of date and mint mark which sets this coin apart.

One factor making this coin valuablevery few were minted. But it is rare to find an uncirculated 1926-S Lincoln penny with its original copper colour.

1877 Indian Head Penny – $149,500

This particular penny is the rarest date of all the Indian Head pennies minted. In 1877 the demand for US coinage was at an all-time low due to a long recession. So, people didn’t save pennies then. To find an uncirculated version in mint condition is rare.

1914-D Lincoln Penny – $152,750

This coin was very much in circulation and was commonly kept in “penny boards” in the 1930s and 40s, which people used to collect coins from circulation. So most of the 1941-D Lincoln pennies are in circulated condition. An uncirculated example in its originalmint statered colour is exceptionally rare and very valuable.

1864 Indian Head Penny–”L” on Ribbon – $161,000

In 1864, the ongoing Civil War made the US economy extremely fragile. Many citizens stockpiled gold, silver, and copper coins as a means of wealth. As a result, the federal government battled to obtain the metal needed for minting coins.

The Indian Head penny was first issued in 1859 but in 1864, an “L” was added on the end of the ribbon on Lady Liberty’s war bonnet. As 5 million of these coins were issued, very few were saved in uncirculated condition.

1943 Lincoln Cent Struck on Bronze Alloy – $164,500

This 1943 Lincoln penny should have been minted on a zinc-plated steel planchet but was made with a bronze alloy planchet. Although there is some speculation that mint workers struck these coins on bronze alloy planchets purposefully, it is more probable that a few bronze planchets from the previous year got stuck on a conveyor belt or tote and was mistakenly used in the striking process.

As most people don’t take note of the date on their change, some of these bronze pennies circulated for a while before being snatched up by an alert coin collector. The value of this coin is due to its uncirculated condition and its copper-red colour.

1856 Flying Eagle Cent – $172,500

In 1856, the price of copper rose when it took more than a penny’s worth of copper to make the coin. To lower costs, the US Mint reduced the size of the penny (to its current diameter).

But the move needed Congressional approval, so the mint produced around 800 and gifted them to the lawmakers.

Any one of these coins in circulated or uncirculated condition is very rare.

1909 VDB Matte Proof Lincoln Penny – $258,500

This highly valued penny bears all three of the coin designer’s initials: VDB. Only 1,194 of theseproof coinswere struck at the Philadelphia mint before the US Treasury directed the mint to remove the designer’s initials.

The low mintage alone makes this coin very rare, but the brilliant colours on a coin being stored for 100 years make this coin very attractive to collectors.

1943-S Lincoln Cent Struck on Bronze – $282,000

This coin is the second example of a 1943 Lincoln cent which was meant to be minted on a zinc-plated steel planchet but was instead coined on a bronze planchet. There are only six known examples of this error being produced at the San Francisco mint in 1943.

1958 Doubled Die Obverse Cent – $336,000

This coin is valued because of its die variety. They are extremely rare and highly prized by collectors.

1943-S Lincoln Steel Penny – $373,750

In 1944, Lincoln pennies reverted back to the original bronze alloy of 95% copper and 5% tin. But two zinc-plated steel planchets came out of the coining press in the San Francisco mint. One was picked up by a savvy collector.

The coin remained uncirculated and very well preserved. In addition, it was well-struck, which shows in the fine detailing on the coin. This coin is considered the second most valuable penny in the world.

1943-S Lincoln Steel Penny – $373,750

In 1944, Lincoln pennies reverted back to the original bronze alloy of 95% copper and 5% tin. But two zinc-plated steel planchets somehow ended up in the coining press in the San Francisco mint. One was picked up by a savvy collector.

The coin remained uncirculated and very well preserved. In addition, it was well-struck, which shows in the fine detailing on the coin. This coin is considered the second most valuable penny in the world.

1943-D Lincoln Bronze Cent – $1,700,000

Accidents can produce the rarest coins as we have seen. When the US changed from bronze alloy to zinc-plated steel pennies in 1943, only a handful of bronze pennies slipped through.

Many of these coins show circulation wear and tear.This single example from the Denver mint is in pristine condition.

It is considered the most valuable Lincoln penny in the world.

Across the Atlantic, here are some valuable British coins.

1917 George V Sovereign London Mint – Estimated Value £15,000

This gold sovereign was issued during World War I with a very low mintage. The sovereign was a gold coin, with a nominal value of one pound sterling, which was in circulation before 1932 as part of the British Gold Standard.

1933 George V Penny – Estimated Value £72,000

This coin is considered the most valuable coin in the UK. Although it was originally created as a pattern coin, which means it is not intended for release into circulation, it is believed that only seven were issued, making them very rare.

1937 Edward VIII Brass Threepence – Estimated Value £45,000

Remember “thruppence”? This threepenny coin is another pattern coin with historical significance because of Edward VIII. He abdicated less than 12 months into his reign, making the coins redundant. Only 10 were minted.

1933 George V Penny – Estimated Value £72,000

A few ‘pattern’ versions were created but never went into production. There were only 4 in existence.

But a further 7 George V pennies were created later in 1933, for ceremonial purposes and one each for the British Museum and the Royal Mint Museum.

None of these coins has ever come up for sale but it said the value would be double that of the pattern coins.

Having read this, you will never view pennies in the same way again. Owning one of the above means you certainly won’t have to count your pennies ever again.

Chermaine Chen

Chermaine’s journey into the world of gemstones and crystals began as a child, collecting shimmering stones on family vacations. Today, she’s a certified gemologist and spiritual healer, intertwining the physical beauty of jewels with their metaphysical properties.

Chermaine has traveled to mines in Africa, marketplaces in India, and spiritual retreats in Bali, always seeking to deepen her understanding.