The 17 Rare Pennies, valued at over $50,000 each, are a fascinating part of American numismatics, where small, common copper coins have become valuable treasures. These pennies are valued not for their face value, but for their rarity, errors, historical significance, and condition. Collectors and investors pay close attention to mintage, die variations, and grading scores to identify coins that command high prices at auction or private sale.
1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent
The 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent is one of the most famous high-value pennies, first introduced in 1909 with the debut of the Lincoln design. Only 484,000 of these coins were minted at the San Francisco Mint, bearing the initials (VDB) of designer Victor David Brenner on the reverse. While common pennies were being spent daily, collectors quickly recognized the significance of this coin, and today, due to the scarcity of well-preserved examples, top-graded specimens can fetch well over $100,000.
1914-D Lincoln Cent
The 1914-D Lincoln cent is another valuable penny, with a mintage of only 1,193,000. At a time when pennies were heavily circulated for everyday transactions, very few coins survived in good condition. Certified Mint State examples are extremely rare, and high-quality coins have sold for well over the $50,000 mark, especially in grades of MS65 or higher.
1922 No D Lincoln Cent
The 1922 No D Lincoln cent is a famous collectible because the Denver Mint did not officially produce cents that year, yet coins exist with a faint or missing “D” mintmark. This die error occurred when a die without a mintmark punch was mistakenly used. High-grade coins with excellent strike detail and verified authentication have fetched over $100,000 at major auctions.
1931-S Lincoln Cent
Although the mintage of the 1931-S Lincoln Cent exceeded 866,000, very few coins survive in superb condition. Most coins saw heavy circulation, resulting in very few high-grade examples being available. Premium coins graded MS66 by professional services are extremely rare and regularly sell for over $50,000, making them highly sought after by advanced collectors.
1909 Ultra High Relief Cent
The 1909 Ultra High Relief Cent is a unique pattern coin that never entered general circulation. It was produced as an experimental piece, and only one is believed to exist in private hands. Its artistic design and unique status make it one of the most valuable cents in existence, valued at well over $50,000 and often reaching several hundred thousand dollars in private sales.
1917 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent
The 1917 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent exhibits clear doubling on the date and motto, caused by a misalignment during the die preparation process. Error coins are always collectible, but the significant doubling and rarity of this version drive up its value. High-grade examples have surpassed the $50,000 mark, especially when certified by top grading services.
1955 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent
Perhaps the most famous error coin of the 20th century, the 1955 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent displays dramatic doubling on the date and lettering. Millions of coins were minted, but only a small percentage exhibit this error clearly enough to be considered collectible. Well-preserved examples in excellent condition have sold for prices well over $50,000, making them a centerpiece in many collections.
1877 Indian Head Cent
While not a Lincoln cent, the 1877 Indian Head cent is a rare and valuable predecessor coin that often fetches prices exceeding $50,000 in high grades. Its low mintage and wear from 19th-century circulation mean that high-quality specimens are exceedingly rare. Serious collectors pay a premium for certified high-grade coins, often in the six figures.
1908/S-1908/S VDB Lincoln Cent
The 1908/S-1908/S VDB Lincoln cent is a rare pair of two San Francisco issues featuring the VDB initials. Both coins are rare and highly sought after, and a complete set can easily command prices well over $50,000. Individually, high-grade examples still fetch significant sums due to collector demand and historical interest.
1943 Copper Lincoln Cent
During World War II, most pennies were minted in steel to conserve copper, making the 1943 copper Lincoln cent a rare error. Only a few hundred are known to exist, and they have repeatedly sold at auction for over $100,000. Due to their rarity and stark contrast to the thousands of steel pennies, they are among the greatest surprises for coin collectors.
1911-S Lincoln Cent
The 1911-S Lincoln cent had a low mintage and saw heavy circulation, resulting in very few surviving in good condition. Most coins were worn down by everyday use, so well-preserved examples are rare, and top-grade coins have sold for six-figure prices, easily surpassing the $50,000 benchmark.
1924-D Lincoln Cent
The 1924-D Lincoln Cent is one of the rarest coins from 1920s Denver. Its low survival rate in high grades makes it highly sought after by collectors. Certified MS65 coins are rare and often command prices exceeding $50,000, reflecting both its scarcity and collector interest within the entire Lincoln Cent series.
1894-S Barber Dime (Not a penny, but related rarity)
Although not a penny, the 1894-S Barber Dime is often mentioned alongside rare small cents due to its extreme value and collector appeal. Only 24 coins were minted, and approximately nine are known to exist today. It illustrates how low mintage numbers can dramatically increase prices when discussing rare coins.
1915 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent
The 1915 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent exhibits doubling on one side of the coin, a detail often overlooked by many casual collectors. This subtle but significant error, combined with the limited number of high-grade examples, has driven prices for well-preserved coins to over $50,000, rewarding those who carefully study die varieties.
1909 Lincoln Cent First Year Issue
The 1909 Lincoln Cent first-year issue is historically significant as it was the first modern American coin to feature the portrait of a real person. While many coins were produced, early strikes and certain mintmarks are rare in high grades. Historical significance and scarcity in top condition often drive prices well above the range mentioned here.
1920-S Lincoln Cent
The 1920-S Lincoln Cent had a mintage of just over 1 million in San Francisco, and most surviving examples are heavily worn. As a result, high-quality coins with full details are rare, and top-grade certified examples can fetch prices exceeding $50,000.
1919 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent
The 1919 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent exhibits doubling on the main design elements, a feature highly sought after by error collectors. While this error is not as dramatic as some others, the limited number of high-grade examples and strong collector demand have driven prices for quality coins above $50,000.