13 Rare Pennies from the 20th Century: For coin collectors, pennies might seem like small change, but certain rare pennies from the 20th century can actually be worth far more than their face value. Over time, these pennies have gained value due to their rarity, historical significance, and the unique circumstances surrounding their production. Whether it’s a minting error, a limited mintage, or a significant historical event tied to the coin’s creation, some of these pennies can be worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars. If you have a collection of old pennies, here are 13 rare pennies from the 20th century that could make you rich.
1. 1909 VDB Lincoln Penny
The 1909 VDB Lincoln penny is one of the most famous and valuable coins in American numismatics. The coin was the first year of the Lincoln cent series, and its reverse side features the initials “VDB” of the designer, Victor David Brenner. These initials were removed shortly after its release due to public controversy. As a result, the 1909 VDB penny is highly sought after, especially in higher grades. Depending on the condition, a 1909 VDB penny can be worth anywhere from $100 for a well-worn coin to $1,000 or more for an uncirculated specimen.
2. 1914-D Lincoln Penny
The 1914-D Lincoln penny is another key date in the Lincoln cent series. Only 1.2 million of these pennies were minted in Denver, making it one of the rarer dates in the series. This low mintage number has contributed to its high value, and the 1914-D is often considered one of the most valuable regular-issue pennies. Depending on the condition, the 1914-D penny can be worth anywhere from $500 to over $10,000 for coins in mint state condition.
3. 1922 No D Lincoln Penny
The 1922 No D Lincoln penny is a famous error coin that occurs when a 1922 penny was struck without a mintmark (the “D” for Denver). Most 1922 pennies were minted with the “D,” but due to a die malfunction, a small number of pennies were released without it. The 1922 No D penny is highly sought after by collectors, especially those in good or better condition. These rare error coins can be worth between $1,000 and $5,000 or more, depending on the quality of the specimen.
4. 1931-S Lincoln Penny
The 1931-S penny is another key date for collectors. Only 866,000 of these pennies were minted at the San Francisco Mint, making it one of the lowest mintage pennies of the entire series. Due to its rarity, the 1931-S penny has become highly valuable, with prices ranging from $100 for lower-grade examples to over $1,500 for coins in uncirculated condition. As the number of high-quality specimens decreases, the value of the 1931-S will likely continue to increase.
5. 1943 Copper Penny
The 1943 copper penny is a famous error coin that occurred during World War II. Due to copper shortages, the U.S. Mint produced pennies using steel instead of copper in 1943. However, a few copper blanks were accidentally used in the minting process, resulting in the rare 1943 copper penny. These copper pennies are extremely rare, with only a handful known to exist. A 1943 copper penny can fetch between $100,000 and $1 million, depending on its condition. If you have one of these pennies, it could make you a fortune.
6. 1944 Steel Penny
Similar to the 1943 copper penny, the 1944 steel penny is another rare error coin. During World War II, the U.S. Mint switched to using steel for penny production, but a few steel blanks from the previous year’s 1943 issue were accidentally used to strike 1944 pennies. The result is the rare 1944 steel penny, which is highly sought after by collectors. In lower grades, a 1944 steel penny can be worth several hundred dollars, and high-grade examples can command prices over $1,000.
7. 1955 Double Die Lincoln Penny
The 1955 double die Lincoln penny is a classic error coin. The doubling on the obverse (front) of the coin is most noticeable in the date and the word “Liberty.” This was caused by a misalignment of the dies, resulting in a noticeable doubling effect. The 1955 double die is highly collectible, with prices ranging from $1,000 to over $10,000 depending on the coin’s condition. Uncirculated examples with sharp doubling can fetch top dollar at auctions.
8. 1969-S Double Die Lincoln Penny
The 1969-S double die Lincoln penny is another popular error coin in the Lincoln cent series. The doubling on the obverse of the coin is most noticeable in the date, “Liberty,” and “In God We Trust.” This error was caused by a die that was improperly aligned during the minting process. The 1969-S double die penny is particularly valuable in high-grade condition. A coin in excellent condition can be worth upwards of $20,000, making it one of the most valuable pennies from the 20th century.
9. 1970-S Small Date Lincoln Penny
The 1970-S Small Date Lincoln penny is another key variety within the Lincoln cent series. During the minting of the 1970 pennies, two different die varieties were created: the Small Date and the Large Date. The Small Date variety is much rarer and has a higher demand among collectors. Depending on its condition, the 1970-S Small Date penny can be worth anywhere from $10 to $1,000 or more for coins in high-grade condition.
10. 1983 Copper Penny (Molded in Copper)
While most 1983 pennies were struck using zinc-coated steel, a small number of copper planchets were mistakenly used for some 1983 pennies. These copper pennies are extremely rare, and only a few are known to exist. If you find one, it could be worth thousands of dollars, as the error is highly sought after by collectors. Depending on condition, a 1983 copper penny could fetch up to $10,000.
11. 1992 Close AM Lincoln Penny
The 1992 Close AM Lincoln penny is a rare variety that features a different spacing between the “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” on the reverse of the coin. Most 1992 pennies were struck with the “Wide AM” design, but a small number of “Close AM” varieties were mistakenly produced. The 1992 Close AM penny is highly valuable in higher grades, with prices ranging from $500 to $2,000 or more.
12. 1998 Wide AM Lincoln Penny
Another rare variety from the 1990s, the 1998 Wide AM Lincoln penny is similar to the 1992 Close AM error but features a different spacing between the “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” on the reverse. The 1998 Wide AM penny is highly collectible, and uncirculated examples can fetch anywhere from $500 to $1,500 or more depending on the coin’s grade.
13. 2000-P Sacagawea Dollar Mule Penny
While technically not a Lincoln penny, the 2000-P Sacagawea Dollar Mule penny is a notable error involving the penny series. The coin features the reverse of a Sacagawea dollar paired with the obverse of a Lincoln penny, resulting in a “mule” error. This coin is extremely rare, and if you come across one, it could be worth thousands of dollars, depending on its condition.
Conclusion
While most pennies are worth only a cent, there are some rare specimens from the 20th century that have incredible value. Whether it’s a famous error coin like the 1943 copper penny or a sought-after variety like the 1914-D, these 13 rare pennies from the 20th century could make you rich if you’re lucky enough to find one. As with any coin, the value of these pennies depends on factors such as rarity, condition, and demand from collectors. If you’re a coin collector, it’s worth keeping an eye out for these rare finds, as they could become a valuable addition to your collection or even a small fortune in your pocket.