Top 50 Most Valuable Pennies In History

Introduction to the top 50 most valuable pennies in U.S. history, including the 1909 S VDB at number 40.

1936 double die obverse penny with distinctive doubling features, valued between $100 to $8,000.

Key date wheat cents from 1909-1958, with specific years like 1909 S VDB and 1909 S being highly valuable.

Proof coin errors from the San Francisco mint, such as the double die obverse on a 1917 penny.

1972's unique double die obverse versions with significant value.

1979 die breaks on pennies that can be worth over a thousand dollars.

1970 double die obverse penny with strong north-south doubling, having a higher value floor.

Indian head pennies from 1859 to 1909, with 1908 S and 1909 S being particularly sought after.

1922 no D mint mark penny with a weak reverse, starting at around $750 in value.

1877 Indian head cent as a key date in the series, worth at least half a thousand dollars.

1909 S VDB Lincoln cent, a rare coin due to low mintage and controversy over the initials on the reverse.

1955 Lincoln cent with a double die obverse, known for its strong doubling and high value.

Lincoln cent struck onto a New Hampshire quarter, an error coin that sold for $13,200.

1992 close AM Lincoln cent, a variety with the A and M letters closer together, valued up to $10,000.

1992 D close AM Lincoln cent, similar to the 1992 close AM but with a different mint mark.

Struck on feeder finger error, a rare type of error where an aluminum piece gets struck with a coin.

Overstruck coin from 1960 D, an error where a coin is struck again, sometimes with rotation.

1983 transitional planchet penny, a heavier coin made from leftover bronze planchets.

1974 S aluminum penny, an error coin made from an aluminum planchet meant for another country.

1999 Lincoln cent struck on an older 1980 D Roosevelt dime, a double denomination error.

1888 overdate Indian head penny, an eight over seven error, rare and valuable.

1989 D Lincoln cent struck on a pre-1983 copper planchet, a valuable transitional error.

1971 S Lincoln cent on an aluminum planchet, another example of an underweight error coin.

1982 D transitional strike penny, an error involving the wrong planchet and date combination.

1965 Lincoln cent on a silver dime planchet, a unique error from the brief period of silver coinage.

Reverse brockage 1973 S Lincoln cent, an error where the reverse of one coin is imprinted on another.

1969 S Lincoln cent double die obverse, a famed error with a strong doubling and high value.

1981 Ascent on a Kennedy half dollar planchet, an unusual error from the mint.

1943 S Lincoln cent on a dime planchet, a famous error from the zinc and steel planchet period.

Striking on a Virginia quarter error from 2000, a mated pair error involving two coins.

1856 Flying Eagle cent, the first small size U.S. cent, with limited edition runs.

Struck on a sacage away dollar, a high-value error coin from the early days of U.S. coinage.

1943 Lincoln cent on a Cuban one centavo coin planchet, a mule error with a clear undertype.

1933 D Lincoln cent struck with a dime reverse die, a mule coin with a high sale value.

1859 Indian head cent on a quarter Eagle gold coin planchet, a very rare and valuable mule coin.

1944 Lincoln cent on a leftover zinc-coated steel planchet, a rare error from the transition year.

2001 D Lincoln cent with a dime reverse, a rare error with a high sale value.

1999 Lincoln cent muled with a dime reverse, another rare combination with a high value.

Aluminum 1942 cent, a pattern coin that was retained in private hands and sold for $200,000.

1943 bronze planchet Lincoln cent, a classic error coin with a high value and historical significance.

1944 San Francisco Mint Lincoln cent on a leftover bronze planchet, in exceptional condition.

1943 S Lincoln cent, a rare coin with significant value, especially in nice condition.

1943 D Lincoln cent, once traded for $1.7 million, reflecting its high desirability and value.

Double die obverse 1958 wheat penny, a rare and valuable coin with strong doubling features.

Honorable mention of the 1959 D wheat penny, not certified but a potential contender for the list.