Top 15 Most Valuable Pennies
TLDRIn this video, the host explores the top 15 most valuable U.S. pennies ever sold at auction, encouraging viewers to pay closer attention to their change. Coins like the 1914-S Lincoln Wheat Penny and the 1944 Denver Mint Lincoln Steel Penny are highlighted for their exceptional condition and rarity. The list includes unique errors and historical oddities, such as the 1943 bronze Lincoln penny and the 1944 steel penny from San Francisco. The video concludes with the 1943 Denver Mint Lincoln Bronze Cent, which sold for a staggering $1.7 million, emphasizing the potential value hidden in everyday coins.
Takeaways
- 🎉 The video celebrates the New Year and discusses the value of pennies, encouraging viewers to pay more attention to them.
- 🔍 The top 15 most valuable U.S. pennies are explored, with some selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction.
- 🏦 The 1914 San Francisco mint Lincoln wheat penny, graded mint state 66, sold for $105,800 in 2006, highlighting the importance of coin condition.
- 🛠 The 1944 Denver Mint Lincoln steel penny, struck on a leftover steel planchet, is rare due to a one-year-only steel penny production, selling for $115,000 in 2007.
- 👑 The 1909 San Francisco mint Lincoln wheat penny with VDB initials is considered the 'holy grail' for collectors, selling for $117,500 in 2014.
- 🌹 The 1872 Indian Head Penny's value is attributed to its exceptional condition and original red copper color, fetching $126,500 in 2007.
- 🤑 The 1969 San Francisco double die Lincoln penny, initially thought to be counterfeit, sold for $126,500 in 2008.
- 🚀 The 1926 San Francisco mint Lincoln penny, graded mint state 65 red, is extremely rare due to its condition and midmark, selling for $149,500 in 2006.
- 🏆 The 1943 bronze alloy Lincoln penny, one of the few not struck on steel due to World War II, sold for $164,500 in 2003.
- 🌈 The 1909 proof Lincoln penny with VDB initials and rainbow toning is exceptionally rare, with only 1,994 minted, and sold for $258,500 in 2014.
- 🥈 The 1944 San Francisco steel penny, graded mint state 66, is the second most valuable penny, selling for $373,750 in 2008.
- 🏅 The 1943 Denver mint Lincoln bronze cent is the most valuable penny ever sold, fetching $1.7 million in 2010, due to its unique bronze alloy and rarity.
Q & A
What is the significance of the 1914 San Francisco mint Lincoln wheat penny?
-The 1914 S Lincoln Cent is notable for its near-perfect condition, graded mint state 66 by PCGS. Despite over 4 million being minted, its remarkable grade and the fact that it sold for $105,800 in 2006 make it extremely valuable.
Why is the 1944 Denver Mint Lincoln steel penny so valuable?
-The 1944 Lincoln penny is valuable because it was accidentally struck on a steel planchet, a leftover from 1943 when steel was used due to wartime copper shortages. This error makes the coin extremely rare, and an example sold for $115,000 in 2007.
What makes the 1909 San Francisco mint Lincoln wheat penny with V DB initials special?
-The 1909 S Lincoln Cent is special because it was the first year of the Lincoln penny design, created by Victor David Brenner, who added his initials VDB to the reverse. The initials were removed after less than half a million were minted, making this coin highly sought after by collectors and it sold for $117,500 in 2014.
Why is the 1872 Indian Head Penny considered rare?
-While the 1872 Indian Head Penny is not rare in terms of mintage, with over 4 million minted, the exceptional condition and the original bright red copper color of the coin make it extremely rare. A mint state 67 example sold for $126,500 in 2007.
What is unique about the 1969 San Francisco man double die Lincoln penny?
-The 1969 S double die Lincoln penny is unique due to a minting error that caused a doubling of the date and lettering on the coin. Initially thought to be counterfeit, about five of these coins were confiscated and destroyed. An uncirculated example sold for $126,500 in 2008.
Why is the 1926 San Francisco mint Lincoln penny graded mint state 65 red so valuable?
-The 1926 S Lincoln penny is extremely rare due to its condition and midmark. In mint state 65 red, it sold for $149,500 in 2006, making it one of the most valuable pennies.
What historical context makes the 1877 Indian Head Penny graded mint state 66 valuable?
-The 1877 Indian Head Penny is the rarest date of all Indian Head pennies minted. During an economic slump, demand for coinage was low, and few were saved in uncirculated condition. This coin's condition and rarity led to its sale for $149,500 in 2007.
Why is the 1941 Denver Mint Lincoln penny graded mint state 66 plus red valuable?
-The 1941 D Lincoln penny is valuable due to its uncirculated condition and original mint state red color. Widespread use of penny boards in the 1930s and 1940s meant that many 1941 D Lincoln pennies were saved in uncirculated condition, making this example, which sold for $152,700 in 2017, extremely rare and valuable.
What makes the 1864 Indian Head Penny with the letter L on the ribbon special?
-The 1864 Indian Head Penny is special because during the Civil War, people hoarded coins, and the government had trouble securing metal for minting. An L was added to the ribbon's tail on some 1864 pennies, and very few were saved in uncirculated condition. This example, graded proof 65 red and brown, sold for $161,000 in 2011.
What circumstances led to the creation of the 1943 bronze alloy Lincoln penny?
-In 1943, due to World War Two, pennies were made of steel. However, a few bronze planchets from the previous year likely got stuck on a conveyor belt at the mint, leading to the accidental creation of a few bronze 1943 Lincoln pennies. A proof 63 example sold for $164,500 in 2003.
Why is the 1853 flying eagle cent graded mint state 66 so valuable?
-The 1853 flying eagle cent is valuable because it was part of an experimental batch made to reduce the size of the penny due to rising copper prices. Only about 800 of these small-sized pennies were made, and the pristine condition of this example led to its sale for $172,500 in 2004.
What makes the 1909 proof Lincoln penny with VDB initials and rainbow toning so rare?
-The 1909 proof Lincoln penny is rare due to its low mintage of 1,994 and the presence of the designer's initials VDB. The rainbow toning on the mirrors of being sold makes this coin extra special, and it sold for $258,500 in 2014.
Why is the 1943 San Francisco mint bronze Lincoln penny graded about uncirculated 58 valuable?
-This 1943 S bronze Lincoln penny is valuable because it is one of only six known examples of this error. Its sale for $282,000 in 2016 highlights its rarity and value.
What error led to the creation of the 1944 San Francisco mint steel penny graded mint state 66?
-After 1943, all Lincoln pennies were supposed to revert to bronze. However, a few steel planchets from 1943 somehow ended up at the San Francisco mint, leading to this error. The condition and rarity of this example, which sold for $373,750 in 2008, make it the second most valuable penny ever sold.
Why is the 1943 Denver mint Lincoln bronze cent the most valuable penny in the world?
-The 1943 Denver mint Lincoln bronze cent is the most valuable penny because it is the only known example struck at the Denver Mint on a bronze alloy instead of the typical zinc plated steel. Its rarity and the fact that it sold for $1,700,000 in 2010 make it the most expensive penny ever sold.
Outlines
🌟 Top 15 Valuable U.S. Pennies: Introduction and Early Rankings
The video script introduces a program focused on the top 15 most valuable United States pennies ever sold at auction. It starts with rhetorical questions about the last time viewers picked up a penny or refused them in change, suggesting that common pennies might be more valuable than people realize. The list begins with the 1914 San Francisco mint Lincoln wheat penny in mint state 66, which sold for $105,800 in 2006, and the 1944 Denver Mint Lincoln steel penny, which fetched $115,000 in 2007 due to its rarity from being struck on a leftover steel planchet. The 1909 San Francisco mint Lincoln wheat penny with VDB initials is highlighted as the 'holy grail' of Lincoln pennies, selling for $117,500 in 2014. The 1872 Indian Head Penny and the 1969 San Francisco double die Lincoln penny follow, with the latter's unique error and proof condition making it sell for $126,500 in 2008.
🏆 The Most Valuable Pennies: Mid-List Rankings and Historical Context
The script continues with the countdown of the most valuable pennies, featuring the 1926 San Francisco mint Lincoln penny in mint state 65 red, which sold for $149,500 in 2006. The 1877 Indian Head Penny, graded mint state 66, is noted as the rarest date of Indian Head pennies, selling for $149,500 in 2007. The script delves into the historical context of the 1941 Denver Mint Lincoln penny, graded mint state 66 plus red, which reflects the economic boom of 1914 and the subsequent hoarding of coins during the Great Depression. The 1864 Indian Head Penny with the letter L on the ribbon, sold for $161,000 in 2011, is highlighted for its significance during the Civil War. The 1943 Lincoln penny struck on a bronze alloy, rather than steel due to World War II material shortages, is mentioned as a rare error, with one example selling for $164,500 in 2003.
💎 The Pinnacle of Penny Values: Top Rankings and Record-Breaking Sales
The script culminates with the top five most valuable pennies. The 1853 flying eagle cent, graded mint state 66, is discussed as a precursor to the modern penny, with its small size and economic production. This coin, in pristine condition, sold for $172,500 in 2004. The 1909 proof Lincoln penny from the Philadelphia Mint with VDB initials and rainbow toning, graded proof 67, is highlighted for its rarity due to low mintage and unique toning, selling for $258,500 in 2014. The second bronze 1943 Lincoln penny from the San Francisco mint, graded about uncirculated 58, is noted for its rarity with only six known examples, selling for $282,000 in 2016. The 1944 San Francisco steel penny, graded mint state 66, is recognized for its condition and as the only uncirculated example available, selling for $373,750 in 2008. The script concludes with the most valuable penny ever sold, the 1943 Denver mint Lincoln bronze cent, graded mint state 64 brown, which is the sole known example from the Denver Mint and sold for a staggering $1,700,000 in 2010.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Penny
💡Mint State
💡Auction Block
💡Copper
💡Steel Penny
💡Initials VDB
💡Double Die
💡Proof Coin
💡Indian Head Penny
💡Lincoln Wheat Penny
💡Mint Mark
Highlights
The 1914 San Francisco mint Lincoln wheat penny in mint state 66 sold for $105,800 in 2006.
The 1944 Denver Mint Lincoln steel penny on a zinc coated steel planchette is valued at $115,000 due to its rarity.
The 1909 San Francisco mint Lincoln wheat penny with VDB initials is considered the holy grail for Lincoln penny collectors, selling for $117,500 in 2014.
The 1872 Indian Head Penny in mint state 67 with its original bright red copper color sold for $126,500 in 2007.
The 1969 San Francisco mint double die Lincoln penny, graded mint state 64, sold for $126,500 in 2008.
The 1926 San Francisco mint Lincoln penny in mint state 65 red is extremely rare due to its condition, selling for $149,500 in 2006.
The 1877 Indian Head Penny, graded mint state 66, is the rarest date of all Indian Head pennies, selling for $149,500 in 2007.
The World War I era 1941 D Lincoln penny, graded mint state 66 plus red, is rare due to its uncirculated condition and original mint state red color, fetching $152,700 in 2017.
The 1864 Indian Head Penny with the letter L on the ribbon, graded proof 65 red and brown, sold for $161,000 in 2011.
The 1943 bronze alloy Lincoln penny, graded mint state 63, is valued at $164,500 due to its proof condition.
The 1853 flying eagle cent, graded mint state 66, is a rare penny that sold for $172,500 in 2004.
The 1909 proof Lincoln penny from the Philadelphia Mint with VDB initials and rainbow toning sold for $258,500 in 2014.
The 1943 San Francisco mint bronze Lincoln penny, graded about uncirculated 58, is one of only six known examples, selling for $282,000 in 2016.
The 1944 San Francisco mint steel penny, graded mint state 66, is the second most valuable penny ever sold, fetching $3,737,500 in 2008.
The 1943 Denver mint Lincoln bronze cent, graded mint state 64 brown, is the most valuable penny ever sold, valued at $1,700,000 in September 2010.
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