These 9 Rare Lincoln Pennies Could Be Worth Thousands—Here’s What to Look For in Your Spare Change

If you’ve ever tossed a penny aside thinking it’s worthless, think again. Certain Lincoln pennies minted over the past century are now among the most valuable coins in the U.S., with some selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Whether due to rare minting errors or transitional designs, these Lincoln cents have become prized possessions in the numismatic world.

Below are nine of the most valuable Lincoln pennies collectors are hunting for—and how to identify them.

1. 1943 Copper Wheat Penny

• Estimated Value: Up to $840,000
• Why It’s Valuable: During WWII, the U.S. Mint switched from copper to steel to conserve copper for wartime needs. A few pennies were mistakenly struck on leftover copper planchets.
• How to Spot It: Use a magnet—if it sticks, it’s steel. If not and it’s dated 1943, get it authenticated.

2. 1955 Doubled Die Obverse Penny

• Estimated Value: Up to $20,000+
• Why It’s Valuable: A famous error with significant doubling in the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” Only around 20,000–24,000 were released.
• How to Spot It: The doubling is easily visible with the naked eye or a magnifier.

3. 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse Penny

• Estimated Value: Over $100,000
• Why It’s Valuable: Features dramatic doubling on the obverse. Originally thought to be counterfeit, it’s one of the rarest doubled die cents.
• How to Spot It: Look for clear doubling on “LIBERTY” and the date.

4. 1970-S Small Date Penny

• Estimated Value: Up to $18,400 in high grade
• Why It’s Valuable: The small date version is much rarer than the large date counterpart and highly collectible, especially in proof condition.
• How to Spot It: Look at the “7” in the date—it should be level with the other numbers for the small date.

5. 1983-D Bronze Penny

• Estimated Value: Around $1,400 or more
• Why It’s Valuable: 1983 pennies were meant to be struck on zinc planchets. A few were accidentally struck on bronze planchets, creating a transitional error.
• How to Spot It: Weigh the coin—bronze weighs about 3.11 grams, compared to zinc’s 2.5 grams.

6. 1983 Doubled Die Reverse Penny

• Estimated Value: Up to $7,000
• Why It’s Valuable: Features significant doubling on the reverse lettering.
• How to Spot It: Use a magnifier to examine “ONE CENT” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM” for doubled letters.

7. 1992 Close AM Penny

• Estimated Value: Up to $5,000
• Why It’s Valuable: Designed for 1993 pennies, a few 1992 coins were struck with a reverse die showing the “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” touching or very close.
• How to Spot It: Look closely at the spacing between the “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” on the reverse side.

8. 1995 Doubled Die Obverse Penny

• Estimated Value: Up to $1,000+
• Why It’s Valuable: A more modern example of a doubled die, though more common than the 1955 or 1969 versions.
• How to Spot It: Check the obverse for strong doubling in “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.”

9. 1999 Wide AM Penny

• Estimated Value: Over $5,000
• Why It’s Valuable: Intended for proof coins, a few business-strike 1999 cents were mistakenly minted with a reverse showing wide spacing between “A” and “M.”
• How to Spot It: The “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” should be clearly separated.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need to be a professional coin collector to stumble upon one of these rare pennies. In fact, many were found in pocket change or old coin jars. With millions of pennies in circulation, checking your change could be more profitable than you think.

If you’re unsure about a coin’s value or authenticity, get it appraised through trusted organizations like:

• 🔗 Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS)
• 🔗 Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC)
• 🔗 American Numismatic Association (money.org)

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.