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The U.S. one-cent coin, or penny, has been part of American coinage since the beginning and remains in circulation today. While their face value is just one cent, some rare pennies have sold for astonishing sums at auction.
So, which ones are truly valuable?
Here are 19 of the most valuable pennies ever sold, listed by name, followed by their record auction price:
1. 1958 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Penny – $1,136,250
2. 1793 Wreath Strawberry Leaf Penny – $862,500
3.1943-D Bronze Lincoln Penny – $840,000
4. 1943-S Bronze Lincoln Penny – $504,000
5. 1944-S Steel Lincoln Penny – $408,000
6. 1943 Bronze Lincoln Penny – $372,000
7. 1958 Doubled Die Obverse Penny – $336,000
8. 1909 V.D.B. Matte Proof Lincoln Penny – $258,500
9. 1944 Steel Lincoln Penny – $180,000
10. 1856 Flying Eagle Penny – $172,500
11. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny – $168,000
12. 1864 Indian Head Penny with L on the Ribbon Proof – $161,000
13. 1914-D Lincoln Penny – $158,625
14. 1877 Indian Head Penny – $149,500
15. 1926-S Lincoln Penny – $149,500
16. 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Memorial Penny – $126,500
17. 1872 Indian Head Penny– $126,500
18. 1944-D Steel Lincoln Penny – $115,000
19. 1914-S Lincoln Penny – $105,800
A Brief History of the Penny
The official name of the penny, a colloquial term, the “cent,” is one of the first coins produced by the U.S. Mint since its opening in 1972. The design on the first penny was of a woman with flowing hair symbolizing liberty, and she stayed in the coin for more than 60 years.
In 1857 and 1858, the coins featured a flying eagle on the obverse and a wreath on the reverse. The famous “Indian Head” design appeared from 1859 to 1909.
The most famous design, and commonly the one we think of when someone mentions the penny, is the Lincoln penny, which appeared in 1909, as a tribute to Abraham Lincoln's 100th birthday. He was the first president to ever appear on an american coin.
What Makes a Penny Valuable?
What makes each coin valuable can vary even within the same series. However, based on the list below, the most valuable pennies are those with rare errors and varieties, such as off-metal coins and double dies, combined with a certain rarity.
If those errors are in good condition, their value increases, particularly if the coin has an interesting historical background. When it comes to copper coins, the color plays an essential role in collectors' sentiment, as coins preserved in reddish copper tend to be more sought after than the brown ones.
This list will go from the least to the most expensive penny ever sold. I have narrowed the list down to coin values of five figures or more.
Most Valuable Pennies
19) 1914-S Lincoln Penny
The 1914 penny's design features a portrait of Lincoln on the obverse and two wheat ears on the reverse. Typically, 1914-S Lincoln Wheat Pennies wouldn’t be considered rare, as 4 million were minted in San Francisco. However, what sets this coin apart from modern pennies, those minted after 1982 in a copper-plated zinc composition, is its exceptional condition.
While most coins from that year show significant wear, this one stands out due to the exceptionally high coin's grade, making it especially valuable.
Value: One of these mint condition coins sold at auction in 2006 for $105,800.
18) 1944 D Steel Lincoln Penny
The 1944 Steel Lincoln Pennies are transitional error coins, and this variety is one of the most famous pennies worth money on the list. In 1943, copper was redirected to support the war effort, so the U.S. Mint switched the penny’s composition to zinc-coated steel.
The 1943 Steel One Cent coins were unpopular, and copper returned in 1944. However, some leftover steel planchets were accidentally used, creating rare 1944 Steel Cents. Only a few 1944-D Steel Lincoln Pennies exist in the coin-collecting community.
Value: This penny sold at auction in 2007 for $115,000.
17) 1872 Indian Head Penny
As with the 1877 Indian Head penny, the 1872 version came when people were unable to afford to collect. Thus, most of these Indian Head pennies can be found in circulated condition. This particular example is in excellent condition and retains its red copper color.
Value: This example sold at auction in 2007 for $126,500.
16) 1969 S Double Die Obverse Lincoln Penny
Part of this coin’s appeal among collectors comes from its controversial beginnings. It was initially considered counterfeit due to fake 1969 Doubled Die Obverse cents already circulating.
The Secret Service even destroyed several 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln pennies before realizing they were authentic. Uncirculated examples of this rare doubled die coin are extremely hard to find today.
Value: The record price for one of these uncirculated coins sold at auction in 2008 for $126,500. In MS66 Condition, it can be worth 605,000.
15) 1926 S Lincoln Penny
This coin is valuable primarily because of its date and mintmark. This year, there was an extremely low mintage, and it's rare to find an uncirculated example with its original copper-red color.
Value: This penny sold at auction in 2006 for $149,500.
14) 1877 Indian Head Penny
This is the rarest date of the Indian Head pennies, resulting from an economic slump in 1873. This slump meant that saving even a penny for collecting was not an option for most people. Thus, an 1877 Indian Head penny in uncirculated condition is exceedingly rare.
Value: This penny was sold at an auction in 2007 for $149,500. If the same coin ever goes to auction nowadays, it will be worth around 345,000.
13) 1914-D Lincoln Penny
There were a large number of these coins were circulated, and most pennies are typically worn because they were commonly kept in “penny boards” in the 1930s and 40s, which people used to collect coins from circulation.
Thus, an uncirculated coin of this mintage in a mint state is rare and valuable. This coin is valuable because of its excellent condition despite being more than 100 years old. There is no noticeable bag mark on the coin's surface, and it has retained its original bright red-orange copper colored penny visual.
Value: One of these coins sold at auction in 2018 for $158,625 at Legend Rare Coin Auctions.
12) 1864 Indian Head Penny with L on the Ribbon
James B. Longacre designed the Indian Head penny, which was first issued in 1859. The Civil War was still dragging on in 1864, and many people hoarded precious metals to store wealth, making it difficult for the Mint to produce coins.
The “L” was added to the end of the ribbon on Lady Liberty's war bonnet about halfway through the year, and while around 5 million of these coins were made, just a few of them remain in uncirculated condition.
Value: A Red and brown Indian Cent sold at auction in 2011 for $161,000, and its estimated price remains almost the same at around 165,000. All the colors are desirable in this proof variety, as they are very scarce proof coins.
11) 1909-S VDB Lincoln penny
One of the most valuable Lincoln Pennies, the 1909-S VDB Cent, ranked 14th in the second edition of "100 Greatest U.S. Coins" by Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth, a testament to the popularity of the date.
During the brief timeframe when the VDB coins were minted in San Francisco, the coin gained its second coveted characteristic: a limited mintage. A mere 484,000 Cents bearing the VDB initials were released, resulting in an immediate sense of rarity.
Value: In 2022, an MS 67 individual was sold to a coin dealer specializing in valuable Lincoln pennies for $168,000 at Stack's Bowers.
10) 1856 Flying Eagle Penny
The price of copper rose during this year, making it cost more than a penny to produce. Previous pennies were about the size of a half-dollar, so to cut costs, the United States Mint reduced the penny's size to its current size.
The Mint produced a batch of 800 of the new pennies for Congressional approval, and any of these pennies is a rare find.
Value: This Flying Eagle Cent sold at auction in 2004 for $172,500. Keep an eye out for this coin; if it goes to auction again, it will be worth at least 350,000.
9) 1944 Steel Lincoln Penny (No Mint Mark)
The 1944 Steel Cent is an exceptionally rare off-metal strike. This coin came about when a steel blank from 1943 was accidentally struck with the 1944 die and mixed with bronze cents by mistake. The 1944 steel cent was struck at all three U.S. mints. However, only two examples of the 1944-S steel cent from the San Francisco Mint are known to exist, making it the rarest among the 1944 steel pennies.
Experts believe around 25 to 30 of these coins exist today, approximately double the known population of 1943 Bronze Cents.
Value: An MS64 Philadelphia issue was sold for $180,000 in 2021 at Heritage Auctions. The NGC professionals evaluate the San Francisco issue at $1,204,971 in MS63 condition. (a slightly less preserved than an MS64).
8) 1909 V.D.B. Matte Proof Lincoln Penny
The wheat pennies and the Lincoln Head design debuted in 1909. One version of this mintage year had the engraver's initials, the designer Victor David Brenner (V.D.B.), on the coin's reverse side. Any VDB Lincoln Cent in circulated or uncirculated condition is scarce.
This proof penny has all three of the coin designer's initials, and only 1,194 were struck at the Philadelphia Mint before the initials were removed. This coin is not only rare, but this particular one features brilliant colors from being stored for more than 100 years, attracting many coin collectors .
Value: This bright colored penny was sold at auction in 2014 for $258,500.
7) 1958 Doubled Die Obverse Penny
This is yet another rare penny, but this time the rarity is due to its die variety. Only three of these pennies are known to exist, and all three are in mint condition. The condition has led some to speculate that these may have been smuggled out of the United States Mint by an employee.
Value: One of these pennies graded MS64 (uncirculated ) sold at auction in 2018 for $336,000. The one graded by PCGS as Mint State MS65 (a better condition) is generally worth 1,140,000.
6) 1943 Bronze Lincoln Penny (No Mint Mark)
With a considerably low population, this is another example of the rare 1943 cents that have been discovered struck in error on old-style bronze blanks. Another of the most expensive pennies in this list, approximately 10-12 examples are known as 1943 Cents on Bronze Planchets.
Value: In 2021, the Philadelphia coin shown was sold for $372,000 at Heritage Auctions. If it ever goes out on auction again, it will be worth around 453,000 nowadays, according to PCGS professionals.
5) 1944-S Steel Lincoln Penny
The 1944-S Steel Cent is the rarest and most valuable of the 1944 Steel penny variants. It was accidentally struck on a leftover 1943 steel blank during the regular 1944-S bronze cent production at the San Francisco Mint.
With only two known examples, the pristine coin shown above is part of the Simpson collection, the only complete set of 1943 and 1944 off-metal cents ever assembled.
Value: In 2021, an MS66 specimen was sold for $408,000 at Heritage Auctions. NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) has professionally evaluated this coin at $1,204,971.
4) 1943 S Lincoln Bronze Penny
The 1943-S Bronze Cent has only five examples of this article. This is a scarce coin that is not as accessible as the no mint mark version of the 1943 Bronze Cent, despite the intense searching.
This coin has proven to be the second most difficult of all the 1943/1944 off-metals to find in well-preserved condition. The discovery date for this error coin seems to be 1944, when a young 14-year-old collector found a 1943-S Bronze Cent in circulation.
Value: In 2020, an MS63 was sold for $504,000 at Heritage Auctions.
3) 1943 D Lincoln Bronze Penny
The third-most-valuable Lincoln penny on this list is the 1943-D Lincoln Bronze, an off-metal error.
As previously mentioned, the United States Mint replaced bronze planchets with zinc-plated steel pennies in 1943 to meet demand for copper during World War II. However, a few leftover bronze blanks from 1942 slipped through, resulting in these bronze coins. Less than 20 are estimated to have been released by the Philadelphia and San Francisco mints, and only a handful of these bronze pennies have been discovered.
The rarest was the penny illustrated above, the single example known to have been produced at the Denver Mint.
Value: Its highest auction bid was in 2021, when the above example sold for $840,000 at Heritage Auctions. However, this coin still holds the record for the highest sale of a one-cent coin: $1.7 million in a private sale on September 22, 2010, for a PCGS-graded MS64 Brown 1943-D Copper Lincoln Cent, making it the unofficial champion of the list. Still, nobody knows the full terms of this private transaction, so we are using the officially recorded auction bid from 2021 for this list.
2) 1793 1C Wreath, Strawberry Leaf Cent
The Strawberry Leaf cent is extremely rare, as it bears a four-leaf strawberry plant on the coin's tail instead of the normal three-leaf trefoil. Only four of these coins exist, so you'd be fortunate if you find one.
Value: In 2009, it was sold for $862,500 at Stack's Bowers auction.
1) 1958 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Penny
According to PCGS, this is one of the 20th century's mega-rarities. There are only three known examples, making this coin extremely valuable for every coin collector.
The 1958 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent variety is so scarce and hard to pin down that few even attempt to collect them. This variety is a true challenge for even the most financially prepared collector.
From the pure standpoint of the coin being a doubled die, this 1958 variety is quite impressive. The doubling is recognizable to the naked eye in the obverse inscriptions IN GOD WE TRUST and LIBERTY, with doubling also evident upon closer inspection of the date.
The most sought-after doubled dies are those that don't require magnification to be clearly visible.
Value: In 2023, Great Collections Auctions sold this extremely valuable penny for an impressive $1,136,250. As of 2025, the value is already around 1,140,000.
Final Thoughts
Pennies, formally known as one-cent pieces or simply cents, have existed since the beginning of the U.S. Mint.
The penny has gone through many different designs, sizes, and metal compositions throughout the years, and many of the rare coins out there will cost coin collectors a fortune.
You also learned that the 1958 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Penny occupies the first place among the most valuable pennies as an extremely rare and sought-after coin of the century.
I hope you enjoyed the read. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. You can talk with a specialist using the chat feature at the bottom right of your screen.
FAQs
What pennies to look for that are worth money?
Its variety and particular rarity mainly define the penny value. Coin dealers and collectors usually look for the 1958 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Penny, the 1943-D Lincoln Bronze Penny, an off-metal error, and the 1793 Wreath, Strawberry Leaf Cent. These pennies are worth around $1,136,250, $840,000, and $862,500, respectively.
Why is a 1982 penny worth $ 10,000?
The 1982 D Small Date bronze Lincoln penny is worth about $ 10,000 due to its extreme rarity resulting from a transitional error. The U.S. Mint's shift from copper coins to zinc core-coated coins in 1982 led to distinct Large Date and Small Date designs. Denver avoided striking the Small Date on copper planchets, making it highly desirable. A 2019 auction saw one for $18,800.
Why is the 1977 penny worth so much?
The 1977-D Lincoln Cent is common up to MS65 grade (above average luster and strike). Yet, it becomes challenging in MS66 and even scarcer in MS67 (Very well struck with minor imperfections visible without magnification) or higher. There are only three MS68 examples certified by PCGS. In 2016, an MS68RD sold for $7,050 at Heritage Auctions.
What makes a 1999 penny valuable?
Some 1999 business strikes for pennies were struck with a reverse proof die by accident. From 1994 to 2008, all regular proof Lincoln cents should display the letters AM of AMERICA separated from each other, in the so-called Wide AM style reverse. Anything different is considered a variety or a Mint error, that can be worth up to $1,450.00, in good condition, according to PCGS.
What penny is worth over $1000000?
According to PCGS, the 1958 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent variety is one of the mega-rarities of the 20th century. There are only three known examples of these highly valuable rare coins. In 2023, GreatCollections Auctions sold one of the Lincoln Wheat Cents graded MS65 for $1,136,250.
What are the top 10 rare pennies?
The top 10 rarest pennies worth money, based on survival estimates from PCGS and similar sources:
10. 1856 Flying Eagle Cent – 550 known
9. 1909 V.D.B. Matte Proof Cent – 147 known
8. 1944 Steel Cent (Philadelphia, no mint mark) – 75 known
7. 1943 Bronze Cent (Philadelphia) – 20 known
6. 1944-D Steel Lincoln Cent – 10 known
5. 1943-S Lincoln Bronze Cent – 5 known
4. 1793 Wreath Strawberry Leaf Large Cent – 4 known
3. 1958 Doubled Die Obverse Cent – 3 known
2. 1944-S Steel Cent – 2 known
1. 1943-D Lincoln Bronze Cent – 1 known
What year penny is most valuable?
Regarding key dates, the 1943 Lincoln Bronze Penny is one of the rare coins worth the most money. In 1943, the U.S. Mint switched to zinc-plated steel pennies to save copper for War efforts, replacing the usual bronze alloy. However, the minting process mistakenly used a few leftover bronze blanks from 1942. Fewer than 20 of these rare bronze pennies, struck in Philadelphia and San Francisco, are known to exist, making them a true holy grail for collectors.
