Are you looking to make some big bucks? Have you been looking into making an investment? You’re probably thinking of buying stocks, cryptocurrency, or even renting out your basement on Airbnb. But you could potentially make top dollar if you sell a few pennies.
While this isn’t financial advice and there’s no guarantee on anything, there are some rare pennies that have sold for small fortunes. The penny has gone through several changes over the years, and you might want to check if you’ve got any rare pennies lying around your home.
There are coin collectors who love to seek out rare pennies and pay lots of money for them. You might already have the rare pennies that they’re looking for!
Let’s look at the rare pennies that are actually worth a LOT of money.
THE 1914-S LINCOLN PENNY
While this isn’t the rarest of rare pennies, it’s one that values at $105,800. It sold in August 2006 and is part of the Bowers & Merena, Anne Kate Collection Part II.
This penny mints at the San Francisco mint with over 4 million coins mint. It retains its copper color and is stored in a way to protect it from tarnish or wear. If you find any old penny in good condition, you’d be wise to research how you can store it properly.
Rare pennies that wear can sometimes sell for a lot. But if you manage to maintain it properly, you might get an even higher return on your investment. Plus – it’s more beautiful when it doesn’t look as old as it is!
Before we tell you more about some rare pennies that are surprisingly valuable, please like this video and subscribe to Facts Verse if you haven’t already.
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THE 1943 BRONZE LINCOLN
Let’s jump ahead a few years to 1943. The 1943 Bronze Lincoln is a rare penny that, as of now, can’t be in too many places. Only a few 1943 Bronze Lincoln pennies discover – making it a truly rare coin.
With this penny, the US Mint wanted to preserve as much copper as possible. The copper would need other uses relating to the Second World War. As such, pennies make using zinc-coated steel metal discs known as ‘planchets.’ This contrasts with using bronze planchets.
Nevertheless, it seems that a few of these 1943 Lincoln pennies strike with bronze after all. As such, it is familiar as an ‘error coin,’ but that doesn’t take away from its value. As of today, it’s not clear how many 1943 Bronze Lincoln pennies were created.
But if you find one, you might want to hold onto it. It might be just the next rare penny that a collector is looking for. Just make sure that you watch out for any counterfeit editions of this penny!
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1944 STEEL WHEAT PENNY
We know that the penny is the only U.S. coin that isn’t silver in color. But, in 1944, there is a penny released that is the same color as the other coin denominations.
This is the 1944 Steel Wheat Penny. As with the 1943 Bronze Lincoln, we didn’t have an idea of how many of these pennies mint.
This penny isn’t made to be silver in color. It believes that perhaps the coins mixed with steel plates lead to the silver color. As such, these are also “error coins” that have a high value.
Make sure you didn’t come across a counterfeit 1944 penny that is from zinc!
1909-S INDIAN CENT
It wasn’t always our 16th President who featured on the face of the penny. In 1909, 309,000 pennies feature Indian head mints.
These pennies ranging from $300 for worn pennies to $1,000 for pennies in mint condition.
These are more readily available, and you might be able to buy them online or at a local coin shop. While not the rarest of rare pennies or the most valuable, you never know how much they might be worth in the future.
If you want to start coin collecting, these pennies are beautiful and might be worth adding to your collection!
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1873 INDIAN HEAD PENNY
Indian Head pennies date back to before the 20th century. The 1873 Indian Head Penny is another fairly rare penny.
There were a little over 11 and a half million of these pennies minted. This didn’t include pennies that is released or ones that were eventually melted.
It’s one of the most valuable Indian Head pennies available. You can find them selling between $250 to $10K, depending on the condition of the penny.
This is another beautiful penny that you want to look into if it is your interest in starting a coin collection. If your family has been in the United States for several generations, you might want to check a piggy bank that belonged to a great-great-grandparent if you have one of those lying around!
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1858 FLYING EAGLE PENNY
While we now associate the American Eagle with being on the back of the Quarter, the flying eagle was actually on the face of a penny in 1858.
It estimates that 24 Million of these pennies were minted – not including uncirculated pennies and those that were melted. An 1858 Flying Eagle Penny in average condition might only sell for around $15. But if you have one in pristine condition, you might fetch around $10K for it.
The flying eagle penny is the norm from 1856 to 1858 until the face replaces with the Indian Head.
You can also find flying eagle pennies from 1856 and 1857 that are rare and sought-after by coin collectors. If you’d like to collect pennies for your coin collection, you definitely want to find at least one with a flying eagle on it!
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1955 DOUBLE DIE LINCOLN CENT
Here’s another error coin released in 1955. Something is wrong with the minting process, and each letter and number print twice on the coin. You can see two letters each in the ‘In God We Trust’ marking at the top of the coin. On the left, you see two letters each from the word ‘Liberty’ and then two numbers each in ‘1955’ on the right side of the coin.
Americans take notice of these errors when this penny is out, and it causes many Americans to become first-time coin collectors. These coins are around $1,000. You can even find an uncirculated 1955 Double Die Lincoln Cent for around $2,000.
You might want to ask your parents or grandparents if they’ve hidden any of these pennies from you! They might just be saving them for a rainy day!
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1864 INDIAN HEAD PENNY
Here’s another valuable Indian Head Penny that coin collectors love to get their hands on!
Let’s look at this coin in context. It mints during the American Civil War at a time when things are pretty tough for Americans across the country. As such, many Americans held onto gold, silver, copper coins, and bullion for storing their wealth.
As such, the federal government had a limited supply of metals needed to mint more money. On these rare pennies, an “L” add to the end of the ribbon that adorns Lady Liberty’s head. Very few of these pennies remain uncirculated, and it’s estimated that only 5 million were minted.
It’s another rare penny that you might want to hold onto for the future or consider selling for a high amount. It’s also a great reminder of the importance of storing precious metals as a store of wealth during times of economic crisis!
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1877 INDIAN HEAD PENNY
The 1877 Indian Head Penny values at close to $150,000. It was sold for around this amount in August 2007 at Heritage Auctions in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
So why is this penny so valuable? Of all Indian Head Pennies, this one is the rarest. In 1873, an economic downturn had begun in the United States. It seemed to have taken its full effect in 1877, and times were tough for most American families.
Saving money – even a penny – wasn’t on the table for most American families. As such, finding an uncirculated 1877 Indian Head Penny in great condition is extremely difficult. If you’ve got one, don’t tell the whole world unless you want to sell it!
1909 VDB MATTE PROOF PENNY
This is a proof coin that mints for collectors. Just under 1200 of these pennies were minted, and they all bore the initials ‘VDB’, which were the initials of the designer.
Abraham Lincoln’s portrait is on the face of this penny. The initials are on the back of the penny underneath the words ‘ONE CENT’ and in between the two feathers.
Since it’s an incredibly rare coin, it’s highly sought-after by collectors. Many of these coins have changed color after being stored for over 100 years and the brilliance of the colors have made it even more appealing to collectors.
If you happen to find a 1909 VDB Matte Proof Penny, consider holding onto it or selling it for as high a price as you can get. It was valued at $258,500 and was sold in August 2014 by Heritage Auctions in Chicago.
VDB stood for Victor David Brenner, who was the creator of the Lincoln Cent. He sure made a beautiful penny, and there’s a handful of Americans who might strike gold because of it!
So, now you’re probably looking around your house to see if you have any of these rare pennies!
Do you collect rare coins? Or do you prefer to collect rare cash?
Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments.
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