A surprising number of one-cent coins he increased in value thanks to minting errors, historical quirks, and sheer rarity. This guide reveals what penny years are worth money — and how to know if you’re holding one of them (with a coin identification app as well).
So, what pennies are worth money today? Today, we’ll unveil the penny value by year, and introduce the coin grading chart rare pennies worth money numismatists use to determine value.
What Year Pennies Are Worth Money?Let’s clear up a big question: what year of penny is worth money?
It varies. But penny coin value often hinges on a mix of mint mark, errors, and low mintage numbers.
Here’s how to tell if a penny is worth money:
Look for errors.
Check if it’s pre-1982.
Use a penny value checker app.
Compare it to the value of old pennies by year chart.
100 Most Valuable Pennies Worth Money List by Year#
Most Value Penny
Year
How Much Is a Penny Worth?
Auction House
1
1943-D Wheat (Bronze/Copper)
1943
$1,700,000
Heritage Auctions
2
1944-S Wheat (Steel)
1944
$408,000
3
1943-S Wheat (Bronze/Copper)
1943
$282,000
Stack's Bowers
4
1943 Wheat (Bronze/Copper)
1943
$204,000
Heritage Auctions
5
1958 Wheat (Doubled-Die Obverse)
1958
$336,000
Stack's Bowers
6
1909-S VDB Wheat
1909
$168,000
Heritage Auctions
7
1914-D Wheat
1914
$158,625
Legend Rare Coin
8
1922 "Plain" Lincoln Wheat
1922
$92,000
Heritage Auctions
9
1969-S Lincoln Memorial (Doubled Die Obverse)
1969
$126,500
10
1917 Wheat (Doubled Die Obverse)
1917
$120,000
11
1955 Wheat (Doubled Die Obverse)
1955
$114,000
Stack's Bowers
12
1944-D Wheat (Steel)
1944
$115,000
Heritage Auctions
13
1944 Wheat (Steel)
1944
$180,000
14
1909-S Wheat
1909
$69,000
15
1931-S Wheat
1931
$18,600
16
1926-S Wheat
1926
$149,500
17
1924-S Wheat
1924
$66,000
18
1925-D Wheat
1925
$74,750
19
1923-S Wheat
1923
$67,562.50
20
1920-S Wheat
1920
$48,875
21
1915-S Wheat
1915
$48,300
22
1913-S Wheat
1913
$63,250
23
1912-S Wheat
1912
$27,600
24
1911-S Wheat
1911
$27,600
25
1910-S Wheat
1910
$48,000
26
1909-S/S Wheat
1909
$3,290
27
1909-S/S S/Horizontal S Lincoln Wheat
1909
$32,900
28
1909 Wheat
1909
$8,518.75
29
1909 VDB Wheat
1909
$56,400
30
1909 VDB Doubled Die Obverse
1909
$31,200
31
1910 Wheat
1910
$10,868.75
32
1911 Wheat
1911
$21,850
33
1912 Wheat
1912
$21,850
34
1913 Wheat
1913
$47,150
35
1914 Wheat
1914
$48,300
36
1915 Wheat
1915
$38,400
37
1916 Wheat
1916
$36,000
38
1917 Wheat
1917
$38,813
39
1918 Wheat
1918
$78,000
40
1918 Wheat
1918
$78,000
41
1919 Wheat
1919
$72,000
42
1920 Wheat
1920
$66,000
43
1921 Wheat
1921
$60,000
44
1922 Wheat
1922
$54,000
45
1923 Wheat
1923
$48,000
46
1924 Wheat
1924
$42,000
47
1925 Wheat
1925
$36,000
48
1926 Wheat
1926
$30,000
49
1927 Wheat
1927
$24,000
50
1928 Wheat
1928
$18,000
51
1970-S Doubled Die Obverse
1970
$1,680
Stack's Bowers
52
1972 Doubled Die Obverse
1972
$14,400
Heritage Auctions
53
1983 Doubled Die Reverse
1983
$7,050
54
1992 Close AM
1992
$25,850
55
1995 Doubled Die Obverse
1995
$123.50
eBay
56
1998 Wide AM
1998
$940
Heritage Auctions
57
1999 Wide AM
1999
$138,000
58
1984 Doubled Die Obverse
1984
$3,910
59
1988-D Doubled Die Obverse
1988
$16
60
1989-D Struck on Copper Planchet
1989
$3,525
Stack's Bowers
61
1990 No S (Proof)
1990
$3,840
62
1993-D Mule with Dime Reverse
1993
$114,000
Heritage Auctions
63
1994 Doubled Die Reverse
1994
$149
GreatCollections
64
1996 Off-Center Strike
1996
$2,500
eBay
65
1997-D Off-Center Error
1997
$49.95
66
2000 Doubled Die
2000
$50
Private Sales
67
2001 Doubled Die
2001
$50
68
2002 Off-Center Error
2002
$150
69
2003 Doubled Die
2003
$50
70
2004 Off-Center Strike
2004
$100
71
2005 Off-Center Strike
2005
$100
72
2006 Doubled Die
2006
$100
73
2007 Off-Center Strike
2007
$100
74
2008 Off-Center Strike
2008
$100
75
2009 Bicentennial Doubled Die Reverse
2009
$50
76
2010 Lincoln Shield (Off-Center Strike)
2010
$100
77
2011 Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2011
$575
Heritage Auctions
78
2011-D Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2011
$667
79
2012 Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2012
$2,801
80
2012-D Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2012
$975
81
2013 Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2013
$1,795
82
2013-D Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2013
$2,750
83
2014 Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2014
$1,995
84
2014-D Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2014
$2,599
85
2015 Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2015
$2,552
86
2015-D Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2015
$1,500
87
2016 Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2016
$1,200
88
2016-D Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2016
$1,100
89
2017 Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2017
$1,000
90
2017-D Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2017
$1,050
91
2018 Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2018
$1,100
92
2018-D Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2018
$1,200
93
2019 Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2019
$1,300
94
2019-D Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2019
$1,400
95
2020 Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2020
$1,500
96
2020-D Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2020
$1,600
97
2021 Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2021
$1,700
98
2021-D Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2021
$1,800
99
2022 Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2022
$1,900
100
2022-D Lincoln Shield (MS-68 RD)
2022
$2,000
Top 10 Pennies That Are Worth Money1. 1943-D Bronze Lincoln Wheat Cent - $1,700,000
Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc
Weight: 3.11 grams
Diameter: 19.05 mm
Edge: Plain
Mint: Denver (D)
What penny is worth money? 1943 was the year the U.S. Mint switched from bronze to zinc-coated steel planchets to conserve copper for World War II. However, a few leftover bronze planchets were accidentally struck at the Denver Mint. These errors were incredibly rare and weren't discovered until much later.
The obverse features the right-facing profile of Abraham Lincoln. The reverse has two wheat stalks bordering the denomination “ONE CENT,” commonly known as the Wheat design.
Only one authenticated example exists. It answers the ultimate question: what penny is worth the most money?
2. 1944-S Steel Wheat Penny - $408,000
Composition: Zinc-coated steel
Weight: 2.70 grams
Diameter: 19.05 mm
Edge: Plain
Mint: San Francisco (S)
What year penny is worth money? The U.S. Mint resumed copper coinage in 1944, but a few leftover steel blanks from 1943 were mistakenly used at the San Francisco Mint. This accident produced a few steel cents dated 1944, making them exceptionally rare.
Fewer than three examples are known to exist, and they are often the highlight of major auctions. Its story—steel used when bronze was the standard—makes it a staple on every serious penny worth money list.
3. 1958 Doubled Die Obverse - $336,000
Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc
Weight: 3.11 grams
Diameter: 19.05 mm
Edge: Plain
Mint: Philadelphia (no mint mark)
Here’s the next highest value penny. It was the result of a misalignment during die production, causing doubling of the inscriptions on the obverse. This coin wasn't discovered until decades later, and it remains one of the rarest doubling errors of a penny worth a lot of money.
The doubling is most evident in the words “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY.” This effect makes it easy to spot if you're lucky enough to find one.
Only three specimens are confirmed to exist. The clear and dramatic doubling, its scarcity place it among the highest-ranking coins on the penny value list.
4. 1943-S Bronze Cent - $282,000
Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc
Weight: 3.11 grams
Diameter: 19.05 mm
Edge: Plain
Mint: San Francisco (S)
What year of pennies are worth money? Much like its Denver counterpart, this coin was minted using a leftover bronze planchet in a year when pennies were supposed to be made of steel. The result is an incredibly rare coin with historical significance.
The design remains standard: Lincoln on the obverse and the Wheat reverse. The distinction is purely in the metal composition, which must be confirmed via weight and analysis.
Very few are known to exist. The bronze planchet mistake during the steel cent year makes it a top-tier rarity, frequently making headlines when it comes to auction. It’s essential in any penny years worth money breakdown.
5. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent - $168,000
Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc
Weight: 3.11 grams
Diameter: 19.05 mm
Edge: Plain
Mint: San Francisco (S)
What penny is worth a lot of money? The Lincoln cent debuted in 1909, replacing the Indian Head cent. Designed by Victor Did Brenner, his initials "V.D.B." on the reverse created public controversy, prompting the Mint to halt production and remove the initials.
Lincoln’s profile on the front; “V.D.B.” discreetly placed at the bottom of the reverse. This makes it unique among early Lincoln cents.
With only 484,000 coins struck, it’s among the lowest-mintage coins of the series. It remains a legendary find and a top entry on the VDB penny value chart.
6. 1999 Wide AM Cent - $138,000
Composition: Copper-plated zinc
Weight: 2.5 grams
Diameter: 19.05 mm
Edge: Plain
Mint: Philadelphia
What year are pennies worth money? Intended only for proofs, a reverse die with “wide AM” spacing was mistakenly used in regular production.
The gap between the “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” is noticeable. This is the reverse used on proofs, but appears on circulation coins. This are worth money penny errors to look for.
Proof design used in circulation makes it a standout coin. It’s often searched for in rolls and regularly appears on which penny is worth money guides.
7. 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse - $126,500
Composition: 95% copper, 5% zinc
Weight: 3.11 grams
Diameter: 19.05 mm
Edge: Plain
Mint: San Francisco (S)
What pennies are worth the most money else? Initially thought to be counterfeits due to the doubling, early discoveries were seized by the Secret Service. Eventually, they were proven authentic and he since become one of the most well-known errors.
This coin has an epic backstory involving federal agents, dramatic visuals, and authentic rarity. It dominates lists like rare penny value databases.
8. 1993-D Cent with Roosevelt Dime Reverse (Mule Error) - $114,000
Composition: Copper-plated zinc
Weight: ~2.5 grams
Diameter: 19.05 mm
Edge: Plain
Mint: Denver (D)
What years are pennies worth money? 1993. A mule error occurs when obverse and reverse dies from different coins are mismatched. This 1993-D Lincoln one was struck with a Roosevelt dime reverse.
Obverse features Abraham Lincoln. Reverse incorrectly shows Roosevelt and dime elements.
Mule penny errors worth money are exceptionally rare and almost always valuable. This one crosses denominations, making it a sensation in penny dime error coin value discussions.
9. 1922 No D Lincoln Cent - $92,000
Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc
Weight: 3.11 grams
Diameter: 19.05 mm
Edge: Plain
Mint: Denver (D)
In 1922, the Denver Mint was the only one producing cents. However, a filled die caused some coins to be struck without a visible mintmark.
It has a Lincoln obverse with no “D” mintmark, and a standard Wheat reverse, but a rather high US penny value.
It is the only Lincoln cent year where coins without a mintmark can still be from a single-mint year. Collectors pursue this aggressively, placing it high in old pennies worth money list.
10. 1992 Close AM Penny - $25,850
Composition: Copper-plated zinc
Weight: 2.5 grams
Diameter: 19.05 mm
Edge: Plain
Mint: Philadelphia & Denver
Meant for proof coins, a reverse die with “close AM” spacing was used by mistake on some circulation coins and led to a high old penny value. The letters “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” are nearly touching — unlike the standard wide spacing.
Misused dies, a sharp eye required to spot, and very low numbers. All of these make this coin one of the best examples of penny that are worth money.
What to Do If You Find a Penny That Looks Valuable?Don't spend it.
Instead:
Check your coin’s weight.
Compare it to a list of pennies worth money.
Use a grading year penny value chart.
Consult a coin dealer or appraiser.
Or better: scan your penny coins worth money with an app.
Check Value InstantlyRemembering what pennies are worth a lot of money is exhausting. That’s where Coin ID Scanner comes in.
Instantly recognize coins with your phone’s camera
Check its database and penny collection value
Get your one cent penny value, its specs, and even more!
No more guessing “how much is a hay penny worth” or scrolling through a dozen sites.
So if you he pennies that are worth a lot of money, you’ll know — before someone else does.
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