Top 100 Valuable Pennies - Nickel Usa Coin

Collecting pennies can be a really fun hobby because you can find them just about anywhere.

But the thing is, there are so many of them out there that figuring out if you’ve got a penny that’s worth a bunch of money can be a bit tricky.

To make things a bit simpler, we’ve put together a list of the top 100 valuable pennies.

We skipped the fancy “special strikes” or proof coins, so these are the ones you might actually spot in your regular pocket change.

Top 100 Valuable Pennies Journey Through Times

The penny has a fascinating history that goes way back to ancient civilizations like the Greeks and Romans. They used small copper or bronze coins for trading.

In the United States, the penny was among the first coins minted by the U.S. Mint when it started in 1792. The initial penny was larger than the one we use today and was made entirely of pure copper.

As time went on, the modern penny started being crafted with a mix of copper and zinc, proving to be more valuable than the 100% copper ones.

The first design of the penny featured a woman with flowing hair, symbolizing Liberty, and this design stayed on the penny for over 60 years. In 1857, the coin got smaller, and nickel was added to the mix.

That same year, a new design was introduced with a flying eagle on the front and a wreath on the back. The “Indian Head” design was then used from 1859 to 1909.

In 1909, a significant change occurred when Abraham Lincoln became the first president to be showcased on American coinage. Victor David Brenner designed the image of Lincoln that we still see on the penny today.

Over the years, the reverse side of the coin underwent a couple of design changes, transitioning from two sheaves of wheat to the iconic Lincoln Memorial.

In 2009, the United States Mint marked the Lincoln Bicentennial One Cent Program by releasing four different penny designs throughout the year. Each design represented a crucial aspect of Lincoln’s life, including his birth and early childhood in Kentucky, formative years in Indiana, professional life in Illinois, and presidency in Washington, DC.

The penny truly carries a rich history that mirrors the evolution of the nation it represents.

What Factors Influence the Value of Top 100 Valuable Pennies?

One of the crucial factors influencing the value of a coin is its mintage. Mintage refers to the number of copies produced for a specific issue at the U.S. Mint. A lower mintage often makes coins harder to come by, thereby increasing their value.

Age, design, and bullion content are additional key players in determining a coin’s worth. Older coins tend to become scarcer over time, either due to loss or damage. Certain designs, laden with historical significance, can also drive up demand.

Irrespective of a coin’s age, design, or composition, its condition directly impacts its value. Coin grading involves scrutinizing factors such as color, tone, and the extent of wear and tear to assess the coin’s overall condition.

Top 100 Valuable Pennies with High Value from the Late 1800s

Pennies from the 1800s are often heavily worn, and it’s uncommon to discover coins over 100 years old with well-preserved details. Only a small number of these coins have managed to survive in good condition, intensifying the demand among coin collectors and subsequently raising their value.

1. The 1872 Indian Head Penny

The 1872 Indian Head Penny stands out as one of the rarest in the series, primarily due to its low mintage numbers. Despite the 1871 Indian Head Penny having an even lower mintage, the 1872 version appears to command a higher premium across various grades. Approximately 5,000 of these one-cent coins are estimated to still exist, encompassing all grades combined.

2. The 1877 Indian Head Penny

The 1877 Indian Head penny is unquestionably the most sought-after coin in the entire circulation strike series. This penny was produced at the Philadelphia Mint.

It holds the distinction of having the second-lowest mintage, with only the 1909-S Indian Head penny having an even lower mintage. Despite not being the least minted, fewer 1877 pennies have endured over time, possibly because fewer coins were collected in 1877 compared to 1909.

The 1864 Indian Head Penny with an “L” on the ribbon is a notable coin in the series.

The 1864 Indian Head Penny featuring an “L” on the ribbon stands as one of the most renowned one-cent U.S. coins. The inclusion of the “L” on the coin’s obverse signifies the initials of the designer, James Longacre.

Notably, Indian Head pennies minted from 1859 to 1864 did not bear the designer’s initials. The addition of the “L” occurred towards the end of the year, creating a highly popular variety among coin collectors.

Pennies with High Value from the Early to Mid-1900s

Being aware of key dates or rarities can simplify the task of identifying the most valuable Lincoln Wheat cents from the early to mid-1900s. Some Lincoln cents hold rarity and value, while others may not.

4. The 1914-S Lincoln Penny

The 1914-S Lincoln penny was minted at the San Francisco Mint, with a total mintage of 4,137,000. It is a part of the Lincoln Cent series that commenced in 1909. The penny showcases a portrait of Lincoln on the front and two wheat ears on the reverse side.

5. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny

The 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny is among the most well-known and popular Lincoln cents. Its fame is partly attributed to the controversy surrounding the placement of the designer’s initials on the coin’s reverse. Additionally, its desirability is heightened by an exceptionally low mintage of 484,000 pieces.

6. 1944-D Lincoln Penny on a Zinc-Coated Steel Planchet

Referred to as steel pennies or silver pennies due to their color, the 1944-D Lincoln Pennies deviated from the standard copper (bronze) composition. In 1944, most pennies were intended to shift back to copper, but a small number of steel planchets leftover from 1943 got mixed in.

While steel wheat pennies were produced at all three Mints, only seven to ten 1944-D steel cents with a “D” mint mark are known to exist.

7. 1969-S Lincoln Penny–Doubled Die Obverse

The 1969-S Lincoln Penny with a doubled die obverse is an exceptionally rare coin, recognized as one of the most elusive and valuable among all Lincoln cents.

The doubling in the date is prominent and easily visible to the naked eye. While more than a couple of dozen of these rare coins have surfaced in circulation, it is believed that additional specimens remain undiscovered.

Here are some noteworthy mentions along with their respective values:

1982 Lincoln Penny: $45
2006 D Lincoln Penny: $35
2002 D Lincoln Penny: $30
1975 D Lincoln Penny: $30
2002 Lincoln Penny: $27
2005 D Lincoln Penny: $25
2014 S Shield Penny: $25
2012 D Shield Penny: $25
1968 S Lincoln Penny: $25
2012 S Shield Penny: $25
2013 S Shield Penny: $25
2013 D Shield Penny: $25
2017 S Shield Penny: $22
2010 D Shield Penny: $21
2015 S Shield Penny: $20
1993 D Lincoln Penny: $20
2012 Shield Penny: $20
2013 Shield Penny: $20
2016 S Shield Penny: $18
2007 S Lincoln Penny: $16
1968 D Lincoln Penny: $16
2006 Lincoln Penny: $16
2020 S Shield Penny: $15
2021 S Shield Penny: $15
2022 S Shield Penny: $15
1968 Lincoln Penny: $15
1969 Lincoln Penny: $15
1970 D Lincoln Penny: $15
2014 D Shield Penny: $15
2018 S Shield Penny: $15
2019 W Shield Penny: $15
1970 S Lincoln Penny: $15
1992 Lincoln Penny: $15
2005 Lincoln Penny: $15
2011 S Shield Penny: $15
2014 Shield Penny: $15
2010 Shield Penny: $15
2011 Shield Penny: $15
2011 D Shield Penny: $15
2019 S Shield Penny: $14
1980 Lincoln Penny: $14
1969 S Lincoln Penny: $12
2009 S Shield Penny: $12
1966 Lincoln Penny: $12
1967 Lincoln Penny: $12
1969 D Lincoln Penny: $12
2010 S Shield Penny: $10
1995 Lincoln Penny: $9
1980 D Lincoln Penny: $9
1978 Lincoln Penny: $9
1975 Lincoln Penny: $9
1974 S Lincoln Penny: $9
1974 D Lincoln Penny: $9
1974 Lincoln Penny: $9
1973 S Lincoln Penny: $9
1973 D Lincoln Penny: $9
2016 D Shield Penny: $8
2015 D Shield Penny: $8
2015 Shield Penny: $8
2004 S Lincoln Penny: $8
1981 D Lincoln Penny: $8
1979 D Lincoln Penny: $8
1977 Lincoln Penny: $8
1977 D Lincoln Penny: $8
1973 Lincoln Penny: $8
1972 Lincoln Penny: $8
1972 D Lincoln Penny: $8
1972 S Lincoln Penny: $8
1971 Lincoln Penny: $8
1971 D Lincoln Penny: $8
1971 S Lincoln Penny: $8
2016 Shield Penny: $7
1985 S Lincoln Penny: $6
1982 D Lincoln Penny: $6
1979 Lincoln Penny: $6
2009 S Shield Penny: $5
1985 D Lincoln Penny: $5
1983 Lincoln Penny: $5
1975 S Lincoln Penny: $5
1970 Lincoln Penny: $5
1984 S Lincoln Penny: $4
1983 S Lincoln Penny: $4
1981 S Lincoln Penny: $4
1980 S Lincoln Penny: $4
1979 S Lincoln Penny: $4
1977 S Lincoln Penny: $4
1976 S Lincoln Penny: $4
2018 Shield Penny: $3
2017 P Shield Penny: $3
2017 D Shield Penny: $3

Values are in USD.

Understanding the Value of Your Everyday Coins

Getting to know more about your pocket change is essential, as penny values can vary significantly based on factors such as rarity, condition, and other considerations. Before investing a substantial sum in any U.S. coin, thorough research is crucial. Here’s a brief list of reputable coin graders:

United States Mint
American Numismatic Association (ANA)
American Numismatic Society (ANS)
Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC)
Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS)

In conclusion

For coin collectors seeking reliable resources, it’s advisable to purchase from reputable coin dealers. Bullion Shark offers a diverse range of rare, ancient, and modern coins, as well as collector sets and more. Whether you’re interested in rare dimes, error coins, or valuable half dollars, there’s something for every collector.