How to Identify an Expensive Penny: A Guide to Rare Dates and Errors

Some pennies are worth only one cent. However, a few rare pieces can sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. In this simple guide, you will learn how to spot an expensive penny by checking dates, mint marks, and mint errors.

What Makes a Penny “Expensive”?

A penny becomes valuable when it is:

• Hard to find (low mintage or rare survival).​
• In excellent condition with sharp details and original shine.​
• Struck with a special error, like a doubled design or wrong metal.​

In 2025, collectors still pay high prices for classic key dates and dramatic error coins, especially when they are graded by top services like PCGS or NGC.​

Key Dates to Watch For

Some years and mint marks are famous because very few were made. These are often the first targets for anyone hunting an expensive penny.

Penny	Why It’s Expensive	Typical High-End Value Range*
1909-S VDB Lincoln Wheat Cent	First Lincoln cent, low San Francisco mintage, designer initials “VDB” on reverse.​	Can reach tens of thousands of dollars in top grades.​
1914-D Lincoln Cent	Very low Denver mintage and heavy circulation.​	Often sells in the thousands in certified high grade.​
1922 “No D” Strong Reverse	Denver-only year; some dies struck without visible “D” mint mark.​	Listed in the five-figure range for problem-free examples.​
1943 Copper Penny	Should have been steel; a few copper planchets were struck by mistake.​	Auction records run from about $186,000 to over $300,000.​

*Values vary with grade, eye appeal, and market conditions. Always check recent auction results.

It is worth noting that experts still consider the 1943 copper Lincoln penny one of the most valuable U.S. coins, because it combines a famous error with very low surviving numbers.​

Error Types That Can Create an Expensive Penny

You do not always need a rare date to have an expensive penny. Some modern coins become valuable because of striking errors.

1. Doubled Die Pennies

A doubled die happens when the die that strikes the coin carries the design twice in slightly different positions.​

• You may see clear doubling on:
  • Date.
  • Letters in “LIBERTY” or “IN GOD WE TRUST”.
  • The words “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” or “ONE CENT”.​

Famous doubled die pennies include:

• 1955 Doubled Die Obverse – collectors see strong doubling on the whole date and lettering; high-grade pieces can reach five figures.​
• 1972 Doubled Die Obverse – another popular variety with visible doubled lettering.​
• 1969-S Doubled Die – listed among top expensive pennies, with values in the tens of thousands for choice examples.​

It is worth noting that news outlets have reported individual doubled die pennies selling for more than $1 million when rarity, grade, and demand all come together.​

2. Wrong Metal (Planchet) Errors

Sometimes the Mint strikes a penny on the wrong blank:

• 1943 Bronze (Copper) Penny – struck when leftover copper planchets from 1942 fed into presses that should have been using steel.​
• 1944 Steel Penny – a small number of 1944 cents were struck on leftover 1943 steel planchets.​

These wrong-metal errors are among the most expensive pennies known today and can reach six-figure prices at auction.​

3. Off-Center and Other Dramatic Errors

Collectors also pay strong premiums for:

• Off-center strikes where part of the design is missing.
• Broadstrikes, where the rim is stretched.
• Multiple strikes or visible die cracks.

For example, a well-known 1951-D off-center Lincoln cent with a bold date and mint mark has sold for well above $300,000 in recent reported sales.youtube​

Simple Steps to Check If Your Penny Is Expensive

Use this quick checklist whenever you look at your change or an old coin jar.

1. Check the Date and Mint Mark
   • Look first for years such as 1909-S VDB, 1914-D, 1922 “No D”, 1943 copper, or 1969-S.​
   • Note the mint mark under the date: “D” (Denver), “S” (San Francisco), or no mark (Philadelphia).
2. Look for Wheat or Indian Head Designs
   • Indian Head cents (1859–1909) and Wheat cents (1909–1958) often carry more value than modern shield pennies, especially in older, scarcer dates.​
3. Inspect for Doubling
   • Use a small magnifying glass.
   • Focus on the date and lettering on the front and back.
   • True doubled die coins show clear, separated images, not a fuzzy shadow.​
4. Check for Metal Type
   • 1943 pennies should be steel and stick to a magnet.
   • If a 1943 “copper-looking” penny does not stick to a magnet, it should be checked by a professional because it might be a very rare and expensive penny.​
5. Judge Condition
   • Coins with bright “mint red” color, sharp details, and no damage usually bring the highest prices.​
   • Heavy wear, scratches, or cleaning marks reduce value.
6. Confirm With a Professional
   • For any coin you suspect might be an expensive penny, consider:
     • Getting it graded by PCGS, NGC, or another top grading service.​
     • Comparing it with images and guides provided by big dealers or educational sites.

When to Assume It’s Valuable Enough to Grade

You should seriously consider professional grading if:

• The coin is a key date in very nice condition (for example, 1909-S VDB or 1914-D).​
• A doubled die or wrong-metal error appears clear even without strong magnification.​
• Recent online price guides show similar coins selling for hundreds or thousands of dollars.​

Grading can be costly, but it often makes sense for a true expensive penny, as a certified label proves authenticity and grade for buyers.​

By learning the main key dates, error types, and basic inspection steps, you greatly increase your chances of spotting an expensive penny in everyday change. With a small magnifier and some patience, your next valuable find could already be sitting in your coin jar.