If you think pennies are just pocket change, think again. Some pennies from the twentieth century are worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars today — and many could still be hiding in jars, drawers, or even your wallet. Collectors love these rare coins because they tell a fascinating story about America’s history and minting errors that slipped into circulation.
Here’s a list of 11 rare pennies of the twentieth century you should look for.
1. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent
This is the “holy grail” of Lincoln cents. Struck in San Francisco in 1909, this penny features the designer Victor David Brenner’s initials “V.D.B.” on the reverse. With only 484,000 minted, it’s one of the most sought-after pennies. In top condition, it can bring $700 to over $3,000.
2. 1914-D Lincoln Wheat Penny
Known for its low mintage (just 1.1 million), the 1914-D penny is a prized find for collectors. Even in worn condition, it’s worth hundreds. A well-preserved example can fetch $2,000 or more at auction.
3. 1922 No D Lincoln Penny
This penny was minted in Denver — but due to a filled die error, some coins came out without the “D” mintmark. These are rare and can sell for $500 to $2,500, depending on condition.
4. 1931-S Lincoln Cent
Only 866,000 were minted during the Great Depression, making this penny quite rare. Collectors pay close attention to this date, and high-grade coins can reach $150 to $600 in value.
5. 1943 Bronze Penny
During World War II, pennies were made of zinc-coated steel to save copper for the war effort. But a few bronze planchets from 1942 were accidentally used in 1943, creating one of the rarest pennies in existence. These can be worth $100,000 to $250,000 or more!
6. 1944 Steel Penny
The opposite of the 1943 bronze error, these were struck on leftover steel planchets by mistake. With very few known to exist, they are worth tens of thousands of dollars to collectors.
7. 1955 Double Die Lincoln Cent
This penny is famous for its dramatic doubling of the date and the word “LIBERTY.” It’s one of the most recognizable error coins ever produced and can bring $1,000 to $10,000 depending on grade.
8. 1969-S Double Die Penny
Another valuable double die, this one features strong doubling in “LIBERTY” and the date. These are much rarer than the 1955 version and can sell for $20,000 to $75,000 in uncirculated condition.
9. 1972 Double Die Lincoln Cent
This is another doubled-die error with clear doubling visible in the inscriptions. It’s easier to find than the 1969-S, but collectors still pay $200 to $1,000 for nice examples.
10. 1983 Double Die Reverse Penny
This coin shows strong doubling on the reverse lettering, especially “ONE CENT” and “E PLURIBUS UNUM.” High-grade examples can sell for $200 to $500.
11. 1992 Close AM Lincoln Penny
On most 1992 pennies, there’s a gap between the “A” and “M” in “AMERICA.” But a rare version known as the Close AM has the letters almost touching — and these are worth $2,000 to $20,000, depending on condition.
Final Thoughts
These rare pennies prove that not all change is created equal. Next time you get pennies back at the store, take a closer look. You might just find one of these twentieth-century treasures and turn a single cent into hundreds — or even thousands — of dollars.