Coin collection offers thrilling discoveries as you eventually stumble upon rare valuable items concealed within ordinary pennies. These ordinary pocket pennies actually hold extreme value because they can reach prices ranging from thousands to tens of thousands. These six distinctive pennies possess worth surpassing $10,000 due to both wartime minting mistakes and exceptional composition irregularities. These valuable discoveries require our understanding about what they are along with their identification methods.
1943 Copper Lincoln Wheat Penny
Because of the war production, the U.S. Mint used steel pennies instead of copper during World War II. The production process of the 1943 Lincoln Wheat Penny accidentally created some copper coins resulting in the very rare 1943 Copper Lincoln Wheat Penny.
- A procedure of magnetic testing verifies the identification of this coin. Steel pennies respond to magnets but actual pennies do not attach to these magnetic fields.
- The worth of this coin varies from $10,000 to more than $100,000 depending on its state of preservation.
- Mint Marks without a mint mark, “D” (Denver), or “S” (San Francisco).
1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent

A favorite among collectors, the 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent bears striking doubling on its reverse side.
- The naked eye can easily observe that both “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY” are doubled on the surface of this coin.
- Circulating Doubled Die pennies can sell in the market for $1,000 but uncirculated ones fetch over $10,000.
- The coin lacks a mint mark designation.
1983 Doubled Die Reverse Penny
A singular production malfunction during the penny metal change led to the creation of the 1983 Doubled Die Reverse Penny.
- The reverse features notable doubling between “ONE CENT” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” features.
- A zinc penny is supposed to weigh about 2.5 grams but the verification is made on zinc composition.
- A mint condition perfect example of a penny can command prices above $15,000.
1969-S Doubled Die Lincoln Cent

Because of its pairing of the widely collected San Francisco mint mark with its outstanding doubling error the penny is now one of the most sought-after collectibles.
- The “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY” exhibit outstanding doubling effects on the obverse side of the coin.
- High-grade specimens of this coin variety have a value range of $10,000 to $70,000.
- All pennies having an “S” mint mark were produced by the San Francisco Mint facility.
1972 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent
The 1972 Lincoln Cent displays an amazing doubled die mistake in its design.
- Both mintmarks “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” on the obverse demonstrate obvious doubling effects.
- Careful valued doubled die mistakes value in excess of $10,000 but circulated ones hold more value in the hundreds of dollars bracket.
1982-D Small Date Copper Penny

The High-Grade 1982-D Small Date Copper Penny was the period that signaled the switch from copper pennies to zinc pennies which makes this particular coin unique as a rare find.
- To identify this coin involves noticing the “D” mint mark along with its small date and copper planchet material composition.
- Weight measurement reveals that copper pennies have a weight of 3.1 grams higher than zinc pennies.
- Quality specimens of this coin have been able to sell at prices over $10,000.
Final Thought
Small as your spare coins may be they are of great monetary worth. Prying for special coins could take you to a thrilling venture of wealth. Before spending that coin take a close look at it because it may have a valuable treasure of over $10,000 worth.
FAQ’s
What is special about the 1983 Doubled Die Reverse Penny?
Doubled on both sides, quite strongly on ‘ONE CENT’.
How much Weight of 1982-D Small Date Copper Penny?
It weighs around about 3.1 grams.