While pennies might otherwise be regarded as pocket change tossed into the pocket or jar, one might suppose that one individual penny in the collection is a very rare specimen with a value that can be classified as a small fortune.
The rare pennies, especially very few minted with some unique historical features, fetch at the auction thousands-and even hundreds of thousands-of dollars. Famous is the 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent-it may be a little coin, but it has a pretty big story behind it.
This article will take a view of the history of the penny of 1909-S VDB while considering other scarce pennies that might pay off your pockets.
Share your light about this “1909 – S VDB” One of the favorite cents of collectors is the 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent, for it is the first year that the Lincoln penny was minted, and this also counts as a version with the initials of the designer, Victor David Brenner, on the reverse. Only minted in San Francisco, it totalled 484,000 pieces, now considered super rare.
Collecting Information: 1909-S VDB
How to Look for It:
The date will be “1909” on the obverse and an “S” mint mark below the date. Turn it over to check the bottom rim for the “VDB” letters.
Estimated Value:
- Good Condition: $700 – $1,000
- Uncirculated: Up to 2,500
1914-D
The penny is from the Denver Mint, and it is rare, simply for the few being minted-only about 1.2 million. Most “circulated heavily” and “lost,” and now it is something significant to obtain in good condition.
How to Spot It:
Look for the date “1914” and the “D” mint mark. The price difference comes mainly because of the legibility of the coins, as well as how original they look.
Estimated Value:
- Good Condition: $200 – $400
- Uncirculated: Up to $5,000
1922 No D penny
And here we have, really, a captivating one. The 1922 No D penny. All Lincoln cents for that year were minted at the Denver mint, and thus there should always be a “D” mint mark attached. Some few coins were struck from ‘worn-out dies’, hence the absence of the ‘D’ mint mark. This is a coin error that happens at the mint and makes this coin very valuable.
How to spot one:
It is quite possible that the coin is indeed genuine if it is a 1922 WITHOUT A “D” AND with a weak or blurry reverse design.
- Expected Value:
- Fair Condition: $500-$800
- Uncirculated: Up to $25,000
1943 Bronze
The vast majority of pennies made in 1943 were steel, so that copper could be saved for the war effort. However, a handful were accidentally created out of bronze planchets that had not been used from 1942. These are rare, exceedingly rare, and bringing large bucks.
Identification:
Year-it should be, “1943.” Use a magnet: steel sticks, bronze doesn’t.
- Fair condition: $100,000 – $200,000
- Mint : Up to $1.7 million
1955 Doubled Die
Above all, this has become a favorite among collectors since the doubling is clearly seen. Due to a misaligned die during minting, you’ll see doubled letters and numbers on the coin’s front.
How to Spot It:
Look for clear doubling on “1955,” “LIBERTY,” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” A magnifying glass helps a lot here.
Estimated Value:
- Good condition: $1,000 – $1,500
- Uncirculated: Up to $25,000.
| Lincoln Penny | Year | Key Feature | Estimated Value (High Grade) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1909-S VDB | 1909 | First year, low mintage | Up to $2,500 |
| 1914-D | 1914 | Rare Denver issue | Up to $5,000 |
| 1922 No D | 1922 | Missing mint mark error | Up to $25,000 |
| 1943 Bronze | 1943 | Wrong metal used | Up to $1.7 million |
| 1955 Doubled Die | 1955 | Obvious doubling error | Up to $25,000 |
These Lincoln cents are far more than mere tokens; they’re historical artifacts that can be worth a pretty penny themselves. Finding one within the depths of your collection or as loose-change in your pocket could be a real jackpot. If you’re really serious about collecting, familiarize yourself with these important dates and errors. You never know when you might come across a valuable penny in your hands.
FAQS:
How do I test a 1943 penny to see if it is bronze?
With a magnet: steel will be attracted to it, bronze won’t respond.
What is a doubled die?
It is when the design not knowingly was struck twice.
Is a missing mint always a valuable penny?
Not usually, except for special cases like the 1922 No D.
Are old pennies always valuable?
Not really-anyway, rarity plus errors with greatest condition of all matter more.