These days, everyone is on the lookout for ways to make a little extra money. While some collector’s items, like stamps and trading cards, may not be as valuable as they once were, certain vintage pennies can still bring in serious cash.
If you haven’t dug through your spare change recently, it’s time to take a closer look! Here are 10 rare pennies that might be sitting in your wallet or change jar right now—and they could be worth way more than just one cent. You might just hit the jackpot!
Penny Power: 6 Incredible 1800s Coins That Could Make You Wealthy
1. 1944 Steel Wheat Penny
This penny was a mistake, and only a few were released by accident. In average condition, they’re worth around $10,000, but a mint-condition one could fetch up to $408,000! You can even sell one without a mint mark for about $2,000. The easiest way to check if you’ve got one? See if it sticks to a magnet—if it does, you might be holding onto something valuable.
2. 1909 S VDB Wheat Penny
With fewer than 500,000 made, this coin was minted in San Francisco and has “V.D.B.” engraved on it. Even in average condition, it can be worth around $950, and in mint condition, it could fetch up to $4,150.
3. 1943 Copper Wheat Penny
Looking for a penny that could help with a down payment on a house? The 1943 Copper Wheat Penny could bring you close to $100,000! These pennies were mistakes, and only a few got released into circulation.
4. 1914 D Wheat Penny
While not enough to buy a house, the 1914 D Wheat Penny in mint condition can still get you about $5,600. Even in rough shape, you can sell one for a few hundred dollars.
5. 1922 D Wheat Penny
These pennies were minted in Denver, and over 7 million were made. But if you have one without the “D” mark, it could be worth up to $33,000! Even regular versions are valued at about $6,000 in mint condition.
6. 1856 Flying Eagle Penny
This penny, featuring an eagle in flight, is a collector’s favorite. If you have a real one, it could bring in around $25,000 at auction, even though forgeries are common. In average condition, it’s still worth about $8,000.
Spain’s 5 Peseta Coins: Could You Be Sitting on a Fortune?
7. 1857 Flying Eagle Penny
With 17 million of these minted, an average 1857 Flying Eagle Penny is worth about $15, but a factory-condition one could go for up to $7,000.
8. 1858 Flying Eagle Penny
This penny was minted in three varieties: small-lettered, large-lettered, and the rare “8 over 7.” The rare one could fetch up to $10,000, with others still going for thousands depending on their condition.
9. 1872 Indian Head Penny
The 1872 Indian Head Penny is tough to find, but if you do have one, you could get anywhere from $150 to $525 on eBay. At auction, they’ve even been sold for up to $126,500!
10. 1873 Doubled LIBERTY Indian Head Penny
The 1873 version of the Indian Head Penny has a special feature: the “LIBERTY” text is doubled. Depending on the condition, this penny can be worth between $367 and $20,125.
Ethan is a passionate rare coin collector with years of experience uncovering the stories and history behind unique coins. His insightful articles are a go-to for anyone curious about coin values or their fascinating backstories.