Pennies Worth a Fortune
Lincoln Wheat Pennies, minted from 1909 to 1958, are a collector’s dream, with some rare ones worth thousands or even millions! Forget the $250 million claims from sites like upprojects.org those are hype. The real deal? A 1943-D Bronze Penny sold for $1.7 million in 2010. Rare pennies can still be found in old jars or change, and selling them smartly can bring big bucks. Here’s a look at five ultra-rare Wheat Pennies and where to cash them in.
Top Rare Pennies to Find
- 1943-D Bronze Penny: Only one known, worth up to $2.3 million. Copper, not magnetic, “D” mark.
- 1943-S Bronze Penny: About six exist, worth $282,000-$504,000. Copper, “S” mark.
- 1944-S Steel Penny: Two known, worth $373,750-$408,000. Magnetic, “S” mark.
- 1909-S VDB Penny: 484,000 made, worth $600-$168,000. “S” and “V.D.B.” on reverse.
- 1955 Doubled Die Penny: 20,000-24,000 made, worth $1,000-$114,000. Doubled text, no mint mark.
Why They’re Valuable
In 1943, pennies were steel to save copper for WWII, but a few bronze errors slipped through, making them super rare. The 1944 steel penny was a similar mistake. The 1909-S VDB had a low mintage, and the 1955 Doubled Die has bold text errors. Check coins with a magnet (bronze isn’t magnetic, steel is) and look for mint marks (“D,” “S,” or none). Condition is key—Mint State (MS) coins fetch top dollar. X posts often hype finds, but authentication is a must to avoid fakes.
Where to Sell Your Pennies
- Online auctions like eBay or Heritage Auctions reach collectors but charge fees (10-20%). List with clear photos and get coins graded by PCGS or NGC.
- Local coin shops offer quick sales, but prices may be lower. Visit trusted dealers via the American Numismatic Association (ana-money.org).
- Specialty platforms like APMEX or 2nd Markets buy rare pennies, especially 1909-S VDB or 1943 Bronze, but require authentication for errors.
- Coin shows connect you directly with buyers, maximizing profits. Check coinshows.com for events.
Key Specifications
| Penny | Mintage | Value Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1943-D Bronze | 1 | $840,000-$2.3M |
| 1943-S Bronze | ~6 | $282,000-$504,000 |
| 1944-S Steel | 2 | $373,750-$408,000 |
| 1909-S VDB | 484,000 | $600-$168,000 |
| 1955 Doubled Die | 20,000-24,000 | $1,000-$114,000 |
Tips to Cash In
Sort pennies by date and mint mark, using a Coin Values Worksheet from coinstudy.com. Get rare ones graded by PCGS or NGC to boost value. Avoid cleaning coins it lowers worth. Don’t sell in bulk; rare pennies like the 1943 Bronze deserve individual sales. Check pcgs.com or ngccoin.com for pricing guides. Your change could hide a fortune start hunting!