Top 100 Pennies Worth Money​: Do You Have One?

A surprising number of one-cent coins have increased in value thanks to minting errors, historical quirks, and sheer rarity. This guide reveals what penny years are worth money — and how to know if you’re holding one of them (with a coin identification app as well).

So, what pennies are worth money today? Today, we’ll unveil the penny value by year, and introduce the coin grading chart rare pennies worth money numismatists use to determine value. 

What Year Pennies Are Worth Money?

Let’s clear up a big question: what year of penny is worth money?

It varies. But penny coin value often hinges on a mix of mint mark, errors, and low mintage numbers. 

Here’s how to tell if a penny is worth money:

• Look for errors.

• Check if it’s pre-1982.

• Use a penny value checker app.

• Compare it to the value of old pennies by year chart.

100 Most Valuable Pennies Worth Money List by Year

Top 10 Pennies That Are Worth Money

1. 1943-D Bronze Lincoln Wheat Cent - $1,700,000

• Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc

• Weight: 3.11 grams

• Diameter: 19.05 mm

• Edge: Plain

• Mint: Denver (D)

What penny is worth money? 1943 was the year the U.S. Mint switched from bronze to zinc-coated steel planchets to conserve copper for World War II. However, a few leftover bronze planchets were accidentally struck at the Denver Mint. These errors were incredibly rare and weren't discovered until much later.

The obverse features the right-facing profile of Abraham Lincoln. The reverse has two wheat stalks bordering the denomination “ONE CENT,” commonly known as the Wheat design.

Only one authenticated example exists. It answers the ultimate question: what penny is worth the most money?

2. 1944-S Steel Wheat Penny - $408,000

• Composition: Zinc-coated steel

• Weight: 2.70 grams

• Diameter: 19.05 mm

• Edge: Plain

• Mint: San Francisco (S)

What year penny is worth money? The U.S. Mint resumed copper coinage in 1944, but a few leftover steel blanks from 1943 were mistakenly used at the San Francisco Mint. This accident produced a few steel cents dated 1944, making them exceptionally rare.

Fewer than three examples are known to exist, and they are often the highlight of major auctions. Its story—steel used when bronze was the standard—makes it a staple on every serious penny worth money list.

3. 1958 Doubled Die Obverse - $336,000

• Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc

• Weight: 3.11 grams

• Diameter: 19.05 mm

• Edge: Plain

• Mint: Philadelphia (no mint mark)

Here’s the next highest value penny. It was the result of a misalignment during die production, causing doubling of the inscriptions on the obverse. This coin wasn't discovered until decades later, and it remains one of the rarest doubling errors of a penny worth a lot of money.

The doubling is most evident in the words “IN GOD WE TRUST” and “LIBERTY.” This effect makes it easy to spot if you're lucky enough to find one.

Only three specimens are confirmed to exist. The clear and dramatic doubling, its scarcity place it among the highest-ranking coins on the penny value list. 

4. 1943-S Bronze Cent - $282,000

• Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc

• Weight: 3.11 grams

• Diameter: 19.05 mm

• Edge: Plain

• Mint: San Francisco (S)

What year of pennies are worth money? Much like its Denver counterpart, this coin was minted using a leftover bronze planchet in a year when pennies were supposed to be made of steel. The result is an incredibly rare coin with historical significance.

The design remains standard: Lincoln on the obverse and the Wheat reverse. The distinction is purely in the metal composition, which must be confirmed via weight and analysis.

Very few are known to exist. The bronze planchet mistake during the steel cent year makes it a top-tier rarity, frequently making headlines when it comes to auction. It’s essential in any penny years worth money breakdown.

5. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent - $168,000

• Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc

• Weight: 3.11 grams

• Diameter: 19.05 mm

• Edge: Plain

• Mint: San Francisco (S)

What penny is worth a lot of money? The Lincoln cent debuted in 1909, replacing the Indian Head cent. Designed by Victor David Brenner, his initials "V.D.B." on the reverse created public controversy, prompting the Mint to halt production and remove the initials.

Lincoln’s profile on the front; “V.D.B.” discreetly placed at the bottom of the reverse. This makes it unique among early Lincoln cents.

With only 484,000 coins struck, it’s among the lowest-mintage coins of the series. It remains a legendary find and a top entry on the VDB penny value chart.

6. 1999 Wide AM Cent - $138,000

• Composition: Copper-plated zinc

• Weight: 2.5 grams

• Diameter: 19.05 mm

• Edge: Plain

• Mint: Philadelphia

What year are pennies worth money? Intended only for proofs, a reverse die with “wide AM” spacing was mistakenly used in regular production.

The gap between the “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” is noticeable. This is the reverse used on proofs, but appears on circulation coins. This are worth money penny errors to look for.

Proof design used in circulation makes it a standout coin. It’s often searched for in rolls and regularly appears on which penny is worth money guides.

7. 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse - $126,500

• C

• omposition: 95% copper, 5% zinc

• Weight: 3.11 grams

• Diameter: 19.05 mm

• Edge: Plain

• Mint: San Francisco (S)

What pennies are worth the most money else? Initially thought to be counterfeits due to the doubling, early discoveries were seized by the Secret Service. Eventually, they were proven authentic and have since become one of the most well-known errors.

This coin has an epic backstory involving federal agents, dramatic visuals, and authentic rarity. It dominates lists like rare penny value databases.

8. 1993-D Cent with Roosevelt Dime Reverse (Mule Error) - $114,000

• Composition: Copper-plated zinc

• Weight: ~2.5 grams

• Diameter: 19.05 mm

• Edge: Plain

• Mint: Denver (D)

What years are pennies worth money? 1993. A mule error occurs when obverse and reverse dies from different coins are mismatched. This 1993-D Lincoln one was struck with a Roosevelt dime reverse.

Obverse features Abraham Lincoln. Reverse incorrectly shows Roosevelt and dime elements.

Mule penny errors worth money are exceptionally rare and almost always valuable. This one crosses denominations, making it a sensation in penny dime error coin value discussions.

9. 1922 No D Lincoln Cent - $92,000

• Composition: 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc

• Weight: 3.11 grams

• Diameter: 19.05 mm

• Edge: Plain

• Mint: Denver (D)

In 1922, the Denver Mint was the only one producing cents. However, a filled die caused some coins to be struck without a visible mintmark.

It has a Lincoln obverse with no “D” mintmark, and a standard Wheat reverse, but a rather high US penny value.

It is the only Lincoln cent year where coins without a mintmark can still be from a single-mint year. Collectors pursue this aggressively, placing it high in old pennies worth money list.

10. 1992 Close AM Penny - $25,850

• Composition: Copper-plated zinc

• Weight: 2.5 grams

• Diameter: 19.05 mm

• Edge: Plain

• Mint: Philadelphia & Denver

Meant for proof coins, a reverse die with “close AM” spacing was used by mistake on some circulation coins and led to a high old penny value. The letters “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” are nearly touching — unlike the standard wide spacing.

Misused dies, a sharp eye required to spot, and very low numbers. All of these make this coin one of the best examples of penny that are worth money.

What to Do If You Find a Penny That Looks Valuable?

Don't spend it.

Instead:

• Check your coin’s weight.

• Compare it to a list of pennies worth money.

• Use a grading year penny value chart.

• Consult a coin dealer or appraiser.

• Or better: scan your penny coins worth money with an app.

Check Value Instantly

Remembering what pennies are worth a lot of money is exhausting. That’s where Coin ID Scanner comes in.

• Instantly recognize coins with your phone’s camera

• Check its database and penny collection value

• Get your one cent penny value, its specs, and even more!

No more guessing “how much is a hay penny worth” or scrolling through a dozen sites. 

So if you have pennies that are worth a lot of money, you’ll know — before someone else does.