10 Most Valuable Pennies (2024)

The 1909 S Indian Head Cent was the last year the Indian Head penny was minted, and has the lowest mintage of the Indian Head Cent series. This coin is considered a key date in the series. The 1909 S Indian head cent is popular amongst collectors as it is one of only two in the series to have been minted at the San Francisco Mint. In 2006, an MS67RD graded coin (pictured left) sold for $97,750.

The 1877 Indian Head Cent is considered a major key date in the series, with a mintage of only 850,000 these can be hard to find in good condition, and nearly impossible to find in uncirculated condition. In 2009, an MS66RD graded coin (pictured left) sold for $149,500!

The 1922 D Wheat Cent is actually one of the most common dates of the 1920s, but it’s value comes from the fact that now pennies were minted at the Philadelphia or the San Francisco Mints. In 2017, an MS66+RD graded coin (pictured left) sold for $19,975.

The 1914-D Wheat Cent is a great addition to anyone’s collection. This coin is considered a key date in the series, and one of the more valuable non-error pennies. In 2018, an MS66+RD graded coin (pictured left) sold for $158,625.

If you’re looking to purchase an 1857 Flying Eagle Penny for your coin collection, this is one of the cheaper dates, as long as you’re okay with a lower grade of coin. This was the first cent to have a mintage over 10 million, making it quite common and much easier to find than some of the other Flying Eagle Dates. In 2006, an MS66 graded coins sold for $32,200.

Another coin for avid coin collectors to look out for is the 1858 Flying Eagle Cent. This is a valuable coin that actually has a few different varieties, the large letters, small letters, and the 8 over 7. The 8 over 7 is the most valuable of the three types. In 2014, an MS65+ 8 over 7 (pictured left) sold for $74,025.

There are a few different varieties of the 1873 Indian Cents, with all of them being rare and quite valuable, there’s the open 3, and the closed 3, but the most valuable is the doubled Liberty. In 2021, an MS65 RB graded coin (pictured left) sold for $66,000.

Only 2,000 1856 Flying Eagle Cents were minted, making this quite the rare coin! Originally created as presentation pieces to show to members of Congress, other dignitaries, and even collectors, they eventually made their way into circulation over the years. These are incredibly rare so make sure that your coin is certified if you find one or buy one. In 2004, an MS66 graded coin sold for $172,500.

The 1943 Copper Wheat Cent is a coin that was not supposed to exist. During this time, all the pennies were made of steel, as copper was needed for the War effort. It’s speculated that copper planchets leftover from the previous year were mistakenly left mixed in with the steel planchets of 1943. Watch out for fakes as these are commonly counterfeited! In 2021, an MS62 graded coin (pictured left) sold for $372,000.

The 1944 Steel Wheat Cent is one of the most popular error coins of the Lincoln Cent series. Similar to the copper penny of 1943, It’s speculated that while in production, a few steel planchets were accidentally mixed in with the copper, or the dies were tested on the steel and mixed in that way. Either way, it’s a great rarity and a coin every collector should have. In 2021, an MS64 graded coin (pictured left) sold for $180,000.