These 9 Lincoln Pennies Could Make You Rich – One Sold for $840,000 and It’s Still in Circulation!

Lincoln pennies have long been a staple of American coinage, first introduced in 1909 to honor President Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday.

While most of these coins are common, a select few have become treasures for collectors—thanks to rare minting errors, low mintage numbers, or historical uniqueness.

Here’s a breakdown of the nine most valuable Lincoln pennies ever discovered and what makes each of them so special.

1. 1943-D Bronze Lincoln Penny

• Estimated Value: $840,000
• Key Characteristic: Minted in bronze during the year the U.S. switched to steel for wartime conservation.
• Why It’s Rare: Only one known specimen struck at the Denver Mint.

2. 1943-S Bronze Lincoln Penny

• Estimated Value: $504,000
• Key Characteristic: Like its Denver counterpart, this San Francisco-minted coin was mistakenly made with bronze.
• Known Quantity: Fewer than five known to exist.

3. 1944-S Steel Lincoln Penny

• Estimated Value: $408,000
• Key Characteristic: Minted in steel by mistake during the transition back to copper-alloy planchets.
• Known Quantity: Only one known.

4. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny

• Estimated Value: $2,000–$100,000+ depending on condition
• Key Characteristic: First Lincoln penny with designer V.D. Brenner’s initials, minted in San Francisco.
• Mintage: Just 484,000 coins produced.

5. 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny

• Estimated Value: $1,000–$25,000
• Key Characteristic: Doubling visible on the date and “LIBERTY.”
• Availability: Around 20,000 to 24,000 released into circulation.
• More Info: CoinWeek Coverage

6. 1969-S Doubled Die Lincoln Penny

• Estimated Value: Up to $126,500
• Key Characteristic: Prominent doubling on the inscriptions, especially “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.”
• Known Quantity: Extremely limited, only a few dozen certified.
• More Info: CoinWorld Guide

7. 1983-D Bronze Lincoln Penny

• Estimated Value: Around $1,400 in mint condition
• Key Characteristic: A transitional error where a few coins were struck on bronze instead of zinc planchets.
• Why It Matters: Copper coins were no longer in use post-1982.
• More Info: Coin Value Checker

8. 1992-D Close AM Lincoln Penny

• Estimated Value: $1,000–$20,000
• Key Characteristic: Unusually close spacing between the “A” and “M” in “AMERICA.”
• Significance: A rare design mix-up meant for proof coins.
• More Info: USA Coin Book

9. 1999 Wide AM Lincoln Penny

• Estimated Value: Up to $540 in mint state
• Key Characteristic: Widely spaced “A” and “M” in “AMERICA.”
• Why It’s Notable: Proof reverse used on a circulation coin.
• More Info: Coin Collecting Resources

Final Thoughts

While these Lincoln pennies may seem ordinary at first glance, their unique features and rarity have elevated them into the upper echelons of the numismatic world.

Whether due to mint errors, limited production, or transitional materials, each coin tells a fascinating story about American history and coinage evolution.

If you suspect you have one of these treasures, consult a professional appraiser or certified grading service like PCGS or NGC.

This article has been carefully fact-checked by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and eliminate any misleading information. We are committed to maintaining the highest standards of integrity in our content.