Top 6 Lincoln Cents Worth Millions! 2009 Bicentennial & Rare Lincoln Wheat Pennies You Must Look For

💰 Top 6 Lincoln Cents Worth Millions! 2009 Bicentennial & Rare Lincoln Wheat Pennies You Must Look For

The humble one-cent coin—the Lincoln Penny—holds some of the most spectacular, life-changing treasures in all of American numismatics. While billions of these coins are worth only face value, a handful of striking errors and ultra-low-mintage dates have commanded auction prices reaching into the millions of dollars.

This guide focuses on the most valuable Lincoln Cents you should be actively searching for in 2025, covering the classic Lincoln Wheat Penny (1909–1958) and the special 2009 Bicentennial Cents.

👑 The Million-Dollar Wheat Penny Hall of Fame

These classic pennies, featuring the two stalks of wheat on the reverse, are famous for their major minting errors or extreme rarity caused by wartime metal changes.

1. 1943 Bronze (Copper) Cent

This is arguably the most famous and valuable error coin in U.S. history.

• The Error: During World War II, the U.S. Mint switched to zinc-coated steel to save copper for the war effort. A small number of bronze planchets from 1942 were accidentally struck with the 1943 dies.

• Rarity and Value: Only about 40 are known to exist across all mints. The single known 1943-D Bronze Cent is the rarest, having sold for a record-breaking $1.7 million in 2010. Other 1943 Bronze examples have sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars.

• How to Spot: Since 1943 pennies should be silver-gray steel, check any brown or copper-colored 1943 penny with a magnet . If it’s copper and not magnetic, it is likely genuine and immensely valuable.

2. 1944 Steel Cent

This is the reverse mistake of the 1943 Copper Cent.

• The Error: In 1944, the Mint returned to a brass/bronze alloy. A handful of leftover 1943 steel planchets were mistakenly struck with the 1944 dies.

• Rarity and Value: Only about 25 to 30 examples are known to exist. A high-grade 1944 Steel Cent sold for $180,000 in 2021.

• How to Spot: Check any silver-gray 1944 penny with a magnet. If it is a 1944 date and is magnetic, it is a rare, valuable steel cent.

3. 1955 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)

Nicknamed the “King of Lincoln Cent varieties,” this error is dramatically visible to the naked eye.

• The Error: The working die was struck twice with a slight rotation between strikes, causing a severe doubling of the lettering. The date, “LIBERTY,” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” all appear clearly doubled.

• Rarity and Value: Approximately 24,000 were released into circulation. Uncirculated examples can be worth from $1,645 to over $32,400, depending on grade and color.

4. 1909-S VDB

This is one of the most famous and low-mintage key dates of the entire series.

• The Error: This coin features the designer’s initials, V.D.B. (Victor David Brenner), prominently on the reverse. Public backlash over the prominent initials led to the removal of the V.D.B. after only a limited production run.

• Rarity and Value: Only 484,000 were minted in San Francisco. A high-grade example (MS67RD) sold for $168,000 in 2022.

🪙 Rare 2009 Bicentennial Cents

The 2009 series commemorated Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday with four different reverse designs. While most are common, a few errors and varieties are highly valuable:

5. 2009-D Formative Years (FY) Doubled Die Reverse (DDR)

This is one of the most sought-after errors in the Bicentennial series.

• The Error: The doubling is most noticeable on Lincoln’s hands and fingers as he reads a book on the log. It is often referred to as the “extra finger” variety.

• Value: PCGS recognizes eight different doubled die reverses for this design. While many sell for small amounts, high-grade examples of the strongest varieties can sell for hundreds of dollars. Even circulated examples showing the “extra finger” can bring $50 or more.

6. 2009-D Presidency in Washington, D.C. (MS68)

This value comes from an extreme rarity in condition rather than an error.

• The Rarity: The Presidential design features the unfinished Capitol Dome. Most 2009 coins were saved in huge numbers, making low grades common. However, finding a coin in truly Mint State condition (MS68 or higher) is extremely difficult due to striking issues and handling.

• Value: A 2009-D Presidential Design graded MS68 has sold for an exceptional $6,000. This demonstrates how finding a modern coin in perfect condition can create immense value.

🔍 Key Takeaway for Collectors

The value of any rare Lincoln cent is directly tied to its grade and condition. A key date or error found in pristine, uncirculated condition (especially MS-67 or higher) can be worth exponentially more than a circulated example. Always use a magnifying glass to check for doubling and protect any potential find immediately.

You can learn more about finding the top valuable cents by watching this video: Top 5 Valuable 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial Pennies and Wheat Penny Errors That Made People Rich!. This video breaks down the specific errors to look for on the 2009 Bicentennial pennies and classic Wheat Cents.