🚨 STOP! DON’T SPEND THESE PENNIES!
Before you toss that old copper coin into a vending machine, check for these 10 ultra-rare treasures.
1. 1943 Copper Wheat Penny
This is the “Holy Grail” of error coins. In 1943, pennies were supposed to be made of zinc-coated steel to save copper for WWII. A few copper planchets left over from 1942 were accidentally struck with the 1943 date.
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How to Identify: It looks like a normal copper penny but is dated 1943.
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Test: A real 1943 copper penny will NOT stick to a magnet.
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Value: Genuine examples can fetch between $100,000 and over $1,000,000.
2. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny
This is the most famous “key date” in the series. It features the initials of designer Victor D. Brenner (V.D.B.) on the bottom of the reverse side.
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How to Identify: Look for “1909” with an “S” mint mark on the front, and the initials “V.D.B.” on the back.
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Value: Worth anywhere from $700 to $2,000+, with pristine versions reaching six figures.
3. 1955 Doubled Die Obverse (DDO)
This error is so dramatic it’s visible to the naked eye. It occurred when the die was struck twice, creating a clear “shadow” on the lettering.
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How to Identify: The date “1955” and the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” appear clearly doubled.
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Value: Ranges from $1,000 to over $20,000, with one selling for $150,000 in 2020.
4. 1944 Steel Wheat Penny
The opposite of the 1943 error—this coin was struck on leftover steel planchets from 1943 when the Mint had already switched back to copper.
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How to Identify: It looks silver/gray and is dated 1944.
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Value: Heavily circulated versions can sell for $35,000, while uncirculated specimens can exceed $175,000.
5. 1943-D Die Crack Penny
A specific 1943-D steel penny is famous for a massive die crack that makes it one of the most valuable errors known.
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Value: Estimated at $575,000.
6. 1922 “No D” (Plain) Penny
The Denver Mint struck these coins with a worn-out die that eventually “lost” the “D” mint mark entirely.
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How to Identify: A 1922 penny with no mint mark below the date.
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Value: Can be worth $500 to over $18,500 for uncirculated versions.
7. 1958 Doubled Die Obverse
Even rarer than the 1955 variety, only a handful of these are known to exist.
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How to Identify: Look for doubling on the date and “LIBERTY.”
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Value: Has an auction record of $336,000.
8. 1914-D Wheat Penny
With a mintage of only 1.19 million, this is a major key date for collectors.
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Value: Ranges from $200 in “Good” condition to over $150,000 for high-grade “Full Red” versions.
9. 1925-S Re-Punched Mint Mark (RPM)
This error shows a clear “S” struck over another “S.”
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Value: Highly graded versions have sold for $43,000.
10. 1917 Doubled Die Obverse
Another early doubling error that collectors hunt for.
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Value: Can reach $10,500 in top uncirculated condition.
đź’° TOTAL POTENTIAL VALUE
If you found just one of each of these coins in high grade, your collection could be worth over $2.5 million!
📢 CALL TO ACTION
Check your jars, pockets, and old piggy banks today! Have you found a penny that looks like one of these? Tell us in the comments! Don’t forget to Like and Subscribe for more secret coin tips to help you get rich!
Would you like me to help you identify the specific markings on a 1943 or 1955 penny you’ve found?
