The penny was one of the first coins made by the U.S. Mint after its establishment in 1792. The design on the first penny was of a woman with flowing hair symbolizing liberty. The coin was larger and made of pure copper, while today’s smaller coin is made of copper and zinc. Liberty stayed on the penny for more than 60 years. Of all the coins ever made by the United States Mint since 1793, arguably the most popular and widely collected among them are Lincoln pennies. The Lincoln cent (technically, only Great Britain officially has a denomination called the “penny”) is a favorite among collectors young and old, rich and poor. It’s also one of my favorite coins! Ancient American coins, the early collections. The US mint created the American Coin Cabinet in 1838, when Adam Eckfeldt, chief coiner from 1814 until 1839, donated his personal collection.In the first years of the nation, from 1860 and after the American Revolution, currencies from Spain, England and France mainly, circulated and were officially used. The wheat penny is a classic iconic early 21st century American coin with a face value of 1 cent that was minted from 1909 to 1956. On a personal note we just love searching penny rolls for wheat and indian head pennies.
Here is a cool list that details the top 25 most valuable pennies ever minted in the United States of America (updated: 2021). These coin values / worth's are not based off common errors like double dies, but rather coins that were issued into circulation as is. Check out the list below, some of these old coins are worth a ton of money.
Penny Coin 1901
- 1.) 1944 Steel Wheat Penny - Worth $110,334
- 2.) 1943 Copper Wheat Penny - Worth $85,782
- 3.) 1856 Flying Eagle Penny - Worth $25,000
- 4.) 1873 Indian Head Penny - Worth $10,000
- 5.) 1858 Flying Eagle Penny - Worth $10,000
- 6.) 1857 Flying Eagle Penny - Worth $7,000
- 7.) 1914 D Wheat Penny - Worth $5,500
- 8.) 1922 D Wheat Penny - Worth $5,000
- 9.) 1877 Indian Head Penny - Worth $3,200
- 10.) 1926 Wheat Penny - Worth $3,000
- 11.) 1909 S Indian Head Penny - Worth $2,250
- 12.) 1909 S Vdb Wheat Penny - Worth $2,200
- 13.) 1925 S Wheat Penny - Worth $1,800
- 14.) 1914 S Wheat Penny - Worth $1,500
- 15.) 1924 S Wheat Penny - Worth $1,500
- 16.) 1872 Indian Head Penny - Worth $1,350
- 17.) 1915 S Wheat Penny - Worth $1,200
- 18.) 1924 D Wheat Penny - Worth $1,200
- 19.) 1923 Wheat Penny - Worth $1,000
- 20.) 1927 Wheat Penny - Worth $1,000
- 21.) 1870 Indian Head Penny - Worth $1,000
- 22.) 1918 D Wheat Penny - Worth $900
- 23.) 1920 S Wheat Penny - Worth $900
- 24.) 1871 Indian Head Penny - Worth $875
- 25.) 1921 S Wheat Penny - Worth $850
Most Valuable Coins by Type...
All US Pennies 1859 to 2021
The wheat penny is a classic iconic early 21st century American coin with a face value of 1 cent that was minted from 1909 to 1956.
On a personal note we just love searching penny rolls for wheat and indian head pennies. Wheat pennies are still readily found in circulation and because of the relative price of just $25 for a box of these coins, they are cheap and will keep the coin roll searcher on his or her toes.
The Wheat Penny is also known by colelctors as the Wheat Cent. The coin is made out of mostly copper, but steel versions of the coin were issued during World War II.
In 1909 there were V.D.B. and Non V.D.B. marked pennies. VDB were the engraver Victor David Brenners initials. Victor Brenner was a United States sculptor and engraver whos most widely known for...you guessed it...the Penny :) The initials can be found on the reverse of the 1909 coin only. In 1918 they would be added much smaller to the front of the coin near Lincolns shoulder.
All Wheat Pennies are worth more than their face value of .01 cent. A good rule of thumb is that they are worth at least 3 or 4 cents even in poor condition, but those in good condition (not including special years) are worth at least double digit dollars ($10 or more) when purchased or sold in MS-63 condition. Findong a circulated coin in MS-63 is a long shot. You may get lucky and find your Grandma's stash, or maybe pick one up from a bank teller that just got dumped off during the holidays however. So keep your eyes out for a pretty one!
So what are they worth? Well choose a date below and a mint mark and explore for yourself, and be sure to pick up a few rolls of pennies next time you are at the bank.
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All US Dollar Coins
- *list does not count the newer Presidential Dollars
