15 Hidden Treasure Lincoln Pennies That Could Make You Rich

Lincoln Pennies That Could Make You Rich – The humble Lincoln penny, first introduced in 1909 to honor President Abraham Lincoln, is one of the most widely circulated coins in U.S. history. While most pennies are only worth their face value—or perhaps a few cents for their copper content—certain rare varieties and minting errors have become hidden treasures worth thousands or even millions of dollars.

These coins, often overlooked by the average person, could be sitting in your pocket change, an old coin jar, or a forgotten collection. In this article, we’ll explore 15 Lincoln pennies that could make you rich—and why they’re so valuable.

What Makes These Pennies So Valuable?

Before diving into the list, let’s break down what makes these coins so desirable:

• Rarity: Low mintage numbers, minting errors, or limited surviving specimens create scarcity.
• Condition (Grade): Coins certified as high-quality by professional services like PCGS or NGC command premium prices.
• Historical Significance: Certain pennies represent pivotal moments in U.S. history, making them highly sought after.
• Minting Errors: Variations like doubled dies, overdates, or off-center strikes make coins exceptionally rare and valuable.

Now, let’s uncover the 15 Lincoln pennies that could turn your curiosity into a fortune.

1. 1943 Bronze Lincoln Penny

In 1943, pennies were made of steel to conserve copper for the war effort. However, a few were mistakenly struck on leftover bronze planchets, creating an error coin.

One sold for $1.7 million in 2022. To identify it, test its weight—a genuine bronze penny will be heavier and non-magnetic compared to steel versions.

Also Read: The 15 Rarest Buffalo Nickels and Their Values

2. 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Penny

This error coin features dramatic doubling on Lincoln’s profile and the date. Only a handful are known to exist, and one sold for $1 million in 2023. Look for noticeable doubling on the obverse design, especially around Lincoln’s ear and the word “LIBERTY.”

3. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny

The 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny had a mintage of just 484,000, making it one of the scarcest Lincoln pennies ever produced. An MS-64 example fetched $10,000 in 2023. Its association with Victor David Brenner’s initials adds to its allure.

4. 1922 No D Lincoln Penny

Due to a minting error, some 1922 pennies from Denver lack the “D” mint mark. High-grade examples can sell for up to $20,000. Check for the absence of the “D” below the date to spot this rarity.

5. 1955 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Penny

This famous error coin features doubling on the obverse, particularly noticeable in the date and the word “LIBERTY.” It’s one of the most iconic Lincoln penny errors, with an MS-65 example selling for $50,000 in 2023.

6. 1970-S Small Date Lincoln Penny

The 1970-S Small Date Lincoln Penny is one of the rarest modern coins due to its unique die variation. High-grade examples are particularly prized, with an MS-67 example selling for $15,000 in 2022. Compare the size of the date to a regular 1970-S penny—the Small Date will have noticeably smaller numerals.

7. 1914-D Lincoln Penny

The 1914-D Lincoln Penny had a mintage of just 1.2 million, making it one of the lowest-mintage issues in the series. High-grade examples are scarce, and an MS-65 coin fetched $12,000 in 2023.

8. 1931-S Lincoln Penny

With a mintage of just 866,000, the 1931-S Lincoln Penny is one of the scarcest dates in the series. High-grade survivors are rare, and an MS-65 example sold for $15,000 in 2022.

9. 1992 Close AM Lincoln Penny

This variety features unusually close spacing between the letters “A” and “M” in “AMERICA.” Only a few escaped detection, and an MS-65 example sold for $25,000 in 2023. Examine the spacing carefully to identify this rare variety.

10. 1983 No P Lincoln Penny

Due to a minting oversight, some 1983 pennies from Philadelphia lack the “P” mint mark. These coins are extremely scarce, with a high-grade example fetching $20,000. Check for the absence of the “P” below the date.

11. 1909 VDB Lincoln Penny

The 1909 VDB Lincoln Penny, featuring Victor David Brenner’s initials prominently on the reverse, was quickly redesigned after complaints. High-grade examples are highly sought after, with an MS-65 coin selling for $8,000 in 2023.

12. 1982 No P Lincoln Penny

Similar to the 1983 No P variety, some 1982 pennies from Philadelphia also lack the “P” mint mark. These coins are rare, with a high-grade example fetching $15,000. Look for the absence of the “P” below the date.

Also Read: 13 Most Valuable Nickels to Add to Your Coin Collection

13. 1911-S Lincoln Penny

The 1911-S Lincoln Penny had a mintage of just 40.2 million, but many were heavily circulated, leaving few high-grade survivors. An MS-65 example brought $10,000 in 2023.

14. 1944 Steel Lincoln Penny

In 1944, pennies were supposed to return to copper, but a few were mistakenly struck on steel planchets left over from 1943. A high-grade example sold for $100,000 in 2022. Test its magnetism to identify this rare error.

15. 1958 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Penny

This error coin features doubling on the obverse, particularly noticeable in the date and the word “LIBERTY.” Few examples are known to exist, and an AU-55 example fetched $30,000 in 2023.

From the legendary 1943 Bronze Penny to the quirky 1955 Doubled Die Obverse, these 15 Lincoln pennies represent some of the rarest and most valuable coins in U.S. history.

Whether you’re drawn to their beauty, rarity, or historical significance, adding these treasures to your collection could be a life-changing experience. Keep your eyes peeled—you never know when you might stumble upon a piece of history worth a fortune.