Have you ever checked your pocket change and wondered if one of those pennies could be worth thousands—or even millions? Believe it or not, some pennies minted in the 20th century have become highly sought-after collector’s items. These rare coins aren’t just old—they’re historical treasures with jaw-dropping values.
Here are 9 rare 20th-century pennies you should definitely watch for!
1. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Wheat Penny
- Minted in: San Francisco
- Value: Up to $100,000+ in top condition
This is the holy grail of Lincoln cents. Only 484,000 of these were minted before public outcry led to the removal of Victor David Brenner’s initials (“VDB”) from the reverse. If you find one with the “S” mintmark and “VDB” at the bottom, you’re holding a goldmine.
2. 1914-D Lincoln Penn
- Minted in: Denver
- Value: $200 to $13,000+
The 1914-D penny is another rarity with a low mintage of just 1.2 million. It’s tough to find in circulation, and even well-worn examples can fetch hundreds.
3. 1922 No D Lincoln Penny
- Minted in: Denver
- Value: $500 to $25,000+
Due to a minting error, some 1922 pennies were struck without the “D” mintmark. These “No D” varieties are highly collectible and extremely valuable when authenticated.
4. 1931-S Lincoln Penny
- Minted in: San Francisco
- Value: $100 to $2,500+
With a mintage of just 866,000, this penny from the Great Depression era is one of the lowest-mintage Lincoln cents of the 20th century. It’s rare and rising in demand.
5. 1943 Bronze Lincoln Penny
- Minted in: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco
- Value: $100,000 to over $1 million
Most 1943 pennies were made from steel due to WWII copper shortages. However, a few were accidentally struck in bronze. These rare errors are among the most valuable coins in the world.
6. 1944 Steel Lincoln Penny
- Minted in: Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco
- Value: Up to $75,000+
A reverse error of the 1943 situation. In 1944, pennies returned to bronze, but a few steel planchets were left behind. These rare 1944 steel cents are incredibly valuable.
7. 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny
- Minted in: Philadelphia
- Value: $1,000 to $15,000+
This famous error coin shows noticeable doubling in the word “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” If you spot it, you’ve struck collector gold.
8. 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse Penny
- Minted in: San Francisco
- Value: $25,000 to $75,000+
This rare error coin shows strong doubling on the front (obverse), especially on “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” Only a few authentic versions exist, making it a high-value find.
9. 1970-S Small Date Penny (High 7)
- Minted in: San Francisco
- Value: $100 to $3,000+
This variety features a “small date” design with the “7” in the date appearing higher than normal. It’s a subtle difference, but collectors pay big for the correct version.
Final Thoughts
Pennies may seem like pocket change, but these rare 20th-century coins can be worth a fortune. Whether you’re a casual collector or just curious, it pays to inspect your coins closely. Who knows? One of these valuable rarities might be hiding in your change jar right now.