Coin collecting, also known as numismatics, is full of hidden treasures.
Some rare copper coins found in loose change or passed down through families have incredible historical value and can fetch thousands of dollars at auction.
Here are 10 rare and valuable copper coins and why they’re worth so much.
1943 Copper Wheat Penny
- Value: Up to $1.7 million
During World War II, the U.S. Mint switched to steel blanks to conserve copper for the war. However, a few copper blanks from 1942 were mistakenly used in 1943.
Only 20 to 30 of these pennies are known to exist, making them extremely rare. Authentic examples are non-magnetic and weigh 3.11 grams.
1955 Doubled Die Penny
- Value: $1,000–$125,000+
This error coin features a noticeable doubling on the front, especially in the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST.” About 24,000 of these pennies were released before the mistake was fixed.
According to the NGC Price Guide, values range from $1,000 in worn condition to over $85,000 for Mint State 66 examples with original red color.
1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent
- Value: $600–$4,150
This was the first year the Lincoln Wheat Penny was produced. Pennies minted in San Francisco (marked with an “S”) that include the designer Victor David Brenner’s initials (VDB) are highly valuable because only 484,000 were made.
1856 Flying Eagle Cent
- Value: $7,000–$25,000
Only about 2,000 of these coins were produced as a transition between the Large Cent and the Indian Head Penny.
Its rarity and historical importance make it highly desirable among collectors.
1877 Indian Head Penny
- Value: $600–$10,000+
With a low mintage of just 852,500 coins during an economic depression, the 1877 Indian Head Penny is difficult to find in good condition, driving up its value in high grades.
1999 Wide AM Penny
- Value: $500–$2,000
This modern error coin shows a wider gap between the letters “A” and “M” in “AMERICA” on the reverse side. Minted in Philadelphia, the 1999 Wide AM Penny is rare and highly collectible.
1914-D Lincoln Penny
- Value: $200–$5,600
The 1914-D penny from the Denver Mint had a low mintage of 1.2 million. Its value increases significantly for higher-grade examples, especially those with a red hue.
1944 Steel Wheat Penny
- Value: $10,000–$408,000
In 1944, the U.S. Mint switched back to copper pennies, but a few steel blanks from 1943 were mistakenly used. This magnetic coin is a rare companion to the 1943 Copper Penny, making it highly valuable.
These copper coins tell stories of minting errors, historical shifts, and limited production runs. For collectors, finding one of these hidden gems could lead to a big payday.
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