Six 1900's Pennies That Can Make You Rich And Are Worth Way More Than A Cent!

 

A penny saved may be a penny earned—but what if that penny is worth thousands? 

While most Lincoln cents you find in couch cushions are worth exactly one cent, a handful of 1900s pennies can fetch astonishing sums at auction. 

The American penny will stop being produced in early 2026 when the U.S. Mint runs out of blank penny templates. 

The U.S. Treasury has already placed its final order for penny blanks, according to The Wall Street Journal. 

This move is driven by the high cost of producing pennies, which now cost more than three cents to make. 

According to the American Numismatic Association, a coin’s value hinges on factors like mintage numbers, mint marks, condition (or “grade”), variety, and historical significance. 

Here are six pennies from the 20th century that could turn your pocket change into a small fortune.

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1. 1914-S Lincoln Penny

• Mint: San Francisco (S)

• Mint Condition Value: $13,375 (est.)

• Auction Record: $105,800

Issued from the San Francisco Mint, the 1914-S Lincoln penny is one of the scarcest in the entire Lincoln series. Having debuted in 1909 to honor Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday, the Lincoln cent replaced the Indian Head cent. 

The obverse bears Lincoln’s profile, while the reverse features two wheat ears. Because only 1,193,000 of these were struck—comparatively low for the S mint—surviving specimens in high grade command hefty premiums.  

In mint (MS-65) condition, values generally range from $3,000 to $14,000; but at auction, pristine examples have soared past $100,000.

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2. 1922 “No D” Lincoln Penny

• Mint Condition Value: $25,000 (est.)

• Auction Record: $57,500

The 1922 Lincoln cent saw production only at Philadelphia (no mint mark) due to a metal shortage. However, an estimated 400,000 planchets bearing a faint “D” from Denver were inadvertently struck without the mintmark showing through. 

These are called “Weak D” pennies, and they trade for about $6,000 in mint state. Even rarer, though, are the “No D” pennies—struck with Denver dies but lacking any D altogether. 

With only a few hundred known, a mint-condition 1922 No D Lincoln penny’s value eclipses $25,000, making it arguably the most valuable of all 1922 cent varieties.

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3. 1924-S Wheat Penny (Red “RD” Variety)

• Mint Condition Value: $725 (est.)

• Auction Record: $45,600

Struck in San Francisco, the 1924-S Wheat penny generally trades at around $4 for an average red coin. But collectors prize the fully red (RD) specimens—those retaining original copper luster—especially in high grades. 

A pristine 1924-S RD cent can range from $500 to $12,000, depending on grading. A standout example recently set a $45,600 auction record. 

Its rarity comes from the fact that many 1924-S cents circulated heavily and turned brown (RB), making uncirculated RD examples exceptionally scarce.

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4. 1943 Bronze Lincoln Penny

• Mint Condition Value: $151,444 (est.)

• Auction Record: $1.7 million (Denver)

In 1943, to conserve copper for the war effort, the U.S. Mint produced pennies on zinc-coated steel planchets. Over 1 billion of these steel cents entered circulation. 

However, a mere two dozen bronze planchets (copper-alloy blanks left over from 1942) were mistakenly struck with 1943 dies across Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. 

Because most of these bronze anomalies are from the Denver Mint, a 1943 bronze cent from Denver sold for a staggering $1.7 million at auction. 

In mint condition, a 1943 bronze cent can fetch upwards of $150,000.

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5. 1944-D Lincoln Penny on Zinc-Coated Steel Planchet

• Mint Condition Value: $36,447 (est.)

• Auction Record: $115,000

By 1944, pennies were supposed to return to copper. However, a handful of Denver Mint workers mistakenly fed leftover zinc-coated steel planchets (from 1943) into the minting presses. 

Only seven of these 1944-D steel cents are known to exist. As a result, their value is extraordinary: a mint-condition 1944-D steel cent can be estimated at $36,447, while top-graded examples have sold for more than $115,000.

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6. 1969-S Lincoln Penny—Doubled Die Obverse

• Mint Condition Value: $10,000 (est.)

• Auction Record: $126,500

The 1969-S doubled die Lincoln penny is among the most sought-after variety coins of the 20th century. 

Due to a misalignment during die preparation at the San Francisco Mint, the obverse inscriptions and date appear doubled—most notably in the motto “In God We Trust”—but the “S” mintmark remains sharp and single. 

High-grade specimens (MS-66 and above) trade around $10,000, with pristine pieces having fetched as much as $126,500 at auction. Experts consider this error one of the finest doubling examples in coinage history.

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What Makes These Pennies So Valuable?

Mintage numbers play the starring role: fewer coins minted means fewer survivors, especially in high grades.  

Mint marks also matter greatly: S (San Francisco) and D (Denver) strikes are often rarer than their Philadelphia counterparts. 

Errors—like the accidental use of wrong planchets—and varieties—such as the doubled die—further amplify collectibility. Finally, condition (a coin’s grade) and market demand drive prices skyward.

For everyday finders, remember to keep those eyes peeled!

Penny for Your Thoughts? How the U.S. Said ‘See Ya’ to the Cent 

 

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