Rare coins like the 1972 Doubled Die Penny have the world of coin collecting in a spin because they are so rare that one in 20,000 coins is represented by the 1972 Doubled Die Penny. Some of these rare finds could be worth as much as $300,000, which would be some found treasure in plain sight.
There are a number of wheat and Lincoln pennies from the hoards within your reach to give you fortune along with the 1972 Doubled Die Penny. And then let’s look at a few of the rarest coins that could be worth a lot of bucks.
1972 Doubled Die Penny
One of the most sought after error coins to ever come out of the United States mint, the 1972 Doubled Die Penny. As a collector, however, its unique doubling effect on the date and inscriptions makes it highly desirable. A top condition coin can sell for more than $300,000 at auction.
1955 Doubled Die Penny
The 1955 Doubled Die Penny is the same as the 1972 version in that it has the same type of doubling on the date and lettering. The value of this coin varies depending on its condition, as thousand dollar figures can be fetched for top condition examples. In some cases, though, the coin can offer up to $125,000.
1943 Copper Penny
The other rare gem is the 1943 Copper Penny ’cause it was mistakenly struck in copper during World War II as the U.S. switched over to steel for penny production. There are only a few known for certain, with mint condition examples of the rarities going for more than $200,000.
1922 No D Penny
Known for being devoid of the Denver mintmark is the 1922 No D Penny. There are fewer than 100,000 of these coins in existence today and they can be worth upwards of $90,000 for coins in pristine condition.
1969-S Doubled Die Penny
Of course there is the 1969-S Doubled Die Penny, a real one with a doubling on “LIBERTY” and the year. If found in mint state, this rare error coin can sell for somewhere between $75,000 and more.
| Coin | Scarcity | Value Range | Unique Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 Doubled Die Penny | Extremely Rare | Up to $300,000 | Doubling on date and inscriptions |
| 1955 Doubled Die Penny | Rare | Up to $125,000 | Doubling on date and lettering |
| 1943 Copper Penny | Rare | Up to $200,000 | Mistakenly struck in copper |
| 1922 No D Penny | Rare | Up to $90,000 | Missing Denver mintmark |
| 1969-S Doubled Die Penny | Rare | Up to $75,000 | Doubling on “LIBERTY” and year |
| 1909-S VDB Penny | Scarce | Up to $100,000 | First Lincoln cent minted |
| 1944 Steel Penny | Rare | Up to $75,000 | Reverse error from 1943 pennies |
FAQs
QWhy are the 1972 Doubled Die Penny such a valuable coin?
A. The value of the 1972 Doubled Die Penny is based on the clear doubling on the date and inscriptions. Evidently, this minting error is very rare and therefore any collectors eagerly make a hunt for this rare minting error.
Q. How do you know if you have a valuable wheat penny?
A. Check for doubles in the inscriptions, mint marks that are missing or unusual metallic composition. One is to read the condition, and especially coins in mint condition have much higher value.
Q. I want to know where to sell my rare pennies.
A. Coin dealers, and auctions, and in some cases online marketplaces, are ways to sell rare coins. Before you decide to sell you want to have your coins professionally appraised so you are getting top dollar.
Q. Are all wheat pennies worth something?
A. Many wheat pennies are not worth much, but some are extremely valuable as a result of minting errors, or simply because of a low mintage number. The year the coin was minted, the mint, and what condition is all essential to key to value.
Q. So what do I do if I think I have a valuable coin?
A. The best thing is if you think your coin is valuable to have it graded and authenticated by a professional coin grading service. By helping to validate its value and protect your investment, this will add to its worth.