While April 1st is more commonly known for April Fool's Day, it is also National One Cent Day -- and what these pennies are worth is no joke.
According to Cointrackers.com, certain pennies that were minted in 1944 and 1943 top the list of the 25 most valuable pennies for coin collectors in 2024.
The 1944 Steel Wheat penny could be worth as much as $408,000 in mint condition, and up to $10,000 in average condition, the site said.
Additionally, the site reports that the 1943 copper penny in perfect condition is quoted at $250,000 and in average condition could be worth more than $60,000.
Here's a list of the top 10 most valuable pennies for 2024:
- 1)1944 Steel Wheat Penny -$408,000
- 2)1943 Copper Wheat Penny -$250,000
- 3)1856 Flying Eagle Penny -$25,000
- 4)1924 S Wheat Penny -$12,000
- 5)1873 Indian Head Penny -$10,000
- 6)1858 Flying Eagle Penny -$10,000
- 7)1857 Flying Eagle Penny -$7,000
- 8)1922 D Wheat Penny -$6,000
- 9)1914 D Wheat Penny -$5,600
- 10)1909 S VDB Wheat Penny -$4,150
Why are these pennies so highly valued?
The reason 1943 copper pennies are so rare is that all of them would have been released by error into the coin supply. The pennies minted that year, during World War II, were supposed to be steel so that more copper could be used in the manufacturing of war materials.
Similarly, any 1944 steel pennies would have been released by error into the coin supply. Therefore, because only a small number of pennies were made of copper in 1943 and steel in 1944, they are a rare and valued find for collectors.
How do I know if my penny is real?
A quick way to check the authenticity of a 1944 steel penny is to see if it sticks to a magnet, according to Coin Trackers. While authentic steel pennies will stick to magnets, fakes that are copper and zinc-coated will not.
The site also warns that many 1943 copper pennies are fakes because a 1948 copper penny can be filed down on the left side of the 8, making it look like a 3 instead.
Additionally, some scam artists copper-plate steel coins. To ensure your 1943 copper penny is not actually steel, do the magnet test. If the coin sticks to the magnet, it's a copper-plated steel, and therefore a fake.
FAQs
Here's a list of the top 10 most valuable pennies for 2024:
- 1) 1944 Steel Wheat Penny - $408,000.
- 2) 1943 Copper Wheat Penny - $250,000.
- 3) 1856 Flying Eagle Penny - $25,000.
- 4) 1924 S Wheat Penny - $12,000.
- 5) 1873 Indian Head Penny - $10,000.
- 6) 1858 Flying Eagle Penny - $10,000.
- 7) 1857 Flying Eagle Penny - $7,000.
Most 1999 pennies are worth only face value. However, one exception is the 1999 “Wide AM” penny. In this case, the “AM” in “AMERICA” on the reverse side of the penny is spaced wider than usual.
Why is the 1983 penny so valuable? ›
The U.S. made about 7.7 billion pennies in 1983, but only about 5,000 of them are known to have been made with this doubling error, James McCartney, director of numismatics at Stack's Bowers Galleries, tells CNBC Make It. The rarity of these misprinted pennies are what make them more valuable than ordinary pennies.
What to look for in the 1982 and 1983 pennies rare? ›
For the 1982-S, look for one that weighs 2.5 grams, as all currently known weigh 3.11 grams struck in the traditional solid copper alloy with a Large Date. Look for a 1983-S that weighs 3.11 grams in the sold copper alloy, as all should have been struck on the 2.5 gram copper-plated zinc planchets.
Which 1982 D penny is rare? ›
Of the three the 1982 no mint mark is slightly scarcer than the other two. But the 1982 D 3.11 gm SMALL DATE is extremely rare. So far only two specimens have been found, and have sold at auction for close to $35,000. I have a 1982 SML date D mint stamp American penny that weighs 3.12g.
What 1983 penny is worth $15000 today? ›
"This rare 1983-D copper penny is likely a type of coin known as a transitional error. In other words, it's an error coin involving unusual circ*mstances with its composition during a period when the U.S. Mint was changing the metal content of that coin.
What makes a 1962 D penny rare? ›
In MS65 grades, 1962-D Lincoln cents are also considered scarce. Most 1962-D Lincoln cents contain nicks, scratches and corrosion spots. The luster is dull, uneven and the fields of the coin have a somewhat rough looking surface that keeps them from obtaining a high grade.
How to tell if a penny is worth money? ›
Coins with mistakes, such as a double die or missing letters, can be worth significantly more than their regular counterparts. Another way is to look for specific years known to be scarce or have low mintage numbers. Collectors also value wheat pennies with a high level of detail and minimal wear.
What year is the rarest US penny? ›
1. 1856 Flying Eagle Cent. The 1856 Flying Eagle Cent is one of the most rare and valuable pennies and is well worth seeking out. Only an estimated 1000 were struck by the US Mint as an unauthorized pattern coin in 1856, though the exact amount is unknown.
What makes a 1985 D penny rare? ›
There was an error in 1985 that occurred because of a zinc coating bath being contaminated. Because of that, the 1985-D had some coins that were copper plated with 90% copper rather than the normal 100% copper.
What makes 1971 Pennies valuable? Despite the myths, 1971 Pennies are not particularly rare or valuable. The Royal Mint struck more than 1.5 billion 1p coins in this year though many have since been withdrawn from circulation. 1971 1p coins can be purchased on eBay for less than £1.
What 1983 penny is worth $15000? ›
"This rare 1983-D copper penny is likely a type of coin known as a transitional error. In other words, it's an error coin involving unusual circ*mstances with its composition during a period when the U.S. Mint was changing the metal content of that coin.
What year is penny worth $50,000? ›
The 1959-D wheat penny is one of the most controversial mule coins ever. It's worth $50,000! Here's everything you could possibly want to know about the 1959-D penny error!
What year is penny worth $20,000? ›
Mint, they could lead to an item ballooning in value by a factor of 2 million or more. That's what happened to several pennies produced in 1982, which pushed their value up from 1 cent to nearly $20,000.
How much is a 1977 D penny worth? ›
In lower grades, they are worthless, just like the No Mint Mark variety. They have some value in some mint states, starting with MS 65; the 1977 D Lincoln penny in MS 65 can be worth around $ 1$ to $ 2$. In MS 66, they can fetch up to $40. The 1977 D Lincoln penny in MS 67 can reel up to $150.
