These 7 Valuable Lincoln Pennies Might Be Hiding in Your Change Jar

You may not think twice about tossing a Lincoln penny into your change jar or letting it rattle around in your car cup holder. But what if one of those pennies could be worth thousands, or even millions? Some Lincoln pennies, thanks to their rarity, minting errors, or historical significance, have become incredibly valuable to collectors. In fact, there are certain pennies that could make you a small fortune if you happen to come across them in your pocket change. Let’s take a closer look at 7 valuable Lincoln pennies that might be hiding right under your nose.

1. The 1909-S VDB Lincoln Wheat Penny

The 1909-S VDB is one of the most famous and valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies around. This penny was produced in San Francisco and bears the initials “VDB” (for Victor David Brenner, the coin’s designer) on the reverse. Due to public outcry over the inclusion of the designer’s initials, the VDB was removed from the coin shortly after it was first minted. As a result, only a small number of these 1909-S VDB pennies were produced, making them extremely rare and highly sought after by collectors.

Today, a 1909-S VDB penny in excellent condition can be worth several thousand dollars, with perfectly preserved examples fetching much higher prices at auctions. If you have one of these in your change jar, it could be worth thousands of dollars, depending on its condition.

2. The 1914-D Lincoln Wheat Penny

The 1914-D Lincoln Wheat Penny is another rare and valuable coin that could be hiding in your change. This penny was minted in Denver and is one of the most sought-after Lincoln pennies. Only around 1.1 million of these coins were produced, making it a rarity among penny collectors.

The 1914-D penny is known for its distinctive, deeply struck details and its scarcity. In mint condition, this penny can be worth several thousand dollars, with examples in better condition reaching even higher values. If you spot a 1914-D penny among your spare change, don’t overlook it, as it could be one of the most valuable pennies in your collection.

3. The 1922 No D Lincoln Wheat Penny

The 1922 No D Lincoln Wheat Penny is one of the most famous minting errors in coin history. Normally, pennies minted in Denver bear a “D” mintmark, but a small number of 1922 pennies were struck without the “D” mintmark—likely due to a problem at the Denver Mint during production. This error has made the 1922 No D penny incredibly valuable.

The 1922 No D penny is considered a key date in the Lincoln Wheat Penny series, and if you find one, it could be worth a fortune. In excellent condition, these coins can fetch several thousand dollars, with higher-quality specimens commanding even higher prices. Look carefully at the date and mintmark on your pennies; this one could be hiding right in front of you.

4. The 1931-S Lincoln Wheat Penny

The 1931-S Lincoln Wheat Penny is another rare coin that is highly valued by collectors. Only about 866,000 of these pennies were minted, making it one of the lowest mintage years for the series. Due to its scarcity, the 1931-S penny is hard to find and can be worth a significant amount of money, especially in good condition.

The 1931-S penny is often sought after by serious coin collectors and is considered a key date in the Lincoln Wheat Penny series. Depending on its condition, this penny could be worth several hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars. If you have a 1931-S penny in your jar, take a closer look— it might be worth much more than a single cent.

5. The 1943 Copper Lincoln Wheat Penny

One of the most famous and valuable errors in U.S. coin history is the 1943 copper penny. Due to the copper shortage during World War II, the U.S. Mint began producing pennies using zinc-coated steel instead of copper. However, a few 1943 copper pennies were mistakenly struck with copper blanks left over from the previous year. These rare 1943 copper pennies are considered some of the most valuable coins in American numismatics.

Because only a few examples of the 1943 copper penny exist, it is extremely sought after by collectors. If you happen to find a 1943 penny that is made of copper rather than steel, it could be worth over $1 million in good condition. Be sure to check whether your 1943 penny is magnetic—steel pennies will stick to a magnet, while the copper version will not.

6. The 1955 Double Die Lincoln Wheat Penny

The 1955 Double Die Lincoln Wheat Penny is one of the most famous minting errors in coin history. During production, the coin was struck twice, resulting in a double image of the date and motto. The result is a bold, noticeable doubling effect on the 1955 penny that makes it highly collectible.

The 1955 Double Die penny is highly sought after by collectors, and even a well-worn version can be worth hundreds of dollars. In near mint condition, this penny can be worth several thousand dollars, with the most well-preserved examples commanding even higher prices. If you think you’ve found one of these double die pennies, it’s worth checking it out carefully.

7. The 1969-S Double Die Lincoln Wheat Penny

The 1969-S Double Die Lincoln Wheat Penny is another example of a minting error that can lead to a penny being worth far more than its face value. Similar to the 1955 Double Die penny, the 1969-S Double Die penny features a double image of the date and lettering, making it a highly valuable error coin. This error was discovered when a double strike caused the words and numbers on the coin to appear shifted and doubled.

Although not as well-known as the 1955 Double Die, the 1969-S Double Die penny is still highly sought after and valuable. If you have one of these error pennies, it could be worth thousands of dollars depending on its condition.

Conclusion: Could You Have a Rare Lincoln Penny in Your Change Jar?

If you’re looking to make some serious money from your spare change, it’s worth taking a second look at your collection of Lincoln Wheat Pennies. The seven pennies listed above are just a few examples of the valuable coins that could be hiding in your change jar. From minting errors to low mintage years, these pennies have the potential to fetch incredible prices, with some worth thousands or even millions of dollars.

Always be on the lookout for rare pennies—you never know when you might come across one of these valuable coins hiding right under your nose. The next time you’re digging through your pocket change or checking that old coin jar, it might be time to start thinking of them as potential gold mines.

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