| Rare pennies are easily split into two groups. | | | | Lincoln Cent Values |
| Classic, spanning the years 1793 to 1954, and | | | | - 1909-S VDB $450 One of the most popular of |
| Modern, from 1955 to the present. | | | | all coins. |
| Finding rare pennies in your box of old coins is... | | | | - 1914-D $150 |
| rare. However, don't let that stop you from | | | | - 1922 Plain $525 exact mintage unknown |
| looking. | | | | Find any one of these in your group of old coins |
| Twenty different dates spanning the Classic years | | | | and you have discovered a valuable part of |
| are considered rare and valued accordingly. The | | | | history. Despite the high odds against finding a |
| total mintage of the top 20 rarest pennies is a | | | | rare classic. By knowing which are the truly rare |
| surprising 5,720,028 coins. You are left to wonder, | | | | coins, the odds are, one will never slip past you. |
| how many are still out there. | | | | Finding Modern Rare Pennies |
| Even more fascinating, the number of modern | | | | Following the Classics, we enter the Modern era. |
| rarities, those minted since 1955, is unknown due | | | | From 1955 to the present most dates after 1958 |
| to the fact most are minting errors. Determining | | | | are found in circulation. |
| the actual number of these is never more than | | | | Does it get easier to find something of value? |
| an educated guess. | | | | The answer lies in are you willing to search |
| With 5,720,028 Classic rare pennies made, why | | | | through thousands of coins? Are you willing to |
| are they rare and what are your chances of | | | | study and learn which coins collectors seek? |
| finding one? These are both good questions. | | | | The majority of the modern rarities are minting |
| Pennies are the staple of commerce and after | | | | errors. They create lots of excitement as |
| decades of use, they simply wear out. | | | | discovered. With some becoming favorites of |
| Remember at the time no one knew these coins | | | | collectors and maintaining their value and others |
| where rare. Many more suffered bad luck... lost, | | | | fading from memory. |
| destroyed by fire, swept away by floods, not to | | | | In order to attract lots of attention and value the |
| mention buried in a jar in the yard and forgotten. | | | | error must be striking in appearance. The |
| Then after 1857 the size of the penny was | | | | spectacular 1955/55 Doubled-Die error is easily the |
| reduced to reflect the rising cost of copper. Mass | | | | most famous eye catching minting error. |
| melting of the older coins accrued, further | | | | The second feature necessary to win the hearts |
| destroying countless common and rare pennies. | | | | of collectors, the coin must be "Uncirculated" thus |
| Add to all this the relative few coin collectors of | | | | realizing the most value. Many folks search |
| the time saving coins for future generations. The | | | | uncirculated rolls of pennies as a hobby, hoping to |
| result, rare pennies, here are the top twenty | | | | find a modern treasure. Additionally, they spend |
| coins and their values. | | | | an equal amount of time keeping up to date with |
| Note: The coin values listed are wholesale values | | | | the latest minting error discoveries. |
| for coins in "Good" condition. This represents a | | | | Here are a few modern rare pennies and their |
| well worn but undamaged, wholesome coin. Note: | | | | retail value. It is important to note the coin values |
| Values updated 2009. | | | | are for Gem Uncirculated Coins. They are best |
| Rare Pennies The Classic Top 20 | | | | described as like new, very bright and virtually |
| Half Cent Coin Values | | | | mark free. Note: Values updated 2009. |
| - 1793 $1,500 | | | | Modern Lincoln Cent Rarities |
| - 1794 $725 | | | | - 1955/55 Doubled-Die Obverse $2,400 the most |
| - 1795 $250 | | | | famous and valuable |
| - 1796 RARE - seldom encountered | | | | - 1960-D over D $150 |
| - 1797 $340 | | | | - 1972/72 Doubled-Die Obverse $300 |
| - 1802 $575 | | | | - 1984/84 $200 |
| - 1852 RARE - true mintage totals unknown | | | | - 1990 Proof - No "S" mintmark $3,500 |
| Large Cent Values | | | | The above are the most celebrated, numerous |
| - 1793 Chain Type $6,000 | | | | other minting errors with values ranging from a |
| - 1793 Wreath Type $1,300 | | | | few dollars and up are in circulation today. Start |
| - 1793 Liberty Cap $4,500 | | | | by searching for information... Strike it Rich with |
| - 1794 | 1795 | 1796 minimum value $265 each | | | | Pocket Change by Ken Potter and Brian Allen is |
| - 1799 $2,000 the key to the series, exact | | | | the latest book dealing with the subject. |
| mintage unknown | | | | Additionally, many rare coin dealers' web sites list |
| - 1804 $1,200 | | | | modern rare pennies in their price list. Searching is |
| Indian Head Cent Value | | | | exciting when it leads to a "find" and it is always |
| - 1877 $600 | | | | interesting. |
| - 1909-S $425 | | | | |