Check Your Change: This Rare Penny Could Be Worth a Fortune
Most people barely notice the pennies sitting in a jar, drawer, or pocket. They look ordinary, and most are worth exactly one cent. But every once in a while, a coin can be different enough to catch a collector’s attention.
The date, mint mark, condition, or even a tiny production error can make an otherwise ordinary-looking penny surprisingly valuable.
Why Some Pennies Are Worth So Much
Collectors generally look for three major clues:
- Rare dates or mint marks
- Minting errors
- Exceptional condition
Some of the most famous examples are error coins created when the wrong metal blank was used or when a design was struck incorrectly. The 1943 copper Lincoln cent is one of the best-known examples because most cents that year were made from steel during World War II.
Other valuable varieties include the 1955 Doubled Die, 1969-S Doubled Die, and certain Close AM/Wide AM Lincoln cents.
What Should You Look For?
Before spending an old penny, take a few seconds to inspect it.
1. Check the year.
Certain dates are much more collectible than ordinary modern pennies.
2. Look for the mint mark.
Depending on the coin and year, a small D or S, or the absence of a mint mark, can be significant.
