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Are old pennies worth money? Here's how to check if you have a rare penny
Penny production in the U.S. is grinding to a stop. More than 3 billion pennies were minted in the U.S. last year, but according to the U.S. Mint's annual report from 2024, they're now more expensive to make than the one cent that they're worth.
In February, President Donald Trump said he would order the Treasury Department to stop minting pennies to save money. And as of May 2025, the Mint placed its final order of penny blanks. Once those blanks run out some time in 2026, no more new pennies will be made.
The old pennies you have will still be acceptable to use as payment, but any rare pennies you might have lying around could be worth more than the one cent that they represent.
Here's a quick explainer on rare pennies and how to tell if you have a rare penny worth more than a cent.
The Mint hasn't stopped making pennies yet. Pennies will still be produced, until the Mint runs out of blanks for them, which is expected to be sometime in 2026.
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According to American Bullion, an investment service that specializes in precious metal IRAs, most pennies are only worth one cent, but there are certain minting years that can dramatically increase their value.
'Penny collectors, also known as numismatists, value pennies based on their minting year, rarity, condition, and production errors,' American Bullion says. 'Some rare pennies can be worth far more than their face value, reaching the thousands.'
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A 'wheat penny,' sometimes also called a 'Lincoln wheat cent' or a 'Lincoln penny,' is a penny that has Abraham Lincoln's portrait on one side and two ears of wheat on the other.
These pennies were minted from the years 1909 through 1958 and can be worth thousands of dollars, depending on the year they were made.
'Most Lincoln wheat pennies are generally valued at a few cents. If they are found in good condition, they can be worth up to $20 or $30 on average,' according to Bullion Exchanges.
'However, Lincoln Pennies with certain dates, low mintages, or errors can be worth a significant amount of money.'
John Feigenbaum, publisher of rare coin price guide Greysheet, told USA TODAY that while the odds of having an incredibly rare wheat penny worth thousands are similar to the odds of winning the lottery, there are some that could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
'Depending on their condition, those 1943 Lincoln wheat pennies would be worth at most between $100,000 and $250,000,' Feigenbaum told USA TODAY.
Here's a list of rare pennies worth more than one cent, from American Bullion's website:
1943 Copper Penny: Almost all 1943 pennies were made of zinc-coated steel, but a few copper versions were mistakenly minted. These pennies are scarce and can be worth up to $85,000.
1955 Doubled-Die Penny: Because of the doubled text, these pennies are worth more than one cent. While their value can vary depending on their condition, some have sold for over $1,000.
1969-S Doubled-Die Penny: These pennies can also fetch a significant sum. In pristine condition, they can be worth up to $70,000.
1943: During World War II, copper was crucial for the war effort, leading the U.S. Mint to produce pennies from zinc-coated steel. However, a few copper pennies from 1943 were mistakenly minted, making them rare and highly valued.
1955: Known as the '1955 doubled-die cent,' these pennies were minted with an error that makes the 'Liberty' and 'In God, We Trust' inscriptions appear doubled. The coin's date also appears twice.
1969-S: A handful of pennies were mistakenly minted with a doubled die, making the image and text appear slightly doubled. These pennies are rare and highly sought after by collectors.
1972: This year also saw a batch of doubled-die pennies, which, although not as rare as the 1955 or 1969-S, are still worth significantly more than face value.
1909-S VDB: One of the most coveted pennies among collectors, only 484,000 were minted. The initials VDB come from the designer Victor David Brenner.
1914-D: The Denver Mint produced fewer pennies this year, which increased their value significantly.
1922 No D: The Denver Mint was the only one to produce pennies this year, but some were mistakenly minted without the 'D' mint mark. Collectors highly seek after these.
1931 S: With just 866,000 produced, these pennies are worth quite a bit. However, many were hoarded, so they're not as rare in uncirculated conditions.
1970-S Small Date: This variation has a smaller and higher date than regular 1970 pennies, making it rare and valuable.
Here's how to tell if your penny is rare and worth more than one cent, according to American Bullion:
Check the Year: The minting year can tell much about a penny's value. Look for the years mentioned above.
Inspect for Errors: Errors, like double dies or wrong metal use, can significantly increase a penny's value. Examine the coin closely for any inconsistencies.
Look at the Mint Mark: The Mint Mark shows where a coin was minted. Some mints produced fewer pennies in specific years, increasing their rarity and value. As a result, the mint mark is usually located below the date.
Assess the Condition: The better a coin's condition, the more valuable it is. A penny in 'mint' or 'near-mint' condition will fetch a higher price than one worn or damaged.
Contributing: Mike Snider, George Petras, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Pennies going away. What a rare penny might be worth
