If you think pennies are just pocket lint, think again. Some U.S. pennies are so rare they’re worth tens of thousands, even millions of dollars. Here's the real short list of the 5 rarest and most legendary U.S. pennies you definitely want to know about:
1943 Bronze Lincoln Penny During World War II, pennies were supposed to be made of steel to save copper for the war effort. But a few copper planchets slipped through. Only about 15 are known to exist. One sold for over $1 million at auction. Insanely rare!
1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent The very first Lincoln pennies had designer Victor D. Brenner’s initials ("V.D.B.") prominently on the back. But public backlash made the Mint yank them fast. Only 484,000 were made at the San Francisco Mint, and collectors have been fighting over them ever since.
1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent This iconic error penny shows dramatic doubling of the date and lettering. It’s one of the most famous and sought-after error coins in U.S. history. Even worn-out examples can snag thousands.
1877 Indian Head Penny The 1877 Indian Head cent is rare because very few were made during a brutal economic depression. It's basically the crown jewel for Indian Head collectors—and it’s crazy expensive in top condition.
1922 “No D” Lincoln Penny Normally, pennies minted in Denver have a "D" mint mark. But in 1922, a die wore down so badly that some pennies came out with no mint mark at all. Finding one in decent condition today? Absolute jackpot.
You’re probably not gonna find these in everyday pocket change (sad but true). But rolls from the bank, estate sales, and even old family coin jars have revealed rare pennies before. It does happen.