Until it's worth $3,000, a penny is worth little. The owner of a rare penny worth far more than its face value experienced it recently. Numismatic News, a rare coin website, stated that auction sales exceeded $100 million in the first few weeks of 2025.
Several individuals have made significant profits by selling precious coins, such as a 1909-S Indian Head cent that sold for $3,400 at auction in 2021.
The San Francisco-minted coin is one of only 309,000 of its kind, and while not the most valuable (that honor may go to a 1930 Double Eagle coin worth $18.9 million), its rarity makes it highly sought after in the rare coin market.
Coin collectors spend a lot of time and energy searching for rare coins like the 1909-S Indian Head penny (or even more valuable ones). While many coins are bought and sold for just slightly more than face value, when a coin fetches top dollar, the monetary gain is almost as impressive as finding a needle in a haystack.
Have a rare Indian head penny? Your fate is unpredictable, and you never know what important coins may be in that currency jar on a bedroom shelf unless you examine closely.
James Barton Longacre, a skilled coin designer and Chief Engraver at the Philadelphia Mint, developed Indian Head pennies, or cents.Longacre's Indian Head pennies are highly sought in the coin market because manufacture halted over 100 years ago and was very limited.
Lady Liberty wearing a feathered headdress and "One Cent" were on these Indian Cent coins from 1859 to 1909.
You should check your pockets for uncommon coins. Finding a rare coin is unlikely, yet it might still occur. If your coin seems old or suspicious, research it to discover if it's worth. Look for evident faults or examine the coin's age to discover a coin worth more than its face value.
The 1909-S Indian Head cent that sold for $3,400 in 2021 may seem like a jackpot, but it is not the most valuable. A high-quality coin may sell for more, depending on the market.
Check online resources like USA Coin Book or GovMint to determine the value of your coins, or take them to a trusted dealer for appraisal, which may be worth the investment.