Could Your Pennies Be Worth a Fortune?
Most people ignore pennies — but a few rare Lincoln cents have sold for hundreds of thousands to over $1.14 million at auction 
These coins are still discovered in old collections, rolls, and inherited jars. Below is a step-by-step guide to the most valuable pennies ever sold and how to identify them.
1. 1922 “No D” Lincoln Penny (Value: $275,000+)
Why This Penny Is So Valuable
- One of the rarest regular-issue Lincoln cents
- Mint error caused by over-polished dies
- Produced at the Denver Mint, but missing the “D” mint mark
- Only a small number of authentic examples exist today
How to Identify It
Date must read 1922- No mint mark below the date
- Strong wheat ears on the reverse (weak details reduce value)
Recent Sale: $275,000 (graded MS-64)
2. 1955 Doubled Die Obverse Penny (Value: $288,000+)
Why Collectors Want It
- The most famous doubled-die error in U.S. coin history
- Doubling is visible without magnification
- Approximately 20,000 coins escaped before discovery
How to Identify It
- Clear doubling on LIBERTY, IN GOD WE TRUST, and the date
- No mint mark (Philadelphia issue)
Recent Sale: $288,000 (MS-65+ Red)
3. 1958 Doubled Die Obverse Penny (Value: $1.14 Million 
)
Why It’s Legendary
- One of the most dramatic doubled dies ever known
- Doubling appears across all obverse lettering
- Only 2–3 top-condition examples are confirmed worldwide
How to Identify It
- Strong doubling on IN GOD WE TRUST and the date
- No mint mark (Philadelphia Mint)
Record Sale: $1,140,000 (MS-65 Red)
How to Check If Your Pennies Are Rare (Step by Step)
- Use a 10× magnifier to inspect lettering and numbers
Compare your coin with PCGS or NGC reference images
Weigh the coin — 3.11g for copper pennies
Handle only by the edges or with cotton gloves
What to Do If You Find a Rare Penny
Place it in a protective holder immediately- Take high-quality photos under natural light
- Submit to PCGS or NGC for authentication
- Insure the coin before selling or shipping
Never clean or polish the coin — this destroys value instantly.
Beware of Fake or Altered Pennies
Watch out for:
- Added or removed mint marks
- Artificial “shelf-like” doubling
- Cleaned or polished surfaces
Professional grading is the only safe verification method.
Final Thoughts
Rare pennies are still being discovered — sometimes worth six or seven figures.
Before you dismiss your pocket change, take a closer look 
That ordinary penny could be a life-changing coin
