Based on the information, two of the most valuable one-cent pennies that could potentially make someone a millionaire are those with rare minting errors or low mintage numbers:
- 1943 Lincoln Cent Struck on Bronze Alloy (often called the 1943 Copper Penny)
- This coin is exceptionally rare because pennies in 1943 were meant to be made of zinc-coated steel to save copper for the war effort.
- A small number were mistakenly struck on leftover bronze planchets from 1942.
- Values range widely based on condition and mint mark, with one 1943-D (Denver Mint) bronze penny having an estimated value of up to $2.3 million. The 1943-D Bronze penny is considered the rarest, with only one known example. Another 1943 bronze cent was recorded as selling for $1.4 million at auction.
- 1944 Lincoln Cent Struck on Steel Planchet (often called the 1944 Steel Penny)
- After the move back to bronze in 1944, a small number of pennies were mistakenly struck on leftover steel planchets from 1943.
- The 1944-D (Denver Mint) version on a zinc-coated steel planchet has an auction record of approximately $1.7 million.
- The 1944-S (San Francisco Mint) steel cent, with only two known examples, has a value estimated between $700,000 and $1,000,000.
Other valuable Lincoln Cents that have sold for large amounts include:
- 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny: One of the most popular Lincoln cents, it had a very low mintage of 484,000 pieces. The highest recorded auction price for a high-grade example is approximately $1.2 million.
- 1969-S Lincoln Penny—Doubled Die Obverse: This extremely rare error coin is known for dramatic doubling in the date and other obverse inscriptions, with an auction record of approximately $1.7 million.
- 1958 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Penny: One high-grade specimen of this doubled die error penny, which shows doubling in the date and some doubling of the ear, sold for a record $1,360,000.