5 Copper Coins Worth a Lot of Money

The combination of “copper” and “penny” doesn’t seem to be the best formula for precious coins considering that higher denominations are found in gold and silver. But finding the right copper coin could make you a millionaire.

With few exceptions, copper pennies in the United States mean one-cent pennies  often those of Abraham Lincoln. The most valuable Lincoln penny is worth $2 million on the collectibles market, and many more are worth five or six figures.

Scarcity and condition are always the determinants of a copper coin’s value, which is true for all coins. High prices are always fetched by rare coins minted with errors or in mint or near-mint condition.

As The Spruce Crafts has noted, many US coin collectors began with the Lincoln penny and removed most of those from circulation. Since most are no longer in circulation, you would probably have to go to a dealer or auction for the finest and rarest examples. This situation brought about a high demand-and high price.

Here are five copper coins that sell for a pretty penny.

1943 Wheat Penny (Bronze Cent Strike)

This is the “rarest and most valuable wheat penny with an error.” It’s the most expensive wheat penny ever sold, selling for $1.7 million, although its uncirculated mint state value is $2.3 million. Most are available to buy and sell for anywhere from $14,000 to $300,000.

1982-D Lincoln Penny (Copper Small Date)

It’s a rare coin for a couple of reasons. First, it has errors relating to numbers, and this penny was not scheduled to be minted with copper in 1982; however, there were “leftover copper planchets” that the U.S. Mint struck with zinc to create the error, according to CoinValue. Prices range from $10,000 to $30,000 and more.

1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent

According to The Spruce Crafts, in 1909, the U.S. Mint replaced the Indian Head penny with the Lincoln cent. Slightly less than 500,000 of these pennies were minted before the Treasury Department “demanded that the initials be removed,” the initials of designer Victor David Brenner (VDB) between the two wheat stalks which created heavy demand among collectors. This penny is currently valued at more than $117,000 in top condition.

1872 Indian Head Penny

More than 4 million were minted, and most of those entered circulation. What makes some coins of this date rare is their “exceptional condition,” according to The Spruce Crafts. Some of the more valuable examples are so well preserved you can still see the original bright red-copper color. These coins are worth $126,500 and in particularly excellent condition (the price listed is for an MS-67, or high mint state, for example).

1969-S Lincoln Cent Doubled Die Obverse

This one is worth a cool $126,500 (at least in the MS-64 condition); most of that has to do with doubling on the date and lettering of the obverse. 1970 was when errors were first discovered. These coins, according to the U.S. government initially thought as counterfeit ones began being confiscated; The Spruce Crafts cited, five were already destroyed before they identified to be actual genuine coins.

Conclusion

This really can be a treasure mine for collectors who have perceived the real value behind a copper coin. Understand a given copper coin’s history, rarity, and the high demand behind it may eventually make you hold the ultimate possession. Keep your eye peeled for these coins in continuation of your collection as the next one could surprise you!

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