13 Copper Coins That Could Make You Rich!
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Your coin jar or pocket change might hold more than you think and may even be a fortune. Rare copper coins are buried behind ordinary pennies and nickels, for which collectors will pay extraordinary amounts.
According to a report by CoinTrackers, some pennies from the 20th century are worth thousands of dollars, and the increased interest in numismatics is driving prices even higher. The Global Coin Collection Market was valued at $9.72 billion in 2023 and is set to reach $19.56 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.5% during the forecast period 2024-2030.
Those overlooked coins could turn into extraordinary discoveries with attention to detail and the right information. Here are 13 copper coins that could make you rich.
1943 Copper Penny
The 1943 Copper Penny is considered one of the most extremely rare US coins struck in error during World War II when pennies were intended to be made from steel. A few were accidentally made of copper because of leftover blanks from earlier in the war.
These coins stand out because most of their 1943 mates are magnetic steel. This rarity and historical value make the coin highly valuable among collectors. Only about 40 of these coins are known to exist.
The first sale of a 1943 Copper Penny was in 1958, which fetched more than $40,000. The highest amount paid was $82,500 in 1996.
1793 Chain Cent
The Chain Cent, dated 1793, was the first official penny minted by the US Mint and bore a distinctive chain-link design, indicative of the unity of the States, misunderstood by some as representing bondage and slavery.
The reverse design received disapproval due to a claimed resemblance to the chains of slavery. It was promptly redesigned. Pure copper comprised this coin and is considerably larger than today’s pennies.
Only about 20 examples of the 1793 Chain Cent are known to exist, making it an extremely rare and highly valuable coin. The most famous example of the Chain Cent is the one that sold in 2012 for over $1 million.
1944 Steel Wheat Penny
Another mistake coinage is the 1944 Steel Wheat Penny because some blanks from 1943 made of steel had been used only by mistake one year later. Most 1944 Wheat Pennies have been released in copper.
These could be differentiated in a silver-gray color and possess magnetic fields. Only several specimens are found and, hence, highly attractive to collectors. The blend of rarity combined with this historical context contributes much in value.
The 1944 Steel Wheat penny can be worth up to $408,000 in mint condition and upwards of $10,000 in average condition.
1909-S V.D.B. Lincoln Cent
Perhaps one of the most iconic coins ever minted is the 1909-S V.D.B. Lincoln Cent, with the initials “V.D.B.” on the reverse side. Only 484,000 were minted at the San Francisco Mint.
The resulting furor over the conspicuous initials caused them to be removed later that year, adding to their rarity. Collectors especially demand high-grade examples.
Its rarity and interesting background make it the anchor for many Lincoln-centric collections. Depending on the condition, its value can vary from $2,000 to $50,000.
1856 Flying Eagle Cent
The 1856 Flying Eagle Cent was a transitional coin, made as the first small cent to replace the larger copper coins. It was produced in limited quantities as a prototype and distributed to Congress members and collectors.
Its striking design of a flying eagle captivated early numismatists. Only about 2,000 of these coins were minted, ensuring their rarity.
Many are now preserved in museums or private collections. An 1856 Flying Eagle Cent in excellent condition can fetch up to $25,000.
1877 Indian Head Penny
The 1877 Indian Head Penny is one of the most sought-after coins in US history due to its low mintage and aesthetic appeal. Only 852,500 were minted, making it the rarest regular-issue Indian Head penny.
It features a bold design of Liberty wearing a Native American headdress, symbolizing America’s spirit. Many of the coins produced this year were lost or heavily circulated, thus adding to its rarity.
Many collectors covet this coin for the combination of rarity and artistic value. It is worth up to $15,000 in high-grade condition.
1909-S Indian Head Penny
The Indian Head Cent series closed in 1909, and some pieces were made in relatively limited numbers – the 1909-S Indian Head Penny. It was one of the rarest coins of its type, having only 309,000 minted at the San Francisco Mint.
Its design represents Liberty in a Native American headdress and is from a different time in the history of US coinage. The limited mintage adds to its historical significance.
Very few of these coins remain in good condition, and an excellent quality specimen can sell for up to $7,000.
1922 No D Lincoln Cent
The 1922 No D Lincoln Cent is an error coin in which the mint mark “D” of the Denver Mint does not appear because of a worn die. This coin is highly desired because Denver was the only mint that made pennies that year, meaning all 1922 pennies should have had the “D” mark on them.
This unique look makes it the different centerpiece among Lincoln cent collections. The error points to the problems that early 20th-century minting processes faced.
For collectors, it is a rare irregularity rather than a design flaw. Depending on its grade, this coin can sell for as high as $6,000.
1858/7 Flying Eagle Cent
The 1858/7 Flying Eagle Cent is an overdate coin, meaning one can see remnants of the “7” beneath the “8”, which is a fascinating minting error. This variety is one of the earliest overdates found in US coins.
The eagle-in-flight design further enhances the appeal of this coin. Overdates are, by nature, rare because they occur when older dies have been reused.
Its historic significance and rarity make it one of the favorite error coins. A well-preserved specimen can be worth as much as $5,000.
1864-L Indian Head Penny
The 1864-L Indian Head Penny is unique because of the “L” on the ribbon of Liberty’s headdress, representing its designer, James Longacre. This minute detail makes it different from regular 1864 pennies and more rare.
It was minted in small numbers as part of an effort to refine the design. Many examples were lost or heavily circulated, further enhancing its value. Collectors prize it for its artistry and historical importance, with values reaching $5,000.
1942-D Over Horizontal D Penny
The 1942-D Over Horizontal D Penny has a unique minting error, wherein a second “D” mint mark was struck horizontally over the first. A misaligned die likely caused this fascinating mistake during production.
The error is subtle yet unmistakable under magnification, making it a favorite among error coin collectors. Its rarity and distinct visual appeal boost its desirability. Only some examples have been found, making it an elusive collection piece.
The USA Coin Book estimated 1942-D Over Horizontal D Penny value is worth $54 in average condition. It can be worth $1,816 to $7,092 or more in uncirculated (MS+) mint condition.
1914-D Lincoln Wheat Cent
The 1914-D Lincoln Wheat Cent is one of the key dates of the Lincoln penny series, owing to its low mintage of just 1,193,000 coins. One of the most sought-after Lincoln cents in a collection was minted in Denver and is highly prized among collectors.
Many received heavy circulation, and high-grade pieces were scarce. Of course, this rare early Lincoln penny’s historical significance helps establish its value.
The coin is testimony to how difficult minting in smaller quantities was during the early 20th century. The well-preserved specimen could be worth as high as $1,500.
1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent
The 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent is probably the most famous error coin due to its dramatic doubling of the date and inscriptions on the obverse. This striking visual error occurred when a misaligned die produced coins with doubled images.
The error is easily visible, making it highly recognizable and desirable among collectors. Its notoriety has made it one of the most popular error coins in US history.
Thousands were circulated before the mistake was caught, further adding to its mystique. The coin’s values range from $1,000 in worn “About Good” condition to $85,000 in Mint State 66 with original mint red color.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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