Everyone has a collection of pennies, whether it’s at the bottom of a change purse or part of an impressive set of old coins. If you are looking to add more valuable coins to your collection or are curious if the pennies in your home are worth anything, you’ll need to look at more than just the year of issue. Here are the top five most valuable pennies minted in the United States.

Countdown of the Most Valuable Pennies

5. Lincoln Memorial Penny

Old coin experts value the 1969-S doubled die obverse Lincoln Memorial penny at about $10,000 due to the popularity of double die error coin varieties, which means the elements of the coin’s impression was pressed twice onto the metal in a misaligned manner. This particular coin from the San Francisco Mint is one of the top pennies from the Lincoln Memorial series.

4. Flying Eagle Penny

The 1856 Flying Eagle penny is valued at $12,850. According to old coin professionals, only 2,000 of these pennies exist because this design was not meant for mass production until the following year. Because of their limited run, these pennies are valuable even if they are in less than perfect shape.

3. Copper Lincoln Wheat Penny

The Copper Lincoln Wheat Penny was minted in 1943 and is now worth $45,000, especially those minted in San Francisco or Denver. Industry experts estimate there are less than 30 of these in existence, making it a much sought-after penny for avid collectors.

2. Steel Lincoln Wheat Penny

The 1944 Steel Lincoln Wheat Penny was made with blank steel cent planchets, or round metal discs for coin-making, left over from the previous year and set with 1944 dies. The steel Lincoln Wheat Penny brings in a whopping $125,000 for collectors who find them.

1. Copper Lincoln Wheat Penny (1943-S)

While most examples of the 1943-S Copper Lincoln Wheat Penny rake in around $185,000, some have sold at auction for as much as one million dollars. The reason for this hefty price tag is that these pennies were an accident at the mint. Old coin experts believe leftover copper discs from 1942 were still in the coin press when they began to press 1943 pennies, creating one of the most valuable errors in minting history.

If you’re interested in appraising your old coins or adding to your collection, head to Hawaiian Islands Stamp & Coin, Honolulu’s source for rare collectibles for over 45 years. Their honest appraisals and impressive inventory of gold, silver, and paper money make them the reputable coin experts for not only private collectors, but also banks and government clients. Call (808) 531-6251 to speak with a helpful customer service representative, or visit their website to view available coins for sale.