Values below come from the PCGS Price Guide, the NGC Price Guide and recorded auction results (checked November 2026). Prices move with the market and depend heavily on grade, so treat each figure as a guide and check the linked source for the latest number.
1. 1943 Bronze Lincoln Penny: $180,000+
In 1943 the US Mint switched penny production to zinc-coated steel to save copper for the war. A handful of bronze planchets from 1942 were left in the press, producing fewer than 20 known 1943 bronze cents. The unique 1943-D example sold privately for $1.7 million in 2010. Philadelphia examples in the PCGS condition census have sold at Heritage Auctions for $186,000 (XF45, 2019) up to $372,000 (MS62 Brown, 2021).
How to check: a 1943 penny that does NOT stick to a magnet is potentially bronze. Get it authenticated by PCGS immediately if so.
2. 1955 Doubled Die Lincoln Penny: $2,500 to $15,000+
A misalignment during die preparation produced clearly doubled lettering on the obverse. The date and "LIBERTY" appear with a visible second image. PCGS estimates that of roughly 40,000 struck, around 24,000 were released into circulation.
Look for clearly doubled "1955" date and "LIBERTY" text on the obverse. According to PCGS CoinFacts, examples typically trade for $2,500 to $3,000 in grades up to AU58 Brown, while a select MS64 Red can command $15,000 or more.
3. 1969-S Doubled Die Lincoln Penny: $13,000+
Even rarer than the 1955. PCGS estimates that around 100 were struck. Doubling appears on the obverse date and lettering. Authentication critical: many fakes exist.
The S mint mark distinguishes this from non-doubled 1969-S cents (worth a few cents). The PCGS Price Guide lists circulated Brown examples at roughly $13,000 to $25,000. Red Mint State pieces go much higher: an MS64 Red sold for $126,000 in 2018, and the top-graded MS66 Red brought a record $601,875 in 2023.
4. 1982 No Mint Mark Roosevelt Dime: $100+
The Philadelphia mint accidentally struck a small batch of 1982 dimes without the standard "P" mint mark. The NGC Price Guide puts circulated examples at about $100 to $130, and pristine uncirculated pieces have sold for as much as $725.
Check: 1982 Roosevelt dime with no mint mark above the date on the obverse. (Pre-1980 Philadelphia dimes have no mint mark. This only matters for 1980 and later.)
5. 2004 Wisconsin Extra Leaf Quarter: $45 to $1,200
A die variety produced 2004-D state quarters with an extra leaf on the corn husk in the Wisconsin design. Two varieties exist: "high leaf" and "low leaf". NGC lists the Extra Leaf High from $50 (XF) to $1,200 (MS67) and the Extra Leaf Low from $45 (XF) to $1,200 (MS67).
Look at the cob of corn on the reverse. Two normal leaves on the husk; the variety coins have a third leaf either pointing up (high) or down (low) on the left side.
6. 1937-D Three-Legged Buffalo Nickel: $350+
Heavy polishing of a worn reverse die removed the buffalo's front leg, leaving a three-legged appearance.
The Denver mint mark is on the reverse below the buffalo. The NGC Price Guide values circulated examples at about $350 to $1,950, and the finest uncirculated pieces have sold for as much as $110,000. Verified by professional grading only. Many fakes exist.
7. 2000-P Sacagawea/Quarter Mule: $30,000+
A genuine mint error: the obverse of a Washington quarter paired with the eagle reverse of a Sacagawea dollar, struck on a golden dollar planchet. About 18 examples are known. Most known specimens are in mint state.
One example sold at Heritage in August 2000 for $31,050, and PCGS CoinFacts lists an auction record of $192,000. Any potential mule should be authenticated by NGC or PCGS. There are far more believable fakes than genuine examples.
8. 1992 Close AM Lincoln Cent: $3,750 to $32,500
On the reverse, the "A" and "M" of "AMERICA" should have a small space between them on circulation strikes. A small batch of 1992 cents accidentally used the proof reverse die where the letters nearly touch.
Both Philadelphia and Denver versions exist. Look at the spacing between A and M on the reverse. For the Philadelphia coin in Red, the PCGS Price Guide runs from about $3,750 (MS60) to $32,500 (MS67), and an MS67 Red sold at Heritage for $25,850 in 2017.
9. 1972 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent: $300+
Less famous than the 1955 doubled die but more accessible price-wise. Doubling is visible on the obverse "LIBERTY" and date.
The PCGS Price Guide lists Red uncirculated examples at about $300 in MS60, $550 in MS63 and $1,050 in MS65. A great entry-level rarity to look for in old Lincoln cent rolls.
10. 1990 No-S Proof Lincoln Cent: $2,000+
In 1990 a proof cent die left the Philadelphia Mint without its S mint mark and was used at San Francisco for proof sets. PCGS estimates fewer than 200 are known, and the PCGS Price Guide lists Deep Cameo examples from about $2,100 (PR63) to $5,850 (PR69).
Only proof coins count: look for mirror-like fields and a frosted portrait with no letter under the date. Ordinary 1990 business-strike cents without a mint mark are common Philadelphia coins worth one cent.
11. 1995 Doubled Die Lincoln Cent: $5 to $80
Mild doubling on the obverse "LIBERTY". Common enough to find in circulation if you check rolls, and valuable enough to pull when you spot one.
Easier to find than the 1972 or 1955 versions. PCGS puts circulated Brown examples at around $5, Choice Uncirculated Red at around $20, MS65 Red at about $45, and MS66 to MS67 Red at $70 to $80.
12. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny: $875+
The first year of the Lincoln cent, with designer Victor David Brenner's initials "VDB" on the reverse. Public outcry led to the initials being removed mid-year. The San Francisco mint produced only 484,000 with VDB.
Look for "VDB" at the bottom of the reverse and "S" mint mark below the date on the obverse. The NGC Price Guide lists Brown examples at about $875 in Good, $1,300 in VF, $2,000 in MS60 and $4,000 in MS65; Red coins bring more.
13. 1916-D Mercury Dime: $850+
First year of the Mercury dime design. Denver struck only 264,000, the lowest mintage of any Mercury dime. The NGC Price Guide values circulated examples at about $850 to $12,650.
Look for the "D" mint mark on the reverse, near the bottom left of the fasces (bundle of sticks). Many fakes exist; certified examples only for serious purchase.
14. 1932-D and 1932-S Washington Quarter: $65+
First year of the Washington quarter, with low mintages from both Denver (436,800) and San Francisco (408,000). Both branch mint coins are key dates.
D mint mark and S mint mark are on the reverse below the eagle. The NGC Price Guide values circulated 1932-D quarters at about $65 to $875 and circulated 1932-S quarters at about $65 to $375; high-grade Mint State examples sell for far more. Watch for fakes: counterfeiters add D or S mint marks to common Philadelphia issues.
15. 1943 Steel Penny With Mint Errors
Standard 1943 steel cents are common. But errors (off-center strikes, double dies, struck on wrong planchets, repunched dates) bring serious premium. A 1943 steel cent struck on a copper planchet would be a 1943 bronze cent (#1 on this list).
Check 1943 steel cents for: clear off-center strikes (10%+ off-center), repunched mint marks, doubled lettering, or struck-through errors. Values vary widely by error type and grade, so have a promising piece graded before pricing it.
FAQ
Check the date and mint mark first. Compare against known key dates for the series (the lists above for popular US coins). Then check condition. Rarity matters far less if the coin is heavily worn. For potential finds, photograph and identify via a coin app like Coinara to confirm before getting professional grading.
Yes, though increasingly rare. Bank rolls, change jars, and old collections occasionally contain key dates and error coins. Wheat pennies, silver dimes (pre-1965), and old quarters still surface in circulation today.
The famous 1943 bronze cents were found in circulation, and one of them, discovered in change in 1957, sold at Heritage Auctions for $372,000 in 2021. More commonly, 1909-S VDB pennies, 1916-D Mercury dimes, and 1955 doubled die cents turn up in old collections and bring four-figure prices or more.
Absolutely not. Cleaning damages original surfaces and can cut a coin's value sharply. Collectors want original mint surfaces, even with patina or wear. Send dirty coins to grading services raw; they evaluate exactly as received.
For valuable certified coins, a major auction house such as Heritage Auctions or Stack's Bowers reaches the most serious buyers. Mid-range coins often sell well on GreatCollections or eBay with good photos. Lower-value coins suit a local coin shop or eBay. Get more than one offer before you sell.
Send it to PCGS or NGC for grading and authentication. Fees depend on the service tier and the coin's value, so check the current PCGS and NGC fee schedules. A certified holder gives buyers confidence that the coin is genuine and correctly graded.
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- PCGS CoinFacts: 1943 1C Bronze, BN (condition census and auction results)
- Heritage Auctions: 1943-D 1C Struck on a Bronze Planchet MS64 Brown PCGS
- PCGS CoinFacts: 1955 1C Doubled Die Obverse, BN
- PCGS CoinFacts: 1969-S 1C Doubled Die Obverse, BN
- NGC Coin Explorer: 1982 No P 10C
- NGC: Face Value, 2004 Wisconsin Quarters
- NGC Coin Explorer: 1937-D 3 Legs 5C
- PCGS CoinFacts: 2000-P $1 Sacagawea Washington Quarter Mule
- PCGS CoinFacts: 1992 1C Close AM, RD
- PCGS CoinFacts: 1972 1C Doubled Die Obverse, RD
- PCGS CoinFacts: 1990 1C No S, DCAM (Proof)
- PCGS: The 1995 Doubled Die Lincoln Cents
- NGC Coin Explorer: 1909-S VDB 1C
- NGC Coin Explorer: 1916-D 10C
- NGC Coin Explorer: 1932-D 25C
- NGC Coin Explorer: 1932-S 25C
