The doubling of the familiar words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” is clearly seen on certain 1972 pennies. Even the date ordinarily has a slight doubling. Such fundamental errors are worth much more than their face value. Our valuable suggestion is to invest in a magnifying glass. This 1972 cent, in a comparatively new condition, is relatively worth $100 to $500.
![20 Valuable Coins That Could Be Hiding in Your Wallet](http://d2hg8ctx8thzji.cloudfront.net/faqs.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Horizontal-Layout-Banner-810x400-3-768x379.jpg)
![Double Die 1972 Penny – $100-500](http://d2hg8ctx8thzji.cloudfront.net/faqs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Double_Die_1972_Penny_-_$100-500_f2_1625552177.jpg)
![1873 ‘closed 3’ Indian Head Penny – $2400](http://d2hg8ctx8thzji.cloudfront.net/faqs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1873_‘closed_3’_Indian_Head_Penny_-_$2400_f2_1625552171.jpg)
This coin features the word “LIBERTY” in double die, another representative error coin. It is usually pretty scarce to find a double die error of any year and even more rare if the coin portrays an Indian head. The closed “3” in the year is a tad bit uncommon, too. It values at about $2,400 if found in good condition.
![Close 1992 ‘AM’ Cent – $20,000](http://d2hg8ctx8thzji.cloudfront.net/faqs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Close_1992_‘AM’_Cent_-_$20,000_f2_1625552175.jpg)
On the reverse of the 1992 cent, the word “AMERICA” has letters “A” and “M” touching. Most pennies minted that year occupy a precise space between those letters. The error occurred due to a die mix-up, and it is likely that an entire lot of 250,000 pennies were minted this way. In 2012, an auction house sold such a rare specimen for $20,000.
![1943 Copper Wheat Penny – $45,000-85,000](http://d2hg8ctx8thzji.cloudfront.net/faqs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1943_Copper_Wheat_Penny_-_$45,000-85,000_f2_1625552176.jpg)
This coin should have been minted in steel instead of copper. The error was likely caused by some copper planchets left unintentionally in the minting machine. It is popularly believed that less than 30 copper pennies exist today across all three Mints (Denver, Philadelphia, and San Francisco) operational at that time. They are worth anything between $45,000 to $85,000, depending on its condition.
![1909-S VDB Penny – $117,500](http://d2hg8ctx8thzji.cloudfront.net/faqs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1909-S_VDB_Penny_-_$117,500_f2_1625552171.jpg)
This rare coin features the design engraver Victor David Brenner initials (V. D. B.) in between the two wheat ears on the wrong side of the coin. Since only two initials were typically allowed, the Department of American Treasury earnestly requested the removal of the initials. But, 500,000 coins had already been minted and put into circulation. In 2014, Heritage Auctions sold this particular coin for $117,500.
![Double Die 1969-S Penny – $126,500](http://d2hg8ctx8thzji.cloudfront.net/faqs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Double_Die_1969-S_Penny_-_$126,500_f2_1625552175.jpg)
Doubling is a minting process mistake that occurs by striking an additional die onto the coin, causing misalignment. On this coin, the words “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” are clearly doubled. The “S” right below the year stands for San Francisco Mint. In 2008, one of the coins was sold for a whopping $126,500 by an auction house.
![1872 Indian Head Penny – $126,500](http://d2hg8ctx8thzji.cloudfront.net/faqs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1872_Indian_Head_Penny_-_$126,500_f2_1625552172.jpg)
In 1872, about 4 million pennies were minted. But, it was an era of economic collapse, not many could collect pennies or even save them. Hence, they are comparatively scarce and rare. A fortunate find of the 1872 penny, without any wear, can comfortably fetch you a great deal of money. In 2007, an auction firm sold it for $126,500.
![1926-S Lincoln Penny – $149,500](http://d2hg8ctx8thzji.cloudfront.net/faqs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1926-S_Lincoln_Penny_-_$149,500_f2_1625552172.jpg)
This is one of those coins that have nothing too interesting to gauge. Nevertheless, it is considered a valuable coin, as it was minted in a remarkably limited quantity. In fact, it is the second-most negligible quantity of minting. Furthermore, this penny was never put into circulation and, therefore, is hard to discover. A well-known auction firm made $149,500 selling it.
![1877 Indian Head Penny – $149,500](http://d2hg8ctx8thzji.cloudfront.net/faqs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1877_Indian_Head_Penny_-_$149,500_f2_1625552171.jpg)
An economic collapse had engulfed most American states during this time. Most people are struggling to make ends meet, which evidently left no room to accumulate coins for numismatics intent. Plus, only 852,500 were originally minted, out of which only 1877 pennies remain today. In 20017, an auction firm sold this rare coin for an astonishing price of $149,500.
![1914-D Lincoln Penny – $152,750](http://d2hg8ctx8thzji.cloudfront.net/faqs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1914-D_Lincoln_Penny_-_$152,750_f2_1625552171.jpg)
The 1914 cent from the Denver Mint is notably a key date and is one of the most valuable non-error wheat pennies. Less than 2 million were struck instantly, making them quite sought-by among enthusiastic collectors. A well-detailed coin is comparatively scarce to come across and hence can fetch a great sum. Three years ago, an auction house sold a high graded 1914 penny for $152,750.
![1864 Indian Head Penny with letter ‘L’ – $161,000](http://d2hg8ctx8thzji.cloudfront.net/faqs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1864_Indian_Head_Penny_with_letter_‘L’_-_$161,000_f2_1625552170.jpg)
It was strenuous to obtain metal for coins during the Civil War in 1864. So, midway through the year, it was decided to mint pennies with bronze alloy and add an “L” to the tail of the ribbon in Lady Liberty’s war bonnet. Though 5 million were minted, only a few remain in pristine condition. An 1864 penny was sold for $161,000 in 2011.
![1943-D Bronze Penny – $170,000](http://d2hg8ctx8thzji.cloudfront.net/faqs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1943-D_Bronze_Penny_-_$170,000_f2_1625552173.jpg)
One. That’s the number of bronze pennies (or penny) struck in 1943 at Denver Mint. Plus, it was mistakenly struck on a bronze planchet instead of a steel one. Though there are about 20 such key pieces by Philadelphia and San Francisco Mint, Denver had just one. This particular coin was sold in 2010 in a private sale for $170,000.
![1856 Flying Eagle Penny – $172,500](http://d2hg8ctx8thzji.cloudfront.net/faqs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1856_Flying_Eagle_Penny_-_$172,500_f2_1625552170.jpg)
There was a surge in the price of copper in 1856, resulting in the cost of minting to be higher than the actual face value of the coin. To solve the problem it was wisely decided to reduce the standard size of the penny. Less than a thousand coins were minted for approval, which became immensely valuable. It was sold for $172,500 by an auction house in 2004.
![1943 Bronze Lincoln Penny – $204,000](http://d2hg8ctx8thzji.cloudfront.net/faqs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1943_Bronze_Lincoln_Penny_-_$204,000_f2_1625552172.jpg)
In 1942, the US Mint decided to replace bronze planchets to zinc-coated steel in pennies. However, some old bronze planchets got stuck in the tote bins that were allegedly used to feed the coin presses. They stayed unnoticed and got released into circulation. Today, only 15 to 20 trivial specimens are known to exist, inadvertently making them rare. An auction house sold such a penny for $204,000 last year.
![1958 Double Die Obverse Penny – $336,000](http://d2hg8ctx8thzji.cloudfront.net/faqs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1958_Double_Die_Obverse_Penny_-_$336,000_f2_1625552175.jpg)
A double die error happens when certain words appear to be “double.” This penny of 1958 has a clear case of doubling in the letters found on the obverse (front) side. Since only three examples are known to exist, they are considered very rare. Plus, the red color of the penny adds more value. In 2018, it was sold for $336,000.
![1944 Steel Wheat Penny – $373,750](http://d2hg8ctx8thzji.cloudfront.net/faqs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1944_Steel_Wheat_Penny_-_$373,750_f2_1625552176.jpg)
Blank steel planchets from 1943 ended up in the coin presses instead of the standard copper ones. They wound up being stamped with the 1944 dies and ended up in circulation. As a result, it became much sought after. Financially well-off collectors are willing to shell out millions to buy this one. An auction house profitably sold the wheat penny for $373,750.
![1796 Liberty Cap Cent – $705,000](http://d2hg8ctx8thzji.cloudfront.net/faqs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1796_Liberty_Cap_Cent_-_$705,000_f2_1625552169.jpg)
Inspired by Dupre’s Libertas Americana medal of 1783, this cent was minted for three years only. A variety of portrait styles were engraved during these years, with the draped bust of Liberty designed mid-year in 1796. While more than a million pieces were produced, only a few are of superior quality. This precious coin is one of the finest surviving specimens. It was sold for around $705,000.
![1870-S Seated Liberty Dollar – $763,750](http://d2hg8ctx8thzji.cloudfront.net/faqs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1870-S_Seated_Liberty_Dollar_-_$763,750_f2_1625552171.jpg)
In May 1870, the construction of the San Francisco Mint was satisfactorily completed. According to records, no standard silver dollars were produced that year. As a result, experts believe that 1870 silver dollars were made as mementos. Only 12 coins were presumably made, but only nine are found and preserved. One of the finest examples was sold for about $763,750.
![1838-O Half Dollar – $763,750](http://d2hg8ctx8thzji.cloudfront.net/faqs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1838-O_Half_Dollar_-_$763,750_f2_1625552169.jpg)
The New Orleans minted an insignificant number of dimes in May 1838. Sadly, the coin press broke down, causing the production to be suspended till July. Furthermore, the yellow fever pandemic closed the mint throughout the year, causing the production of dimes only. Experts believe less than 20 samples of the half dollar were struck. An excellent specimen of this coin was sold at $763,750.
![1794 Liberty Cap Half Cent – $940,000](http://d2hg8ctx8thzji.cloudfront.net/faqs.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/1794_Liberty_Cap_Half_Cent_-_$940,000_f2_1625552169.jpg)
The original luster of this half cent is almost the same as the day it was minted. The pertinent details of this valuable coin were uncovered to be in exceptional condition, which is quite an unusual thing considering that it was minted in 1794. There are only two known pieces, and one of them was sold for $940,000; the other resides in the British Museum.