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Top 10 Rare Pennies of the Twentieth Century

10 Rare Pennies of the Twentieth Century

Rare pennies have fascinated collectors and history enthusiasts alike. Over the years, many unique pennies were made because of low mintage numbers, design errors, or transitional issues. These coins have become treasures, describing key points in U.S. coinage history. Let’s dive into these unique coins, exploring their history, specifications, and why they’re so valued today.

A Brief History of U.S. Pennies

The U.S. penny, or one-cent coin, has a rich history dating back to 1793. Initially, the “large cent” was presented, as far larger than today’s penny, around the size of a quarter. Over time, the designs and sizes were revised to reflect the evolving economy, technology, and artistic trends.

Key Design Eras

  1. Large Cents (1793–1857): Larger than current pennies, these coins were made from copper and heavily circulated.
  2. Small Cents (1856–Present): Smaller and more practical, they started with the Flying Eagle design and evolved into the Indian Head and Lincoln series.

Early Rare Pennies

Large Cents: The First Rare Pennies

  • 1793 Chain Type: As the first U.S. cent, it’s very rare and highly demanded.
  • 1793 Wreath Type: This redesign is a must-have for large cent collectors.
  • 1793 Liberty Cap: Only a few thousand minted; very few survive today.
  • 1795 Large Cent: Even in worn condition, this coin can be worth hundreds if details like Liberty’s hair remain visible.
  • 1799 Large Cent: With fewer than 150 known examples, it’s one of the rarest large cents.

Specifications:

  • Composition: 100% copper
  • Diameter: ~27.5 mm
  • Weight: 10.89 grams

Collectors value these coins not only for their rarity but also for their historical value, as they describe the infancy of U.S. coinage.

Transition to Small Cents

In 1856, the penny was decreased to its current size, making it more practical for circulation. The Flying Eagle Cent (1856–1858) was the first of this type, followed by the long-lived Indian Head Penny (1859–1909).

  • 1856 Flying Eagle Cent: Extremely scarce because of low production.
  • 1877 Indian Head Cent: With fewer than one million minted, it’s the key date of the series and highly valuable.

10 Rare Pennies of the Twentieth Century

  1. 1908-S Indian Cent
  2. 1909-S Indian Cent
  3. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent
  4. 1909-S Lincoln Cent
  5. 1914-D Lincoln Cent
  6. 1922 No “D” Lincoln Cent
  7. 1931-S Lincoln Cent
  8. 1955 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent
  9. 1972 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent
  10. 1990 No “S” Proof Lincoln Cent

1. 1908-S Indian Cent

The first rare penny of the 20th century, the 1908-S Indian Cent minted in San Francisco. It featured the “S” mintmark. Only 1,115,000 were struck and released into circulation making it a rarity in the Indian Head series.

2. 1909-S Indian Cent

The final year of the Indian Head series saw a transition to the Lincoln cent. 1909-S Indian pennies are part of the transition year of 1909 that is split between the old and new because of each variety in low quality. San Francisco’s low mintage of 309,000 coins makes it a collector’s gem.

3. 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent

This coin marked the beginning of the Abraham Lincoln series, with designer Victor David Brenner’s initials “VDB” prominently displayed. 1909- S VDB cents are most important with low supplies and became a rare US penny. Only 484,000 were produced before the initials were removed, creating instant demand.

4. 1909-S Lincoln Cent

The third 1909 rare penny. San Francisco produced a small quantity of the 1909-S penny before it ran out of time. To complete a set of Lincoln cents, 1909-S coins that do not bear the designer’s initial are a unique variant. The coin’s low mintage, first-of-year manufacturing, and new design all increase demand for it.

After the “VDB” initials were removed, San Francisco minted just 1.8 million coins. It remains a key piece for completing a Lincoln cent collection.

5. 1914-D Lincoln Cent

914-D pennies were a particularly noteworthy year because of the low number of coins made—1,485,000. In 1911, the Denver Mint (which is commonly referred to as the “D” mintmark) began producing pennies in significant quantities. Denver was minting tens of millions of pennies annually.

As time went on, it became clear that the 1914 mintage was unusually small and that the coins were rare. Since they were no longer in use with only 1,485,000 minted, the Denver mint’s production was significantly lower than usual, making this coin a standout rarity.

6. 1922 No “D” Lincoln Cent

The Denver Mint was the only one to mint pennies in 1922. Other coinage denominations were made by the other mints at the time, Philadelphia and San Francisco. The “D” mintmark under the date shows that it is the Denver mint. On one of the dies, the mintmark had been polished so thin that it disappeared during die maintenance.

Cents without the “D” mintmark were subsequently minted with this die. A die polishing error removed the Denver mintmark (“D”) from some coins. Since no pennies were minted in Philadelphia that year, these error coins became highly sought after.

7. 1931-S Lincoln Cent

When compared to Philadelphia pennies, fewer San Francisco mint (“S” mintmark) pennies were made. After the 1909 issues, most years have multimillions struck, and none are considered to be unique. A low mintage of just 866,000 coins makes it a notable rarity in the Lincoln Wheat series.

8. 1955 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent

In 1955, a very amazing error penny was struck. The design doubled as a result of a misalignment made in advance of a working die that was used to strike pennies. It is quite uncommon for a working die to make errors. The die was quickly taken out of production after the mint identified it. This dramatic error coin features a noticeable doubling in the date and lettering. It’s one of the most popular error coins in U.S. history.

9. 1972 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent

The 1972 Doubled Die cent has a clear doubling of the writing and date. The legends’ multiple letters and the date’s widely separated double digits were the result of a die manufacturing error. Collectors have been searching for these extremely rare coins.

Another doubling error, this time featuring widely spaced doubling on the date and legends, creating a highly collectible coin.

10. 1990 No “S” Proof Lincoln Cent

The 1972 Doubled Die cent has a clear doubling of the writing and date. The legends’ multiple letters and the date’s widely separated double digits were the result of a die manufacturing error. Collectors have been searching for these extremely rare coins.

The 1990 No “S” Proof Cent is high on the value scale because of collector demand and the small number of verified copies. One of the twentieth century’s rare and collectible pennies.

The coin, which is found only in Proof sets, has been struck because of the absence of the “S” mintmark under the date. In the 1990s, all proof pieces with the “S” mintmark were made at the San Francisco mint. The mistake came to light shortly after 1990 for collectors, mistakenly lacked the “S” mintmark. Only a few are known to exist, making it one of the rarest modern pennies.

The Fascination with Rare Pennies

Why Are They Valuable?

  1. Low Mintage: Limited production makes scarcity.
  2. Historical Significance: Many rare pennies describe transitional years or unique events in minting history.
  3. Condition: High-grade coins with minimal wear command premium prices.

Specifications of Rare Pennies

  • Composition: Varies (early pennies were copper, while modern ones are mostly zinc with a copper coating).
  • Weight: ~3.11 grams for Lincoln Wheat pennies; changes for earlier series.
  • Diameter: 19 mm

Popular Collector Coins

  • 1943 Steel Pennies: Minted during WWII to conserve copper, these coins are fascinating but not particularly rare.
  • High-Grade Wheat Pennies (1909–1958): Many collectors focus on this series due to its historical and aesthetic appeal.

Value of Rare Pennies

Rare pennies are highly collectible, with values ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Their worth depends on factors like condition, rarity, and demand among collectors. Tools like value charts and grading guides help determine their market price.

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Conclusion

Rare pennies tell the story of America’s economic and artistic history, from large cents to modern Lincoln coins. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a beginner, discovering one of these rare coins is like finding a piece of history. So, start searching your old coin boxes—you might have a hidden gem waiting to be uncovered!

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