The most expensive penny known is the 1943-D Lincoln Bronze (Copper) Wheat Penny , which has sold for about $1.7 million at auction and is often estimated around $2+ million in top condition due to its extreme rarity and error status.

What makes it so valuable?

  • In 1943, U.S. pennies were supposed to be made of zinc-coated steel to save copper for World War II, but a tiny number were accidentally struck on leftover bronze (copper) planchets.
  • The Denver-minted 1943-D bronze penny is believed to be unique (only one confirmed), which makes it effectively a “one-of-one” coin in the hobby.
  • Its record auction price is around $1.7 million , and modern estimates put its value even higher as coin prices and publicity have grown.

Other million‑dollar pennies

While the 1943-D bronze cent is usually cited as the most expensive penny, a few other U.S. cents have reached or approached the million-dollar range:

  • 1793 Strawberry Leaf Cent – Early large cent with only about four known; one example sold for over $860,000 , and top estimates often place prime examples near or above seven figures.
  • 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent – A key-date Lincoln cent; exceptional graded pieces have been reported around $1.2 million in the high-end market.
  • 1969-S Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln Cent – A dramatic error cent whose top recorded prices are also in the high six to low seven figures , with some listings citing about $1.7 million for the finest known examples.

Quick checklist if you’re curious about your pennies

  • Look for unusual dates and mint marks like 1943 in copper (not magnetic) or 1944 in steel (magnetic).
  • Check for strong visible errors , such as doubled dates or lettering (e.g., “doubled die” obverse varieties from 1955, 1969-S, 1972, etc.).
  • Any coin you suspect is rare should be authenticated and graded by a major grading service (PCGS, NGC, ANACS) before assuming big-money values.

TL;DR: When people ask “what is the most expensive penny,” they almost always mean the 1943-D bronze Lincoln Wheat cent , which has sold for around $1.7 million and is widely regarded as the priciest penny ever auctioned.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.