1933 penny (2024)

If you have heard of only one rare coin, there is a good chance that it is the 1933 penny. For some reason this coin, more than any other, has lodged itself in the public consciousness. Indeed, people have spent a lifetime sifting through their coins in a vain attempt to find one.

The banks possessed such large stocks of pennies in 1933 that it was not necessary to strike any more for general circulation. But there was a convention at the time that complete sets of coins of the current year were buried under the foundation stones of new buildings. Consequently three 1933 pennies were struck for buildings erected in that year, along with a small number to be kept as record copies by the British Museum and the Royal Mint Museum.

1933 penny (1)

No record was kept at the time of how many pennies dated 1933 were made but it is thought to be no more than six or seven. With no precise record of the number made, and with the coin having been struck to ordinary circulation standard, it seemed possible that one might turn up in everyday use, prompting a generation to search their change for the rare but ultimately elusive penny of 1933.

In August 1970 it was discovered that thieves had stolen the set of coins deposited beneath the foundation stone of the Church of St Cross, Middleton, near Leeds. As a result a second set, buried beneath the foundation stone of St Mary’s Church, Hawksworth Wood, Kirkstall, Leeds, was removed on the instructions of the bishop and sold. As far as is known the third set is still in place.

Find out more in this video featuring our Exhibitions Manager, Abigail Kenvyn, or you can see the 1933 penny for yourself by visiting our permanent exhibitions at the Royal Mint Experience.

1933 penny (2024)

FAQs

How much is a 1933 penny worth? ›

In 2016 a 1933 pattern penny was sold at auction for £86,400 (including buyer's premium) by AH Baldwin & Sons. This was a monumental shift in value as our team explained at the time – “No other bronze coin has ever come close, I think the last was in the region of £15,000”.

What year penny is worth $20000? ›

That's what happened to several pennies produced in 1982, which pushed their value up from 1 cent to nearly $20,000. The penny in question is the 1982-D Small Date Copper Alloy Lincoln Cent, which sold at auction in 2016 for $18,800, according to Numismatic News.

Why is a 1933 penny so rare? ›

In 1933 the Royal Mint decided to temporarily cease the production of pennies. This was due to a surplus of the coin already in circulation. Millions of Victorian and Edwardian pennies still changed hands in the 1930s.

What year penny is worth $1000? ›

1955 Doubled-Die Penny:

While their value can vary depending on their condition, some have sold for over $1,000.

What is the hardest penny to find? ›

The 1969-S Lincoln Penny – Doubled Die Obverse is one of the most rare pennies sought after by collectors. This variety coin was designed by Victor D. Brenner and Frank Gasparro and features the Lincoln memorial penny design of Abraham Lincoln on the obverse and the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse.

What makes the 1982 penny so valuable? ›

One reason these coins are so valuable has to do with what they are made of. As GOBankingRates previously reported, any penny minted before 1982 contains 95% copper. Copper pennies are a relatively common find in a penny roll, which lowers their value.

What rare penny is worth $6000? ›

1913-D 1C MS66 Red PCGS - Sold For: $6,300.00

The 1913-D Wheat Penny is most often encountered in varying shades of lighter red and brown when in Mint State examples. When searching for your 1913-D Wheat Penny, cherrypicking is advised to ensure a sharp strike and attractive surfaces.

What makes a 1942 wheat penny so valuable? ›

These pennies are collectible not only because of their age and historical significance, but because they are rare and growing rarer by the day. The coin's obverse features in the center the profile of former President Abraham Lincoln.

How many 1943 bronze pennies have been found? ›

According to Lukes, there are 17 1943 Bronze Cents known (10 from Philadelphia, six from San Francisco, and one from Denver); this conflicts with another census that lists 12 from Philadelphia.

Why is the 1944 penny rare? ›

The 1944 steel penny is a unique and rare coin minted during World War II as a temporary measure to conserve copper for the war effort. Collectors highly value this historically significant currency because of its authenticity.

What year penny is worth $50000? ›

The 1959-D wheat penny is one of the most controversial mule coins ever. It's worth $50,000! Here's everything you could possibly want to know about the 1959-D penny error!

How many 1933 pennies have been found in the world? ›

Only four of the 1933 pattern pennies are known to exist.

What is the George V penny 1933? ›

A rare 1933 penny - one of only four in existence - has sold for a world record price of £72,000 at a London auction. The coin sold is known as a "Pattern" version, as it was presented as a prototype, but never went in to production. It is the first time that any of the Pattern coins have come up for auction.

What are the top 100 most valuable pennies? ›

You could be sitting on thousands of dollars: A list of the most valuable pennies
  • 1924 S Wheat Penny - $12,000.
  • 1873 Indian Head Penny - $10,000.
  • 1858 Flying Eagle Penny - $10,000.
  • 1857 Flying Eagle Penny - $7,000.
  • 1922 D Wheat Penny - $6,000.
  • 1914 D Wheat Penny - $5,600.
  • 1909 S VDB Wheat Penny - $4,150.
Apr 2, 2024

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