Coin Value Checker
Three things decide what a US coin is worth: whether it's silver, whether it's a scarce key date, and its condition. Pick your coin to check all three in a few seconds.
Is it silver?
Cents contain no silver. Pre-1982 cents are 95% copper (a few cents of melt); 1982-present are copper-plated zinc.
Is it a key date?
If your cent (penny) matches one of these, it can be worth far more than melt - get it graded by PCGS or NGC before selling.
- 1909-S VDBLincoln Wheat - the famous first-year key date
- 1909-SLincoln Wheat low mintage
- 1914-DLincoln Wheat key date
- 1922 No DLincoln Wheat error - no mint mark
- 1931-SLincoln Wheat low mintage
- 1943 bronze/copperOff-metal error (1943 should be steel) - extremely rare
- 1944 steelOff-metal error (1944 should be bronze) - rare
- 1955 Doubled DieStrong doubling on the obverse - major variety
- 1969-S Doubled DieRare doubled-die obverse
- 1972 Doubled DieDoubled-die obverse variety
- 1992 Close AMReverse variety - AM in AMERICA nearly touching
- 1995 Doubled DieDoubled-die obverse variety
Otherwise, it's a common date
A worn, common-date cent (penny) is worth face value, plus a small copper melt for pre-1982 cents. Condition still matters: an uncirculated common coin can carry a modest premium.
Key dates listed here are recognized scarce issues, provided as a checklist - not a valuation. A coin's worth depends heavily on its grade. For an exact figure, compare recent sold listings or ask a reputable dealer or grading service.