Free Penny Identifier

About This Tool

The penny — in all its national forms — is the world's most produced coin and the most commonly collected. Our Penny Identifier covers US Lincoln cents (all wheat ears, memorial, and shield reverse varieties), the 1909 VDB and 1909-S VDB cents, pre-Lincoln US cents (Indian Head, Flying Eagle, Large Cent), UK pennies from every reign from George I to Elizabeth II, Australian pennies, Canadian large cents and small cents, and pennies from dozens of other countries.

📸 Tips for Best Results

• ✓For US cents, the mint mark position changed over the years — early Lincoln cents have it on the obverse below the date
• ✓Pre-1982 US cents are 95% copper (heavier, reddish); 1982 onwards are zinc with copper plating
• ✓UK pennies: the monarch changes with each reign — Britannia on the reverse is consistent
• ✓Wheat back cents (1909–1958) and Memorial cents (1959–2008) have completely different reverses
• ✓The 1943 steel cent is non-magnetic if genuine copper — but most 1943 cents are steel and will attract a magnet

🏛️ Fascinating Facts

• •The US cent is the most produced denomination in history — billions are struck each year
• •The 1943 copper penny — accidentally struck on bronze planchets during wartime steel cent production — is worth over $100,000
• •The 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent had only 484,000 minted — compared to 27 million of the Philadelphia issue
• •British pennies were struck from copper from 1797 onwards — before that, they were silver
• •The Australian penny was discontinued in 1966 when Australia decimalised — the last penny dated 1964

Frequently Asked Questions