In the fascinating world of coin collecting, few oddities capture attention quite like the mysterious “blue penny.”
These curious coins—regular Lincoln cents that have acquired various shades of blue coloration—represent some of the most intriguing specimens in modern numismatics.
While the traditional copper penny’s warm reddish-brown tone is familiar to all Americans, these blue-hued variants stand apart, often commanding extraordinary premiums among specialized collectors.
This article explores the top six most valuable blue penny varieties, their origins, and what makes them worth hundreds or even thousands of times their face value.
The Science Behind Blue Pennies
Before diving into specific varieties, it’s worth understanding what causes pennies to turn blue in the first place.
Unlike intentionally colorized novelty coins sold by private companies, genuinely valuable blue pennies acquire their distinctive coloration through natural or accidental processes that alter the metal’s surface.
The most common causes of blue coloration in pennies include:
- Chemical reactions: Exposure to certain chemicals can create blue patina on copper. Ammonia is a common culprit, reacting with the copper to form copper hydroxide compounds that appear blue.
- Heat toning: When copper is heated to specific temperatures, it can develop a blue oxide layer on its surface. This thermally-induced toning can range from subtle blue highlights to vibrant azure coverage.
- Environmental exposure: Prolonged exposure to particular industrial atmospheres or soil conditions can sometimes impart bluish tones to copper coins.
- Mint errors: In rare cases, contamination in the minting process or unusual alloy mixtures can create blue-tinted pennies directly from the mint.
Importantly, not all blue discoloration adds value. Many chemically altered coins are considered damaged by serious collectors.
The truly valuable blue pennies are either those resulting from specific mint errors, those with naturally occurring toning highly prized by collectors, or those with historical significance that explains their unusual appearance.
Now, let’s explore the six most valuable blue penny varieties that collectors eagerly seek.
1. The 1943 “Blue Steel” Lincoln Cent
While not technically blue in the sense of being copper with blue toning, the 1943 steel cent—often called the “Blue Steel Penny”—deserves mention as the most famous “blue” penny in American numismatics.
During World War II, copper was diverted to the war effort, leading the U.S. Mint to produce pennies from zinc-coated steel for that single year. These coins have a distinctive silvery-blue appearance that sets them apart from traditional copper cents.
When first released, many Americans found these strange blue-silver pennies confusing and even thought they might be fake. Today, circulated specimens in average condition typically sell for $0.50 to $2.00, but uncirculated examples with full original luster can fetch $50 to $200.
What makes these particularly valuable are condition rarities—specimens that somehow survived in near-perfect condition. A pristine 1943 steel cent graded MS-68 by PCGS sold for an impressive $7,050 at auction in 2021, demonstrating the premium that condition can command even for a relatively common coin.
Interestingly, the real rarities from 1943 are the copper pennies—mistakes made when a few copper planchets from 1942 accidentally made it into the presses. These extremely rare 1943 copper cents (not blue at all) can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
2. The “Cobalt Toned” Indian Head Penny
Among the most prized blue pennies are certain Indian Head cents (minted 1859-1909) that have developed exceptional natural blue toning over many decades.
The most valuable of these exhibit a vivid cobalt blue patina that can cover portions or sometimes the entire coin.
These natural blue-toned Indian Head pennies are particularly sought after when the toning is attractive, stable (not actively corroding), and complementary to the coin’s design.
While artificial toning is generally frowned upon, naturally toned coins with blue coloration often command significant premiums among collectors who specialize in toned coins.
A particularly stunning example of an 1899 Indian Head cent with electric blue and magenta toning sold for $6,600 at a 2019 auction—roughly 660,000 times its face value.
The coin, graded MS-66 by PCGS, featured vibrant blue toning primarily around the periphery that transitioned to magenta toward the center, creating a target-like appearance that collectors refer to as “album toning.”
These spectacularly toned specimens often develop their coloration from decades of storage in certain types of coin albums or paper envelopes that contain sulfur compounds.
Over time, these compounds react with the coin’s surface to create the stunning rainbow effects, with blue being particularly prized.
3. The 1944 “Experimental Blue Alloy” Lincoln Cent
As World War II began winding down and copper became more available for domestic use, the U.S. Mint conducted experiments with various alloys to determine the composition for post-war pennies.
Among these were a small number of 1944-dated experimental cents struck on planchets with slightly different metal compositions than standard bronze.
Some of these experimental cents contained alloy mixtures that produced a distinctive blue-gray appearance.
Unlike regular 1944 bronze cents or the 1943 steel cents, these experimental specimens exhibit a unique coloration that falls somewhere between the two—a subtle blue-bronze hue that distinguishes them from regular production coins.
Documentation suggests fewer than 60 of these experimental pieces were produced, with perhaps only a dozen surviving today.
When authenticated examples appear at auction, they typically sell for $25,000 to $55,000, depending on condition and provenance.
In 2018, an example graded MS-64 by NGC with documentation tracing it to a former Mint employee sold for $43,200, highlighting both the rarity and historical significance of these experimental blue alloy cents.
4. The “Blue-Spotted” 1922 No D Lincoln Cent
The 1922 “No D” Lincoln cent is already a famous rarity in American numismatics, created when a damaged die at the Denver Mint struck coins without the mint’s characteristic “D” mintmark.
Among these rare coins, specialists have identified a curious sub-variety featuring distinctive blue spotting that appears to have resulted from a specific metallurgical anomaly.
These blue-spotted 1922 No D cents typically exhibit patches or spots of blue patina distributed across the coin’s surface.
Numismatic researchers believe this resulted from slight inconsistencies in the metal composition of some planchets used during this problematic production run. The presence of these blue spots serves as a diagnostic feature for certain die states of this already rare variety.
While a typical 1922 No D cent might sell for $500 to $1,000 in circulated condition, examples exhibiting the distinctive blue spotting can command premiums of 30-50% above standard specimens of similar grade.
A particularly well-defined example with prominent blue spotting sold for $7,800 in a 2020 specialized auction.
The blue-spotted 1922 No D cent represents an fascinating intersection of classical numismatic rarity and unusual coloration, making it particularly desirable to collectors who specialize in Lincoln cent varieties.
5. The “Azure Shield” 2017 Lincoln Cent Error
Among modern blue penny varieties, none has created more excitement than the so-called “Azure Shield” error from 2017.
This remarkable modern error occurred when something went wrong during the plating process for zinc-core cents, resulting in pennies where the shield on the reverse (tails side) developed a striking azure blue coloration.
First discovered in late 2017 in circulation, these errors feature a normal copper-colored Lincoln portrait on the obverse, but with the Union Shield on the reverse displaying a vibrant blue color that stands in stark contrast to the rest of the coin.
Metallurgical analysis suggests this resulted from an unusual chemical reaction during the plating process, possibly involving cleaning solutions or anti-tarnishing compounds used in the production line.
What makes these errors particularly valuable is their extreme rarity—fewer than 50 authenticated examples have been documented.
When they appear for sale, they typically command prices between $1,500 and $5,000, depending on the intensity of the blue coloration and the coin’s overall condition.
In 2021, a particularly vivid example graded MS-65 RD by PCGS sold for $4,700 at auction, demonstrating the significant premium modern error collectors are willing to pay for these striking anomalies.
Their recent discovery and ongoing scarcity suggest their value may continue to appreciate as more collectors become aware of their existence.
6. The “Sapphire Toned” 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent
The 1909-S VDB Lincoln cent already ranks among the most famous and valuable regular-issue American coins, with just 484,000 produced before the designer’s initials (VDB) were removed from the design.
Among these already rare coins, a few specimens have developed exceptional natural blue toning that transforms them into what collectors call “Sapphire Toned” 1909-S VDB cents.
These specimens typically exhibit rich blue toning that ranges from deep sapphire to lighter azure hues, often with hints of purple or magenta at the transitions.
The blue coloration frequently appears most prominently around the periphery of the coin, creating a frame-like effect that draws attention to Lincoln’s profile in the center.
While a typical uncirculated 1909-S VDB cent might sell for $2,000 to $5,000 depending on condition, examples with exceptional blue toning can command premiums of 40-100% above standard red or brown specimens.
In 2017, a particularly stunning example with electric blue peripheral toning graded MS-65 BN by PCGS sold for $12,650—a significant premium over what a similarly graded example without the toning would bring.
The combination of inherent rarity (as a key date in the Lincoln cent series) and the exceptional aesthetic appeal of the natural blue toning makes these specimens particularly desirable to advanced collectors.
Collecting Blue Pennies: Opportunities and Warnings
For collectors interested in pursuing blue pennies, there are both opportunities and pitfalls to be aware of:
Authentication is crucial: Because artificial toning and after-market treatments can create blue coloration, professional authentication by services like PCGS or NGC is essential when purchasing premium examples. These services can usually distinguish natural toning from artificial treatments.
Condition matters enormously: Even among blue-toned coins, those with sharp details and minimal wear command the highest premiums. A heavily worn blue penny may be interesting but will typically command much less than a sharply defined example.
Beware of artificial treatments: Unscrupulous sellers sometimes use chemicals or heat treatments to create blue toning on ordinary pennies.
These artificially toned coins typically have unnatural, often overly uniform coloration that doesn’t follow the patterns seen in naturally toned specimens.
Environmental damage isn’t valuable toning: Coins damaged by harsh environments or chemicals often develop unusual colors, including blues and greens, but these represent damage rather than collectible toning.
Professional grading services will designate such coins as “environmentally damaged” rather than attributing them premium toning designations.
The Investment Outlook for Blue Pennies – 6 Rare Blue Pennies Value
As with many numismatic specialties, blue pennies represent a niche within the broader coin collecting market.
Their unusual appearance and relative scarcity have historically supported strong premiums, particularly for authenticated examples with natural toning or documented mint errors.
The market for these coins has shown steady growth over the past decade, with particularly strong performance among the finest examples of each variety.
As with most collectibles, condition and authenticity remain the primary drivers of value, with documented provenance adding further premium for historical pieces.
For collectors and investors, blue pennies offer an intriguing combination of visual appeal, historical interest, and genuine scarcity that has traditionally supported their premium values.
While they may not be as widely recognized as some other numismatic rarities, their distinctive appearance and the fascinating stories behind their creation make them compelling additions to specialized collections.
Whether you’re examining your change for modern blue penny errors or seeking historic specimens at auction, these curious coins represent some of the most visually striking and discussion-worthy pieces in American numismatics—small copper discs transformed by chemistry, history, and human fascination into treasures worth many times their humble face value.
