Have you ever stopped to think that a small penny in your pocket could be worth a lot of money? The Lincoln Wheat Penny is one of the most special coins in America’s history. Some rare pennies from this series are valued as high as $346,000.
What makes this story even more interesting is that some of these valuable pennies might still be floating around today, being passed from person to person without anyone realizing their true worth.
History of the Lincoln Wheat Penny
The Lincoln Wheat Penny was first made in 1909. This coin was created to celebrate the 100th birthday of President Abraham Lincoln. It was special because it was the first U.S. coin to show the face of a real person instead of symbols like Lady Liberty.
The coin was designed by Victor David Brenner. On the front side, you can see Lincoln’s profile, and on the back, there are two wheat stalks. These wheat stalks represent America’s success in farming.
This design was used for almost 50 years until 1958 when the back was changed to show the Lincoln Memorial. Millions of these pennies were made and used, but only a few have become very valuable collector’s items today.
1943 Penny is So Rare and Valuable
One of the most valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies comes from a very unusual mistake during World War II. In 1943, copper was needed for making war materials, so the U.S. Mint stopped making pennies from copper and started using steel coated with zinc. But by accident, some copper discs from 1942 were left in the machine.
This caused a few copper pennies to be made in 1943 when all pennies were supposed to be steel. Experts say there are only 20 to 40 of these copper pennies from 1943 in existence. Because they are so rare and have a fascinating story, one of these pennies recently sold for $346,000 at auction.
Valuable Lincoln Wheat Penny
If you want to know whether your penny might be valuable, the first thing to check is the date and mint mark. The 1943 copper penny is the most valuable, but there are other rare ones as well. For example, the 1909-S VDB penny can be worth up to $50,000. The 1914-D penny can sell for between $5,000 and $30,000. The 1922 penny without a D mint mark is worth over $10,000. The 1955 Doubled Die penny can be worth between $1,500 and $10,000.
If you think you have a 1943 penny that might be copper, there is a simple way to check. Steel pennies will stick to a magnet, but copper pennies will not. Also, copper pennies weigh about 3.11 grams, while steel pennies weigh around 2.7 grams. Be careful though, because some people change pennies from 1948 to make them look like 1943 pennies. Always look carefully at the date and compare it to pictures of real coins before you get too excited.
Finding a Rare Penny
What makes this story even more exciting is the fact that these rare pennies could still be in use today. Many people do not look carefully at their coins, so valuable pennies can move from one person to another without anyone noticing. There are many stories of lucky people who have found rare pennies in their loose change, old coin jars, piggy banks, and even at garage sales or flea markets. Some people have even spent valuable pennies without knowing their true worth until later.
If you find a penny that you think might be rare, do not clean it. Even if it looks dirty or old, cleaning can harm the coin’s surface and make it worth less. Instead, hold the coin carefully by its edges and store it safely in a holder made for coins.
Next, have your coin checked by a professional coin dealer or numismatist. You can also send it to a grading company such as PCGS or NGC for official certification.
If your coin is valuable, it is best to sell it through trusted dealers or at coin auctions. Avoid selling your coin to unknown people online because there are many scammers who try to trick people with rare coins.
Legacy of the Lincoln Wheat Penny
These valuable pennies have made more people interested in coin collecting. Now, many people check their change more carefully and learn about America’s history through coins. The $346,000 Lincoln Wheat Penny shows how fun and exciting coin collecting can be. Even if you don’t find a coin worth hundreds of thousands, looking closely at your coins can make everyday money feel like a treasure hunt.
FAQs
What is a Lincoln Wheat Penny?
It is a penny made from 1909 to 1958 with Lincoln’s face and wheat stalks on the back.
Why is the 1943 copper penny so rare?
Most 1943 pennies were made of steel, but a few copper pennies were made by mistake.
How can I tell if my penny is copper or steel?
Steel pennies stick to a magnet; copper pennies do not.
Should I clean a penny if it looks dirty?
No, cleaning can damage the coin and lower its value.
Where can I get my penny checked?
Take it to a coin dealer or send it to grading services like PCGS or NGC.
