The $1.5 Million Lincoln Wheat Penny – Is One Hiding in Your Spare Change?

Lincoln Wheat Penny: Learn About Valuable Coins and How to Identify Rare Coins

The Lincoln Wheat Penny, minted from 1909 to 1958, is an essential part of the American coin and a well-known coin among collectors. While most of them are common, some unusual samples have been offered for fantastic fees at the auction; some have received $1.5 million.

This article goes into detail about the valuable coins, explaining how you can be aware of them and can hide them in your change jar.

The Famous 1943 Copper Lincoln Wheat Penny

During World War II, the American coin began as a way of trading copper to try to fight copper production using a zinc-living metallic.

However, some of the 1943 pennies accidentally appeared on the remaining copper plates, which led to the production of the rare Copper Lincoln Wheat Penny from 1943.

These error coins are maximally famous among collectors, as these coins are not the easiest to find, but they also have historical significance.

Auction Records for 1943 Copper Pennies:

• $840,000: A 1943-D (Denver Mint) copper penny received this amount with a grade of MS64mrd in a 2021 auction.
• $504,000: A 1943-S (San Francisco Mint) bronze percentage achieved this price, reflecting the enormous value of the coin.

These figures show that if you get a copper penny from 1943, it can be very valuable.

How ​​to Identify a 1943 Copper Penny

If you want to check if you have a 1943 copper penny, take the following steps:

1. Check the Date: Make sure the coin is from 1943.
2. Magnet Test: Copper is not magnetic. If the coin does not stick to a magnet, it may be copper; if it does, it may be steel.
3. Measure the Weight: A copper penny weighs about 3.11 grams, while a steel penny is lighter, about 2.7 grams.
4. Professional Authentication: Because counterfeit coins are common, it’s important to have the coin authenticated by a reputable grading service, such as PCGS or NGC, to confirm its authenticity.

Other Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies

In addition to the 1943 copper penny, some other Lincoln wheat pennies are also very valuable and in great demand among collectors:

1909-S VDB Penny

• Production: 484,000
• Significant Sales: 1909-S V.D.B. Lincoln cents have achieved prices as high as $168,000.

1955 Doubled Die Obverse Penny

• Fault: Notable doubling in the date and scripts.
• Value: Depending on condition, these can be worth anywhere from $1,000 to $15,000.

1944 Steel Penny

• Rarity: Most 1944 pennies were made of copper, but some steel versions exist due to leftover plates.
• Auction Record: A 1944-S steel cent sold for $373,750.

1922 No D Penny

• Fault: Lack of ‘D’ mint mark due to a clogged die at the Denver Mint.
• Value: These can be worth up to $90,000 in high grades.

1958 Double Die Obverse Penny

• Rarity: Only a few examples exist.
• Auction Record: One example sold for $336,000.

Note: These values ​​may vary depending on the coin’s condition and market demand.

Year	Mint Mark	Notable Feature	Estimated Value
1943	None, ‘D’, ‘S’	Struck on copper planchet	Up to $840,000
1909	‘S’ with ‘VDB’	Low mintage with designer’s initials	Up to $168,000
1955	None	Double die obverse error	Up to $15,000
1944	‘S’	Struck on steel planchet	Up to $373,750
1922	None	Missing ‘D’ mint mark	Up to $90,000
1958	None	Double die obverse error	Up to $336,000

Conclusion

$1.5 million worth of Lincoln Wheat Pennies is hidden in your alternate jar; that’s unlikely, however, no longer impossible. Rare coins, which include the 1943 Copper Penny and the others referred to, can sell for large sums of coins due to their rarity and unique traits.

Therefore, it’s constantly a very good idea to look into your pennies regularly, stay informed of key dates and mistakes, and if you find a unique coin, seek expert help to confirm its authenticity.

FAQs