The Lincoln Wheat Penny Valued at $78 Million, Still in Circulation?

This 1943 Lincoln Wheat Penny Could Be Worth $78 Million – Do You Have One?

Have you ever looked at the coins in your pocket and wondered if one could be worth a fortune? Believe it or not, one of the rarest and most valuable coins in the U.S.—the 1943 Bronze Lincoln Wheat Penny—might be hiding in plain sight. Experts say this tiny coin could be worth up to $78 million. That’s right—a single penny that’s worth more than a luxury mansion!

So, how did an ordinary-looking penny become such a big deal? The story behind it is full of history, rare mistakes, and incredible luck.

How the Lincoln Wheat Penny Started

The Lincoln Wheat Penny first came out in 1909 to celebrate President Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday. It was special because it was the first U.S. coin to show a real person. Designed by Victor David Brenner, the front had Lincoln’s face, and the back featured two wheat stalks. People loved it—and it quickly became more than just pocket change. It was a symbol of national pride.

World War II Changed Everything

Jump to 1943, when World War II was happening. The U.S. needed copper to make bullets and other military supplies. To save copper, the U.S. Mint started making pennies out of zinc-coated steel. These steel pennies were silver-colored and lighter than normal.

But by mistake, a few copper blanks (called planchets) were left behind in the minting machines. These blanks got pressed into pennies just like usual—making a small batch of 1943 Lincoln pennies made from bronze instead of steel. They weren’t supposed to exist, but they did.

A Lucky Mistake Worth Millions

Only about 10 to 15 of these 1943 bronze pennies are known to exist. Because they’re so rare, collectors are willing to pay millions to get one. One has already sold for $1.7 million, and experts say that if a perfect one showed up today, it could sell for up to $78 million.

That’s an unbelievable return on a one-cent coin.

Could You Have One?

It might sound crazy, but people do find rare coins in everyday places—like old jars, coin rolls, garage sales, or inherited collections. So how can you tell if you have the rare 1943 Bronze Lincoln Penny?

Here are a few quick steps:

• Check the date: It must say 1943.
• Use a magnet: If it sticks, it’s steel (not valuable). If it doesn’t, you may have something special.
• Weigh it: A bronze penny weighs about 3.11 grams, while steel ones weigh around 2.7 grams.
• Look for a mint mark: A “D” means Denver, “S” is San Francisco, and no mark means Philadelphia.

If your penny passes these checks, don’t sell it yourself—get it authenticated by a professional coin expert.

Other Valuable Lincoln Pennies

The 1943 Bronze Penny isn’t the only rare one. These are also worth big money:

• 1909-S VDB – Worth up to $100,000 because it has the designer’s initials and was only made in small numbers.
• 1914-D – Rare and can go for $150,000 in top condition.
• 1955 Doubled Die – The writing looks double-stamped; can be worth $1,500 to $50,000.
• 1944 Steel Penny – Another rare wartime mistake, worth over $100,000.

More Than Just a Coin

Coin collecting isn’t just about money. It’s also about history, discovery, and the thrill of finding something special. These coins are like time machines—they take us back to times when even pennies played a role in big events like World War II.

Finding one of these pennies could change your life. But even if you don’t, the journey of learning and hunting for treasure is part of the fun.

FAQs