Most people don’t give much thought to the pennies in their pockets or coin jars. But there’s one special penny—the Lincoln Wheat Penny—that has become a favorite among coin collectors. Some rare versions of this penny have been sold for as much as $800,000. That’s right—what looks like a normal one-cent coin could actually be worth a fortune. Even more surprising, a few of these rare coins might still be out there in everyday use.
The penny that’s worth so much is the 1943 Bronze Lincoln Wheat Penny. It came from a mistake made during World War II. Back then, these coins were used just like any other, but now they are some of the rarest and most valuable coins in history. Let’s explore how this unique penny came to be, why it’s so valuable, and how to tell if you might have one.
Why the 1943 Bronze Penny Is So Rare
In 1943, the U.S. Mint changed how pennies were made. Copper was needed for military equipment during the war, so the Mint started making pennies out of steel coated with zinc. But by mistake, a few copper blanks—called planchets—were left in the machines and used by accident.
This mistake created a small number of bronze 1943 pennies. These coins were released without anyone noticing at the time. Now, coin collectors know them as one of the most famous minting mistakes in U.S. history. This kind of mistake is called a “wrong planchet error.” Only about 20 of these coins are known to exist today. One of them sold for a record-breaking $840,000, making it one of the most valuable pennies ever.
Why This Coin Is Worth So Much
There are several reasons why this coin is so expensive. First, it’s extremely rare. Only a few were made, and even fewer have survived, especially in excellent condition. The rarity alone makes it very valuable.
Second, the coin’s history adds to its value. It was made during World War II, a time when the U.S. was saving copper for the war effort. That gives the coin a deeper meaning, and collectors love coins with interesting stories.
Third, minting errors are always exciting for collectors. The more unusual the mistake, the more valuable the coin. The 1943 bronze penny is one of the biggest errors ever seen. Lastly, the condition of the coin is important. Coins that are almost perfect—graded MS-64 or better—can sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
How to Tell If You Have This Penny
You don’t need to be a coin expert to check for this rare penny. Start by looking at the date. It must say “1943.” Next, check the color. Most 1943 pennies were made of steel and look silver or gray. The rare bronze ones have a reddish or copper color, like pennies from before 1943.
Try using a magnet. Steel pennies will stick to a magnet, but bronze ones won’t. So if your 1943 penny doesn’t stick, it might be something special. Also, check the weight. Steel pennies weigh about 2.7 grams, while bronze ones weigh around 3.11 grams. Finally, look for a mint mark below the date. A “D” means Denver, an “S” means San Francisco, and no letter means it was made in Philadelphia.