Did you know that a small, old one-cent coin could be worth more than a luxury car? That’s right! A special version of the Lincoln Wheat Penny, which was once just loose change in someone’s pocket, has been valued at a shocking $395,438.
What’s even more surprising is that some of these rare pennies may still be in circulation today, hiding among regular coins.
Let’s look into what makes this coin so special and how you can spot one if you’re lucky.
Background
The Lincoln Wheat Penny is a one-cent coin that was first made in 1909. It was the first U.S. coin to feature a real person, President Abraham Lincoln. The back of the coin has two wheat stalks, which is why it’s called the “Wheat Penny.”
These coins were produced from 1909 to 1958. After that, the design changed, and the wheat was replaced by the Lincoln Memorial.
Value
Not every Lincoln Wheat Penny is worth a lot of money. Most are just worth a few cents or a dollar. But a few rare versions can be worth thousands — and one particular penny has been valued at $395,438.
What makes this coin so valuable is its rarity and a mistake made during its minting. This penny, known as the 1943 Bronze Lincoln Wheat Penny, was made during World War II.
That year, the U.S. Mint switched from using copper to steel because copper was needed for war supplies.
But a few bronze (copper-based) pennies were accidentally made that year. These rare pennies are extremely hard to find. Only about 10 to 20 are known to exist today.
Spotting
If you want to check your change for a rare penny, here’s what to look for:
- Check the date: Look for a penny from 1943.
- Look at the color: Most 1943 pennies are silver (steel). If yours is brown or copper-colored, it might be bronze.
- Use a magnet: Steel pennies stick to magnets. Bronze ones do not. If your 1943 penny doesn’t stick, that’s a good sign.
- Condition matters: The better condition the coin is in, the more it’s worth. Shiny, clear details and no scratches increase its value.
If you think you have a rare penny, don’t clean it. Cleaning can lower its value. Instead, get it checked by a coin expert or take it to a coin grading service.
Circulation
You might wonder how such a valuable coin could still be out there. Sometimes, rare coins get mixed into jars, passed on without notice, or forgotten in old collections. People who don’t know their true value might just spend them like any other coin.
That’s why coin collectors often search through their loose change. You never know when a small fortune might be sitting in your pocket or hidden in your piggy bank.
Collecting
Collectors love the Lincoln Wheat Penny because it has history, variety, and surprises. With so many versions made between 1909 and 1958, there are many small changes, like mint marks and errors, that make some pennies more valuable than others.
Coins with rare mistakes, such as double dates or unusual colors, can sell for thousands. So, if you’re interested in coins, the Lincoln Wheat Penny is a great place to start.
The idea that a single penny could be worth $395,438 sounds unbelievable, but it’s true. Thanks to a rare mistake during World War II, the 1943 Bronze Lincoln Wheat Penny has become one of the most valuable coins in U.S. history.
Even more exciting, it might still be out there — in someone’s wallet, jar, or coin collection.
So next time you get change at the shop, take a second to check your pennies. You might just find a hidden treasure that turns your one cent into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
FAQs
Which penny is worth $395,438?
The 1943 Bronze Lincoln Wheat Penny.
How many bronze 1943 pennies exist?
Only 10 to 20 are known to exist.
How to test a 1943 penny?
Use a magnet—steel sticks, bronze doesn’t.
Why were steel pennies made in 1943?
To save copper for World War II needs.
Should I clean a rare penny?
No, cleaning reduces its collector value.
