Imagine finding a penny of $980,000 in your change! Most of the money is only worth a percent, but rarely Lincoln is sold for about a million dollars in Wheat Pennies Auction. The combination of rareness, historical value and the right amount of mining errors makes extremely valuable for some coin collectors.
Can you inadvertently catch one of these unusual money? Let’s know why some Lincoln Wheat Penny deserves a little fate and how to present one!
Why Is This Penny Worth $980,000?
Lincoln Wheat Penny was produced between 1909 and 1958, and some rare problems may have huge means. A penny of $980,000 is an unusual trial of 1943 Copper Lincoln Penny, a coin was never created!
During World War II to save copper for war materials, American mint turned from copper to steel penis. Some crowns were accidentally created in copper in 1943, so they are some of the world’s most valuable and rare coins.
- There are only a few copper pennies made in 1943
- High demand among collectors
- Error coins are some of the most valuable in numismatics
- Auction Price: In 2019, a 1943 Copper Lincoln Penny went for $980,000, making it one of the most valuable pennies ever!
Other Lincoln Wheat Pennies Worth Thousands
If you don’t have a 1943 Copper Penny, don’t panic—there are other worth-it Lincoln Wheat Pennies that might still be lurking in your change!
1909-S VDB Lincoln Penny
- First year of the Lincoln cent
- Has designer Victor David Brenner’s initials (V.D.B.) on the back
- Only 484,000 were produced, so it is very rare
- Auction Price: More than $677,777 for high-grade examples
1922 No D Lincoln Penny
- Some 1922 pennies are missing the “D” mint mark as a result of a mint error
- Few survive
- Auction Price: As much as $90,000 for a very nice specimen
1914-D Lincoln Penny
- Low mintage of just 1.2 million
- Very rare early Lincoln cent
- Auction Price: More than $200,000 in high grade
1955 Double Die Lincoln Penny
- Has strong doubling in the lettering on the front
- One of the most well-known error coins
- Auction Price: $125,000+ in mint condition
How to Identify a $980,000 Lincoln Wheat Penny
If you’re lucky, you may have a 1943 Bronze Penny stashed away in your piggy bank. Here’s how to spot it:
- Year and Mint Mark: Look at the date. The coin should say “1943.” Check for mint marks like “D” (Denver) or “S” (San Francisco) below the date.
- Color and Weight: A bronze penny will be coppery in color and weigh 3.11 grams. Steel pennies weigh 2.7 grams and are magnetic.
- Edge Check: Steel pennies tend to develop wear that displays their silvery core, but bronze pennies will be a uniform copper color.
- Professional Grading: If you believe you have a bronze penny, have it professionally graded by a service such as PCGS or NGC.
Conclusion
Rare Lincoln Wheat Pennies are out there, and some lucky collectors have cashed in on their discoveries. If you happen to find a 1943 Copper Lincoln Penny or another rare Wheat Penny, it could be worth thousands—or even nearly a million dollars!
FAQ’s
Are all 1943 pennies worth money?
No, the majority of 1943 pennies are made of steel and are only worth $0.10 to $1. Only the bronze error coins are very valuable.
How do I have my penny authenticated?
Send your coin to a professional grading service such as PCGS or NGC for authentication and grading.