Like tiny time machines, coins are pieces of history that have been held by many people. But sometimes they’re not just old metal. Let’s look at the Lincoln Wheat Penny. It is said that one of these simple copper coins is worth an amazing $151 million! Even stranger? It’s possible that it’s still there, hidden among your loose change. This penny is very important. Let’s talk about why and how to find one before you spend it.
History
The Lincoln Wheat Penny was first used in 1909 and was still around until 1958. Abraham Lincoln was the first president to be shown on a U.S. coin. The name comes from the fact that the back of the coin shows two wheat stalks. In the beginning, they were made of 95% copper, but in 1943, when copper became scarce because of the war, the U.S. Mint moved to steel.
You can still find these pennies in circulation, but some are so rare that they’ve become collector’s items, like the $151 million one.
Value
What makes a penny more valuable than a fancy yacht? This coin is crazy expensive because it was made wrong, has historical value, and is very rare.
Error Coin
It’s possible that some Lincoln Wheat Pennies were made on the wrong metal or with mistakes in the design, like letters being printed twice. This makes the coins one-of-a-kind, making them an instant prize for coin collectors.
VERY RARE
This is very rare—one in a million times. There are very few of these rare error pennies left in circulation, so if you get one, it’s an instant prize.
Historical Weight
The face on this coin was one of the first to show a live person. That makes it important for fans and people who are interested in U.S. history. The more rare and important the coin is historically, the more people want it, and the price goes up.
Spotting
Do you think you might have one of these secret gems? How to begin your search.
Key Years
Keep an eye out for these dates:
- 1909-S VDB
- 1914-D
- 1922 No D
- 1943 Bronze
Some years, your penny will match. Don’t spend it; check it out!
ERRORS
Use a magnifying glass when there is enough light. Seeing letters or marks that are twice as big or marks that don’t look right could mean that the coin is valuable.
The Magnet Test.
Enjoy this cool trick. Use a magnet to check your 1943 penny. Most of them are steel and will stick. But what if it doesn’t stay? You could have a 1943 metal penny, which is one of the rarest coins ever made.
| Year | Feature | Check For |
| 1909-S VDB | Rare initials | “VDB” under wheat stalks |
| 1914-D | Low mintage | “D” mint mark below the year |
| 1922 No D | Missing mint mark | No visible mint mark at all |
| 1943 | Bronze mistake | Doesn’t stick to a magnet |
Selling
If you believe you have won the penny prize, you can cash it in here:
The Coin Dealers
These experts can tell you what they think, make you an offer, and even make sure your coin is real.
Online Auctions
Selling rare coins to people who are willing to pay a lot of money is easy on sites like eBay, GreatCollections, and Heritage Auctions.
Coin Shows
A great way to meet collectors who are really into coins and might be ready to pay more for a rare penny.
The Pawn Shops
Try your luck at a pawn shop, but make sure you know how much your coin is really worth first.
I think it’s crazy that someone could still have a $151 million coin in their change jar. But it’s true—the Lincoln Wheat Penny is one of the most sought-after coins in the world because of oddities in history, mistakes made during minting, and small runs. When you empty your pockets again, check your pennies for a moment. You never know, that little copper coin could be the key to a huge payday that changes your whole life.
