Imagine having some extra change and finding a penny that is worth a lot of money. Doesn’t sound real, does it? But that’s what coin collectors are talking about right now. A jaw-dropping $12.2 million Lincoln Wheat Penny is said to still be floating around in circulation. So, somewhere, someone might be holding one of the rarest coins in U.S. history without realizing it.
Story
When it came out in 1909, the Lincoln Wheat Penny was an instant hit. Most of these old pennies are only worth a few cents, but some have become very valuable over time, especially if their story has a unique twist. The interesting penny that’s getting a lot of attention right now is thought to be a 1943 Bronze Wheat Penny.
To save metal for the war, the U.S. Mint moved from copper to steel during World War II. But some metal blanks got through and were made in 1943. These coins were made by chance and are now some of the rarest ever made. The one getting attention? It might be an incredibly rare mint mistake or a prototype that was never meant to be seen by the public.
Circulation
A million-dollar penny might seem like it would be kept safe in a vault. But history shows that’s not true. You might not expect to find valuable coins in places like stores that mistake them for something else, in bank roll coins, or in grandpa’s change jar.
This is why rare coins show up in pocket money so often:
No one noticed; the person who spent the money didn’t know it was unusual.
Estate sales: Coins that have been passed down through the generations are frequently spent.
Bank rolls: Banks may still use old coins without realizing it.
So, always be interested and watch out for new things when you deal with change. It’s like winning the lottery, but your chances are better.
Identify
How can you tell if your old penny might hold a treasure? Keep an eye out for these signs:
Date and Mint Mark: Look out for the 1909-S, 1914-D, 1922 without the D, and especially the 1943 Bronze.
Material: Put the magnet to the test. Steel coins don’t move. Bronze or copper ones don’t.
Condition: Coins that look almost brand new are worth more than coins that are worn or broken.
Keep these things in mind before you decide what to do with your penny. It should be checked by a professional coin grade service, such as PCGS or NGC. They’ll check to see if it’s real and maybe even worth a lot of money.
WhatNow
Do you really believe you’ve hit the coin jackpot? What should you do next?
Don’t clean it: It can lose its value even after a light scrub.
Get it checked out: Take it to a coin trader or grading service that you trust.
Compare sales by: Find coins that look like these online and look at sale results.
Think Auction: When collectors fight for ownership of rare coins, rare coins can sell for millions of dollars.
A $12.2 million coin is like a piece of American history in your hands. Because that’s what it is, treat it like gold.
Fortune
There is a chance, even though the odds aren’t very good. Cents that are very hard to find have been found in garage sales and piggy banks, among other odd places. You need to know what to look for and be just slightly interested enough to open that old coffee can full of coins you’ve been putting off.
Because of all the talk about the $12.2 million penny, more and more people have started looking for wealth on their own. Now is the time to look more closely at your change, whether you like to collect them or not. Because that penny, which doesn’t look like much, could be your lucky ticket.
