What if one of those old, dusty coins in your junk drawer was worth $12.4 million? You might not think a penny is worth more than a piece of bubble gum. Doesn’t it sound crazy? On the other hand, that’s exactly what’s happening with a very rare Lincoln Wheat Penny. Can you believe it? Some are still out there, going through our bags and change jars without being seen. This coin is very valuable. Let’s talk about why and how to find a jackpot that’s hidden in plain sight.
History
In 1909, the Lincoln Wheat Penny was first put into circulation. It had a picture of Abraham Lincoln on one side and wheat stalks on the other. Since it wasn’t made until 1958, you can often find one in old coin jars or collections that you received. But not every Wheat Penny is the same. The rare 1943 copper form is the one getting all the attention.
What makes this particular penny so unique? It all comes down to a mistake made during the war. To save copper for use in World War II, the U.S. Mint moved from making pennies out of copper to zinc-coated steel in 1943. That being said, some copper blanks from 1942 got into the machines by mistake. As a result? A very small number of copper 1943 pennies were made. These coins are now some of the oldest and most expensive in the world.
Rarity
“Rare” is the key word in the coin world. The 1943 metal Lincoln Wheat Penny is the most beautiful coin in the United States. That year, most pennies were made from steel and look like they are silver. But ones made of copper? It is thought that there are only about 20 left, and even fewer are in perfect shape.
A crazy $12.4 million was paid for one of these rare coins at a sale not long ago. It’s important for collectors and regular people to look through their extra change more quickly when the price tag is that high. It’s crazy that a penny is worth more than a house.
The Detection
Do you want to know if your penny is the real deal? To check, do these four easy things:
Check the Date It needs to say 1943. That can’t be changed.
Try a Magnet: Magnets can stick to steel pennies. Copper ones don’t have that. You might get lucky if your 1943 penny doesn’t stick.
Weigh It: A copper penny weighs about 3.1 grams, while a steel penny weighs 2.7 grams. You’ll need a digital scale that is very accurate for this.
Get It Graded : Proof that your penny is real can be found at a respected coin grading service like PCGS or NGC.
Here’s a quick table to help:
| Test | Steel Penny (Common) | Copper Penny (Rare) |
| Magnetic? | Yes | No |
| Weight (grams) | 2.7 | 3.1 |
| Color | Silver-gray | Reddish-brown |
Oversight
So how is it that a $12.4 million coin is still being used? Easy. A lot of people don’t check their pennies. People lose them, put them in coin jars, or spend them without giving them a second thought. Also, the rare copper 1943 penny doesn’t stand out from other old coins unless you know what to look for.
The exciting part is that you might be sitting on a fortune without even knowing it. It’s not like looking for riches on an island by yourself. You already have the prize in your house, car, or even your pocket.
CRAZE
Coin fans are crazy about the $12.4 million sale since it made the news. There are more people going to dealers, and people who never cared about coins are now going through old boxes. It’s turned into a prize hunt across the country. Coin values have been slowly going up, so it’s no surprise that even people who don’t collect coins often are now paying close attention.
In the future, an auction could bring in even more money for a verified 1943 copper penny, especially if it is in mint shape. That’s right, your old change could become a millionaire’s kit.
It’s funny that a penny could make you a millionaire. Most of the time, we don’t think much of them, but the next big payday could be in your car’s cup holder. There’s a treasure hunt to be had if you have a bunch of old coins. You never know when a small red coin might make all the difference.
