Imagine finding a penny in your spare change and later discovering that it’s worth $37 million. It sounds like a dream, but for coin collectors and lucky individuals, this is a real possibility. The Lincoln Wheat Penny is one of the most sought-after coins in the world, with certain rare editions carrying incredible value. The best part? Some of these rare pennies are still in circulation, meaning you might unknowingly have one right now.
What is the Lincoln Wheat Penny?
The Lincoln Wheat Penny was first introduced in 1909 to honor President Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday. Designed by Victor D. Brenner, it was the first U.S. coin to feature a real person’s image.
The penny gets its name from the two wheat stalks on the back, symbolizing prosperity and growth. It was minted from 1909 to 1958, after which the Lincoln Memorial Penny replaced it. While most of these pennies are only worth a cent, a few rare versions are worth a fortune.
What Makes This Penny Worth $37 Million?
Not every Lincoln Wheat Penny is valuable, but certain factors make some versions extremely rare and valuable. The most famous among them is the 1943 Bronze Lincoln Wheat Penny, which has an estimated value of up to $37 million.
The 1943 Bronze Penny: A Minting Error
In 1943, during World War II, the U.S. Mint switched from copper to steel to conserve copper for war efforts. This meant that all pennies minted that year were supposed to be made of zinc-coated steel instead of the traditional copper.
However, a small number of bronze pennies were accidentally minted that year. This happened because a few leftover bronze planchets (metal blanks) from 1942 remained in the machines when the Mint began producing the 1943 pennies. These rare errors resulted in one of the most valuable U.S. coins ever discovered.
Today, only a handful of 1943 Bronze Lincoln Wheat Pennies exist, making them one of the most sought-after coins in the world.
How to Identify a 1943 Bronze Penny
If you’re curious whether you have one of these rare pennies, here’s how you can check:
- Look at the Date – The coin should be from 1943.
- Use a Magnet – Regular 1943 pennies were made of steel, so they will stick to a magnet. The rare bronze version will not.
- Check the Color – A genuine 1943 Bronze Penny has a reddish-brown hue, unlike the usual silver-colored steel pennies.
- Weigh the Coin – A bronze penny weighs 3.11 grams, while a steel penny weighs 2.7 grams.
- Consult an Expert – If your penny passes these tests, take it to a professional coin appraiser for verification.
Other Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies
The 1943 Bronze Penny isn’t the only rare Lincoln Wheat Penny worth big money. Here are a few others that might be valuable:
- 1909-S VDB Penny – The first Lincoln penny, with only 484,000 minted. It can be worth up to $100,000.
- 1944 Steel Penny – Another rare error coin, valued at over $100,000.
- 1955 Doubled Die Penny – A coin with a minting error causing the date and letters to appear doubled, worth $1,500 to $50,000.
Could You Have a $37 Million Penny?
It’s exciting to think that a rare, multi-million-dollar penny could still be out there in circulation. Many people unknowingly spend valuable coins, not realizing their worth. Checking your loose change, old piggy banks, and coin collections might lead you to an incredible discovery.
Final Thoughts
The Lincoln Wheat Penny is more than just a piece of history—it could be a hidden fortune. Rare versions, like the 1943 Bronze Penny, continue to attract collectors willing to pay millions for a chance to own one.
So the next time you come across a Wheat Penny, take a closer look—you might just be holding one of the rarest coins in the world.
Disclaimer: The prices mentioned for rare coins, including the Lincoln Wheat Penny, are not guaranteed and may not be entirely accurate due to market fluctuations and varying appraisals.