Most people don’t pay much attention to pennies. They pile up in jars, get left in old drawers, or are spent without a second thought. But what if one of those pennies was worth $33 million?
That’s the mystery surrounding a rare version of the Lincoln Wheat Penny, which some experts believe is still in circulation. If you’re lucky enough to find one, you could be holding a fortune in the palm of your hand.
The History of the Lincoln Wheat Penny
The Lincoln Wheat Penny was first introduced in 1909 to mark the 100th birthday of President Abraham Lincoln. Designed by Victor David Brenner, it was the first U.S. coin to feature a real historical figure, replacing the traditional Lady Liberty designs.
- The front (obverse) of the coin shows Lincoln’s portrait, which remains on pennies today.
- The back (reverse) features two wheat stalks, symbolizing America’s agricultural strength—which is why it’s called the “Wheat Penny.”
This design remained in circulation until 1958, when it was replaced by the Lincoln Memorial Penny. While most Lincoln Wheat Pennies are only worth face value, some rare versions are worth millions—with one rumored to be worth $33 million.
Why Are Some Lincoln Wheat Pennies Worth Millions?
Most Wheat Pennies are just old coins worth a cent, but a few rare versions are incredibly valuable due to minting errors, rarity, and collector demand.
One of the most famous is the 1943 Bronze Lincoln Wheat Penny, which is believed to be the $33 million coin.
The Story Behind the 1943 Bronze Penny
In 1943, during World War II, the U.S. Mint stopped making copper pennies and switched to zinc-coated steel to conserve metal for war supplies.
However, a few 1943 pennies were accidentally struck in bronze (copper), making them extremely rare. These error coins are among the most valuable coins ever discovered.
In fact, one of these 1943 Bronze Pennies sold for over $1.7 million at auction—and if an even rarer, perfectly preserved version were found, some experts believe it could be worth up to $33 million.
Is This Rare Penny Still in Circulation?
Surprisingly, yes! Over the years, rare coins have:
- Been unknowingly spent in transactions
- Ended up in piggy banks and old collections
- Gone unnoticed in change jars for decades
This means that there’s still a small chance that a rare Lincoln Wheat Penny could be found in everyday circulation.
How to Identify a Valuable Lincoln Wheat Penny
Think you might have a rare Wheat Penny? Here’s how to check:
1. Check the Year
- The most valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies include:
- 1909-S VDB Penny – The first-ever Lincoln Penny, featuring the designer’s initials (VDB).
- 1914-D Penny – A low-mintage penny from the Denver Mint, making it extremely rare.
- 1943 Bronze Penny – This is the holy grail of Wheat Pennies.
2. Use a Magnet Test
- Most 1943 pennies were made of steel, meaning they stick to a magnet.
- If your 1943 penny does NOT stick, it could be one of the rare copper versions worth millions.
3. Look for a Mint Mark
- Some pennies have a small letter under the year, indicating where they were minted:
- “D” for Denver
- “S” for San Francisco
- No letter means it was minted in Philadelphia
4. Check the Condition
- A well-preserved, uncirculated coin is worth far more than a heavily worn one.
- The better the condition, the higher the value.
Other Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies
Even if you don’t find the $33 million penny, there are other rare Wheat Pennies that could still be worth thousands:
- 1909-S VDB Penny – One of the first Lincoln pennies ever made, valued at thousands of dollars.
- 1944 Steel Penny – Another minting error where steel was mistakenly used instead of bronze, worth over $100,000.
- 1955 Double Die Penny – A famous error coin with double lettering, selling for tens of thousands of dollars.
What to Do If You Think You Found a Rare Penny
If you suspect you have a valuable Lincoln Wheat Penny, follow these steps:
- Don’t Clean It! – Cleaning a rare coin can lower its value significantly.
- Do the Magnet Test – If your 1943 penny does not stick, it could be a rare bronze version.
- Weigh the Coin –
- A normal steel 1943 penny weighs 2.7 grams.
- A bronze 1943 penny weighs 3.11 grams.
- Get It Verified – Take your coin to a professional numismatist, coin dealer, or a grading service like PCGS or NGC to confirm its authenticity.
- Sell It Wisely – If your penny is genuine and rare, you could auction it for millions at a major coin auction house.
Conclusion: Could You Have a $33 Million Penny?
The Lincoln Wheat Penny remains one of the most fascinating coins in U.S. history, and some versions are worth millions. If a perfect 1943 Bronze Penny were found today, it could be valued at $33 million or more.
So, before you toss your pennies aside, take a closer look—you just might be holding one of the rarest and most valuable coins ever made.
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.
