Most of us don’t think twice about pennies. They’re tossed into jars, lost in couch cushions, or handed over without a second thought. But what if one of those ordinary pennies was actually worth $13 million?
Sounds unbelievable, right? But the truth is, a rare Lincoln Wheat Penny—one that some experts believe could still be out there—could turn an everyday trip to the store into a life-changing moment.
Could you be the lucky person to find it? Let’s take a closer look at what makes this rare penny so valuable and how you can spot one.
What Makes the Lincoln Wheat Penny Special?
The Lincoln Wheat Penny was first minted in 1909 to commemorate the 100th birthday of Abraham Lincoln. It was the first U.S. coin to feature a real person, replacing older designs that used symbols like Lady Liberty.
Designed by Victor David Brenner, the Wheat Penny remained in circulation until 1958, when it was replaced by the Lincoln Memorial Penny.
Key Features of the Lincoln Wheat Penny:
✅ Front (Obverse): Displays Abraham Lincoln’s profile.
✅ Back (Reverse): Features two wheat stalks, symbolizing prosperity and growth—hence the name “Wheat Penny.”
Millions of these pennies were produced, but a few rare editions have sold for millions of dollars, making them some of the most valuable coins in history.
The $13 Million Lincoln Penny – A One-of-a-Kind Coin
Among all Lincoln Wheat Pennies, one stands out above the rest—the legendary 1943 Bronze Lincoln Penny.
In 1943, during World War II, the U.S. Mint switched from copper to steel for penny production to conserve metal for the war effort. However, a few bronze (copper) pennies were mistakenly struck instead of steel.
And that’s where the magic happens.
These rare 1943 Bronze Pennies are worth millions because:
✅ It Was a Minting Mistake – These pennies were never supposed to exist. A few were accidentally struck on old bronze blanks instead of steel.
✅ Only a Few Exist – Fewer than 20 genuine 1943 bronze pennies have ever been found, making them one of the rarest coins in U.S. history.
✅ It’s a Piece of History – These pennies represent a critical moment in American history, when every resource was being managed carefully for the war. This makes them incredibly valuable to collectors.
One 1943 Bronze Penny sold for over $1.7 million at auction, and some experts believe the right specimen could be worth as much as $13 million.
Could This Penny Still Be in Circulation?
Believe it or not—yes!
While most known 1943 Bronze Pennies have been found, some experts believe a few are still out there, hidden in:
💰 Old jars or piggy banks
💰 Forgotten coin collections
💰 Bank coin rolls
💰 Loose change from everyday transactions
Because most people don’t know what to look for, it’s entirely possible that someone could unknowingly spend one, putting it back into circulation.
That means checking your pocket change might just make you a millionaire!
How to Identify a 1943 Bronze Lincoln Penny
If you think you might have a valuable Wheat Penny, here’s how to spot the rare 1943 Bronze Penny:
✅ 1. Use a Magnet Test
- Steel 1943 pennies stick to a magnet.
- Bronze 1943 pennies will NOT stick. If yours doesn’t stick—you might have something special!
✅ 2. Check the Color
- Steel pennies have a silver-gray appearance and may show signs of rust.
- Bronze pennies have a copper-like color, just like regular pennies from the 1940s.
✅ 3. Look for Mint Marks
The rare 1943 Bronze Pennies were produced at three mints:
- Philadelphia (no mint mark)
- Denver (D mint mark)
- San Francisco (S mint mark)
If you find a 1943 copper-colored penny with one of these mint marks, get it checked immediately!
What to Do If You Think You Found a Rare Penny
So, you’ve got a 1943 copper-colored penny—what’s next?
🔹 DON’T Clean It! – Cleaning a coin can damage its surface and lower its value significantly. Keep it exactly as you found it.
🔹 Get It Professionally Verified – Take it to a coin expert, numismatist, or grading service like PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) or NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) to confirm its authenticity.
🔹 Sell It at the Right Place – If your penny is the real deal, you could auction it for millions at a major coin auction house.
Other Lincoln Wheat Pennies Worth Big Money
While the $13 million Lincoln Wheat Penny is the most legendary, other rare Wheat Pennies are also worth thousands—or even millions—of dollars:
💰 1943 Copper Penny – Sold for up to $1.7 million.
💰 1909-S VDB Penny – One of the first Lincoln pennies, featuring Victor Brenner’s initials, can be worth up to $100,000 in mint condition.
💰 1914-D Penny – A rare Denver-minted penny that can sell for $50,000+.
💰 1955 Double Die Penny – A famous error coin with doubled lettering and numbers, worth tens of thousands of dollars.
Even common Wheat Pennies in pristine condition can sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Final Thoughts: Could You Find the $13 Million Penny?
The idea that a single penny could be worth $13 million might sound like a fairy tale—but history has shown that rare coins can reach astronomical prices.
And while the odds of finding a 1943 Bronze Penny are small, it’s not impossible.
So next time you go through your pocket change, old coin jars, or inherited collections, take a closer look—because you just might be holding one of the most valuable coins in history.
💡 Happy hunting!