Imagine finding a tiny coin in your pocket that’s worth millions. That’s exactly what happened for a few lucky people who stumbled upon the rare 1943 Lincoln Wheat Penny made of copper. Even though most pennies from that year were made of steel, a small number were mistakenly made from copper—and one of them is now valued at a staggering $6.3 million.
What makes this even more exciting? These valuable pennies might still be out there—in old jars, forgotten collections, or maybe even in your spare change.
A Quick History of the Lincoln Wheat Penny
The Lincoln Wheat Penny was first made in 1909, honoring Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday. It was the first U.S. coin to feature a real person—Lincoln’s face on the front, with two wheat stalks on the back. These coins were made mostly from copper and stayed in production until 1958, when the design changed to feature the Lincoln Memorial.
How a Wartime Mistake Created a Fortune
In 1943, copper was needed for World War II equipment, so the U.S. Mint switched to using steel for pennies. These new pennies looked silver instead of the usual reddish-brown. But somehow, a few copper blanks from 1942 were accidentally used to make pennies in 1943.
Only about 20 of these copper 1943 pennies are known to exist. That mistake turned them into one of the rarest and most valuable coins in the U.S.
Why Is This Penny Worth So Much?
Several things make this penny special:
- Extremely rare – only a handful are known.
- It was a minting mistake, which collectors love.
- It’s tied to World War II, making it a piece of history.
- And, of course, the huge demand among wealthy collectors pushes the value higher every year.
Real-Life Stories of Discovery
- In 1947, a teenager named Don Lutes Jr. found a 1943 copper penny in his lunch change. He kept it for over 70 years. When he passed away in 2018, it was auctioned for $204,000.
- In the 1950s, 16-year-old Kenneth Wing found one in his change too. That coin later sold for more than $200,000.
These true stories keep people hopeful that they might discover one of these hidden treasures themselves.
How to Spot a 1943 Copper Wheat Penny
Here’s how to check if you have a rare one:
- Look at the date: It must say 1943 under Lincoln’s face.
- Use a magnet: Real 1943 copper pennies won’t stick to a magnet. Steel ones will.
- Check the color: Copper ones are reddish-brown. Steel ones are gray or silver.
- Weigh it: A copper penny weighs around 3.11 grams. Steel pennies weigh less—about 2.7 grams.
⚠️ Be careful of fakes. Some people try to turn regular steel 1943 pennies into fakes by copper-plating them, or changing the date on other pennies.
Where These Rare Pennies Might Be Hiding
You never know where a valuable coin might turn up. Here are some places to look:
- Old coin jars and piggy banks.
- Inherited coin collections, especially from the 1940s.
- Bank rolls of pennies.
- Even pocket change—yes, people have found rare coins there!
Other Wheat Pennies That Are Worth Money
The 1943 copper penny is the most famous, but it’s not the only valuable one:
- 1909-S VDB: Has the designer’s initials and is worth thousands.
- 1914-D and 1931-S: Very low mintage numbers make them valuable.
- Error coins (like “doubled dies”) can also be worth a lot.
Even common pennies from before 1934 can be worth more than face value, thanks to their copper content and age.
Will This Penny Go Up in Value?
Yes, it probably will. Since there are so few out there, and demand keeps growing, prices could rise even more in the future. Every time one is sold, it makes headlines, and more people become interested in collecting coins.
Finding one isn’t just about money—it’s about owning a piece of American history.
Final Thoughts
The 1943 copper Lincoln Wheat Penny proves that something small and ordinary can hold enormous value. Even if the chances are slim, it’s still worth checking your old change. That dusty jar in the attic or an old penny from Grandma’s collection could be worth a life-changing amount of money.
So next time you get a handful of coins, take a second look. You might just be holding a $6.3 million treasure.
