In the world of rare coins, few stories are as captivating—and as surprising—as the tale of the bronze Lincoln penny that went from pocket change to a six-figure treasure. Once worth just a single cent, some of these humble coins are now selling for over $100,000, easily outpacing the value of most used cars. One particular specimen even fetched nearly $2 million at auction.
Here’s what makes these special Lincoln cents so valuable — and how you might be able to tell if you’re holding one.
The Bronze Lincoln Cent: A Coin With a Story
The Lincoln cent has been in circulation since 1909, featuring the beloved 16th president on the obverse. While most of these pennies are incredibly common and worth only face value, a small number of rare varieties—especially from the 1940s and 1950s—have become numismatic gold.
The most famous among them? The 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent.
The 1943 Bronze Penny: A Mistake Worth a Fortune
So What’s the Big Deal?
In 1943, the U.S. Mint was conserving copper for the war effort. As a result, it temporarily switched the composition of pennies from bronze (mostly copper) to zinc-coated steel. But a few bronze planchets (coin blanks) were accidentally left in the machines—and struck with 1943 dies.
The result? An ultra-rare 1943 Lincoln cent made of bronze—a coin that was never supposed to exist.
Why It’s Valuable:
- Mintage error: Only about 10–20 genuine 1943 bronze cents are known to exist.
- Struck in error during a year of transition.
- Auction prices have reached as high as $1.7 million.
- A circulated example can still fetch $100,000–$500,000+.
How to Tell If You Have One
Key Identification Clues:
- Date: 1943 — most 1943 pennies are steel and will stick to a magnet.
- Color: A 1943 penny that looks brown or coppery might be bronze.
- Magnet Test: Real 1943 bronze cents will NOT stick to a magnet. If yours does, it’s steel.
- Weight: A bronze cent weighs about 3.11 grams, while a steel one is around 2.7 grams.
Warning: Many fakes exist. Some are copper-plated steel, or altered 1948 coins made to look like 1943.
Not Just 1943 — Other Valuable Bronze Lincoln Cents
While the 1943 bronze penny is the holy grail, several other Lincoln cents are surprisingly valuable:
1. 1944 Steel Penny
- Meant to be bronze, but struck in leftover steel
- Worth $75,000–$200,000+
2. 1955 Doubled Die
- Clear doubling on “LIBERTY” and “IN GOD WE TRUST”
- Valued up to $50,000
3. 1969-S Doubled Die
- Extremely rare with strong doubling on the obverse
- Worth $35,000–$100,000+
Worth More Than Your Car?
Here’s a comparison:
| Item | Average Value |
|---|---|
| 10-Year-Old Toyota Corolla | $8,000–$12,000 |
| 1943 Bronze Lincoln Penny | $100,000–$1,700,000 |
| 1944 Steel Cent | $75,000–$200,000 |
| 1955 Doubled Die Penny | $5,000–$50,000 |
That’s right—one tiny coin in the bottom of your drawer could buy multiple cars.
Final Thoughts: Could You Be Holding One?
Rare coins like the 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent prove that incredible value can come in small, unsuspecting packages. If you come across a 1943 penny that looks coppery or brown instead of silver, don’t spend it—test it, weigh it, and consider having it appraised by a reputable coin dealer or grading service like PCGS or NGC.
Because while it may look like just another penny, it might just be worth more than everything in your garage.
