We’ve all done it—dropped spare change into a jar without giving it a second look. But here’s a reason to slow down: one seemingly ordinary penny once sold for a staggering $840,000. Yep, a single Lincoln Wheat Penny fetched more than the average house.
Sounds wild, right? But in the world of coin collecting, mistakes and rarities turn pocket change into life-changing finds. What makes this penny so valuable, and is there a chance one could still be sitting in your junk drawer? Let’s find out.
Table of Contents
Basics
Let’s start with the coin itself. The Lincoln Wheat Penny, or “Wheat Cent,” was minted from 1909 to 1958. You’ll know it by the wheat stalks on the back—no Lincoln Memorial here. Plenty of people have stumbled across one in old collections or even in pocket change.
Most are worth just a few cents, but some rare versions? They’re in a league of their own.
Legend
The $840,000 Wheat Penny is a 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent, and it exists because of a minting error during World War II.
Here’s the short version:
In 1943, the U.S. Mint needed copper for wartime efforts. So, they made pennies out of steel coated with zinc. But a few leftover copper planchets (the blank discs used to make coins) from 1942 got stuck in the machinery. A handful of 1943 pennies were accidentally made with bronze instead of steel.
These were never supposed to exist—and that’s exactly what makes them incredibly rare. Fewer than 20 are believed to be in circulation, and one sold for around $840,000.
That’s a lot of zeros for a one-cent coin.
Checklist
So how do you know if your 1943 penny is one of those?
Follow this quick guide to check:
1. Date Check
Look for the year 1943 on the front of the coin.
2. Color Check
Bronze pennies look reddish or brownish. If your 1943 penny is silver-colored, it’s steel—the common one.
3. Magnet Test
Steel sticks to a magnet. Bronze does not.
If your 1943 penny doesn’t stick, you might want to sit down.
4. Weigh It
Steel pennies weigh about 2.7 grams. Bronze pennies weigh 3.11 grams. A small scale helps here.
5. Get It Verified
If it passes all these tests, take it to a reputable coin grading service. There are fakes out there, and professionals can confirm the real deal.
Other Gems
Even if you don’t have the ultra-rare 1943 bronze penny, there are still plenty of valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies worth checking your stash for.
| Year & Variety | Value Estimate | Why It’s Valuable |
|---|---|---|
| 1909-S VDB | $700 – $3,000+ | First year, low mintage |
| 1914-D | $300 – $5,000+ | Rare early Denver coin |
| 1922 No D | $500 – $20,000+ | Missing mint mark |
| 1931-S | $75 – $600+ | Scarce late Wheat Penny |
| 1944 Steel Penny | $30,000 – $200,000+ | Another wartime minting error |
Even if you find one worth $100 or $500, that’s a serious win for spare change.
Why
So why do people still comb through coins today?
Because every once in a while, a random discovery becomes front-page news.
Because holding a piece of history feels kind of awesome.
Because it costs nothing to look—but the payoff could be huge.
It’s part treasure hunt, part history lesson, and all fun.
Tips
Want to start checking your own coins? Here’s what to do:
- Inspect all Wheat Pennies — even the worn ones.
- Look at 1943 and 1944 coins closely. Odd metal? Take a second look.
- Use a magnifying glass — errors can be tiny.
- Sort and store your coins — keep them organized by year and mint mark.
- Be patient. Most finds don’t happen overnight.
Even if you never find a six-figure coin, you’ll gain knowledge, appreciation for American history, and maybe a new hobby.
Reality
The idea that a Lincoln Wheat Penny worth $840,000 might still be floating around isn’t just a myth—it’s a thrilling reminder that value can hide in plain sight. It might be buried in a jar, tucked into a drawer, or jingling around in your pocket right now.
Will you find one? Maybe.
Should you look? Absolutely.
Because in coin collecting, it’s not just about the money—it’s about the thrill of the find.
So next time you get change back from the store, take a second look. That little brown coin might just be a piece of forgotten treasure.
FAQs
What makes the 1943 penny worth $840K?
It was mistakenly struck in bronze instead of steel.
How can I test if I have a 1943 bronze penny?
Use a magnet—bronze won’t stick, steel will.
How many 1943 bronze pennies exist?
Fewer than 20 are confirmed by experts.
What other Wheat Pennies are valuable?
1909-S VDB, 1914-D, and 1922 No D are all rare.
Where can I get a rare coin verified?
Use certified grading services like PCGS or NGC.
