1943 Lincoln Penny Made of Bronze Sells for $1.1 Million – Collectors on the Hunt

Do you keep your spare change in a jar at home or carry it around in your wallet without thinking much about it? If yes, it might be time to take a closer look at those old coins. One of them could be hiding something valuable—so valuable that it’s worth over $1 million.

Yes, you read that right. A rare Lincoln Wheat Penny has recently been valued at a staggering $1.1 million, and it’s not the only coin from the past that could be worth a fortune today. Let’s break down what this coin is, why it’s worth so much, and how you can check if you have one of these valuable coins lying around.

What Is the Lincoln Wheat Penny?

The Lincoln Wheat Penny is a coin that was first introduced in 1909. It was made to honor President Abraham Lincoln and features his portrait on the front side (called the obverse). On the reverse side, you’ll find two wheat stalks—which is why it’s called the “Wheat Penny.”

These pennies were produced until 1958. After that, the design changed, and the Lincoln Memorial replaced the wheat stalks on the back.

Most Wheat Pennies are only worth a few cents or maybe a few dollars if they are in excellent condition. But a few rare ones are worth thousands—and in some cases, even over $1 million.

Why Is This Particular Penny Worth $1.1 Million?

The Lincoln Wheat Penny that’s making headlines is from the year 1943, and it was made out of bronze instead of the regular steel that was used that year.

During World War II, the U.S. Mint had to save copper for the war effort. So, in 1943, they made pennies from zinc-coated steel. However, due to an error, a small number of 1943 pennies were made using leftover bronze planchets (blanks). These bronze pennies were never supposed to be made and are now extremely rare.

Experts believe there are only 10 to 15 such bronze 1943 Lincoln pennies in existence. And because of their rarity and historical value, collectors are willing to pay huge sums for them.

How Can You Tell If You Have One?

You don’t need any special training to do a basic check. Here’s what to look for:

Year: Check if the coin says “1943.”
Color: Most 1943 pennies will look silver (because they’re steel). But if your 1943 penny looks brownish or copper-colored, it might be one of the rare bronze versions.
Magnet Test: Take a magnet and see if the coin sticks to it. Steel pennies will stick; bronze pennies won’t. If it doesn’t stick, you could be holding something special.

Of course, this isn’t enough to confirm the coin’s authenticity. If you think your coin matches these signs, you should get it checked by a professional coin grading service. They’ll inspect the coin and let you know its real value.

Other Valuable Pennies to Watch Out For

Even if you don’t have the million-dollar 1943 bronze penny, there are other Lincoln Wheat Pennies that are still worth a lot. Here are some examples:

1909-S VDB Penny – Worth $700 to $10,000+
1914-D Penny – Worth $200 to $5,000+
1922 No D Penny – Worth $500 to $3,000+
1955 Doubled Die Penny – Worth $1,000 to $10,000+

The value depends on the coin’s condition and how rare it is. Some of these coins are valuable because of minting mistakes or limited production.

Why Old Coins Are Becoming Hot Investments

Coin collecting has been around for centuries, but lately, rare coins have become a hot item in the investment world. Many collectors and investors are now hunting for old coins that could give big returns in the future.

And the best part? You don’t need to be rich to get started. Sometimes, all it takes is checking the pocket change you already have.

What You Should Do Next

Go through your old coins – Check your piggy banks, wallets, and drawers.
Sort by year and condition – Focus on older pennies, especially those from before 1959.
Look for unusual features – Odd coloring, doubled numbers, missing letters, or coins that don’t match others from the same year.
Get expert help – If you find something interesting, take it to a professional or visit a trusted coin appraisal website.

Final Thoughts

Finding a million-dollar coin might sound like winning the lottery, but it’s not impossible. Coins like the 1943 bronze Lincoln Wheat Penny are proof that something very valuable can be hiding in plain sight.