Lincoln Wheat Penny Worth $5.6 Million – Do You Own One? Check How to Spot!

Have you ever thought that a simple coin in your pocket can make you a millionaire? It may sound strange, but the Lincoln Wheat Penny is one such coin, whose value has reached millions today. Especially the 1943 Copper Lincoln Wheat Penny has touched a value of up to $5.6 Million dollars today!

This coin is so rare that coin collectors around the world keep an eye on it. But do you know that this priceless coin may still be in circulation somewhere? It is possible that you already have this coin, and you do not know its real value!

If you want to know why this coin is so special, how it can be identified, and what the best way to find it is, then read this article till the end. Perhaps the next priceless coin is in your hands!

History of the Lincoln Wheat Penny

The Lincoln Cent was introduced in 1909 and was the first U.S. coin to feature a person’s image. Prior to this, U.S. coins did not feature any historical figures. Then-President Theodore Roosevelt began a campaign to make U.S. coins more artistic and designer Victor David Brenner was tasked with designing the coin.

Brenner took Abraham Lincoln’s portrait from a decorative bronze plaque and added two wheat ears to the coin’s reverse, giving it the name “Wheat Penny.”

Rare Lincoln Wheat Penny Worth $6.6 Million – Is It Still in Use?

Minting and Design Changes

The Lincoln Wheat Penny was produced at the U.S. Mint from 1909 to 1958 and is one of the longest-running designs in American history. It was produced at three major mints:

✅ Philadelphia Mint (no mint mark)
✅ Denver Mint (“D” mint mark)
✅ San Francisco Mint (“S” mint mark)

In 1959, the design of the Lincoln Wheat Penny was changed to the Lincoln Memorial, ending the era of the Wheat Penny, but the Lincoln Cent continues to be in circulation today.

The Rarity of the 1943 Copper Lincoln Wheat Penny

A Mistake That Made It Priceless!

In 1943, there was a huge demand for copper in the US during World War II. This metal was being used to make weapons, wires and other military equipment. Seeing this situation, the US government decided to make all coins out of steel so as to save copper.

But by mistake, some old copper blanks were used and only 20 such coins were made. This mistake makes this coin extremely rare and priceless.

How do you know if you have this priceless coin or not?

If you have a 1943 Lincoln Wheat Penny, you can follow these easy ways to identify it:

✅ Check the date – The coin should have 1943 imprinted on it. If any other year is written, then it is not a rare coin.
✅ Do a magnet test – A steel coin will stick to a magnet, but a copper coin will not. If your 1943 coin does not stick to a magnet, then you may have a priceless coin!
✅ Check the color and weight –
- ✔ A steel coin is light and silvery.
- ✔ A real copper coin is dark brownish-red in color and weighs 3.11 grams.
✅ Get it checked by an expert – If your coin passes all these tests, get it checked by a certified coin expert.

Beware of fake coins!

Seeing the high price of this coin, many people try to make fake coins. Identify fake coins like this:

✔ Some people change the “8” of the 1948 coin to “3.”
✔ Some people put a copper layer on the steel coin so that it looks like a real copper coin.
✔ Get the authenticity of any coin checked.

Where can you find these rare coins?

If you are fond of collecting coins, then you can find this rare coin at these places:

✅ Old coin shops
✅ Coins inherited from family
✅ Flea markets and garage sales
✅ Auction houses

If you find an old coin, check it carefully. You may have a treasure worth millions in your hands!

What should you do if you find this coin?

If you come across a 1943 Copper Lincoln Wheat Penny, then:

✔ Avoid touching it too much, only hold it by the edges.
✔ Keep it safe – keep it in a plastic cover or special coin box.
✔ Get it appraised by an expert – to make sure your coin is real and what its real value is.