You might be carrying a small fortune in your wallet without even realizing it. Some old Lincoln Wheat Pennies — those humble one-cent coins with wheat stalks on the back — are worth far more than their face value. In fact, one extremely rare Lincoln Wheat Penny has been sold for a staggering $144,000. Here’s how to tell if the penny jingling in your pocket could be one of these valuable treasures.
What Is the Lincoln Wheat Penny
The Lincoln Wheat Penny was first minted in 1909 to honor the 100th birthday of President Abraham Lincoln. It was designed by Victor David Brenner, and features Lincoln’s profile on the front and two stalks of wheat on the reverse side — hence the name “Wheat Penny.” These coins were minted from 1909 to 1958, before being replaced by the Lincoln Memorial design.
Why Some Wheat Pennies Are Worth Thousands
Most wheat pennies are worth only a few cents to collectors, but a few rare errors, limited mintages, and unique features make certain coins incredibly valuable. Their worth depends on minting mistakes, metal composition, year of issue, and mint mark location.
The $144,000 Wheat Penny
The specific Lincoln Wheat Penny that reached the $144,000 price mark is the 1943 Bronze Cent. During World War II, the U.S. Mint switched from copper to steel to conserve copper for wartime materials. However, a few bronze blanks from 1942 accidentally got struck with the 1943 design, creating one of the most famous minting errors in U.S. history.
Only a few of these coins are known to exist today — and collectors are willing to pay small fortunes for them. One such penny sold at auction for over $144,000 because of its exceptional condition and rarity.
How to Identify the Rare 1943 Bronze Wheat Penny
- Check the Year – Look for the year 1943 under Lincoln’s portrait.
- Use a Magnet – The common 1943 steel cents are magnetic, while the rare bronze pennies are not. If your 1943 penny doesn’t stick to a magnet, it could be worth checking further.
- Inspect the Color – The bronze version has a brownish or reddish tint, while the steel penny looks silvery-gray.
- Check for the Mint Mark – The coin could have a small letter under the date: D (Denver) or S (San Francisco). All mint marks of the bronze version are valuable.
- Get It Authenticated – Because fakes exist, it’s important to have the coin verified by a professional grading service like PCGS or NGC.
Other Valuable Wheat Pennies to Watch For
- 1909-S VDB: The very first year of the series, with the designer’s initials on the reverse — one of the most sought-after coins.
- 1914-D: Low mintage from Denver, very valuable in mint condition.
- 1922 No D: Minting error where the “D” mint mark was omitted.
- 1955 Double Die: Famous for its doubled lettering on “LIBERTY” and the date, making it worth thousands.
Final Thoughts
It’s amazing to think that a penny could be worth over a hundred thousand dollars, but it’s true — coins like the 1943 Bronze Lincoln Wheat Penny are living pieces of history that collectors cherish. So, the next time you find old change in a drawer or an antique jar, don’t dismiss those pennies too quickly. You might just be holding a $144,000 treasure in the palm of your hand.
