An ordinary penny could be hiding an extraordinary fortune. Coin experts are once again warning collectors and the public to check their loose change — because a rare Lincoln wheat penny could be worth as much as $144,000.
This particular penny, minted in 1943, is one of a few struck on bronze planchets instead of the wartime steel used that year. Only a small number escaped into circulation, making them among the rarest coins in U.S. history.
Discovered by chance in everyday pocket change, these rare pennies have since become legendary among collectors. Their value continues to climb as demand for historic minting errors surges. In top condition, a single 1943 bronze penny has sold at auction for over $144,000 — and some pristine examples have gone for even more.
Coin specialists recommend checking every 1943 penny you come across. The telltale sign is simple: a genuine bronze version will not stick to a magnet, while the common steel one will. If yours doesn’t attract to metal, you may be holding a small piece of numismatic history — and possibly a life-changing treasure.
That humble penny jingling in your pocket could be worth a fortune. Take a closer look — it might just be the hidden gem that turns your spare change into a story worth $144,000.
