The Lincoln Wheat Penny Valued at $8400000, Still in Circulation

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The Lincoln Wheat Penny Valued at $8400000, Still in Circulation

Imagine finding a coin in your change that could change your life forever. That’s exactly what might happen with one special type of penny — the Lincoln Wheat Penny. This small coin, once worth just one cent, has now been valued at an incredible $8,400,000, and here’s the exciting part — it might still be out there, being passed around in everyday transactions.

Yes, a coin you might ignore could be worth more than most luxury cars or even a big house. Let’s understand what makes this penny so valuable and how you can spot one if you’re lucky.

What is a Lincoln Wheat Penny?

The Lincoln Wheat Penny is one of the most famous American coins. It was first made in 1909 to honour the 100th birthday of President Abraham Lincoln. This coin has Lincoln’s face on one side and two wheat stalks on the back, which is why it’s called a “Wheat Penny”.

Also See:

Top 22+ Most Valuable Coins Sold in 2024: You must Know

The Wheat Penny was produced until 1958, and millions of them were made. While most are common, a few rare ones are extremely valuable due to mistakes during minting or the unusual materials used.

The Story Behind the $8.4 Million Penny

One particular version of the Lincoln Wheat Penny has shocked the coin world. It is believed to be a 1943 Bronze Wheat Penny, a mistake made during World War II. During that time, copper was needed for military use, so pennies were made from steel coated in zinc instead of the usual copper.

However, a few bronze blanks (leftover from 1942) were accidentally used in 1943, resulting in a small number of bronze 1943 pennies. These are now incredibly rare, and one has been valued at $8,400,000 because of its rarity and condition.

Could It Still Be in Circulation?

Yes! Believe it or not, some of these rare bronze pennies may still be moving around unnoticed. Many people don’t realise what they have and might use the coin without knowing its true worth.

These coins can be found in old jars, storage boxes, or even handed out as change. That’s why collectors and even regular people are keeping an eye on their coins, hoping to find one of these hidden treasures.

The full list of 2024’s highest-priced coins shows how often PCGS comes up. Here are a few more highlights:

RankCoin DescriptionGradePrice (USD)Auction MonthAuction House
1Undated (1652) NE ThreepencePCGS XF45$2,520,000November 2024Stack’s Bowers
21870-CC Liberty Head Double EaglePCGS AU55$1,440,000November 2024Stack’s Bowers
T-31850 Baldwin & Co. $10PCGS MS63+$1,260,000November 2024Stack’s Bowers
T-31855 $50 Kellogg & Co. Fifty DollarPCGS PR64CAM$1,260,000January 2024Heritage
51860 $5 Large Planchet Half EaglePCGS PR64+DCAM$1,140,000January 2024Heritage
61825/4/1 Capped Head Left Half EaglePCGS PR62$1,080,000August 2024Stack’s Bowers
71851 $5 Schultz & Co. Five DollarPCGS MS62$1,020,000January 2024Heritage
81868 $10 Liberty Head EaglePCGS PR66CAM$930,000January 2024Heritage
91779 (1789) John Stewart at Stony Point MedalPCGS MS62$900,000March 2024Stack’s Bowers
T-101879 Four-Dollar Gold Stella, Flowing HairPCGS PR67DCAM$840,000March 2024Stack’s Bowers
T-101870-CC Liberty Head Double EaglePCGS AU50$840,000March 2024Stack’s Bowers
121863 $10 Liberty Ten DollarPCGS PR64CAM$810,000May 2024Heritage
131876-CC 20CPCGS MS65$690,000August 2024Heritage
141881-O Morgan DollarPCGS PR64$660,000November 2024Stack’s Bowers
151795 $10 (13 Leaves)PCGS MS64+$600,000May 2024Heritage
161907 Indian Gold Eagle Rolled EdgePCGS MS65+$589,500February 2024GreatCollections
171794 1C Head of 1794, Double StruckNGC MS66BN$588,000August 2024Heritage
181878 Pattern Half EaglePCGS PR65+CAM$576,000August 2024Stack’s Bowers
191887 Liberty Head Double EaglePCGS PR65+DCAM$528,000November 2024Stack’s Bowers
201918/7-D Buffalo NickelPCGS MS65+$511,875February 2024GreatCollections
211975 Roosevelt Dime No SPCGS PR67$506,250October 2024GreatCollections
221804 DT$10 Ten DollarPCGS PR64$504,000January 2024Heritage
231893-S $1PCGS MS63$444,000January 2024Heritage
241794 Cent (Head of 1793, Edge of 1794)PCGS MS64BN$432,000January 2024Heritage
251892 Liberty Gold Double EaglePCGS MS67$429,750April 2024GreatCollections
261870-CC Liberty Head EaglePCGS AU55$420,000August 2024Stack’s Bowers
T-271893 $20PCGS PR65DCAM$408,000May 2024Heritage
T-271854-S Liberty Head Quarter EagleNGC AU50$408,000August 2024Stack’s Bowers
T-271877 $50 Half UnionPCGS PR67BN$408,000January 2024Heritage
301871-CC Liberty Gold Double EaglePCGS MS61$395,438August 2024GreatCollections

How to Check If You Have This Rare Penny

Here’s how you can find out if your penny is one of the rare ones:

Check the year – It should be from 1943.
Look at the metal – If it has a copper or bronze colour instead of silver, it’s worth checking.
Use a magnet – Steel pennies stick to a magnet. Bronze ones do not.
Still unsure? – If your 1943 penny doesn’t stick and looks coppery, take it to a coin expert for proper testing.

Even if you don’t have the $8.4 million version, other Lincoln Wheat Pennies can also be worth hundreds or thousands depending on the year and condition.

Also See:

How to Know your Rare Coins & Wheat Pennies Value: Simplest Guide Ever

The Lincoln Wheat Penny, especially the rare 1943 bronze version, shows us how something small can hold incredible value. This coin, once made as a simple form of currency, is now worth millions and might still be hidden in someone’s coin box or wallet.

Coin Dealer State WisePenny & Rare Coins Dealer
Arkansas Coins Dealers ListHow to Sell your Rare Coins
Alaska Coins Dealers ListArizona Coins Dealers List
Pennsylvania State Coins Dealers ListOregon State Coins Dealers List
New York State Coins Dealers ListKentucky State Coins Dealers List
North Carolina State Coins Dealers ListMassachusetts State Coins Dealers List

So, don’t ignore those old coins lying around. Check your change, go through your drawers, and you just might discover that you’re holding one of the world’s most valuable coins. A little attention could lead to a big surprise — maybe even a fortune.

FAQs

Why is the 1943 Lincoln Wheat Penny worth $8.4 million?

It was mistakenly made from bronze during a time when pennies were supposed to be made from steel. This error makes it extremely rare and valuable.

How can I know if I have the rare 1943 penny?

Check the date and metal type. If it says 1943 and is bronze (not steel), and doesn’t stick to a magnet, you might have a valuable penny.

Are these rare pennies still in circulation?

Yes, some may still be out there. They could be in old piggy banks, jars, or even passed around as change.

What should I do if I think I have one?

Take it to a trusted coin expert or appraiser. They can check its authenticity and help you understand its value.

Johnson

Johnson is an experienced rare coin enthusiast with in-depth knowledge of valuable collectibles, including wheat pennies. He specializes in identifying high-value coins and understands the best strategies for selling them in the collector's market. With years of hands-on experience, Johnson knows how to maximize the value of each coin through expert evaluation and the right sales channels.

4 thoughts on “The Lincoln Wheat Penny Valued at $8400000, Still in Circulation”

  1. I have a bag of wheat pennies I inherited from my wife’s mother she died at 94 can you help sell them there are about 2dollers Worth also I have 50 cent pieces all 1972 and bysintenial about 40 dollars worth

    Reply

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