The Lincoln Wheat Penny Valued at $13 Million, Still in Circulation?

A Lincoln Wheat Penny Worth $13 Million

Imagine finding a penny in your change that’s worth thirteen million dollars. Sounds unbelievable, right? But this became true for people who came across certain rare 1943 Lincoln Wheat Pennies. These coins are some of the most valuable in U.S. history, all because of a mistake made during wartime. The story starts in World War II, when materials were in short supply, leading to a big change in how pennies were made. That mistake turned a few ordinary-looking coins into hidden treasures.

A Wartime Mistake That Made History

In 1943, the U.S. was fully involved in World War II. Copper was needed for bullets and other war tools, so the U.S. Mint began making pennies from steel coated with zinc instead of copper. But a few leftover copper blanks from 1942 got mixed in and were used by accident. These rare copper pennies were made with 1943 dates and entered circulation without anyone noticing how special they were.

Why These Pennies Are So Valuable

What makes these coins worth so much is how rare they are. Experts think only 20 to 30 real 1943 copper pennies still exist. Their scarcity, combined with their link to wartime history, makes collectors around the world eager to own them. Some have sold for nearly $13 million at auctions. Their value keeps rising as more collectors understand their worth and see them as good investments.

How to Tell if You Have One

To spot a real 1943 copper penny, start by looking at the date under Lincoln’s face—it should read 1943. Then do the magnet test. Most 1943 pennies were made from steel, so they stick to a magnet. A real copper one won’t stick because copper isn’t magnetic. This is a fast way to check if your penny might be one of the valuable ones.

Watch Out for Fakes

Because these pennies are worth so much, many fakes exist. Some people coat regular steel pennies with copper to trick buyers. Others change the dates on 1948 pennies to look like 1943. These tricks can fool people, so it’s important to have the coin professionally checked before thinking it’s real. Don’t trust just looks or simple tests.

Get It Authenticated by Experts

If you think you’ve found a 1943 copper penny, the next step is getting it checked by professionals. Certified coin graders have special tools and knowledge to test the metal, weight, and size. They can tell if your penny is real and give it a grade based on its condition. This helps decide how much it’s worth. Skipping this step could mean losing out on big money—or getting fooled.

Real Finds Still Happen

The best part is that people are still finding these rare pennies today. Some have found them in old family coin collections. Others came across them in rolls from the bank or even got one as change from a store. These stories show that valuable coins are still out there, waiting to be found. That’s what keeps collectors excited—anyone could get lucky.

Disclaimer: This article shares general tips about rare coins. Coin values change depending on condition and demand. Always talk to professional coin experts before making any decisions based on what you find.

FAQs