The Lincoln Wheat Penny Valued at $66 Million, Still in Circulation

Perhaps one of the most popular American coins ever is the Lincoln Wheat Penny. First minted in 1909-that happened to be President Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday coin marked a first for the United States because it was the first coin featuring an image of a real person. There’s an extremely rare variant of the Lincoln Wheat Pennies, the majority of which are made with one-cent face value, so legend has arisen about one that sold for an astonishing $66 million. So let’s go over what really interesting story goes with this just plain amazing coin and whether perhaps you might ever find one circulating.

History of the Lincoln Wheat Penny

The Lincoln Wheat Penny was issued by the United States Mint from 1909 to 1958. There is a portrait of President Lincoln designed by Victor David Brenner on the obverse side, and there are two stalks of wheat on the reverse, which symbolize prosperity.

Historically, this dime is important because it is the first time an actual historical individual has been used instead of the allegorical “Liberty” figure, making it a major milestone in the development of American currency. Its uniqueness and rarity have kept it in circulation for over a century and is now the most in-demand. >

The Rare Penny Worth $66 Million

The 1943-D Bronze Cent has arguably captivated collectors more than the Lincoln Wheat Penny in the world of numismatics. The World War II war effort required copper, therefore in 1943 the U.S. Mint began making pennies using steel coated in zinc. A small number of extra bronze planchets in 1942 were mistakenly used to create pennies in 1943 at the Denver Mint.
This error resulted in one of the most rare coins in American history. To date, only one known copy of the 1943-D Bronze Cent is confirmed to exist, and its rarity has made it one of the most valuable coins ever found. >

The value of the coin at record-breaking $66 million can be attributed to the exclusiveness caused by being only one piece in existence, historic value, and high demand from collectors. >

Why It Still Is in Circulation?

Similar coins could still exist in circulation. Coins tend to be unnoticed for decades and sometimes for centuries because they pass down through generations or are hidden in jars and drawers. The 1943-D Bronze Cent appears so much like ordinary pennies during that period, so they tend to be easily overlooked unless seen closely.

How to Identify the 1943-D Bronze Cent

If you are adventurous enough to search for this legendary penny, here is how you would know if you found it: >

Year and Mintmark: You’ll see the year “1943” on the front side of the penny and a small “D” mint mark beneath the year. It’s the one minted in Denver.
Composition: The bronze penny has a reddish-brown color while steel pennies appear silvery in color.
Magnet Test: Steel pennies are magnetic, and bronze pennies are not. Check the coin with a magnet.
Weight: A bronze penny weighs about 3.11 grams, and a steel penny weighs 2.7 grams.

If you suspect you have a 1943-D Bronze Cent, contact a professional numismatist or coin grading service to confirm its authenticity.

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What Makes the 1943-D Bronze Cent So Valuable?

The value of the 1943-D Bronze Cent is quite staggering for several reasons:

Rarity: There is only one known specimen of this coin.
Historical Significance: It is a product of a wartime error, and it represents a unique moment in U.S. history.
Collector Demand: The rarity and the story behind the coin make it highly collectible and desirable, both among collectors and investors.
Condition: Coins in mint condition are much more valuable. The 1943-D Bronze Cent is in excellent condition, which adds to its value.

Other Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies

While the 1943-D Bronze Cent is the most famous, other Lincoln Wheat Pennies are also valuable:

1909-S VDB Penny: This has a small letter VDB which stands for designer Victor David Brenner, whose coins are already very valuable but also due to low mintage, this can run into thousands of dollars
1922 No D Penny: A penny, as the result of a mistake made in the minting of this coin; no “D” mint mark
1955 Double Die Penny: This double image design will earn it many a pretty penny thousands of dollars.

Legacy of the Lincoln Wheat Penny

The Lincoln Wheat Penny is more than a piece of currency; it’s a piece of America’s history. From the year it was minted in 1909 and replaced in 1959 with the Lincoln Memorial design, such memories have been left behind.

What keeps collectors and enthusiasts’ spirits high is the possibility of finding a rare Lincoln Wheat Penny, like the 1943-D Bronze Cent. You probably will never find that $66 million penny, but some Wheat Pennies may be hiding in plain sight.

Conclusion: Could You Strike Gold with a Penny?

In this regard, the Lincoln Wheat Penny, worth $66 million, is an example of the timeless value of rare coins. The probability of finding one might be low, but the possibility makes every old penny worth a second look.

Next time you sort through your fabric change or change from a jar of coins, pay close attention-you may just find history worth millions.