The Lincoln Wheat Penny Valued at $131K, Still in Circulation

It’s a fact: coin collectors and anyone else interested in coins can only sit back and stare at the rare and/or valuable coins. The Lincoln Wheat Penny has one of those prices; it is worth an incredible $131K. The fact that it is in circulation makes it even greater; it means it could be found in your pocket change.

History of the Lincoln Wheat Penny

The Lincoln Wheat Penny was first introduced in 1909 to commemorate President Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday. It was designed by Victor David Brenner, and it was the first of the US coins to feature a real person. The reverse side of the coin has two wheat stalks, hence the name Wheat Penny.

These coins were minted until 1958, after which they were replaced by the Lincoln Memorial Penny. Although these are old, some coins are still found in daily transactions. >

Why is this penny worth $131K?

Though most Lincoln Wheat pennies can be exchanged for a few cents, some rare types are worth much more. Of those, the 1943 Bronze Lincoln Wheat Penny is among the rarest and most valuable.
During World War II, the U.S. Mint switched from copper to steel to make pennies, as copper was needed for wartime supplies. However, some 1943 pennies were accidentally made using bronze planchets (blank discs used to strike coins). Today these rare bronze pennies are highly valuable.

One of these 1943 Bronze Wheat Pennies sold at an auction for $131K, making it one of the most valuable pennies in history. >

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How to Identify a Rare 1943 Bronze Wheat Penny?

If you think you might have a 1943 Wheat Penny, there are a few ways to check whether it’s worth something: >

Check the color: Rare 1943 pennies are bronze, so it will have a brown or reddish tint. The majority of 1943 pennies were made from steel, so they will appear silvery grey in color.
Use a magnet: A steel penny sticks to a magnet while a bronze penny does not. So if your 1943 penny sticks to a magnet, then it’s the ordinary steel one. Otherwise, it could be that rare bronze penny.
Mint Marks: There are rare 1943 Bronze Pennies existing at all these three mints:
Philadelphia (no mint mark)
Denver (D mint mark)
San Francisco (S mint mark)
Authenticate it: If you think you have a rare 1943 Bronze Wheat Penny, then probably the best thing to do is to get it authenticated through a professional coin grading service such as PCGS or NGC.

Other Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies

Although the 1943 Bronze Penny is the most valuable, there are other rare Wheat Pennies that can be worth thousands of dollars:

1909-S VDB Wheat Penny – Valuable up to $100,000
1914-D Wheat Penny – Valuable $10,000 or more
1922 No D Wheat Penny – Valuable over $15,000
1955 Double Die Wheat Penny – Sold for $50,000+

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Can You Find It in Circulation?

Although rare, some valuable pennies are still in circulation. People often overlook old pennies and spend them without knowing their true value. This means you can find it in: >

In old piggy banks or jars
In rolls of coins from banks
In pockets found at stores

Conclusion

The Lincoln Wheat Penny worth $131Kis a rare but exciting find for coin collectors. If you find a 1943 Wheat Penny, check to make sure it is made of bronze, as it could make a fortune.
Keep an eye on your savings change – you never know when you might find a hidden treasure!

FAQs

Q1. Can I find valuable Wheat Pennies in circulation?

A1. Yes, although rare, valuable Wheat Pennies can still be found in circulation, such as in old piggy banks, coin rolls from banks, or pocket change from stores.