The Lincoln Wheat Penny Valued at $990K, Still in Circulation

The Lincoln Wheat Penny is perhaps one of the most popular and valuable coins in American history. A penny is usually worth only one cent; however, some rare editions of the Lincoln Wheat Penny sell for a fortune. One of them is worth $990,000, and the shocking fact is, it might still be in circulation today! This means that anyone could find it at the end of another pocket or in a coin collection.

What is the Lincoln Wheat Penny?

First minted in 1909, the Lincoln Wheat Penny was struck without interruption in 1958. Abraham Lincoln graces one side of the coin, while two wheat stalks grace the other, which is why this coin gets nicknamed as the “Wheat Penny.” The Wheat Penny was designed by Victor David Brenner, and he was the first person in history to have an actual person on an official US coin. >

Why is This Penny Worth $990K?

Not all Lincoln Wheat Pennies are valuable, but some rare ones can be worth a lot of money. The most valuable Lincoln Wheat Penny is the 1943 Bronze Penny. In 1943, most pennies were made from steel because copper was needed for World War II. However, a small number of pennies were accidentally made from bronze (copper and tin alloy) instead of steel. These rare 1943 Bronze Pennies are extremely valuable today.

One of these 1943 Bronze Pennies was sold for $990,000 at an auction. Experts believe that only about 20 to 40 of these rare pennies exist. The rest could still be circulating, meaning someone might find one in their pocket change. >

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How to Identify a $990K Lincoln Wheat Penny?

If you want to check whether you have a rare 1943 Bronze Penny, follow these simple steps: >

Check the Date: Look at the year on the penny. If it says “1943,” it could be valuable.
Check the Color: A real 1943 Bronze Penny should be brownish or copper-colored, not silver or grey.
Use a Magnet: Regular 1943 pennies were made from steel, so they will stick to a magnet. But if your 1943 penny is made from bronze, it will not stick to a magnet.
Look for Mint Marks: If your 1943 penny has a small letter “D” (Denver Mint) or “S” (San Francisco Mint) below the date, it could be even more valuable.
Get it Checked by an Expert: If you think you have a rare penny, take it to a professional coin dealer or grading service to confirm its authenticity.

Other Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies

Besides the 1943 Bronze Penny, there are other Lincoln Wheat Pennies that are worth a lot of money:

1909-S VDB Penny – Worth up to $100,000, this penny was one of the first Lincoln pennies ever made.
1944 Steel Penny – Worth up to $750,000, this rare coin was an accident when steel planchets were mistakenly used in 1944.
1955 Doubled Die Penny – Worth up to $50,000, this penny has a noticeable error where the text appears doubled.

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Could You Find This Rare Penny Today?

Yes! Even though these pennies are rare, they could still be in circulation. Many people do not realize the value of old coins and might spend them without knowing their worth. Checking your loose change, old piggy banks, or inherited coin collections could lead to a life-changing discovery. >

Conclusion

The Lincoln Wheat Penny is one of the most fascinating and valuable coins in U.S. history. The 1943 Bronze Penny, worth $990,000, is one of the rarest coins that might still be in circulation. If you find one, you could become an instant millionaire! So, the next time you receive a penny, check it carefully—it might be worth much more than just one cent.

FAQs

Q1. Can I find valuable Wheat Pennies in circulation?

A1. Yes, some valuable Wheat Pennies can still be found in circulation, like in old piggy banks, coin rolls from banks, or pocket change from stores.