You might not think twice about pennies, but did you know that a Lincoln Wheat Penny worth $55,000 has been sold at auction? While most pennies are treated like loose change, some rare Lincoln Wheat Pennies are worth a surprising amount. The best part? These valuable coins could still be out there, hiding in your pocket change or coin jar.
What Makes the Lincoln Wheat Penny Special?
The Lincoln Wheat Penny was introduced in 1909 to honor the 100th anniversary of President Abraham Lincoln’s birth. The coin features a portrait of Lincoln on the front and two stalks of wheat on the back. This design remained in use until 1958. While most of these pennies are common, a few rare ones are extremely valuable due to errors made during their production or because they were made in very limited quantities.
The $55,000 Penny
One of the most famous rare Lincoln Wheat Pennies is the 1943 copper penny. In 1943, the U.S. Mint switched to making steel pennies to save copper for the war effort. However, a small number of copper planchets were mistakenly used, creating rare 1943 copper pennies.
One of these rare pennies, in excellent condition, was sold for an impressive $55,000. Today, only about 20 to 40 of these 1943 copper pennies are believed to exist, making them highly valuable to coin collectors.
How to Identify a Valuable Lincoln Wheat Penny
To identify a rare Lincoln Wheat Penny, check for the following:
- The year – Look for 1943 on the penny.
- The color – Steel pennies from 1943 are silver-colored. If the penny is copper or brown, it might be one of the rare copper versions.
- Magnet test – Steel pennies will stick to a magnet, but copper pennies won’t. If your 1943 penny doesn’t stick, it could be the rare copper version.
- Other valuable dates – Other Lincoln Wheat Pennies to look out for include:
- 1909-S VDB
- 1914-D
- 1955 Doubled Die
- 1922 No D
Where Could You Find One?
Rare Lincoln Wheat Pennies may be hiding in unexpected places, such as:
- Coin jars or piggy banks
- Estate sales or garage sales
- Coin rolls from the bank
- Old coin collections passed down from family members
Some collectors spend time going through rolls of pennies from the bank, hoping to find one of these valuable coins.
What to Do If You Find a Rare Penny
If you think you’ve found a rare Lincoln Wheat Penny, here’s what to do:
- Don’t clean the coin – Cleaning can damage it and reduce its value.
- Handle the coin carefully – Use gloves or hold it by the edges to avoid fingerprints.
- Store it properly – Place it in a protective holder to prevent damage.
- Get it authenticated – Have a trusted coin grading service, like PCGS or NGC, verify its authenticity and condition.
- Sell it carefully – If you decide to sell, use a reputable coin dealer or auction house.
Final Thoughts
A Lincoln Wheat Penny worth $55,000 might be hiding in your change, and it’s not as far-fetched as it sounds. With a little luck and some careful checking, you could find a rare coin worth a small fortune. So, next time you get change, take a moment to look at your pennies—you might just discover a hidden treasure!