Most people don’t pay much attention to pennies. They get tossed into jars, dropped in couch cushions, or ignored at the checkout counter. But what if one of those little coins was secretly worth $9.9 million? That’s the estimated value of an incredibly rare Lincoln Wheat Penny, and some believe it might still be floating around in everyday change.
What Is a Lincoln Wheat Penny?
The Lincoln Wheat Penny was introduced in 1909 to honor President Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday. It was the first U.S. coin to feature a real person instead of a symbol like Lady Liberty. The front shows Lincoln’s profile, and the back has two stalks of wheat—hence the name.
This classic design was used until 1958, making these pennies old enough to be rare, but still common enough that people sometimes find them in change today.
Why One Penny Is Worth $9.9 Million
Not every Lincoln Wheat Penny is worth millions. But a specific error penny from 1943 is considered a holy grail among collectors.
In 1943, the U.S. Mint was supposed to make pennies from steel coated in zinc, since copper was needed for World War II. However, a few copper planchets (blanks) were mistakenly used. These rare 1943 copper pennies are now some of the most valuable coins ever made.
Only a few dozen are believed to exist. One sold years ago for over $1.7 million, and with growing collector interest, experts estimate that a perfectly preserved 1943 copper penny could sell for as much as $9.9 million in a private sale today.
Other Lincoln Wheat Pennies Worth Money
While the $9.9 million penny is the rarest, other Lincoln Wheat Pennies can also be valuable:
- 1909-S VDB – The first penny with Lincoln’s image, with rare initials: $1,000 to $100,000+
- 1914-D – Hard to find due to low mintage: $200 to $15,000+
- 1955 Doubled Die – Minting mistake causes visible double lettering: $1,000 to $50,000
How to Tell If You Have a Rare Penny
Here are a few tips to identify valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies:
- Check the date and mint mark (look for “S” for San Francisco, “D” for Denver).
- Use a magnet – steel 1943 pennies stick; rare copper ones don’t.
- Look for errors – like double printing or off-center designs.
- Keep an eye on condition – cleaner, sharper coins are worth more.
Where These Pennies Might Be Hiding
You might find one of these valuable pennies in:
- Old coin jars or piggy banks
- Flea markets or estate sales
- Rolls of pennies from the bank
- Collections passed down by relatives
Many rare coins are discovered by accident when someone decides to finally go through an old stash of change.
What to Do If You Find One
- Do not clean it – this can lower its value.
- Handle it by the edges to avoid damage.
- Store it in a protective coin holder.
- Have it verified and graded by a professional service like PCGS or NGC.
- Sell through reputable auctions or coin dealers if it’s authentic.
Final Thoughts
A penny worth $9.9 million might seem like a fantasy, but these coins are real—and a few are still missing. One could be sitting in someone’s spare change right now. So before you ignore your next penny, take a second look. You just might be holding a piece of history—and a small fortune.