The Lincoln Wheat Penny may look ordinary—but some rare versions, like the 1943 copper edition, have sold for over €11 million.
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Yes, really—your loose change might be hiding a fortune. We all have that random jar of coins sitting somewhere, right? Maybe it’s on a shelf, tucked away in a drawer, or gathering dust in the glovebox of your car.
You probably haven’t thought twice about it—just a bunch of small change that’s barely enough for a coffee. But here’s the wild part: one of those old coins could be worth up to €11 million.
No, this isn’t a joke or some social media scam. There’s a very real, very small coin from the US—called the Lincoln Wheat Penny—that’s been turning collectors’ heads for years. And in one unbelievable case, someone actually sold one for over €11 million. All because they happened to hang on to a coin that looked totally ordinary.
Why the Lincoln wheat penny is worth a fortune
The Lincoln Wheat Penny was first minted in 1909 and stayed in circulation until 1958. On the front, you’ve got Abraham Lincoln. On the back? Two simple wheat stalks and the words ‘One Cent”’ It was the first American coin to feature a real person—Lincoln, of course—and it marked the debut of the phrase ‘In God We Trust’ on US coins.
So yes, it has historical value. But what’s really made this coin famous is a printing mistake—the kind of fluke that turns a 1-cent piece into a millionaire’s dream.
Why the 1943 Lincoln wheat Penny could be worth millions
In 1943, during World War II, the US was in full resource-saving mode. Copper was needed for ammunition, so the Mint made that year’s pennies from steel coated in zinc. Millions were produced this way. They’re not rare, and you can still find them floating around.
But a handful—literally just a few—were accidentally made from copper that was left over in the machines. They were never meant to exist. But they slipped through, unnoticed, into the world.
These 1943 copper Wheat Pennies are now among the most valuable coins in existence. In perfect condition, one of them fetched over $13 million (€11 million) at auction. For a coin smaller than a bottle cap.
How to tell if you have a rare 1943 wheat Penny
Well, first, don’t panic—and don’t go rushing to dump out every coin jar in your house just yet (though let’s be honest, you’re probably tempted). Here’s what you should look for:
- Check the date: If you find a 1943 penny, that’s your starting point.
- Do the magnet test: Steel pennies will stick to a magnet. Copper ones won’t.
- Look for signs of wear: The better the condition, the higher the value.
- Keep an eye out for weird markings: Mistakes like double dates or missing letters can actually add to a coin’s value.
If something seems promising, get it checked by a professional coin expert. It’s the only way to be sure—and it could be the first step toward a serious payday.
Why coin collecting is making a big comeback
Sure, coin collecting used to seem like something your granddad did for fun. But in recent years, it’s made a huge comeback. People are starting to realise that old coins aren’t just bits of metal—they’re pieces of history. And sometimes, they’re worth more than anyone ever expected.
And the best part? You don’t need to be an expert. You just need to be curious. A random coin from an old wallet, a tin box in the attic, or something you inherited without even thinking about could be your ticket to a seven-figure surprise.
So the next time you’re clearing out a drawer or counting change for the parking meter, give those pennies a second look. You never know—you might be holding a €11 million mistake that someone at the mint made 80 years ago.
