The Rare 1943 Penny That Could Be Worth Nearly $1 Million and Change Your Life – Hidden Treasure

Published On: May 25, 2025

Imagine stumbling on a penny that could be worth nearly a million bucks. Sounds far-fetched, right? But that dream coin might be sitting quietly in your wallet or lost at the bottom of a coin jar.

That’s the unbelievable tale behind one rare version of the Lincoln Wheat Penny — a seemingly ordinary coin that has collectors throwing serious cash at it.

One even clocked in at a jaw-dropping $999,999. Let’s look into how a little copper disc can become a hidden fortune.

Table of Contents

1 History
2 Rarity
3 Value
4 Testing
5 Others
6 Craze
7 FAQs

History

The Lincoln Wheat Penny is more than just loose change — it’s a piece of American legacy. First rolled out in 1909 to celebrate Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday, the coin sports his side profile on the front and a pair of wheat stalks on the back. They stuck with that design until 1958, when it gave way to the Lincoln Memorial version.

But it’s not just the age that makes these coins special. Some of them were printed in smaller batches, came with quirky minting errors, or were struck using metals that weren’t supposed to be used — and that’s where things start to get interesting.

Rarity

Enter the holy grail of pennies: the 1943 copper Lincoln Wheat Penny. During WWII, the U.S. Mint switched to steel to save copper for the war effort. But a few copper planchets — the coin blanks — accidentally got used, creating an ultra-rare 1943 copper edition.

So how rare are they? Try fewer than 20 known to exist. That’s why they’re worth an absolute fortune. One in great condition was appraised at nearly a million dollars. Just picture it: a coin that blends in with any other penny… but could buy you a house.

Value

Why the sky-high value? Simple — it’s a fluke. These copper 1943 pennies are considered mint errors, which makes them incredibly scarce. Add in their wartime origin, and you’ve got a piece of history in your hands.

The cherry on top? Most people have no clue what to look for, meaning some of these gems could still be hiding in plain sight, tucked away in drawers or forgotten jars.

Testing

Think you’ve found one? Here’s how to tell:

Test Step	Description
Visual Check	Copper has a warm reddish hue
Magnet Test	Copper won’t stick to magnets
Weigh It	Should weigh about 3.11 grams
Get It Graded	Have an expert verify it

Most 1943 pennies are made of steel — silvery and magnetic. But if yours doesn’t stick and has that rich copper color? You might be holding six figures.

Others

While the 1943 copper penny gets most of the spotlight, a few other Lincoln Wheat Pennies are also worth hunting for. The 1909-S VDB had a tiny release and is in high demand. The 1914-D is another rare one, with very few in circulation.

And then there’s the 1922 “No D” — a minting mishap where the usual mintmark is missing, making it highly collectible. These coins can fetch anywhere from hundreds to several thousand bucks, all depending on their condition. And yes, they might be sitting unnoticed in your change jar.

Craze

Lately, rare coin news has sparked a full-on treasure hunt. Folks across the country are raiding old coffee cans, checking every coin roll they can get their hands on, and hitting estate sales hoping to strike copper gold.

What’s the appeal? You don’t have to be a hardcore numismatist. Anyone can find one — and that makes the whole thing feel like a real-life lottery ticket hiding in your spare change.

So next time you’re cleaning out your pockets, don’t rush. Take a second. Flip that penny over. See a 1943 date and a reddish tone instead of silver? Hold on tight — that little coin could be worth nearly a million dollars.