The Lincoln wheat penny may look normal, but some rare versions, like the 1943 copperplate, are sold for over 11 million euros. Credit: Yaro Studio, Shutterstock
Yes, really – your loose change may be hiding your good fortune. We all have a random jar of coins sitting somewhere, right? Maybe it’s on a shelf, hidden in a drawer, or collect dust in your car gloves.
You probably never thought about it again – just a bunch of small changes that are barely enough for coffee. But here’s the wild part. One of these old coins may be worth up to 11 million euros.
No, this is not a joke or a social media scam. There are very real and very small coins from the US. This called a penny of Lincoln wheat, but has changed the head of the collector over the years. And in an incredible case, someone actually sold it for over 11 million euros. Because they happened to be stuck on a normal-looking coin.
Why are Lincoln Wheat Pennies worth a lot of money?
Lincoln wheat penny was first cast in 1909 and was in circulation until 1958. In front of you is Abraham Lincoln. On the back? Two simple wheat stems and the word “one cent” were of course the first American coin to feature real people from Lincoln.
Yes, it has historical value. However, the reason why this coin really became famous is because of a printing mistake. This is a fluke that turns a cent piece into a billionaire dream.
Why 1943 Lincoln Wheat Penny May Be Valued Millions
In 1943, during World War II, the United States became a complete resource-saving mode. Because ammunition required copper, Mint made pennies of that year from zinc-coated steel. This is how millions were produced. They are not unusual and you can still find them floating.
But only a handful — literally, just a few — were mistakenly made from copper that remained in the machine. They were never meant to exist. However, they slipped into the world without realizing it.
These 1943 copper wheat pennies are one of the most valuable coins present. In perfect condition, one of them exceeded $13 million (11 million euros) at auction. For coins smaller than the bottle cap.
How to tell if you have a rare 1943 wheat penny
Well, first of all, don’t panic. And don’t try to throw away all the coin jars in your home yet (honestly, you will probably be seduced). This is what you should look for:
- Check the date: If you find a 1943 penny, that’s your starting point.
- Do a magnet test: Steel penny sticks to the magnet. There is no copper one.
- Look for signs of wear: the better the condition, the higher the value.
- Notice the strange markings. Mistakes like double dates and missing letters can actually add to the value of the coin.
If something seems promising, check it out by a professional coin expert. That’s certainly the only way. And that could be the first step to serious payday.
Why is Coin Collecting making a big comeback?
Certainly, collecting coins seemed like something your grandfather did for fun. However, in recent years it has become a major comeback. People are beginning to realize that old coins are not just metal, but fragments of history. And sometimes they are more valuable than everyone would have expected.
And the best part? You don’t have to be an expert. You just need to be interested. Random coins from an old wallet, a tin box in the attic, or anything you inherited without thinking about it, can be a ticket to a seven-figure surprise.
So, the next time you clear the drawer or count changes to your parking meter, I’ll show them again to those pennies. You never know. You may have a 11 million euro mistake someone at Mint made 80 years ago.
