Most people don’t think twice about pennies. They are the coins that pile up in jars, get lost in couch cushions, or are used for exact change at the store. But what if I told you that one single penny could be worth $21 million? Yep, you read that right! There’s an incredibly rare Lincoln Wheat Penny out there that could still be floating around in circulation. That means you could be holding a small fortune without even knowing it!
What’s So Special About the Lincoln Wheat Penny?
The Lincoln Wheat Penny has a very long history. It was minted for the first time in 1909, on the centenary of President Abraham Lincoln. This coin was designed by Victor David Brenner and was considered ground-breaking, as it was the first coin in the U.S. that featured the likeness of an actual person.
On the coin’s obverse is the profile of Lincoln, while the reverse displays two stalks of wheat; thus, the name Wheat Penny. This design was in circulation until 1958, when the Mint replaced it with the Lincoln Memorial design, which is probably familiar to most.
While most Lincoln Wheat Pennies are only worth a few cents, rare ones have sold for millions because of their unique history, minting errors, and limited production. And one of those rare pennies? It’s said to be worth an out-of-this-world $21,000,000!
Why Is This Penny Worth $21 Million?
Although it may seem that not all Wheat Pennies are noteworthy, some are clearly distinguished from others by a few errors, an uncommon variety of metals, or historical relevance. The Lincoln Wheat Penny of 21 million dollars is believed to fall within this extremely rare group. Here is some of the reasons:
- Minting Error – These pennies were struck by accident in a different metal or happened to have defects in the design that renders it really super rare.
- Low-Mintage – Only a few coins of those mints were produced in a minute amount, so locating them becomes really difficult.
- Historical Value – Several forms of the Wheat Penny were coined at important moments in history, which adds value to them.
- Considered the most popular valuable Wheat Penny in existence, the 1943 Copper Penny plays a big role in this $21 million mystery.
The 1943-C copper penny, however, which evolved into the rarest coin, has quite a story behind it. To understand that story, we must first return to World War II and the time when the U.S. government needed copper for military supplies. Therefore, coins, especially the penny, went over to steel instead. The 1943 pennies you see are silver-toned steel coins, and for this reason.
But here’s the kicker: while very few 1943 pennies were struck on bronze planchets (the blank metal discs that are to be used for making money), which in short means copper pennies, the few which survived are amongst the rarest and most valuable coins in the world.
It has put an estimated value of one of these extremely rare copper coins of 1943 at $21 million. The crazier part? Experts believe at least one of these rare pennies could still be out there in circulation!
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After you’ve gotten acquainted with the penny rarity, you must be itching to hear how to search for it. The things to check for are as follows:
- Check the Date: A 1943 Lincoln Wheat Penny.
- Check the Color: If the 1943 penny is silvery-colored, it is steel and not the rare one. If it is a coppery color, then you might have found something rare!
- The Magnet Test: Grab a magnet and place your penny by it. If it sticks to the magnet, the penny is steel and not worth anything. If it doesn’t stick, there is a good chance it could be a rare copper penny.
- Check for Clear Dates: The numbers should be sharp, and well defined, without any unusual marks or double prints.
- Get it Checked: If by any chance you are having a rare copper 1943 penny, do not take the risk; get it checked by a coin professional!
Moreover Compelling Lincoln Wheat Pennies
Even if you are not lucky to encounter the legendary $21 million penny, there are still some other Lincoln Wheat Pennies to research for worth. Here are some suggestions that are valuable:
- 1943 Copper Penny- Up to $1.7 million, depending on the condition.
- 1909-S VDB Penny- Being one of the first Lincoln pennies, it has the initial imprint by the designer on the back, which has been retained post-minting: VDB. People pay prices exceeding $100,000 for it.
- 1955 Double Die Penny- This penny, which has a clear double image in front, is worth $50,000+.
Are You Sitting on a Wealthy Fortune?
It is quite thrilling to believe that scattered among the circulation could be a $21 million Lincoln Wheat Penny. Whether or not that myth holds true in this case, what’s certain is that certain coins can be worth lifechanging amounts.”
So the next time you find an old penny, take another look at it. Check piggy banks, jars, and even the change littering the floor of your car. Who knows? You may have a tiny flutter of history-and an enormous fortune!
Thus, happy treasure hunting!
FAQS:
What makes the Lincoln Wheat Penny $21 million worthy?
Rarity, minting error, and history are a few of the many reasons distinguishing the Lincoln Wheat Penny with high value. The 1943 Copper Wheat Penny is one of the biggest stars around.
How can I know it’s the $21 million Lincoln Wheat Penny?
Look for the 1943 date stamped on a copper coin instead of steel. The genuine coin should be non-magnetic and weigh about 3.11 grams.
What is the reason that the 1943 Copper Penny is so rare?
Pennies were minted in steel in 1943 because copper was reserved for World War II efforts. A few copper blanks accidentally made it into production, creating this rare error coin.
Where could I find this rare Lincoln Wheat Penny?
They might be found in coin rolls, old collections, or inherited coin jars.