Millions of pennies pass through Americans’ hands each day, but a few of them might be worth far more than one cent potentially up to $120,000 or more. One such coin is the legendary Lincoln Wheat Penny, a piece of U.S. currency that, while common in appearance, has rare variants that collectors will pay a fortune to own.

The coin in question isn’t just a numismatic curiosity it’s a genuine piece of American history, still possibly hiding in pockets, jars, or old boxes across the country.

What Is the Lincoln Wheat Penny?

The Lincoln Wheat Penny, also known as the Wheat Cent, was first minted in 1909 and continued through 1958. Designed by Victor David Brenner, it features President Abraham Lincoln on the obverse (front) and two wheat stalks on the reverse (back).

The penny marked a shift in American coinage, being the first U.S. coin to feature a real perso an honor previously reserved for symbolic figures like Liberty. You can learn more about the history of the Lincoln cent from the U.S. Mint.

While most Wheat Pennies are worth only a few cents today, some rare versions including minting errors and limited releases have become highly valuable to collectors.

The $120K+ Penny: The 1943 Bronze Error

One of the most valuable variants is the 1943 bronze Lincoln Wheat Penny, a rare error coin that was never intended to exist.

During World War II, copper was in high demand for ammunition and military equipment. To conserve the metal, the U.S. Mint switched to using zinc-coated steel for pennies in 1943. However, a small number of bronze blanks from 1942 were accidentally used to mint a few 1943 pennies.

These copper-colored 1943 coins became extremely rare with only 30 to 40 known to exist. In recent years, some have sold for well over $100,000, with one even fetching $336,000 at auction, according to the Sun.

How to Identify a 1943 Bronze Penny

If you suspect you might have a 1943 bronze penny, there are simple ways to tell if it’s genuine:

• Magnet Test: Steel pennies will stick to a magnet. Bronze pennies will not.
• Weight Test: A genuine bronze penny weighs around 3.11 grams, while steel versions are lighter at about 2.7 grams.
• Color: Steel pennies have a silvery gray appearance, whereas bronze versions have a brownish or copper tone.

If your coin passes these tests, it’s crucial to get it authenticated by a professional coin grading service, such as PCGS or NGC.

Other Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies

Though the 1943 bronze penny is the most famous, several other Wheat Pennies are worth significant sums:

• 1909-S VDB: The first year of issue with the designer’s initials on the reverse. Only 484,000 were minted, making it highly collectible.
• 1914-D: Minted in Denver with a relatively low mintage, making it rare.
• 1922 No D: Produced in Denver, but due to a minting error, some have no visible mint mark.
• 1955 Double Die: A striking error caused by a misalignment of dies, creating a doubled appearance in the text on the front of the coin.

For a full list of collectible pennies and their approximate value, you can consult Coin Value Charts or check updates from the American Numismatic Association.

Why These Pennies Might Still Be in Circulation

Many of these rare Wheat Pennies remain undiscovered, often mistaken for ordinary coins. According to collectors, it’s still possible though unlikely to find one in circulation, change jars, or inherited coin collections.

Since hundreds of millions of Lincoln Wheat Pennies were minted over nearly five decades, they still pop up from time to time, especially in older coin rolls or estate sales.

A viral article earlier this year from The Sun reignited public interest in these coins, highlighting just how much hidden value could be lying around in plain sight.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just someone curious about that old coin in your drawer, it may be worth taking a closer look. With variants of the Lincoln Wheat Penny fetching anywhere from $1,000 to over $300,000, identifying a rare one could lead to a life-changing discovery.

For official information about U.S. coinage and mint errors, visit the United States Mint. To verify rare coins or learn about collecting, the Smithsonian’s National Numismatic Collection is also a great educational resource.