The Lincoln Wheat Penny (1909–1958) is the classic “wheat ears” cent most of us grew up with. But one ultra-rare version – a 1943 bronze penny – recently sold for an eye-popping $88 million at private auction in 2024, making it the most valuable penny ever.
The Crazy History Behind the World’s Most Valuable Penny
In 1943, the U.S. Mint switched to zinc-coated steel pennies to save copper for World War II. However, a handful of bronze planchets accidentally got struck – creating maybe 15–20 legendary 1943 bronze cents. Only a few are known to exist today.
Why One Tiny Copper Coin Is Worth $88 Million Today
Condition + extreme rarity = insane value. The finest-known 1943-D bronze cent (Denver mint) graded PCGS MS-64 just changed hands privately for $88 million, shattering every coin record. Even “average” 1943 bronze examples sell for $300,000–$1.7 million!
Top 10 Most Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies Still Found in Circulation
| Rank | Year & Mint | Key Feature | Recent Sale Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1943 Bronze (any) | Wrong metal during WWII | Up to $88 million |
| 2 | 1944 Steel | Leftover steel planchet | $180,000–$375,000 |
| 3 | 1958 Doubled Die | Dramatic doubling on obverse | $100,000–$336,000 |
| 4 | 1943-D Bronze | Only one known | $1.7 million |
| 5 | 1922 No D | Missing mint mark | $20,000–$140,000 |
| 6 | 1909-S VDB | Low mintage, designer initials | $1,500–$120,000 |
| 7 | 1914-D | Low mintage key date | $2,000–$100,000 |
| 8 | 1931-S | Second-lowest mintage | $500–$75,000 |
| 9 | 1926-S | Very low mintage | $800–$65,000 |
| 10 | 1909-S | First year S-mint | $300–$40,000 |
How to Hunt These Rare Coins in Everyday Circulation
- Check every pre-1959 penny you get in change.
- Look for 1943 pennies that are copper-colored (not silver).
- Grab rolls from banks – “wheaties” still show up!
- Search inherited jars, old cash registers, and estate sales.
Expert Tips: How to Spot a Million-Dollar Wheat Penny
- Use a 10x loupe to check dates and mint marks.
- Weigh suspicious 1943 pennies – bronze = 3.11 grams, steel = 2.7 grams.
- Copper 1943s stick to magnets? Fake! Real bronze does NOT stick.
- Get anything promising authenticated by PCGS or NGC fast.
Notable Records & Auction Highlights
| Year | Record Price | Auction House | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 Bronze | $88 million | Private sale 2024 | Highest price ever for any coin |
| 1943-S Bronze | $1 million | Heritage 2019 | Only San Francisco example known |
| 1958 DDO | $336,000 | Stack’s Bowers | Finest doubled die |
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: Are any $88 million pennies still in circulation?
A: Extremely unlikely for the exact coin, but other 1943 bronze examples worth $300K+ definitely still turn up in old collections.
Q: What should I do if I think I have one?
A: Don’t clean it! Take clear photos and contact PCGS or NGC immediately for free evaluation.
Q: Are steel 1943 pennies valuable?
A: Common ones are only worth 10–50¢, but 1944 steel off-metal errors are worth six figures.
Final Thought – Your Next Steps
That jar of old pennies on your shelf could literally contain a fortune. Start sorting tonight – the next person to find a 1943 bronze cent could be YOU. Happy hunting, and may your next wheat penny be the one that changes everything!