It’s a 1943 Lincoln wheat penny – but struck in bronze instead of steel. During World War II, copper was needed for the war, so the U.S. Mint switched to zinc-coated steel pennies. A handful were accidentally made on bronze planchets left over from 1942. Only about 15–20 are known to exist.
The Crazy WWII Mistake That Created It
In 1943, the Mint produced over a billion steel cents at Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. Somehow, a few leftover 1942 bronze blanks got mixed in. No one noticed until years later when collectors started finding them. Pure accident = pure gold for collectors!
Why These 1943 Bronze Pennies Are Worth Millions Today
Scarcity + historical accident = insane value. The finest known example (graded PCGS MS-64) sold for $11.2 million in 2024. Even lower-grade ones bring $200,000–$500,000.
| Year/Mint | Metal | Known Examples | Record Sale Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 | Bronze (Philly, no mintmark) | ~10–12 | $11.2 million (2024) |
| 1943-D | Bronze | 1 confirmed | $1.7 million |
| 1943-S | Bronze | 5–6 | $1 million+ |
| 1944 Steel | Steel (error) | ~30–40 | $200,000–$400,000 |
Could One Still Be in Circulation in 2025?
Yes – believe it or not! At least two have been found in change since 2019. One teenager in 2019 got one as change for lunch money. Another surfaced in 2023 from a 70-year-old roll. They’re out there… somewhere.
Top 10 Most Valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies Ever Sold
| Rank | Year/Mint | Key Feature | Sale Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1943 Bronze | Philadelphia | $11.2 million |
| 2 | 1943-D Bronze | Only known Denver | $1.7 million |
| 3 | 1943-S Bronze | San Francisco | $1+ million |
| 4 | 1909-S VDB | Low mintage key date | $1.2 million |
| 5 | 1955 Doubled Die | Dramatic doubling | $125,000+ |
How to Spot a Real 1943 Bronze Penny vs Fake
- Real bronze sticks to a magnet? NO (steel does, bronze doesn’t)
- Weight: Bronze = 3.11 grams | Steel = 2.7 grams
- Color: Coppery brown, not silver-gray
- Get it certified by PCGS or NGC – fakes are everywhere!
Expert Tips: Start Hunting Your Change Today
- Grab every 1943 penny you see – most are steel, but check!
- Buy old wheat penny rolls on eBay for $2–$5 each.
- Use a cheap digital scale ($10 on Amazon) to weigh suspicious coins.
- Join Facebook groups like “Wheat Penny Hunters” – people post finds daily.
- Never clean coins – it destroys value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are all 1943 pennies valuable?
A: No – steel ones are worth 10–50 cents. Only bronze errors are rare.
Q: How many 1943 bronze pennies are still missing?
A: Experts believe 3–5 may still be undiscovered.
Q: Can I send my penny to be checked?
A: Yes! PCGS and NGC offer submission services.
Final Thought – Your Next Million Could Be in the Couch
Next time you get a handful of old pennies, don’t toss them. That grimy 1943 cent could literally change your life overnight. Start checking jars, drawers, and rolls today – the hunt is half the fun, and the payoff could be $11 million.