Have you ever thought that that penny you found in your pocket might be worth much? It’s not as crazy as it sounds. Numismatics is the study and collection of coins. Some very rare Lincoln pennies have sold at sale for vast amounts of money, up to $900,000.
These coins, which at first glance seem ordinary, have become precious items for both buyers and coin fans. Today, we will discuss these special pennies, what makes them unique, and how to find one in your loose change.
The Interesting Story Behind the 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent
The 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent is one of the most famous pennies in U.S. coin history. Because copper was crucial for war supplies during WWII, the U.S. Mint chose to use zinc-coated steel instead of copper to make pennies. The copper pennies looked like copper, but these steel cents looked like silver.
But by accident, some bronze planchets (blank coin discs) were left in the Mint’s production line and were struck with the 1943 design. Because of this mistake, the very popular 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent was made.
These metal pennies are hard to find. In 1943, millions of steel pennies were made, but only a few copper pennies were made by mistake. The 1943-D Bronze Cent from the Denver Mint was one of these rare coins sold at auction for an impressive $840,000. It is a real treat for fans because it is a one-of-a-kind mistake with historical value.
How to Tell a 1943 Bronze Penny Apart
If you find a 1943 penny by chance, you might be interested in seeing if it’s one of the rare metal ones. To check, do the following:
- Look closely at the color: An honest bronze penny will be a unique copper color, while steel pennies from 1943 are silver.
- Put the magnet to the test: Steel pennies are magnetic because they are made of iron. It’s made of steel if your 1943 penny sticks to a magnet. It could be a rare metal penny if it doesn’t.
- Take a penny and weigh it: A bronze penny weighs about 3.11 grams, while a steel penny weighs about 2.7 grams less. An exact scale can help you determine what kind you have.
Other Rare Lincoln Pennies That Command High Prices
The metal penny from 1943 is one of the most well-known, but other Lincoln pennies have sold for huge amounts because they are special or have mistakes. Let us look at some of these exciting coins:
| Year | Mint Mark | Composition | Notable Sale Price | Unique Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 | S | Bronze | $504,000 | Rare bronze version minted in San Francisco. |
| 1944 | S | Steel | $373,750 | One of only two known; made from leftover steel planchets. |
| 1955 | None | Bronze | $125,000 | Famous for its doubled die error on the obverse side. |
| 1969 | S | Bronze | $126,500 | Known for a doubled die error, making the date appear doubled. |
| 1972 | None | Bronze | $60,000 | Features a prominent doubled die error on the obverse side. |
How to Read Mint Marks and Minting Mistakes
Marks of Mint
The U.S. Mint location where a coin was made is shown by its mint mark. It’s below the date on the front (obverse) side. This is what most mint marks look like:
- “D” for the Denver Mint
- “S” for the San Francisco Mint
- No mint mark typically indicates the Philadelphia Mint
Minting Errors
Minting faults are mistakes that happen when coins are being made. Coin enthusiasts can get a lot of value from these mistakes. One example is the 1955 doubles die penny, which has a clear copy of the date and writing on the front.
This kind of mistake happened because the die (the stamp that hits the coin) wasn’t lined up right, which made the picture twice as big. Most of the time, coins with these kinds of notable flaws are worth much more than they’re worth.
How to Find Pennies That Are Worth a Lot
It’s possible to find rare and expensive pennies if you follow these steps:
- Check Your Change Often: Don’t forget to look at your small change. Pay close attention to your coins’ numbers, mint marks, and other strange features.
- Learn About Important Dates and Errors: Knowing about well-known mistake coins and uncommon dates will help you spot possible finds.
- Make sure you have the right tools: A jeweler’s loupe or magnifying glass can help you see small details that you might miss, like a die that is twice or a mint mark that is missing.
- Talk to an Expert: If you think you’ve found a rare or valuable penny, have a professional numismatist or a trustworthy coin-grade service examine it.
- Handle with Care: They are worth more when they are in good shape. Do not clean them because doing so will damage their surface and make them less valuable.
What Draws People to Rare Pennies
Part of what makes collecting coins so fun is the thought that a small coin like a penny could be worth a lot of money. In the past few years, several rare Lincoln pennies have made news for fetching very high prices at sale.
The 1944 Steel Cent got as much as $373,750, while the 1943-D Bronze Cent sold for $840,000. The high prices show that these coins are rare and that people worldwide are very interested in them.
How to Find Your Treasure
It might feel like winning the lottery when you find a rare Lincoln penny in your change, but it’s not impossible. Many of these rare coins were seen by people who took the time to look at their coins more closely.
When you next get some change, look around for something that doesn’t seem right. You never know when you might find a real gem!
FAQs
1. What’s so special about the metal penny from 1943?
The worth comes from how rare it is. During WWII, pennies were usually made of steel, but some bronze planchets were used by mistake. Coin fans really like these coins.
2. How can I tell if the penny I got in 1943 is made of copper or steel?
A bronze penny is copper-colored, doesn’t stick to magnets, and weighs 3.11 grams. On the other hand, a steel penny is silver, magnetic, and weighs about 2.7 grams.
3. Is every metal penny from 1943 worth $900,000?
No, not every 1943 metal penny is worth that much. The value is based on the coin’s state, the mint mark, and origin. A few have sold for over a hundred thousand dollars, but not all will get that much.
4. What does it mean when a die in a coin is doubled?
A doubled die mistake occurs when the die used to strike the coin is not lined up correctly, making the image look twice as big. A well-known example of this kind of mistake is the 1955 doubled-die penny.
5. Where can I sell a very old Lincoln penny?
You can sell rare coins to a reliable coin dealer, at a sale, or on a specialty website like Heritage Auctions. First, it’s important to have the coin checked out and graded to determine how much it is worth.
There are lots of interesting stories and valuable finds in the world of rare coins. You never know; the next big thing you find might be in your pocket!
READ MORE: $500,000,000 for Ten Cents? Fans Are Shocked by the Rare 1975 Dime That Doesn’t Have a Mint Mark
