The Lincoln Wheat Penny Valued at $99.99 Million, Still in Circulation?

The Lincoln Wheat Penny Valued at $99.99 Million: Imagine you are looking through your pocket or a pile of old coins and suddenly you find a coin worth about $100 million! This is not a fantasy but a reality. We are talking about the 1943 Copper Lincoln Wheat Penny, whose current value is $99.99 million. This coin is not only rare but also one of the most valuable coins in the world.

Today, when most people ignore the one paisa coin considering it useless, coin collectors around the world are busy searching for this priceless treasure. The surprising thing is that this coin can still be hidden in someone’s pocket, old box or piggy bank. In this article, we will know the history of this amazing coin, its specialty, and how you can identify whether you also have such a priceless coin or not.

Lincoln Wheat Penny became the identity of America

Lincoln Wheat Penny was started in 1909. Before this, there was no picture of any real person on any coin of America. But President Theodore Roosevelt took the initiative to make American coins more historical and artistic. For this, artist Victor David Brenner was chosen, who designed the profile of Abraham Lincoln on the front side of the coin.

Two wheat ears were shown on the back, between which were written “ONE CENT” and “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”. This is why it came to be called “Wheat Penny”. This image of Lincoln was taken from a bronze plaque made by Brenner, which later became one of the most recognizable coins of America.

50 years of glorious history

Lincoln Wheat Penny was minted continuously for almost 50 years, from 1909 to 1958. It was made in three major US mints – Philadelphia (which has no mint mark), Denver (D mint mark) and San Francisco (S mint mark). These coins were made in crores of numbers every year, but there were slight differences in quality and numbers.

In 1959, the wheat ears were replaced with an image of the Lincoln Memorial, but Abraham Lincoln’s picture remained on the front. Thus ended the era of the Wheat Penny and these coins gradually became invaluable to collectors.

The historical mistake of 1943 that made the coin worth crores

Now let’s talk about that special 1943 Copper Wheat Penny due to which this coin became so valuable. World War II was going on in 1943, and copper was reserved for weapons, bullets and other military equipment. In such a situation, the US government decided that all the one cent coins of that year would be made by coating zinc on steel.

But by mistake, some of the remaining copper blanks of 1942 went into the mint machines and about 20 such coins were made in copper. This mistake, which happened in the hurry of wartime, today makes them one of the most valuable coins in the world.

How to identify that you have a coin worth crores?

If you think you have a 1943 coin, you can identify it using the following methods:

• Check the year: “1943” should be clearly written on the coin.
• Do a magnet test: 1943 steel coins stick to a magnet, while a real copper coin will not.
• Check the color: A real copper coin is dark brownish-red in color, while a steel coin is silvery.
• Check the weight: A copper coin weighs about 3.11 grams, while a steel one is lighter.
• If your coin passes all these tests, show it to a certified numismatist immediately.

Beware of fake coins

Seeing such a huge amount, many fraudsters have started making fake 1943 copper coins. Some people change the “8” of a 1948 coin to “3” or put a copper layer on a steel coin. The truth of such fake coins can be revealed only through professional investigation. So do not buy any such coin without a certificate.

Where to find rare Lincoln Wheat Pennies?

To find such rare coins, you have to look for the right places. Some major places:

• Family heirlooms or old coin cupboards
• Garage sales, flea markets or estate sales
• Coin expert shops or auction houses
• And sometimes even the coin lying in your everyday pocket
• Just remember, do not ignore every coin without checking it carefully.

What to do if you find a rare coin?

If you think you have discovered a rare 1943 copper penny, first hold it by the edges and avoid touching its surface. Keep it in a special plastic holder that does not react chemically. Then get it evaluated by a renowned coin expert or institution and get a certificate.

Remember, cleaning it or touching it repeatedly with hands can reduce its value greatly.

Conclusion:

The 1943 Copper Lincoln Wheat Penny is not just a coin, but a historical heritage. Due to its rarity and being accidentally made, its price has shot up to $99.99 million. The most interesting thing is that this coin can still be hidden somewhere – in your home, piggy bank or pocket.

So the next time you get hold of an old coin, take a close look. Who knows, that coin might change your life.

FAQs On The Lincoln Wheat Penny Valued at $99.99 Million