A Hidden Treasure?
Social media posts on X and sites like i29 News claim a Lincoln Wheat Penny could be worth $9M and still in circulation, sparking excitement among collectors. Minted from 1909 to 1958, these pennies are prized for rare errors and low mintages, but no Wheat Penny has sold for $950,000. The highest recorded sale is a 1943-D Bronze Penny at $1.7 million in 2010. Claims of $950,000 likely exaggerate values of top rarities like the 1943 Bronze or 1944 Steel pennies. Let’s uncover the truth and spotlight the rarest coins.
Why Are They Valuable?
In 1943, pennies were made of steel to save copper for WWII, but a few bronze planchets created ultra-rare errors. The 1944 Steel Penny resulted from leftover steel blanks. Low-mintage coins like the 1909-S VDB and errors like the 1955 Doubled Die also fetch high prices. Only 15-40 error coins exist, making them collector gems. Most are likely in collections, but X buzz keeps hopes alive for finds in change.
Top Rare Pennies
- 1943-D Bronze Penny: One known, sold for $1.7 million. Copper, non-magnetic, “D” mark.
- 1943-S Bronze Penny: ~6 known, worth $282,000-$504,000. Copper, “S” mark.
- 1944-S Steel Penny: 2 known, worth $373,750-$408,000. Magnetic, “S” mark.
- 1909-S VDB Penny: 484,000 minted, worth $600-$168,000. “S” and “V.D.B.” reverse.
- 1955 Doubled Die Penny: ~20,000-24,000, worth $1,000-$114,000. Doubled text.
Key Specifications
| Penny | Mintage | Value Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1943-D Bronze | 1 | $840,000-$2.3M |
| 1943-S Bronze | ~6 | $282,000-$504,000 |
| 1944-S Steel | 2 | $373,750-$408,000 |
| 1909-S VDB | 484,000 | $600-$168,000 |
| 1955 Doubled Die | ~20,000-24,000 | $1,000-$114,000 |
Could You Find One?
While a $950,000 penny is unverified, rare coins like the 1943 Bronze (3.11g, non-magnetic) or 1944 Steel (2.7g, magnetic) could theoretically be in circulation. Check old jars or change with a magnet and scale. Authenticate finds at pcgs.com or ngccoin.com. The hunt is thrilling, but don’t expect millions—your penny could still be worth thousands!