Most people think pennies are just pocket change. But some are worth a small fortune—and one rare penny has sold for $350,000! Even more shocking? This valuable coin might still be out there in circulation, hiding in your change jar or piggy bank.
The penny in question is the 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent, a coin made by mistake during World War II. Only a few exist, and collectors are willing to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to get one.
If you’re wondering whether you have one of these rare coins, keep reading. We’ll explain how to spot the 1943 bronze penny, why it’s worth so much, and how you can check your own coins.
What Makes the 1943 Bronze Penny Special?
In 1943, the U.S. Mint needed copper to make bullets and other military gear. So, they changed the penny’s material from copper (bronze) to zinc-coated steel.
Almost all 1943 pennies were made of steel—over 1 billion of them. But a few bronze blanks (leftover from 1942) were accidentally used to make pennies.
That mistake created a coin that looks like any normal copper penny, but it was never meant to exist.
These rare pennies were made in Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Denver. The Denver-minted 1943 bronze penny is especially rare and valuable. One sold at auction for $1.7 million in 2010. Other 1943 bronze pennies have sold for $300,000 to $350,000, depending on condition.
How to Tell If You Have the Rare 1943 Bronze Penny
If you have a 1943 penny, here’s how to check if it might be one of the valuable bronze ones:
1. Use a Magnet
Steel pennies stick to magnets. Copper (bronze) ones don’t.
→ If your 1943 penny doesn’t stick to a magnet, it could be valuable.
2. Check the Color
Steel pennies look gray or silver. Bronze ones are reddish-brown, like older pennies.
3. Weigh the Coin
A steel penny weighs about 2.7 grams. A bronze penny weighs about 3.11 grams.
Use a digital scale that can measure grams.
4. Look at the Mint Mark
The mint mark is under the date:
- No letter = Philadelphia
- “S” = San Francisco
- “D” = Denver
All versions of the 1943 bronze penny are rare, but the 1943-D bronze penny is the most valuable.
5. Get It Authenticated
If your penny passes the magnet, color, and weight tests, send it to a grading company like NGC or PCGS. They’ll tell you if it’s real and give it an official grade, which affects its value.
Why Are These Pennies Still in Circulation?
Many people don’t realize their coins could be worth more than face value. Because the 1943 bronze penny looks like a regular coin, it’s possible that some are still:
- In old coin jars
- In rolls of pennies from the bank
- In family coin collections
- Passed around in pocket change
Coin hunters and collectors often search through thousands of coins just to find one rare penny. But some people have found them completely by accident!
Most Valuable Pennies to Watch For
Here’s a table with other rare and valuable pennies that might be worth checking your change for:
| Year & Type | Mint Mark | Metal | What Makes It Valuable | Value Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent | None/D/S | Bronze | Wrong metal—wartime error | $100,000–$350,000+ |
| 1909-S VDB Lincoln Cent | S | Bronze | First Lincoln cent, low mintage | $700–$3,000+ |
| 1955 Doubled Die Penny | None | Bronze | Letters look doubled | $1,000–$15,000+ |
| 1922 No D Lincoln Penny | No D | Bronze | Weak die—missing mint mark | $500–$5,000+ |
| 1972 Doubled Die Penny | None | Bronze | Doubled features | $300–$1,500+ |
Real Stories: People Who Found Rare Pennies
Some lucky people have found rare pennies in the most unexpected places:
- A teenager in California found a 1943 bronze penny in a family coin jar and sold it for over $200,000.
- A collector found a 1943-D bronze penny in an old penny roll purchased from the bank.
- A man in Massachusetts discovered a rare 1955 doubled die penny in circulation and later sold it for several thousand dollars.
Don’t Toss That Penny!
You might be tempted to throw pennies into a drawer or tip jar, but if you look closely, some of them are worth serious money.
Here’s what to do:
- Set aside any 1943 pennies
- Use a magnet and scale to check them
- Search for errors or doubling
- Keep an eye out for older dates or missing mint marks
- Send promising coins to NGC or PCGS for grading
Even if you don’t find the $350,000 penny, you might still uncover one worth a few hundred or a few thousand dollars!
Conclusion
The 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent is one of the most valuable pennies ever made. With one example selling for $350,000, it proves that even a penny can hold incredible value.
Best of all, these coins may still be in circulation today. So check your coin jars, bank rolls, and pockets. You never know—your next penny could make you rich.
FAQ’s
Q: Are 1943 pennies always valuable?
A: Only the bronze (copper) versions are rare. Most 1943 pennies are steel and worth a few cents.
Q: Can I find a rare penny in circulation?
A: Yes! Some rare pennies, like the 1943 bronze cent, have been found in rolls or old collections.
Q: Where can I sell a rare penny?
A: After authentication, you can sell it through coin auctions, dealers, or online marketplaces.
