Imagine finding a penny worth more than most houses. That’s exactly what happened when a 1943 Lincoln Wheat Cent struck on a bronze planchet sold for $1 million at auction.
Most 1943 pennies are worth only a few cents—but this rare minting error is considered the holy grail of coin collecting. And yes, you might still find one hiding in a collection today!
Why This Coin Is Worth a Fortune
The Wartime Penny That Shouldn’t Exist
Steel Cents in 1943: To conserve copper for WWII, the U.S. Mint produced zinc-coated steel pennies.
The Million-Dollar Mistake: A few leftover bronze planchets from 1942 were struck in error.
Only 10–15 Known: Making them even rarer than some gold coins!
How to Spot a 1943 Bronze Cent
Check the Date: Must be a 1943 Lincoln Wheat Cent.
Magnet Test: Steel cents stick; bronze cents do not.
Color Check: Bronze coins show a reddish copper tone, unlike silvery steel cents.
Record-Breaking Auction Sales
$1 Million Sale: Finest known example (PCGS MS-62) hit this record.
Other Sales: Even circulated examples bring $100,000+.
Other Valuable 1943 Penny Varieties
| Variety | Description | Value Range |
|---|---|---|
| 1943 Steel Cent | Common version | $0.10 – $1 |
| 1943-D Bronze | Rare Denver mint error | $500,000+ |
| 1943-S Bronze | Rare San Francisco error | $750,000+ |
| 1943 Doubled Die | Mis-struck lettering | $1,000+ |
What To Do If You Think You Found One
Don’t Clean It! Cleaning destroys originality and value.
Get It Graded: Submit to PCGS or NGC for authentication.
Sell With Confidence: Use top auction houses like Heritage Auctions or Stack’s Bowers.
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