In a story that’s sparking excitement among coin collectors and casual spenders alike, a college student in Ohio made an astonishing discovery while buying textbooks — a rare Lincoln penny that has now been valued at a staggering $975,000.
A Lucky Find at the Campus Bookstore
The discovery happened in early June at a university bookstore in Columbus, Ohio. The student, who wishes to remain anonymous, was buying used books for summer classes and paid with cash. When the cashier handed him change, one of the pennies caught his eye — it looked unusually worn yet somehow different.
“I almost didn’t look twice,” the student said in a brief interview. “But the font looked a bit off, and it had a strange sheen. Something just told me to hold onto it.”
The Rare Lincoln Penny: What Makes It So Valuable?
After posting a photo of the coin to a coin enthusiast forum, several users quickly suggested it might be an ultra-rare 1943 Bronze Lincoln Cent — a famous minting error that occurred during World War II.
In 1943, most pennies were struck in steel to conserve copper for the war effort. However, a few bronze planchets (the metal blanks used for minting) mistakenly made their way into the press, producing one of the most sought-after error coins in American numismatic history.
Only a few dozen of these bronze 1943 Lincoln cents are known to exist today, and they have fetched high prices at auctions over the years. One such coin sold in 2019 for over $200,000 — another went for more than $1 million.
Authentication and Appraisal Confirm the Jackpot
Curious but skeptical, the student visited a local coin dealer who immediately suspected it was the real thing. The coin was then authenticated and graded by the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS), which confirmed its identity as an authentic 1943 Bronze Lincoln Penny in excellent condition.
Due to its rarity and near-pristine quality, the coin has been appraised at an estimated $975,000.
What Will Happen to the Coin Now?
The student is currently in discussions with multiple private collectors and auction houses. While he hasn’t finalized the sale, he says the money will go toward paying off student loans and saving for graduate school.
“I still can’t believe something worth almost a million dollars was just sitting in a pile of loose change,” he said. “It really makes you look at your coins differently.”
Why You Should Check Your Pocket Change
This incident is a powerful reminder of the hidden treasures that may be hiding in plain sight. Rare coins like this are often still in circulation, and while the odds are slim, they are not zero.
Experts say to watch for unusual dates, errors in minting, or coins that seem out of place in terms of color or design. Key signs of valuable coins include doubled images (called “doubled die” errors), off-center stamps, and rare mint years.
A Boon for Coin Collecting Enthusiasts
The viral story has reignited interest in coin collecting among young adults. Social media platforms like Reddit and TikTok are filled with people sharing their own rare finds and coin-checking tips.
Dealers are reporting a spike in inquiries, and some even say they’ve had people bring in buckets of change hoping for their own jackpot.
Final Thoughts
A routine stop at the bookstore turned into an unexpected windfall for one lucky student — and a wake-up call for the rest of us to pay more attention to the small change in our lives. While not everyone will stumble upon a $975,000 penny, the possibility is real enough to make that next glance at your spare coins a little more interesting.
So the next time you get change, take a second look. That ordinary-looking penny just might change your life.
