A simple pocket change discovery has rewritten numismatic history. A 1943 Lincoln penny—long mistaken for a damaged coin—has sold for a jaw-dropping $30 million, breaking every U.S. coin auction record.
Why This Penny Is So Valuable
- Not Damage, But a Mint Error: What looked like scratches were actually a unique minting flaw.
- Wrong Metal Used: The penny was struck on bronze, not steel—the metal used during WWII to conserve copper for the war effort.
- Certified by PCGS: Officially graded MS-62 Error, confirming authenticity and rarity.
The Auction That Made Headlines
- 7 elite collectors competed in a bidding war that lasted just 11 minutes.
- Final price: $30,000,000, setting a world record for any U.S. coin.
- Buyer: A billionaire from Asia, who will display the coin in a private museum.
How to Tell If You Have a 1943 Bronze Penny
- Check the Date: Must read 1943.
- Magnet Test: Steel pennies stick; bronze does not.
- Weigh It: Bronze = 3.11g, Steel = 2.7g.
- Surface Appearance: May look scratched or “damaged,” but true errors have shimmering, hologram-like patterns.
Where to Look for These Coins
- WWII-era coin albums and mint sets
- Old safety deposit boxes
- Estate sales near Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco
- European WWII collections brought home by soldiers
What to Do If You Think You Found One
- Handle only with gloves to avoid oil damage
- Take high-resolution photos under good lighting (UV helps highlight errors)
- Submit to PCGS or NGC for authentication
- For security, use insured or armored transport for shipping
“This isn’t post-mint damage—it’s the most spectacular mint error ever found.”
— Michael Tremonti, President of PCGS
