Lincoln Wheat Penny: The coin that can be sold for lakhs!
Have you ever thought that the old one paisa coin in your pocket can make you a millionaire? The “Lincoln Wheat Pennies” made in America between 1909 and 1958 are considered rare and extremely valuable in today’s time. The price of some of these coins has gone up to more than $677,777 (about Rs 5.6 crore) in auction! These coins also have great historical importance, because they are related to special parts of America’s history – like metal shortage during wartime or disputes over design. Let’s know which coins are so valuable and how can you identify whether you have such a coin or not.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Most Valuable Coin | The 1943-D Bronze Cent, which sold for $840,000. |
| Rare Types | 1943 Bronze Cents, 1944 Steel Cents, 1909-S VDB, 1992 Close AM, 1999 Wide AM |
| How to Spot Them | Check for odd metals, mint marks, date mistakes, and design quirks |
| Authentication Services | NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Corporation) and PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service) |
| Official Info | U.S. Mint offers full specs and historical details |
Why is Lincoln Wheat Penny so expensive?
The price of these coins depends on some special things:
- Rarity: The number of some coins printed was very less.
- Mint Errors: Such as printing on the wrong metal or repetition in the design.
- Condition: If the coin is brand new, its value increases further.
- Historical significance: Such as changes in the design of coins due to metal shortage during WWII.
Some special and valuable Wheat Pennies
1. 1943 Bronze Cent
In 1943, due to shortage of copper, the US Mint made steel coins, but by mistake some copper coins were also made. Some of these sell for crores today.
- 1943-D Bronze Cent – The only coin made from the Denver Mint sold for $840,000.
- 1943-S Bronze Cent – A coin made from the San Francisco Mint sold for $504,000.
How to identify:
- A real copper coin weighs 3.11 grams.
- Coins made of steel stick to magnets, but bronze does not.
- There are many fake coins, so it is important to get them certified from PCGS or NGC.
2. 1944 Steel Cent
In 1944, copper coins were again made, but some coins were accidentally made from old steel plates. Their price has reached $373,750.
Identification:
- Steel is silver in color.
- Note the “D” or “S” mint mark.
3. 1909-S VDB Penny
This coin was in controversy due to the name of the designer Victor David Brenner (VDB). His initials were written backwards in the initial design, which caused public anger and the printing of the coin was stopped.
- Only 484,000 coins were made.
- Today this coin sells for millions in auctions.
4. 1992 Close AM Penny
This penny has the “A” and “M” in the word “AMERICA” on the reverse side too close to each other. This is a design mistake.
- The price of a coin with this mistake can reach up to $26,000.
- Use a magnifying glass to see.
5. 1999 Wide AM Penny
This coin is from 1992. It has a large gap between the “A” and “M”. This is also a design mistake, which happened due to the proof design.
- The price can range from $173 to $2,300.
- Proof coins are shiny and can be easily identified by looking at them.
How to identify if you have a rare Wheat Penny?
1. Look for the date and mint mark:
- Important years are: 1909, 1943, 1944
- “D” = Denver Mint
- “S” = San Francisco Mint
- No mark = Philadelphia Mint
2. Look for mint mistakes:
Doubled die or design removed from the side.
3. Measure the weight:
Weigh the coin to identify the correct metal. Even a slight difference can be significant.
4. Seek expert opinion:
Get it certified by an institution like PCGS or NGC.
5. Check market rates:
Check prices on websites like Heritage Auctions, Stack’s Bowers.
FAQs
Why is the 1943 copper penny so valuable?
All coins of 1943 were supposed to be made of steel, but by mistake some were also made of copper, making them extremely rare.
Which is the most valuable wheat penny?
The 1909-S VDB and the 1943 Bronze Cent are considered the most valuable.
How to handle valuable coins?
Store them in a plastic cover, in a dry place, and do not touch them directly with hands.
Conclusion:
The Lincoln Wheat Penny is not just a coin—it is a piece of history, art, and accidental discovery that can fetch millions of dollars. If you collect old coins or want to search for old coins at home, now is the time to look a little closer. Who knows, your next big treasure could be right here!