1943 Bronze Wheat Penny: A Rare Coin Worth Nearly a Million Dollars Not many people know that a penny made during World War II could be worth almost a million dollars today. These rare 1943 bronze wheat pennies are some of the most valuable mistakes ever made by the U.S. Mint.
During World War II, the U.S. needed copper for the war effort, so in 1943 they stopped using copper for pennies and switched to zinc-coated steel instead. But during this change, a small number of copper blanks from 1942 were accidentally used and stamped with the 1943 date. These coins became famous for being extremely rare and valuable.
Why These Pennies Are So Rare
When the U.S. entered World War II, copper became very important for making weapons and communication tools. The government wanted to save copper and ordered the Mint to make pennies from steel in 1943 instead of copper.
However, some copper blanks from the previous year were left inside the coin machines by mistake. These blanks were stamped with the 1943 date even though they were made of bronze, not steel. This error created a very small number of these unusual pennies.
Experts think only about 40 of these bronze 1943 pennies were made. Around 25 came from the Philadelphia Mint (no mint mark), 10 from San Francisco (marked with an “S”), and just 5 from Denver (marked with a “D”). For comparison, the famous 1909-S VDB penny had nearly half a million coins made, so the 1943 bronze penny is thousands of times rarer.
How Much Are They Worth?
Because these pennies are so rare, they sell for huge amounts of money. In 2018, a 1943 bronze penny from the San Francisco Mint sold for $504,000. Just three years later, another one sold for $840,000. Some private sales are rumored to be even higher, reaching over a million dollars.
How to Tell If You Have One
If you think you found a 1943 bronze penny, there are a few ways to check. First, use a magnet: real bronze pennies won’t stick, but steel ones will. Also, bronze pennies weigh a bit more—about 3.11 grams—while steel pennies weigh about 2.7 grams.
Look at the color, too. Bronze pennies have a copper-brown color, unlike the silver-gray steel ones. Be careful of fake pennies that are steel coins coated with copper paint—they will still stick to a magnet.
Why Some Still Might Be Hidden
Many people don’t look closely at their pennies, so some of these rare coins might still be hidden in old collections, jars, or even coin rolls from the bank. Since they look like regular pennies, they can easily be missed.
Famous Finds
There have been some amazing stories of people discovering these pennies. One man found one in his high school cafeteria change in 1947, but the Treasury said it couldn’t exist. After his death, the coin sold for over $200,000. Another was found by a teenager in 1957, and more recently, a family found one in a jar of coins that helped pay for college and a mortgage.
Why Collectors Love Them
These pennies are special because they are connected to a big part of American history—World War II. They show how the war affected even small things like coins. Their rarity and historical importance make them very popular with collectors.
How Experts Check Authenticity
Professional coin experts use special tests to make sure a penny is real. They check the metal makeup, which should be mostly copper like 1942 pennies. They also look for tiny marks from the coin-making tools that match known genuine pennies. The coin’s natural aging is also checked to make sure it hasn’t been artificially changed.
Are These Pennies a Good Investment?
These pennies have often increased in value more than many traditional investments like stocks. Since no new 1943 bronze pennies will ever be made, their supply is fixed. As more collectors around the world become interested, the demand keeps growing, pushing prices higher.
What To Do If You Find One
If you find a possible 1943 bronze penny, don’t clean it—it can lower the value. Handle it carefully by the edges and take clear photos. Show it to several coin experts or send it to professional grading companies for authentication, but be ready to pay a fee.
The Excitement of the Search
Looking for these rare pennies is like a treasure hunt anyone can join. The idea that a valuable coin might be hiding in your pocket or in your family’s old coins makes the search exciting. Even though chances are low, many people enjoy hunting just for the fun of it.
Where to Look
Old rolls of wheat pennies, estate sales, and family collections are good places to search. Some coins returned from coin counting machines or found in antique shops might also hide these valuable pennies.
Future Value
Experts believe the value of these pennies will keep rising and could reach or pass $1 million in the next ten years. As more collectors learn about them and old collections are discovered, these coins will stay highly sought after.
Beyond Collecting
These pennies have appeared in news stories and inspired many to start collecting coins. Museums use them to tell stories about America’s history during World War II. They show how even everyday items were affected by the war and hold a special place in both history and collecting.
Final Thoughts: This Penny Could Change Your Life
Next time you get some change, take a quick look. There are probably still some of these rare 1943 bronze pennies out there, waiting to be found. Even though finding one is very unlikely, if you do, it could be worth a small fortune.
So keep an eye out—the penny in your pocket might be more valuable than you think. The search for these hidden treasures continues!
