Imagine finding a penny in your couch cushions worth a luxury car. In 2019, a 1943 Lincoln Wheat Penny sold for $204,000. Another fetched $1.7 million. Why? A tiny wartime mistake created one of America’s rarest coins—and it could still be in your pocket.
Could your spare change hold a Lincoln penny worth a fortune? The rare 1943 copper error Lincoln penny worth $880K is still out there! Learn how to spot this WWII-era mistake with our simple magnet test and see real stories of ordinary people who struck it rich.
Related Were Nickels Ever Made of Silver? The WWII Secret in Your Pocket Change
The Accident That Sparked a Legend
During WWII, copper was vital for bullets and radios. In 1943, the U.S. Mint switched pennies to zinc-coated steel (silver-colored). But a few copper blanks from 1942 were accidentally left in presses. Only 10-20 bronze 1943 pennies escaped destruction—making them illegal wartime errors.
Why Is It Worth $880K?
This coin’s value blends extreme rarity, history, and collector obsession:
- Rarity: Just 3 Denver (1943-D) and 5 San Francisco (1943-S) specimens are confirmed.
- History: A physical relic of home-front sacrifice.
- Demand: Hailed as the “holy grail of U.S. coins” by numismatists.
| Penny Type | Material | Magnetic? | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 Standard | Zinc-coated steel | Yes | $0.10–$1 |
| 1943 ERROR | Copper/bronze | No | $186,000+ |
Real People, Real Fortunes
- Don Lutes Jr.: Found his 1943 bronze penny in a school cafeteria in 1947. Sold 70 years later for $204,000.
- Minnesota Cashier: Discovered one in a register in 2015.
Is It in Your Home? Check Now!
Follow these 4 steps:
- Date Check: Only 1943 pennies qualify.
- Color Test: Steel = silver. ERROR = copper/brown.
- Magnet Test: Steel sticks. ERROR does NOT.
- Weight: Steel = ~2.7g. ERROR = ~3.1g.
⚠️ WARNING: Never clean a suspected rare coin—it slashes value by 90%!
Could You Still Find One?
Yes! Most Americans ignore pennies, so check:
- Coin jars and inherited collections
- Vending machine change
- Tip jars (a $16K 1914-D penny was found in one!)
Other Valuable Pennies:
- 1909-S VDB: Look for “VDB” initials. Value: $3,500+.
- 1955 Double Die: Blurred letters. Value: $1,600+.
What to Do If You Find “The One”:
- Handle with gloves.
- Get it graded by PCGS or NGC.
- Auction via Heritage Auctions.
The Bottom Line
This 1943 error isn’t just metal—it’s history. As finder Don Lutes said: “It’s about the story.” So grab your penny jar. Your spare change could hold a $880,000 surprise… and a tale you’ll tell forever.