The Ultimate Coin Find: How a Single 1943 Penny Just Sold for Nearly Half a Million Dollars
A rare 1943 Copper Lincoln Cent – one of the most famous error coins in existence – recently sold for a staggering $450,000, proving that your pocket change could be hiding a fortune.
Why This Penny Is Worth a House
๐ฐ THE HOLY GRAIL OF COINS: Only 20-30 known to exist
๐ฅ HISTORIC MISTAKE: Struck in copper instead of wartime steel
๐ RECORD PRICES:
- $450,000 (MS-62, 2024)
- $1.7 million (MS-62 Red Brown, 2010)
- $204,000 (AU-53, 2019)
How to Identify This Priceless Error
1๏ธโฃ MAGNET TEST:
- Won’t stickย (real copper)
- Steel penniesย will stick
2๏ธโฃ WEIGHT CHECK:
- 3.11gย (correct for copper)
- Steel pennies weighย 2.7g
3๏ธโฃ VISUAL INSPECTION:
- Bronze color (not silver)
- Normal copper oxidation

Where These Million-Dollar Pennies Hide
๐ Old coin collections from the 1940s
๐ Safety deposit boxes untouched for decades
๐ Estate sales near mint cities
๐ Inherited jars of old coins
What To Do If You Find One
๐จ STOP! Handle only by edges with cotton gloves
๐ธ Document Immediately: Take 4K macro photos
๐ Get PCGS/NGC Certified: Expect VIP treatment
๐ฐ Contact Heritage Auctions: They specialize in record sales
“Finding a 1943 copper cent is every collector’s dream – it’s literally like winning the lottery!”
- David Hall, PCGS Founder
Grading & Value Guide
Grade | Value Range |
---|---|
MS-63 | $500K+ |
AU-55 | $250K-$400K |
VF-20 | $100K-$175K |
AG-3 | $50K-$75K |
DON’T SPEND ANOTHER 1943 PENNY BEFORE CHECKING!
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