Most people don’t pay much attention to pennies. They get tossed into jars, dropped in couch cushions, or ignored at the checkout counter. But what if one of those little coins was secretly worth $9.9 million? That’s the estimated value of an incredibly rare Lincoln Wheat Penny, and some believe it might still be floating around in everyday change.
Pennies often go unnoticed in daily life. Many people simply throw them into jars, lose them between couch cushions, or overlook them at the register. However, what if among those ordinary pennies, there was one valued at a staggering $9.9 million? This figure refers to a highly rare Lincoln Wheat Penny, a coin that some collectors believe could still be circulating quietly in pocket change today.
What Is a Lincoln Wheat Penny?
The Lincoln Wheat Penny was introduced in 1909 to honor President Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday. It was the first U.S. coin to feature a real person instead of a symbol like Lady Liberty. The front shows Lincoln’s profile, and the back has two stalks of wheat—hence the name.
This penny design debuted in 1909 to celebrate the centennial of President Abraham Lincoln’s birth. Unlike previous coins that showed symbolic figures such as Lady Liberty, this was the first to feature a real historical figure: Abraham Lincoln. The front side displays Lincoln’s portrait while the reverse side is decorated with two wheat stalks, which is why it’s commonly called the Wheat Penny. This design remained in use until 1958, making these coins both old enough to be collectible but still common enough that people might find them among their loose change.
Why One Penny Is Worth $9.9 Million
Not every Lincoln Wheat Penny is worth millions. But a specific error penny from 1943 is considered a holy grail among collectors.
In 1943, the U.S. Mint was supposed to make pennies from steel coated in zinc, since copper was needed for World War II. However, a few copper planchets (blanks) were mistakenly used. These rare 1943 copper pennies are now some of the most valuable coins ever made.
Only a few dozen are believed to exist. One sold years ago for over $1.7 million, and with growing collector interest, experts estimate that a perfectly preserved 1943 copper penny could sell for as much as $9.9 million in a private sale today.
Not every Lincoln Wheat Penny holds immense value, but one special error from 1943 stands out as a treasure for collectors. During World War II, copper was reserved for the war effort, so pennies in 1943 were supposed to be made from zinc-coated steel.
However, a small number of pennies were accidentally struck on copper planchets instead. These rare 1943 copper pennies have become among the most sought-after and expensive coins in U.S. history. Only a limited number—estimated to be just a few dozen—are still known to exist. One such coin sold years ago for more than $1.7 million, and today, experts believe that a flawless example of this penny could command a private sale price as high as $9.9 million.
Other Lincoln Wheat Pennies Worth Money
While the $9.9 million penny is the rarest, other Lincoln Wheat Pennies can also be valuable:
1909-S VDB – The first penny with Lincoln’s image, with rare initials: $1,000 to $100,000+
1914-D – Hard to find due to low mintage: $200 to $15,000+
1955 Doubled Die – Minting mistake causes visible double lettering: $1,000 to $50,000
Besides the extremely rare 1943 copper penny, there are several other Lincoln Wheat Pennies that collectors prize. For example, the 1909-S VDB penny, which was the very first to feature Lincoln’s image and the designer’s initials “VDB,” can be worth anywhere from $1,000 to over $100,000 depending on condition. The 1914-D penny is another sought-after coin because it was minted in smaller quantities, with values ranging from $200 to $15,000 or more. Additionally, the 1955 Doubled Die penny, which has a noticeable doubling of the letters due to a minting error, can fetch between $1,000 and $50,000 from collectors.
How to Tell If You Have a Rare Penny
Here are a few tips to identify valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies:
Check the date and mint mark (look for “S” for San Francisco, “D” for Denver).
Use a magnet – steel 1943 pennies stick; rare copper ones don’t.
Look for errors – like double printing or off-center designs.
Keep an eye on condition – cleaner, sharper coins are worth more.
If you want to determine whether your Lincoln Wheat Penny could be rare or valuable, here are some helpful tips. First, examine the date and look for the mint mark, which indicates where the coin was made—“S” stands for San Francisco, and “D” means Denver. Next, use a magnet to test 1943 pennies; steel pennies will stick to a magnet, but the rare copper ones will not. Also, check the coin carefully for any errors, such as doubled letters or designs that are off-center. Finally, the condition of the coin is very important—coins that look cleaner and have sharper details generally hold greater value.
Where These Pennies Might Be Hiding
You might find one of these valuable pennies in:
Old coin jars or piggy banks
Flea markets or estate sales
Rolls of pennies from the bank
Collections passed down by relatives
Many rare coins are discovered by accident when someone decides to finally go through an old stash of change.
These rare pennies could be hiding in several common places. Old jars or piggy banks full of loose coins might contain one. Flea markets and estate sales often yield forgotten coin collections. Sometimes, rolls of pennies from a bank can surprise you with a valuable find. Additionally, coins passed down from family members in collections or loose change might hold unexpected worth. Many valuable coins are uncovered by pure chance when people finally sort through their old coins.
What to Do If You Find One
Do not clean it – this can lower its value.
Handle it by the edges to avoid damage.
Store it in a protective coin holder.
Have it verified and graded by a professional service like PCGS or NGC.
Sell through reputable auctions or coin dealers if it’s authentic.
If you discover a potentially rare penny, it’s important to handle it carefully. Avoid cleaning it, as cleaning can reduce the coin’s value dramatically. Hold the coin by its edges to prevent fingerprints or damage. Store the penny safely in a protective holder designed for coins. To confirm its authenticity and condition, have the coin professionally graded by trusted organizations such as PCGS or NGC. When selling, use reputable auction houses or experienced coin dealers to ensure you receive a fair price.
Final Thoughts
A penny worth $9.9 million might seem like a fantasy, but these coins are real—and a few are still missing. One could be sitting in someone’s spare change right now. So before you ignore your next penny, take a second look. You just might be holding a piece of history—and a small fortune.
While the idea of a penny worth nearly $10 million sounds like something out of a storybook, these coins genuinely exist. Some are still unaccounted for, meaning one might be tucked away in someone’s loose change as we speak. So next time you find a penny, don’t dismiss it outright. Take a moment to examine it closely—you could be holding a rare piece of history and possibly a significant fortune.