Often when we shop in the market and get a one paisa coin back, we ignore it. Many times people even throw it away or put it in an old box at home. But do you know that there is a one paisa coin which can be worth up to $100,000 i.e. about Rs 83 lakh? Yes, we are talking about Lincoln Wheat Penny, which was once a common coin but now some special versions have become so rare that they sell for lakhs.
In this article, we will know in detail what is Lincoln Wheat Penny, why it is so special and valuable, and how you too can probably find it in your old coins.
What is Lincoln Wheat Penny?
Lincoln Wheat Penny was first issued in the year 1909. This coin was made to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of America. Earlier, the US one paisa coin had an “Indian Head” design. Lincoln Wheat Penny was the first American coin to have a picture of a real person printed on it, and that was Abraham Lincoln.
The front part of this coin (called obverse) has a picture of Lincoln. The back part (called reverse) has two wheat ears, which depict the agricultural tradition of America. It is called “Wheat Penny” because of these wheat ears.
This design was used from 1909 to 1958. After this, the back design was changed to Lincoln Memorial. But the old “Wheat Penny” is still very popular among coin collectors, especially the varieties of some rare years.
Most valuable – Copper Lincoln Penny of 1943
Now let’s talk about that special coin whose price can be up to $100,000 – Copper Lincoln Wheat Penny of 1943.
In 1943, America was involved in World War II, and there was a huge need for copper at that time. Copper was very important in making ammunition and other equipment for the war. Therefore, America started making that year’s one paisa coins from steel. These new coins were made by coating zinc on steel.
But by mistake some coins were made from copper, perhaps due to the leftover material from the previous year. And this is where a rare mistake was born, which turned these coins into the most valuable coins in the world.
If a 1943 coin is made of copper, then it is very rare. Very few such coins were made and very few have survived. If it is good and clean, then its price can be $100,000 or even more.
Can such valuable coins still be found?
You must be wondering where to find such old and valuable coins now. In fact, these coins are so rare that most collectors have already found and purchased or saved them.
But there have been many cases where people have found such coins in old cans, piggy banks, or old grandparent’s savings boxes. Some people even look for them in the change at the grocery store. If luck favors you, you too can find such a coin.
How to identify if your Lincoln Wheat Penny is valuable or not?
Now the most important question – if you too have old coins, how do you know if they are special or not?
1. Check the Year
Coins of some years are more rare and valuable:
- 1909-VDB: VDB is written at the bottom of the coin, which is an abbreviation of the name of designer Victor D. Brenner. This version is especially rare.
- 1914-D: The “D” means that this coin was made at the Denver mint. It is in great demand.
- 1922 (No Mint Mark): Some coins of this year do not have a mint mark, which makes it special.
- 1943 Copper: If the 1943 coin is made of copper and not steel, then it can be very valuable.
2. Error Coins
Some coins become special due to minting errors. For example, 1955 Doubled Die Penny, in which letters and pictures look like double printing. Such coins are very expensive.
3. Condition of the coin
If your coin is old but still shiny, there are no many scratches on it, then its price can be high. There is grading of coins – like “Good”, “Fine”, “Very Fine”, “Uncirculated” etc. The better the grade, the higher the price.
4. Consult a Coin Expert
If you think you have a valuable coin, show it to a certified coin dealer or numismatist. They can give you the correct information about its real value, validity and demand in the market.
Lincoln Wheat Penny – Not just a coin, a history
Lincoln Wheat Penny is not just a penny coin. It is a unique glimpse of America’s history, tradition and coin making. It not only has art and technology, but it also has an impression of the social situation, politics and events like war at that time.
For many people, this is a hobby, but many times this hobby becomes a means of earning millions. There have been many examples where people earned a huge amount by searching for old coins.
Conclusion
It is possible that an old coin lying in a corner of your house, which seemed useless to you till now, is actually a treasure. So the next time you find a penny coin, do not ignore it. Pay close attention to the year, design, and material. You may have a coin in your hands that is worth thousands or even millions of dollars.
Remember — sometimes the smallest, most common-looking coin can turn out to be the biggest surprise.
If you’re a coin enthusiast or just want to put a little more thought into that penny in your pocket, the Lincoln Wheat Penny should be on your radar. Who knows, you might just find a rare coin the next time you’re counting change!
FAQs
Q1.What is the Lincoln Wheat Penny?
The Lincoln Wheat Penny is a U.S. one-cent coin that was minted from 1909 to 1958, featuring wheat stalks on the reverse side.
Q 2. Why is the Lincoln Wheat Penny so valuable?
Certain rare versions of the Lincoln Wheat Penny have minting errors, low mintage numbers, or historical significance, making them highly valuable to collectors.
Q3. How can a penny be worth $100,000?
Specific pennies with unique features—such as a rare date, mint mark, or printing error—can sell for thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction.
Q4. Is this rare penny still in circulation?
Yes, though it’s extremely rare, some of these valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies may still be in pocket change or coin jars.
Q5. Which Lincoln Wheat Pennies are most valuable?
The 1909-S VDB, 1943 copper penny, and 1955 double die are some of the most sought-after and valuable Lincoln Wheat Pennies.
