Most of us don’t give a second thought to pennies, but one exceptionally rare version might make you reconsider. A 1943-S Lincoln Wheat Penny made from bronze — not steel — once sold for $700,000 at auction. Even more astonishing? Experts believe a few of these ultra-rare coins may still be circulating in everyday change.
Originally created during wartime under unusual circumstances, this rare coin has captured the attention of collectors worldwide. If you’ve ever kept a penny for luck or tossed one into a drawer, it’s time to look again — you might unknowingly be holding a hidden fortune.
What Is the Lincoln Wheat Penny?
The Lincoln Wheat Penny was introduced in 1909 to commemorate President Abraham Lincoln’s 100th birthday. It was the first U.S. coin to feature a real person, replacing the traditional Liberty figure. On the front is Lincoln’s profile, and the reverse features two stalks of wheat framing the words “ONE CENT,” which gave rise to the coin’s popular nickname.
Minted until 1958, most Wheat Pennies are common and worth little more than face value. But a select few, due to historical rarity or minting errors, have become highly valuable to collectors.
The 1943-S Bronze Penny: Why It’s So Valuable
During World War II, copper was in short supply due to its demand in ammunition and equipment production. To conserve copper, the U.S. Mint decided to make pennies out of zinc-coated steel in 1943. These are commonly known as “steel cents” and are easy to spot due to their silver appearance.
However, a small number of bronze planchets (the blanks used to strike coins) from 1942 were accidentally left in the minting machines. A few of these slipped through the San Francisco Mint, creating the now-legendary 1943-S Bronze Lincoln Wheat Penny.
Only a handful of these coins are known to exist, making them one of the rarest Lincoln cents ever struck. One of them sold for $700,000, and collectors believe a few more may still be out there.
How to Identify a 1943-S Bronze Wheat Penny
If you’re curious whether you own this rare piece of numismatic history, here’s what to look for:
1. The Date and Mint Mark
The penny must be dated 1943, with an “S” mint mark directly below the year. This indicates it was minted in San Francisco, one of the three mints in operation at the time (along with Denver and Philadelphia).
2. The Color and Material
Most 1943 pennies are steel and have a silver-gray color. If your 1943-S penny looks copper or brown, that’s a significant clue. Bronze has a distinctive tone that resembles older pennies rather than the shiny steel cents of that year.
3. The Magnet Test
A basic way to test a 1943 penny is with a magnet. Steel cents will stick to a magnet; bronze cents will not. If your 1943-S penny doesn’t cling to the magnet, it could be worth a closer inspection.
4. Weight Check
Steel pennies weigh approximately 2.7 grams, while the bronze ones weigh around 3.11 grams. A digital scale with high precision can help you confirm this subtle but important difference.
If your coin passes all these checks, do not attempt to clean it or sell it hastily. Instead, get it authenticated through a professional grading service like PCGS or NGC, which can verify its legitimacy and provide an accurate value.
Why This Coin Might Still Be Found Today
Although only a few 1943-S bronze pennies are known to exist, experts say it’s possible more are still hidden in drawers, coin jars, or family collections. Over the decades, valuable coins have turned up in unexpected places — garage sales, old purses, estate auctions, or rolls of coins from the bank.
With countless coins still circulating from the 1940s, and many people unaware of what to look for, the chance of discovering one isn’t impossible. It’s this slim but real possibility that fuels the excitement for collectors and hobbyists.
More Than Just a Penny
Beyond its market value, the 1943-S Bronze Lincoln Wheat Penny represents a remarkable story in American history. It’s a symbol of wartime adaptation, human error, and the enduring appeal of coin collecting. Each one of these rare pennies is a physical artifact from a time when every material was precious and every detail mattered.
Its allure comes not just from rarity, but from the journey it took to exist — a misstep in minting that created a piece of living history worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Final Thoughts
The next time you empty your pockets or sort through a jar of coins, take a second look at the pennies. That plain-looking 1943 penny might be the bronze treasure collectors dream of. With characteristics that are relatively easy to spot — the year, mint mark, material, and weight — the chance of discovering something extraordinary is real.