Have you ever thought that a penny lying around in your home could be worth a small fortune? Well, it turns out that some coins aren’t just pocket change — they can be incredibly valuable. Right now, there’s a particular penny getting a lot of buzz for its surprising worth!

Various sources like Coin Trackers, the New York Post, KHOU, and Daily Mail UK have highlighted a specific coin that could rake in over $85,000! This isn’t just any penny — it’s a 1943 copper wheat penny in mint condition. During 1943, primarily due to World War II requirements, pennies were made from steel and coated with zinc to avoid rust. Coin Week details the situation, noting: “Copper was crucial for the war effort, so all 1943 one-cent pieces were supposed to be minted on zinc-coated steel planchets.” WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW…Continue Reading

However, during that production year, a few copper blanks accidentally entered the minting process, resulting in these rare “mistake” coins. Such coins, especially in pristine mint condition, are now fetching prices up to $85,000. According to Coin Tracker, even ones that aren’t in perfect condition can still see sales around $60,000. Coin error expert Saul Teichman explains via Coin Week that these pennies have a unique appeal for collectors, mentioning:

“Collectors prize 1943 copper cents highly. Their market value far exceeds that of other contemporaneous mint errors.”

“Even though other World War II-era minting mistakes might be rarer than the 1943 copper or 1944 steel cents, they don’t achieve this kind of attention or price because they lack such special allure.”

There is a word of caution circulating in media outlets for coin collectors: beware of counterfeit 1943 copper wheat pennies. With these coins in the spotlight, the market sees a fair share of fakes. Coin Trackers points out that some tricksters might modify the left side of the number 8 on a 1948 copper penny to mimic the 1943 version. Others use copper plating over standard steel pennies to counterfeit the authentic copper look. For those worried about these imitations, Coin Trackers suggests using a magnet for verification.

According to the Daily Mail UK, “Solid copper pennies won’t adhere to a magnet, whereas those made of steel with copper plating will.” So, don’t hesitate! It’s time to sort through your coin collection; you might just come across one of these fortunate finds! Remember to share this exciting news with your loved ones!