Do you know how to spot this valuable penny? Coins are everywhere, and sometimes they’re worth much more than their face value. Recently, news sources reported that one particular penny is worth a lot of money!
According to Coin Trackers, the New York Post, KHOU, and Daily Mail UK, a mint condition 1943 copper wheat penny could be worth over $85,000! KHOU, consulting with Royal Coin and Jewelry in Houston, explained that in 1943, pennies were made of steel and coated with zinc to prevent rust. Coin Week explains that because copper was needed for World War II, all 1943 pennies were made with zinc-coated steel. Watch the video below.
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In 1943, some copper blanks were accidentally used to make pennies. These mistake coins now sell for a lot of money, sometimes in the 5 or 6 figures.
A mint condition 1943 copper wheat penny can be worth about $85,000. Even in lower conditions, they sell for around $60,000 on average, according to Coin Tracker. U.S. Mint error expert Saul Teichman says collectors highly value these coins, which makes them more expensive than other errors from the same time. Other World War II coin errors are rarer but don’t sell for as much because they don’t have the same appeal.
Media sources warn coin collectors to watch out for fake 1943 copper wheat pennies.
With these pennies getting a lot of attention, the market has many counterfeits. Coin Trackers says some fraudsters file down the 8 on a 1948 penny to look like a 1943 one. Others coat a steel penny with copper to make it seem real. To check for a fake, Coin Trackers suggests using a magnet.
As Daily Mail UK explains, “A real copper penny won’t stick to a magnet, but a steel penny with copper plating will.” So, check your collection—you might have a valuable penny! Share this with your friends and family.
