This Ordinary Penny Could Be Worth $85,000 — Here’s How to Identify It

Most of us treat loose coins like clutter—tossed into jars, left in the glove compartment, or piled in a drawer without much thought. Pennies especially seem practically worthless: small, common, and easy to ignore. Yet hiding in that scattered change could be a coin so rare it’s worth more than a year’s paycheck. Among all U.S. coins, few stir as much excitement as the legendary 1943 copper wheat penny.

To understand its incredible value—often ranging from $60,000 to as high as $85,000—you have to rewind to one of the most intense eras in American history. It was 1943, World War II was raging, and nearly every part of the country was focused on supporting the military. Copper was urgently needed for ammunition, electrical wiring, and communications gear. The government decided pennies were no longer a priority for copper usage.

So the U.S. Mint made a dramatic shift: the penny was switched to a zinc-coated steel design, giving it a silvery-gray color unlike any other year. It was the only time in U.S. history that pennies were made from steel.

Officially, not a single copper penny was supposed to be produced in 1943.

But mistakes happen—even at the Mint.

A few leftover copper planchets (the blank discs used to make pennies) were accidentally loaded into the presses along with the steel ones. These coins went into circulation unnoticed, and what should have been standard currency became one of the most sought-after coin errors in America.

Today, it’s believed that fewer than 25 true 1943 copper pennies are known to exist.

That extreme scarcity drives collectors wild. A pristine example can fetch $85,000, while even a heavily worn one still sells for around $60,000. Consider that: a penny worth one cent could be worth enough to eliminate debt, buy a home-worthy vehicle, or launch a dream venture—all because it slipped through history by accident.

Of course, enormous value attracts opportunists. Counterfeits are everywhere, and plenty of people are tricked into thinking they’ve struck gold. Some forgers reshape a 1948 penny so the number “8” resembles a “3.” Others take a common 1943 steel penny and simply coat it with copper to imitate the sought-after coin.

Fortunately, there’s an easy test:

Use a magnet.

• Copper = not magnetic

• Steel = magnetic

If the coin sticks—sorry, it’s not the real deal. That quick trick has saved collectors countless dollars.

There are other ways to verify—checking weight, measuring thickness, or testing metal composition—but the magnet method is the simplest for beginners.

The most thrilling part? Many people may already have one without realizing it. Countless change jars, inherited boxes, and forgotten collections contain coins from the 1940s. Soldiers returning from war tossed them aside. Families stored them in coffee cans and cigar tins that were later tucked in attics and basements.

If you decide to check your collection, look for these key features:

• Date reads 1943
• Copper appearance—not gray steel
• Not magnetic
• Wheat ears on the reverse side

If your coin meets those conditions, it may be time to get excited.

A professional appraisal is the next critical step. Certified grading agencies and reputable coin dealers can verify authenticity, and having official documentation can dramatically increase what collectors are willing to pay.

The tale of the 1943 copper penny blends historical urgency, human error, and the thrill of discovery. It proves that value doesn’t always scream for attention. Sometimes treasure waits quietly—hidden in a jar, tucked in a box, or overlooked in your vehicle’s console.

Collectors see a once-in-a-lifetime rarity. Historians see a small metal artifact shaped by global conflict. Everyday people see hope that a tiny coin could change their financial story.

Pennies are the very definition of small and overlooked. Most people walk right past them on the sidewalk. But the 1943 copper wheat penny is a reminder: even the smallest things can be worth far more than they appear.

So dig through those jars. Open the old containers your grandparents saved. Sift through the spare change. Because somewhere out there, a life-changing penny is still waiting to be found.

And if you’re lucky enough to discover it, that single cent might just be the most profitable penny you ever lay your hands on.